I received a new Gamo Shadow 1000 for Christmas, and couldn't wait to shoot it. Out of the box it was beautiful, no thick oil to clean up at all. It only weighs around 6 pounds. The finish on the bluing was great. You could tell the bluing was put on deep and more resistant to scratches than other air rifles I have. After checking to make sure all the screws were tight and everything looked good, I immediately put on a BSA 4-7X20 scope I had at the house and went to sight it in. I put up a 5" target (below).

<---------5"------------>                       

At 25yds. using Winchester .177 hunting pellets, the first shot was low and to the right. I adjusted and took shots 2-3. I over adjusted for shots 2-3 and shot groups 4-5 to the left and high. One final adjustment and I shot groups 6-8 dead on the money. I could then hit bullseye each and every time consistently.

The trigger pull seemed easy, but a bit long, but not too bad. All the shots I took were squeezing the trigger slowly. When I pulled the trigger fast, shots were off the mark. My total trigger pull was about 2 seconds long. I have to work on that or re-sight it in using a fast pull.

The composite stock is very nice on this rifle. Not as good looking as a wood stained stock, but beautiful none the less and should be more durable. When shooting, there is a definite twang to the spring piston that is probably enhanced by the composite stock rather than a wood stock. It sounds as if the vibration rattles through the whole gun, but no vibration could be felt when firing.

The rifle comes stock with true-glow sights on both the front and rear sight. Red on the front, 2 green on the rear. Although it makes it easy to put the front sight between the rear, the true-glow also makes it look a bit hazy.

I don't have a chronograph, so I can't tell you how many fps it shoots, but I can tell you this. From 5 feet, it shoots completely through a 1"X4" piece of painted pine. No other rifle I have shoots that hard. Not the B3-1, KL-B3, or XS-B7.

For a break barrel, I'd say it shoots more accurate than any other rifle I have including my side lever and under lever rifles. Apparently, they machined the gun well so the fit is nice and tight between breach and barrel. Loading is easy as the barrel hinges down and you don't have to feel around to insert the pellet and the scope doesn't get in the way either. I do wish this were a side-lever cocking rifle. It seems a bit awkward to cock it grabbing the barrel and putting about 38lbs. of pressure to pull the barrel down.

The Gamo Shadow 1000 has a safety mechanism right in front of the trigger. At first, I though this might get in the way while shooting, but you can't even tell it's there until you need it. Just push the lever back to engage the safety, and when ready to fire, push it forward with your finger.

It also has a nice butt rest on it with checkered holes. This is perfect for putting your pellets in to hold them when taking it hunting. No need for a separate pellet holder on this rifle.

I am very excited about this rifle and can't wait to get a B21 to compare it to. This is definitely a good small game hunting rifle for me and I plan to do a lot of rabbit hunting.

At 30yards windy conditions.

Reviewed by Robert Fischer