As others have said ex military clothing tends to be cheap, waterproof & resistant to mud.
Yes I'd look a loony walking around a UK shooting show in camo but I will wear it (assuming I haven't left it at home) if it's pi$$ing down at Diggle. (The camo I have is just waterproof trousers & a jacket, it's not UK issue or current issue in any force that I'm aware of & certainly doesn't shown any insignia of any sort)
One more reason for me not to join the NRA or shoot at Bisley me thinks. (Although I'm tempted to shoot there in a pink PVC gimp suit just to make a point.)
I find that wearing a totally inappropriate cam, such as desert DPM works for me. You get the pockets, comfort etc but it looks like you're not taking things too seriously, especially when coupled with a colourful civvie waterproof and pink ammo box. smile2
The above post probably contains sarcasm or some other form of attempted wit, please don't take it to heart.
Way I see it, shooting is about doing it for the enjoyment of it, it's not a fashion show but if someone wants to dress in head to toe tweed complete with green wellies or mossy oak camo or any make of camo for that matter then that's then that's up to them.
What does boil my pee however is guys like Steve Houghton there who if they don't like something want it policed and given short shrift while at the same time making assumptions about people.
Jeez man get that stick out of your ass and lighten up.
Dombo63 wrote:
If Mr Houghton sees me and objects to my "military" clothing I hope to at least receive a suitably deferential salute to whatever rank he thinks I may hold.
And I trust you will salute him back in an appropriate manner! One finger should be adequate.
Of course, I'd prefer him to wander over and chat about rifles and shooting. As a newcomer to the sport I'll happily chat to anyone, and rather be judged on whether I am shooting safely and accurately than condemned out of hand for looking like Colonel Saito's boss or an extra from M*A*S*H.
I'm in two minds about this one - I don't really see the problem with people getting into to the part (even if it is grown men playing soldiers), and enjoy seeing folk dressed like cowboys at the Phoenix, and guys dressed in old army gear at the Trafalgar (even German gear (not SS obviously))...
...but also think that shooting tactical looking rifles dressed in full camo can be misconstrued by others, and isn't a great image for the public.
Watcher wrote:My club has a policy of discouraging military clothing. The thing that really gets on my t*ts are the guys who wear repro Waffen SS caps! Thankfully not in my club but when I walk past them in the butts I have to bite my lip - "Big fan of the SS are you?" wants to blurt out.
I've seen those guys wandering around at the trade shows. Next time I'll tip off a member of staff.
I think it's dodgy as hell for shooters (especially practical shooters) to rock up wearing cast-off DPM or MTP gear, especially the guys who turn up in bloused DPM trousers and field jacket with assault boots underneath, looking like a regular soldier who's taken his headdress off. On the flip side, ex-military gear's cheap, practical and doesn't show stains etc. I have a pair of old MTP trousers stashed away at Bisley in case of bad weather, as it happens - but I'll never buy or wear a camo jacket of any pattern.
When the public see people toting guns - any guns - and wearing camo gear, they don't think "oh, target shooter", they think "what's his Action Man fixation about? Is he stable? What kind of weirdo plays dressup with a gun?"
didn't I see you wandering around a major meeting at Bisley a couple of years ago with an un-bagged Lee Enfield hanging off your shoulder? tongueout now that would be liable to cause certain members of the public to go ballistic!