Gamo Viper Express .22 — Air Shotgun & Pellet Rifle

Gamo Viper Express Review — The Dual‑Purpose Airgun

The Gamo Viper Express is a break‑barrel spring‑piston airgun that works as both a shotgun and a conventional pellet rifle . The smoothbore barrel lets you fire Gamo’s proprietary .22 shot shells, each loaded with 25 No. 9 lead shots . When you fit the supplied metal rifled adaptor, the Viper Express fires standard .22 pellets just like a normal air rifle . The 457mm (18in) smoothbore barrel produces 228 m/s (750 fps) with shot shells and 220 m/s (725 fps) with pellets . The grey composite stock has rubber grip inserts, a ventilated rubber buttpad and an 11mm dovetail rail for scopes or red dot sights .

Gamo Viper Express UK — Status and Rarity

The Gamo Viper Express is not currently available as a new rifle from mainstream UK retailers . BSA Guns, Gamo’s UK distributor, has stated the rifle will not be sold in the UK market . The model was discontinued several years ago due to slow sales . Many collectors hunt for the Viper Express as a rare and unusual addition to their cabinet. If you want one, buying used or finding a private seller is your only option. For UK shooters who manage to find one, the Viper Express remains a fascinating and genuinely fun piece of airgun history .

Gamo Viper Express Ammo — Shot Shells and Pellets

You need proprietary Gamo shot shells to use the Viper Express in shotgun mode . Each shell holds 17 grains of No. 9 lead shot and produces a useful pattern out to approximately 10 metres . Owners reload empty shells using 3D‑printed wads and No. 6 or No. 8 lead shot to keep the gun running . To fire pellets, you insert the supplied smooth‑to‑rifled adaptor into the muzzle. This lets you shoot standard .22 pellets for longer‑range work. Keep in mind that the smoothbore barrel limits pellet accuracy beyond 20‑25 yards.

Gamo Viper Express Problems — Honest Owner Feedback

The Viper Express receives mixed feedback from owners. The most common criticism is its very short effective range with shot shells — you need to be within about 10 metres to get a useful pattern . One owner called it a small step up from a novelty gun, useful for dispatching snakes or rats only from 5 feet away . Shot shells are also expensive and hard to find, costing around $1 per shot in markets where they are still available . The cocking effort is approximately 13kg (29 lbs), which some shooters find heavy . On the positive side, owners praise the build quality, the fast handling and the sheer fun of firing shotshells from an airgun . One forum user called it one of the most fun guns I have ever shot .

Gamo Viper Express Performance — What Owners Say

Using the Viper Express with shot shells, owners report dropping small game at close range. One owner took squirrels out of a tree at 20 yards with ease using a modified version of the gun, and even dropped birds in flight . For pest control on rats, mice and snakes at very close range, the shot shell mode is genuinely effective. With the rifled adaptor fitted, the Viper Express performs like a standard .22 break‑barrel springer. The trigger pull weighs approximately 1.7kg (3.7 lbs) and the automatic safety engages each time you cock the barrel .

Gamo Viper Express For Sale UK — Discontinued Model

Because the Gamo Viper Express is discontinued and was never widely sold in the UK, new examples are virtually impossible to find . Used Viper Express rifles occasionally appear on private sales forums, auction sites and specialist classifieds. Prices vary greatly depending on condition, included accessories and whether the seller provides original shot shells. If you find one for sale, check that the rifled adaptor is included. Without it, you cannot fire pellets effectively. Every used Gamo Viper Express sold by Fieldcraft Airguns comes with our exclusive 12 month warranty. We offer delivery straight to your door. We recommend buying a supply of Gamo shot shells at the same time. If you cannot find factory shells, reloading kits and 3D‑printed wads are available from specialist suppliers .