I've been debating between this one or the Gamo Whisper over the past few weeks and decided this morning to get the .177 Panther. I have shot both and while the Whisper was impressive in weight and noise level, I believe I'll be happier with the quality and out of box performance of the Panther a lot more.

I may get the Whisper one day, but for now I want something I can just buy, open up (maybe do a quick lube tune) and start shooting. I already know that if I get the Whisper it's going to end up in pieces like all my other rifles and sit on my workbench with the rest of the pile while I think of ways to either "make it better" or just simply adulterate it for the hell of it. I'm not saying it won't happen with the Panther, but I'm going to try hard to just enjoy shooting the gun for a while before attempting to get anything major done. The stock 34s I've shot in the past handled really well with very little twang (if any) out of box and without a tune. Plus the trigger is not bad at all. I'm gonna get this rifle AFTER I get my wife's Christmas gift.

Git er done.

Smart move Jon, things go better when the wife is taken care of first.

I think you'll like the way the Panther shoots. I still haven't scoped mine, but I plan on it in the near future. Mine was very very dry. It will need some proper lubes. Don't be surprised if the barrel is bored out of center either. I guess RWS decided that they don't need to be bored on center. The trigger can be tuned down to 1-2 lbs easily on the T05 and it's pretty nice. Mine isn't hold sensitive so far without the scope. The lockup is very tight. I'll try to post some target pics some time today.

I just got through ordering the droop base and some rings. Might as well have that ready for when I get the rifle. Yep, the lockup is another thing about the rifle I found impressive. If I recall correctly it uses a steel bearing for the lockup and locks up nice and tight...

Yeah, you might actually have to let a little tension off the hinge screw to relieve some of the fork pressure. Mine was so tight that it took an 800 lb gorilla to close the barrel after it was cocked.

Smart move Jon, things go better when the wife is taken care of first.

I just got done ordering the wife's gift... Looks like part of this week's payday is going toward a new Panther! :rockon: