Last Friday, I was excited to receive the new GAMO Swarm Maxxim from GAMO USA. I had heard a rumor about this rifle at SHOT, but I got so wrapped up in meetings, I did not get a chance to stop by and check it out. Luckily, we have a few connections so we got on the review list for the GAMO Swarm Maxxim.
About This Rifle
The GAMO Swarm Maxxim is a 10-shot break barrel adult air rifle. I tested the .22 caliber with a 3-9×40 Air Rifle Scope that was shooting 975 fps with PBA Platinum. The .177 Caliber shoots 1300 fps with PBA Platinum. The GAMO Swarm Maxxim comes with a patent-pending 10x pellet magazine. It is incredibly simple to use and shoot without reloading for 10 full shots. The magazine is easy to load and well labeled so that you can quickly assess how many shots are left in the magazine and when it has been fully exhausted of pellets.
I found the GAMO Swarm Maxxim easy to get sighted in and it was zeroed in with less than 30 shots. I set up a full MOA target at 25 feet and quickly had it shooting perfectly. Out of the box the unit was quick to group shots and each 3-shot grouping was impressively close. The GAMO Swarm Maxxim comes with a two-stage adjustable CAT (Custom Action Trigger) trigger but honestly, I did not feel the need to start playing with the adjustable trigger. I felt the factory settings of 3.2 lbs on the GAMO Swarm were quite good and I was shooting it well almost immediately. The break barrel single cocking system requires 32lbs of effort to break open and cock the rifle. The manual safety is easy to find and easy to use.
The stock on this rifle fits well and gives the rifle heft and feel at 5.64 lbs which is keeps this rifle on target and accurate down range. The non-slip texture design on the grip and forearm keeps this rifle firmly in hand and quickly on target. This air rifle feels like a full-size rifle at 45 inches and shoots like a full-size rifle.
| Caliber | .177 |
|---|---|
| Velocity: | 1,300 feet per second (fps) with Alloy Pellets |
| Action: | 10X GEN2 Quick- Shot technology enables you to shoot up to ten pellets without reloading. Single cocking system. |
| Noise dampening: | MAXXIM |
| Powerplant: | IGT Inert Gas Technology gas piston. |
| Barrel: | Fluted Polymer Jacketed rifled Steel with WHISPER MAXXIM Technology. |
| Trigger: | Two stage independently adjustable CAT (Custom Action Trigger). |
| Stock: | Automotive grade glass filled nylon all-weather., Magazine Compartment. |
| Checkering: | Non-Slip texture design on grip and forearm. |
| Recoil Pad: | SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) Recoil pad with up to 74% recoil absorption. |
| Safety: | Manual safety and automatic cocking safety system* |
| Optics: | GAMO 3-9×40 air rifle scope with rings (shockproof, fogproof) |
| Rail: | 11 mm aluminum rail, RRR (Recoil Reducing Rail). |
| Warranty: | 3 Year. |
| Weight: | 5.64 lbs. |
| Length: | 45.3 in. |
| Length of Pull: | 14.4 in. |
| Trigger Pull: | 3.2/2.6 lbs. |
| Barrel Length: | 19.9 in. |
| Cocking Effort: | 30 lbs. |
Overall Impression
Overall, I was impressed with the GAMO Swarm Maxxim. I especially enjoyed the 10-shot magazine as it kept my interest longer versus my single shot air rifle. I am already planning on ordering 3 more magazines for this rifle so that I can walk out on the farm with several magazines loaded and ready to go for squirrel season. The quiet action of this air rifle is perfect for squirrel season and will allow me to take several shots without having to move from farm to farm after just a few shots. This rifle is accurate and provides the downrange force you need when hunting pests, squirrels and rabbits. The GAMO Swarm Maxxim comes in at a retail price of $199.00 for the .22 caliber and with all of the features on this scoped adult air rifle, it is a fantastic bargain.
I love to shoot but I don’t always have the option of popping off a hundred rounds through my 270, 308 or 300win mag. Ammunition is expensive and practice is incredibly important. Owning a quality air rifle like the GAMO Swarm Maxxim is great for practice, great for moral and great for keeping your shooting in shape and ready for the season to come. Go check these air rifles out at GAMOUSA.com.
