Gamo P-23 Review

The Gamo P-23 has a special place in my heart as it is the pistol rekindled my interest in air gunning. I had been collecting firearms for some time and read all of the industry publications. One fire arms magazine was intermittently featuring articles on air guns and included a piece on the Gamo P-23.

Like many, I like the idea of a convenient and inexpensive supplement to training with a center fire pistol. (The Walther, Beretta and Colt CO2 pistols produced by Umarex show the continued support for this line of thinking.)

The Model P-23 by Gamo is a double action only (DAO), repeating air pistol utilizing a CO2 power plant, with a 12 round magazine for traditional BBs (.173) or round .177 caliber lead balls. It has a flip up barrel which allows access to the magazine and provides for use as a single shot .177 caliber pellet pistol. Part of the attraction to the P-23 is the degree to which it resembles the SIG Saur P230 in style and function. Although the P-23 is largely made of plastic composite, it possesses a pleasing heft and solid well balanced feeling. Pointing easily, with an ample well proportioned grip the P-23 is a natural shooter.

Projectile velocity is said to be in the area of 400 fps for standard BBs and 275 fps with light .177 caliber pellets. Getting 60 shots or more from a 12 gram Powerlet CO2 cartridge, you'll enjoy blasting your way through the 12 rounds on-board.

As a single shot pellet pistol it is surprisingly accurate. This pistol also fires Beeman cleaning pellets quite well making it my preferred bug buster. If I keep the ranges close it's awesome. At the speeds this pistol produces the cleaning pellets are very effective without worries about collateral damage. (Note: Cleaning pellets can be surprisingly powerful out of some air guns. When shooting at close range (several feet) my Crosman 1377C will put them through some pretty thick cardboard.)

It also shoots lead pellets well, and BB's with relative accuracy. One individual, whom I have a great deal of respect for, reported poor accuracy with round lead pellets, however in my P-23 I have found them to have good accuracy.

Widely available and reasonably priced ($55-$80), with 12 fast shots, a pleasing look and feel, the ability to shoot BBs and pellets, and a decent double action triggerpull, the Gamo P-23 represents a strong value and status as a modern classic.