Shooting Show

[raybrown53]

There *are* some right knobheads in airsoft, but that's true in every walk of life.

Couldn't agree more. I shoot a recurve bow and found that in all the target clubs I visited (even the one I used to belong to) there were some really nice people friendly helpful and general all round good folk and then you had those who were total tits. Some of the comments I heard regarding firearms and shooters are akin to some of the comments I have read on here regarding airsoft. enthusiasts. Eventually got fed up with it all and now shoot purely for fun.

[raybrown53]

OK so maybe I was out of order with the comment I made about the three people I observed, but my reaction was caused mainly because of what we have all seen in the papers about our sports.

Nothing wrong with their sport but when they leave the arena they should be aware that strutting about with an airsoft or any form of gun starpped to you would make a lovely picture for the front page of the Wapping Liar.

you can just see it can't you, "ARMED MEN IN CAMMO GEAR OPENLY ROAM AT UK GUN SHOW".

I honestly think this has gone its course, I made my point I will say no more.

The wax I bought for my boots works well, and the HPS Mapel syrup tastes great.

Mmmmm maple syrup.......... Pancake day tomorrow isn't it. Must check the store cupboard I am sure the wifey bought some especially for me to pour over pancakes.

[M99]

Well,

I will offer another perspective - we had a large amount of airsoft players come to the FCSA stand to chat and make enquiries - despite the fact they might have been dressed in full cammo, chest rigs, headsets, throat mikes, rubber knives, hand grenades, only one was sporting a holstered pistol and as soon as he realised it was removed and placed in his bag.

They all entered in to the spirit of the banter with us and some even posed for photos - a lot of these guys took away literature about both our club, Offas dyke and the NRA - so any of these that go on to get FACs are going to be helping bolster our sport for the future. A large proportion of them had no idea about the process of obtaining an FAC but again, most listened with interest and a lot of them showed genuine interest.

Almost without exception they were amazed at the array of firearms that are available to us use and enjoy our sport.

Regards

Mike

Not wishing to fan the flames but you could ask if they were unaware of the firearms that are used by others in the various shooting sports can you really consider them to be real shooters or merely play actors and view them also in the same way as we view reenactors?

No, not at all. There were probablg more FAC HOLDERS who were not aware of large calibre shooting or even the long barrelled revolvers

[Apphelia]

Sadly, I forgot to take the printout of who was going to be where and when, so was disappointed not to get the opportunity to meet fellow forum members (although it was very nice to get to see Vince on the Target Shooter stand!) Like a lot of others we also got stuck in the n-mile tailback up the B-road (20 minutes to do 200 feet at one point) for our opportunity of a day in the Somme. We were 5th from last before they closed the gates... so not all bad luck (except for the route march in unsuitable footwear - I knew that the strapless ones were being a bit optimistic.)

Show highlights for me were seeing some of the 50 cal artillery pieces (not permitted on our range) and a very interesting collection of sniper rifles on the Lovat Society stand... probably also seeing the Discovery getting towed up the field backwards to get him back on the road (how bad was it by Sunday?)

Although I went with a wallet burning a hole in my pocket I came away with nothing (even missed the maple syrup). Still, not complete loss - nice bun in Warwick and one of the best Greek meals ever in Coventry.

[IainWR]

... agree with your post about the factions slagging each other off in shooting (the NRA were guilty of this!)...

Hi Tackb

Can you point me at when the NRA were guilty of this? Wasn't 1988 was it? AFAIK there is only one NRA Trustee who might have been involved in running the Association in any way at all in 1988, and I'm not sure that anyone on the staff has been employed that long.


Iain

[tackb]

good afternoon iain ,

I was not impressed with the behaviour of the NRA during any of the bans , and have witnessed first hand the attitude of SOME tr shooters , very elitist to say the least ! although in recent years this seems to be dying out (good job!)

also , following threads about the NRA over the last year or so they definitley seem to want to improve , i just hope it's not too late ?

please don't take my comments personally because on the whole i think the NRA is improving it's just that in the past i feel they haven't always worked for all the shooting disiplines in my opinion? (maybe i should have used bold type for 'were' )

also what is AFAIK ?

Russ

[tackb]

got it now , as far as i know ? (afaik)

[Mike357]

An airsoft gun fires a projectile as do all our guns. Why should they be treated any different!

They wear what they want and what is required of there sport. How many people were at Stonleigh wearing what they wear to the range or club! Indeed it sounds like there were many tweed types there too.

What I have a huge issue with is them carrying their guns around with them. They fire a projectile as do air pistols, BP revolvers, rifles etc. You cant openly carry an air pistol in a public place so why should these guys be any different? Am I right in thinking that the sale of Airsoft guns is more tightly enforced than air pistols? You have to be a member of a recognised club or national association to buy one. We shouldn't shy away from our sport but some common sense has to be adopted.

[Sim G]

I seem to remember hundreds, if not thousands of competitors during the Anno Domini meetings wandering around the trade tents with holstered pistols and revolvers..... Never appeared to raise an eyebrow then, never mind have someone branded a "walt"....

[tackb]

I seem to remember hundreds, if not thousands of competitors during the Anno Domini meetings wandering around the trade tents with holstered pistols and revolvers..... Never appeared to raise an eyebrow then, never mind have someone branded a "walt"....

yes but that was the good old days