Review of the Gamo PR-45 multifunctional air pistol

Gamo PR-45 air pistol review

Spanish Gamo pneumatics have always been distinguished by good technical characteristics and well-thought-out design. This pistol is no exception. It is an intermediate product designed to meet the needs for precise and reliable pneumatics for a variety of applications. Its design features have certain shortcomings, which are offset by a number of advantages during operation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Positive qualities of the Gamo PR 45 pistol:

• high accuracy and shooting accuracy - maximum dispersion should not exceed 25 mm at 10 m. The actual dispersion is less if you practice for a long time or shoot from a rest;
• ease of use - the pistol “fits” well in the hand, especially if you replace the plastic cheeks with an individual wooden handle;
• adjustment of trigger force and dimensions of sights;
• the pneumatic system and the trigger mechanism are located in different parts of the pistol.

Disadvantages of the pneumatic model:

• quite high price for a pistol with intermediate performance parameters;
• accelerated loosening of the trigger assembly caused by the fixation of its elements on the polymer plate under the cheeks of the handle;
• decrease in the accuracy of fire of individual samples over time (a common problem with systems with a moving barrel).

Photo of Gamo PR-45 air pistol

Purpose

The pistol can be used for amateur shooting at small and not very distant targets. The low speed of the bullet makes its flight over several tens of meters very sensitive to the influence of wind. For shooting at 20-30 m, it is recommended to use high-quality pointed bullets, which are less susceptible to lateral drift than sports match projectiles.

The greatest accuracy is achieved in a shooting range at a standard distance of 10 m (classical shooting competitions).

The pistol cannot replace more advanced gas-cylinder models, but is suitable for successful use in competitions on a city and regional scale.

The simple design and low price, in comparison with expensive sporting models, make this pistol attractive for initial shooting training. The ergonomics and accuracy of the model allow it to meet all adult standards up to the first sports category.

arbalet-airgun

Literally until recently, large-caliber, heavy-duty Big Bor pneumatics were the prerogative of only a few companies, mostly overseas, such as Quackenbush from Missouri, or the South Korean Shin Sung, which produces the famous Career Dragon Slayer 12.7 mm (.50). Mass manufacturers did not particularly meddle in this segment, limiting themselves to the traditional 177 mm (4.5 mm) for “air guns”, plus “hunting” 5.5 and 6.35 mm. And only thanks to the growing popularity of animal hunting with pneumatics on the American continent, “Big Bore” calibers .30 (7.62) and .38/.357 (9 mm) began to appear.

But every year the number of states where this kind of hunting is allowed, including not only small things like coyotes, but also wild boars and deer, has been increasing (see “Expensive and angry: American air”). The first to react to this, of course, were the Americans themselves, the same “Quackenbush”, which released, for example, the “LA Outlaw .458” model. The same Koreans followed them, but, again, not from the mass segment.

And in the last year or two, it was as if a certain wall had collapsed, and the Spaniards and Germans joined the once thin but orderly ranks of traditional manufacturers of heavy-duty pneumatics. Read about their creations in the articles “Umarex Hammer”: the most powerful air rifle on the planet and New heavy-duty large-caliber Big Bor rifles “Gamo”, and the heroes of today’s story are Turkish products.

But first, a little about the Big Bor class itself.

What is the “BigBore” class in pneumatics

The “Big Bor” class (literally, “big bore,” that is, the barrel) in the world of air guns arose relatively recently, with the advent of heavy-duty large-caliber PCP rifles (with pre-pumping). Here it must be said that the first models that used compressed air cylinders, which were later supplanted by firearms, appeared 400 years ago, were also by no means “little things” and were used both for hunting and in war. For example, the famous “Girardoni” of the 1780 model fired 13-mm (!) lead balls.

Today, the following calibers are considered standard for pneumatics: .177 (4.5 mm), .22 (5.5 mm), .25 (6.35 mm), .30 (7.62 mm) and .38/. 357 (9 mm). The last two already belong to the “BigBore” class. But that’s not all; in recent years, the monstrous .45 (11.43 mm) and the “great 50th”, that is, 12.7 mm, have become noticeably popular.

The first three calibers, according to the Americans, are considered intended for “small game”, that is, hunting small animals and birds, and the “Big Bore” calibers are already “medium/large game” - from coyote to deer with wild boar. And bullets for “medium/large game” are not classic “shufflecocks”, but ogive-shaped projectiles, as a rule, full-bodied. Although at the junction of classes you can encounter some eclecticism, for example, in the 6.35 mm caliber, full-bodied ones are often used, and 9-mm films are shot with “reels”.

Naturally, the power of BigBore rifles with muzzle energy of hundreds of joules, as well as the lethality of their heavy ammunition, is simply incomparable to the “air guns” that are more familiar to us. Actually, the picture below itself serves as a good illustration of this (top row - 12.7 mm bullets of various types):

By the way, the American one has created special crossbow hunting bolts designed for shooting from PCP rifles of 50 and 357 calibers. And in 2022, it released a unique 12.7 mm double-barreled shotgun, capable of shooting not only them and standard pneumatic bullets, but also shot! For more details, see the articles “Arrows for pneumatics” and “Hunting pneumatic shotguns”.

So, let's move on to the latest models of powerful Turkish rifles. Let's start with a representative of spring-piston pneumatics that remains unique to this day.

Unique three-line spring-piston rifle “Hatsan 135 Carnivore”

Actually, the English “Carnovore” corresponds to the Russian “Predator”, or “Carnivorous”. And this is true - the new model of air gun lives up to its name. Even for the famous Turkish company, all of whose products can traditionally be characterized by one terribly popular word among teenagers: “POWER!”

For example, it is the only one that produces its magnums, and especially supermagnums, not only in traditional .177 and .22, but also in 6.35 mm caliber. A year ago, Khatsan mastered the production of the Hercules PCP hunting rifle, both in the “Bigbor” 7.62 and 9 mm, and in the absolutely monstrous .45/11.43 mm! (see the corresponding section of this article).

But the most amazing example was a unique spring-piston rifle of a “three-line” caliber, that is, 7.62 mm, which also allowed it to be classified as a “BigBore” class. The manufacturer himself declares for it a muzzle energy of 45 joules, unprecedented among “springs”! The Hatsan MOD 135 Vortex QE Carnivore .30Cal (photo below) was created on the basis of the good old Hatsan 135. More precisely, its modern versions, equipped with a proprietary Vortex gas spring and a QE (Quiet Energy) muffler. In fact, the main difference lies precisely in the characteristics of the barrel bore.

The author of this article, as a former owner of a re-barrel 135, has long suspected that Turkish supermagnums are redundant for the 4.5 mm caliber, but the 5.5 mm options are quite sane. The 25 caliber (6.35 mm) has already aroused some suspicion, since the real capabilities of any currently existing serial spring-piston rifle are not enough for this, and the trajectory of the bullet will be too forward. And here - 7.62!

But this is all theory, it's time for practice. Here is a video of Predator shooting at 15, 25 and 50 yards (the metric system is tight in the States). In the commentary to the results on the farthest target, the shooter shows where he had to move the aiming point so that the bullets did not go into the “bottom milk”.

In general, the drop is quite significant for 49 meters, but there is nothing surprising in this, since the Turks themselves declare a speed of only 170 meters per second for Carnivore - alas, you can’t squeeze more out of even a giant compressor. Control shooting with 44.75 grain bullets (about 3 grams) ~550 fps, or 170 m/s, shows approximately the same. That is, indeed, the energy is about 43 joules.

However, check out the accuracy - just like the Hatsan in front of us! And with a collimator. Here they are, the advantages of heavy bullets that are stable in flight and optimal speeds. They also mirror the disadvantages of the pursuit of power by installing bad, over-pumped GPUs on standard 4.5mm 125s. Yes, there is speed, but there are no hits...

However, fans of “power” may well be disappointed with the new product - the penetrating ability of the bullets fired from it, precisely because of the low speed, is not going well. What kind of baths are there! But the stopping power is noticeably more solid.

In a word, draw your own conclusion whether you need such a rifle. Although the Hatsan MOD 135 Vortex QE Carnivore, it seems, will remain unique among all spring-piston competitors for a long time.

Small addition for 2022. In the production line of Turkish supermagnums, a budget 130th model (compressor 30x120 mm) has also appeared, which in principle is a Hatsan 135 transformed from a luxurious walnut stock into a simple polymer, except with a barrel shortened to 415 millimeters.

So, meeting the wishes of low-income workers :)), the Khatsanovites released the “mod 130” version in 7.62 mm caliber
. Attention. As of 01.07.21, amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 222 and 223) came into force regarding pneumatic weapons with muzzle energy over 7.5 J. If previously liability, and only administrative responsibility, was provided for carrying, transporting and shooting at borders of populated areas, then from now on criminal prosecution with quite serious sanctions is provided for the sale, as well as illegal production, alteration or repair of such samples (see No matter how tight the string is, or New “anti-pneumatic” laws). So, when reading articles written in a completely different era :)), keep in mind the newly discovered circumstances...

The first heavy-duty PCP rifle “Hatsan Hercules”

In the photo below we see the first sign in the production ranks of Turkish PCP rifles of the “Big Bor” class - “Hatsan Hercules”:

Available in calibers from the classic .177 (4.5 mm) to the mighty 45 (11.43 mm). In the first it produces 395 m/s and 44 J, in the latter (with super-heavy bullets) - 224 m/s and 396 joules! The most popular ones are 7.62 and 9 mm - 132 and 193 J, respectively.

If the Turks still manage to maintain the previously traditionally low prices for their new products, then the success of Hercules, at least among the Americans, is guaranteed. It has already been announced in Ukrainian arms stores with a price of about 26 thousand hryvnia, that is, only about 57 thousand rubles. Of course, in a legal caliber of 4.5 mm. Approximately the same should be expected in Russia. Well, our suppliers and airgunners will slowly figure out the more serious versions themselves, since such experience has already been accumulated a long time ago.

Below is a video in which our old friend, the famous Arizona airgunner Jim Chapman, has already tried out the new product on a real hunt.

As one would expect, in the wake of the success of the first heavy-duty PCP rifle of the “BigBore” class in the model range, the Turkish “Hatsan” released its modification in a bullpup layout with the playful name “Hercules Bully”.

The new product has exactly the same basic performance characteristics as its older brother:

— produced in calibers .177 (4.5 mm), .22 (5.5 mm), 25 (6.35 mm), .30 (7.62 mm), .35 (9 mm) and .45 (11.43 mm); — magazine capacity depends on the caliber and is 17 charges for 4.5 mm, 14 for 5.5 mm, 13 for 6.35 mm, 10 for 7.62 mm, 9 for 9 mm and 7 for 11 .43 mm (the latter circumstance will greatly please hunters, because, as a rule, Big Bor rifles of 357, 45 and 50 calibers are single-shot); — muzzle energy ranges from 44 joules in the 177 caliber to 396 J in the 45.

With identical barrels of 585 mm, the Bally is, for obvious reasons, noticeably shorter - 920 mm versus 1230 for the regular Hercules. Weight has also been reduced from 5.9 kg to 4.65 kg.

What else. The 500 ml tank is made of carbon fiber, operating pressure 250 bar. Conveniently located side cocking, adjustable two-stage trigger, double bullet protection system. And, of course, the price is less than $900, which is very attractive for the Big Bor class. And in 4.5 mm caliber “Bully” has already appeared on one of the Ukrainian sites with a price of 20,500 hryvnia, that is, about 49 thousand rubles.

2022 addition

It seems that it was on the basis of the “Hercules Bully” that the Turks created their first hunting “pneumatic crossbow”, which immediately became, if not the most, then one of the most powerful among such weapons - the “ Hatsan Harpoon ”.

Read more about it in the article “New models of air guns. Part 2".

New and old PCP rifles "Hatsan" class "Big Bore"

Still, how sensitively do Khatsan employees perceive the slightest changes in market conditions. Now multi-shot spring-piston rifles began to come into fashion - please, “SpeedFire” was born. A wave of interest in the super-powerful BigBor hunting models has risen around the world - they have bravely invaded this niche. And they immediately began to strengthen their positions in every possible way.

Following the “Predator” and “Hercules”, having accumulated the necessary experience, the Khatsan team rolled up their sleeves and quickly modernized one of their most popular PCP rifles - the BT65. The result is a new model line - “Hatsan BT65 Carnivore” (pictured).

The performance characteristics of the models are absolutely identical, the only difference is in the “shutter”. The 65SB series has a side cock (Side Bolt), and the 65SRB has a rear cock (Rear Bolt). Well, traditionally, samples in a wooden stock (Turkish walnut, by the way) have the letter “W” added. By the way, the bottom one in the photo “BT65RB-W Carnivore” also has a version without it in classic black and gray polymer (“synthetic stock version”).

So, the 65 Predators are produced in Big Bore calibers of 7.62 and 9 millimeters. The first produces 98 J of muzzle energy and a speed of 260 m/s with a 3-gram bullet. Secondly, we are talking about 128 joules and 220 m/s with a bullet weighing 5.3 grams.

The pressure of the 255-milliliter tank is 200 Bar, the number of shots per fill is 80, the magazine capacity in the 30-caliber is 7, and in the 357 (fragment on the lower right) - 6 bullets.

One last thing: on eBay, the “Hatsan Bt65SB Big Bore Carnivore 35 Caliber QE” (pictured above) is already selling for $813. By the way, “QE” (Quiet Energy) is the brand name for the layout of an integrated muffler with a shortened barrel, something like the domestic VSS “Vintorez”. The entire model line is equipped with them.

More on the topic:

Large-caliber pneumatics: what can we expect in Russia? New heavy-duty large-caliber Big Bore rifles "Gamo" Air rifles "Hatsan" class "Big Bore"

Specifications

Technical characteristics of the Gamo PR 45 air pistol:

Number three - Sam Yang Big Bore 909s

And again, a rifle from another South Korean brand - Sam Yang Sumatra. Its caliber is 0.45 inches (which is 11.5 mm). The manufacturer suggests using this weapon for deer hunting . Rifle type - PCP, single-shot, the bullet is sent into the barrel through a special hole in the receiver. To do this, just move the trim on the barrel forward. The shutter is a separate, longitudinally sliding type. There is a thread near the muzzle cut (for installing a moderator). This model has two reservoirs, each of them is pumped up to 204 atmospheres.

Taking lead bullets weighing 11.6 g, you can fire five powerful (270 joules) shots. At a speed of 204 meters per second, the bullets are quite capable of hitting large prey. The best option is charges weighing 11 g, then the speed will increase to 214 meters per second. Let us also note the good accuracy of this weapon, which is no more than 8 cm at a distance of sixty meters.

When choosing a rifle for hunting small game or other purposes, we advise you to pay attention to the price of the Gamo air rifle. Features of the use and selection of optics.

All about the IZH sports air rifle follow the link. Choosing a rifle for sport shooting.

Device

The pistol has a massive construction caused by the installation of a compression chamber in the front upper part of the pistol. The trigger mechanism is located in the handle, and the barrel is fixed in a movable frame that rotates about an axis near the muzzle.

The rifling is not made along the entire length of the barrel, but ends at its muzzle and leaves a smooth inner surface at the exit. This solution allows the bullet to come off all rifling at the same time and gives the shot additional accuracy.

The advantage of sighting devices is that they are spaced at the maximum permissible distance, and the rear sight extends beyond the dimensions of the pistol. The longer sighting line allows for more accurate shooting, which is especially important in sports competitions.

The trigger does not rotate around the upper axis, but is recessed into the body of the handle, causing unusual sensations at the initial stage of using the pistol. This design does not interfere with effective shooting after just a few training sessions.

A special feature of the sight is the ability to adjust the width of the rear sight. This is done using a flat-blade screwdriver. This option is extremely useful for sporting purposes, which involve precise adjustment of the weapon to the user's preferences.

Gamo PR-45 pneumatic gun device

Number five - AirForce Condor

These PCP-type rifles, nicknamed “anti-tank guns,” are manufactured by the American company Airforce Airguns. They are strikingly different from classic pneumatic guns, rather reminiscent of submachine guns from the World War. The cylinder is held on an aluminum frame, which combines three pipes of different diameters. The handguard is made of plastic. The rifle is single-shot, the design of all devices is as simple and reliable as possible. The safety is automatic, there is an adjustable release.

It is possible to change the caliber of barrels from 4.5 to 11.5 mm, and they can be of any length.

The power regulator allows you to vary the speed of the flying charge from 70 to 390 meters per second. The firing energy is up to 55 joules. Using a 4.5 mm caliber, you can fire 200 shots, no less. Moreover, not only bullets (for example, heavy 5.5 mm caliber) can be used with these weapons, but also darts, as well as syringes, which are used to euthanize large and dangerous animals.

Operating principle

The pistol is cocked by tilting the barrel and frame forward 60°. At the same time, the pistol is loaded by inserting a lead bullet or ball directly into the barrel.

It is recommended to fire a shot only with a loaded bullet (not empty) in order to eliminate negative consequences resulting from too sudden expansion of air.

If the seals are in good working order, the pressure in the chamber is guaranteed to be maintained for several minutes. Consistency of bullet speed and minimal vertical dispersion are ensured by regular cleaning of the barrel and lubrication of the mechanisms. The shot is fired when a hidden trigger hits the valve that releases compressed air from the compression chamber.

The video shows the Gamo PR-45 pistol in action:

Disassembly and maintenance

The pistol has a complex trigger design located in the handle. To access it, you need to remove the plastic cheeks, under which there is a translucent polymer plate.

The mechanism is lubricated directly on top of the assembled parts, since disassembling and assembling the pistol trigger without the appropriate skills is very difficult. The barrel can be cleaned with a piece of wood assembled in half, into the curved end of which a piece of rags (dry or moistened with pneumatic oil) is threaded. Fans of cleaning rods should choose a wire design with a polymer braid, which prevents abrasion of the barrel chamfers and a significant reduction in shooting accuracy.

Number seven - Walther Talon Magnum

Once again, the PP system and caliber are 4.5 mm, this time from the Turkish manufacturer – Hatsan. The butt (the length of which can be adjusted) and the forend are plastic and have notches for easy grip. The safety is automatic and there is a large muzzle brake. Bullets used with a diameter of 4.5 mm. If you shoot a rapid-fire bullet, the speed will be 426 meters per second, for standard bullets - 365 meters per second. The resulting power is up to 70 joules.

Possible tuning (upgrade)

Since the pistol was originally designed as an intermediate version (a little for amateur shooting and a little for sports), it is difficult to adequately tune it. The only way to improve the ergonomics of the model is to use wooden handles that have fixed or adjustable dimensions.

Initially, a similar scheme is present in the “Compact” version of the model, although a similar handle can be made for the basic version. It is made of two halves and has a vertically adjustable lower lock. The cost of making a wooden handle is about $100.

The pistol is a good option for learning to shoot and is suitable for various purposes at the same time. The relatively simple design of the pneumatic system increases overall reliability under intensive use. The trigger located in the handle allows you to service the gun components separately and does not require complete disassembly during routine repairs of the sealing system.

Video review of the Gamo PR-45 air pistol: