Limited in store offers now available!

As the weather starts to get a little nicer and the cold winter days turn into nice spring mornings we here at Drapers Gun Centre have decided to do a little spring cleaning of ourselves and put together some nice instore limited time offers for our customers. So far we’ve got three fantastic packages to show with more likely on the way and remember these are limited to the stock we have left so once they’re gone they’re gone!

Budget PCP Package: Gamo Boxer

Starting off our new package deals we thought to go for something on the more budget end of PCP packages but still offering something different then what we’ve currently got on the website. The Gamo Boxer offers the BSA forged barrel in a bullpup package complete with a nice wood stock and hard case. We’ve complimented this with a 3-9x40 Cobalt scope from AGS which includes a half mil-dot reticle and flip up scope caps. The package also comes with a tin of BSA Elite pellets and a set of targets giving you everything you need in one purchase to get out and start shooting. As of writing this blog we have two of these left, one in .177 and one in .22 so act fast if you’d like to get in on this amazing offer. 

Intermediate PCP Package: Retay Rifles

Moving on to those who want a bit more bang for their buck the Retay Rifles step up to the plate offering lovely turkish walnut and full metal weaver railed action at a fraction of the cost of the competition. To add to this premium feel we’ve included a 4-16x50 Cobalt AGS scope that includes flip up scope caps and a half mil-dot illuminated reticle, we’ve also added some correct weaver mounts to this from wulf. To this package we’ve included the usual set of targets and a tin of RWS Superpoint pellets which all fit in the included hard case.

Premium PCP Package: Brocock Bantam

Finishing off our new instore offers is the Brocock Bantam Sniper HR Hi-Lite Laminate which features a carbon fiber bottle and a gray laminate stock. We’ve added a Vortex Crossfire 3-12x56 that features an illuminated MOA reticle to add to the precaution accuracy of the rifle. We’ve added a padded bag to this to make sure the rifle is easy to transport as well as a tin of RWS Superdomes and Targets allowing you to sight the rifle in before going hunting. This is the last of the Brocock Bantams and Vortex scopes we have in stock making this a truly unique offer!

These offers are only available in store right now so act fast as the stock is going down quick!

Hands on with the KLI Hi Capas

This week we thought we’d bring something a bit different. The brand new KLI Baba Yaga Hi Capa 4.5mm Pistol which bridges the gap between Airguns and Airsoft by being a Hi Capa pistol chambered in 4.5mm.

To those of you who are unaware of what a Hi Capa is and why they are so popular on the airsoft market, here's a quick trip back in time for you. Originally made by STI in the 90s the Hi Capa, then called a 2011, was supposed to be a modernized version of a 1911 featuring a double stack magazine allowing for more shots which would be used in competition shooting. This 2011 design even went so far as to be used by the American Delta Force for a short period of time. After this success it was natural for an Airsoft copy to be made and Tokyo Marui saw the potential of the large magazine to store plenty of Gas thus the Hi Capa was born. Fast forward to modern day and the Hi Capa has seen plenty of use in Airsoft as well as on screen being used in the hands of Kenau Reeves in the popular series John Wick which made this design even more popular.

Getting our hands on the KLI the gang here were immediately impressed by the build quality of the pistol and when firing how awesome the kick is making you really feel like a true assassin on the loose. The ability to add a suppressor was also a nice touch although much like other pistol replicas this was a 14mm CCW thread instead of the usual Half Inch UNF that we see on many airguns however there are plenty of good Airsoft Suppressors on the market that will dampen the sound but we would of really liked to see what the likes of a Weirauch XLK or even a 0DB Suppressor would have been like.

Overall the KLI Baba Yaga and other Hi Capa series offers a good feeling pistol with a fantastic kick and would make an excellent addition to any action movie buff or replica collectors arsenal

New Brocock Sahara XR

A highly practical and versatile Airgun

For 2022 Brocock has added a bright and light carbine to its innovative XR sidelever PCP line-up. Aptly named the Safari XR, it brings a practical sand finish to its proven semi-bullpup XR model, while still retaining all the features that have made the Sniper XR such a firm favourite.

For added functionality, the new Sahara’s thumbhole polymer stock sports an adjustable cheekpiece and butt pad – while stylish moulding panels adorn the grip and forend, that also features a Picatinny accessory rail. Based on the Sniper XR’s action, the Sahara also benefits from a host of technical improvements. Increased power output and one of the highest shot counts in the Brocock range.

Compact and perfectly balanced, the Sahara is very pointable when in the shoulder, with handling further aided by a diminutive frame that measures just 820mm from butt to threaded muzzle. It tips the scales at a mere 3.3kg.

Sahara XR Features include:

  • Ergonomic sidelever operation
  • Multiple power settings via side power adjuster
  • Removable self-indexing 10 shot rotary magazine with single shot tray supplied
  • Revised hammer and valve assembly
  • Two-stage trigger
  • Huma Air Regulator
  • Resettable safety catch
  • Ambidextrous polymer stock
  • Adjustable cheek piece and 2D adjustable butt pad
  • Picatinny top and forend rails
  • Barrel shroud with adaptor for second stage silencer

Additionally for the Sniper XR;

  • Exclusive to Brocock – a factory-fitted Huma-Air Regulator
  • Twin manometer display (bottle pressure and regulator pressure)

Drapers at the Shooting Show

As many of you have probably seen from our post Last Week Team Drapers went all out at the Shooting Show last Sunday. We saw a few familiar faces from the shop and it was lovely to meet you all as well as getting to know some of our suppliers so we thought we’d let you all know how our little trip went.

Starting on Saturday we closed up a little earlier than usual to make sure we all had enough time to get down to the show, the Team quickly getting changed out of their uniforms into something more show worthy. We sadly didn’t catch any of the show Saturday but arriving at the hotel we heard nothing but good things making us excited for the coming day.  That night we went out for a meal with the folks at Sportsman Gun Centre, who had kindly offered to show us around their stall the next day. We all enjoyed some wonderful food, the lads a little annoyed at there being no ribs but quickly switched to burgers instead, and had some great conversation before retiring for the night. 

Waking it up it was a quick hotel breakfast and then off to the show. Starting off we first made our way over to Edgar Brothers, as their wood panelled stall always stands out in a crowd, we were intrigued by their .22lr Rifles, specifically the GSG STG44 and Model 16 both of which offer a nice semi auto 22 at only a £450 price point. They also had a new model of the Hatsan Factor available with a shortened barrel which offered a large capacity and tactical stock for the same price as an entry level PCP, not a bad offering given the looks.

Moving on to what Sportsman had to offer and there was a lot. Given our current interest in shotguns as our licence changes over we all had a good look at the ATAs which we were absolutely shocked at the quality to price difference with these Turkish bad boys offering Italian Level Craftsmanship at American level pricing! Sportsman have even acquired CZ so the Czech are getting in on the action with lots of bolt actions on the way. Sportsman also revealed to us a new Pard Scope along with automatically upgrading the ones we already had on order to the new ones, talk about speed, meaning that Drapers Gun Centre will be among the first to see what this new 008 has to offer.

After talking with both Sportsman and Edgar Brothers we had a chance to wander around a bit for ourselves seeing what everyone else had on offer. BSA had once again put their historical foot forward showing off both the BSA of the past and the BSA of the future. We got a quick look at the new RAWS guns, the new breed of Theobens, definitely something to be on the lookout for those of you wanting to upgrade your old Rapid 7. Umarex had some interesting offers for those out there wanting accurate HK replicas with their blowback PSG1 being an almost exact copy of the real steel variant but at almost a 3rd of the cost of the real thing!

Finally we got to sample some of the smaller stalls, and their cakes!, before Josh had a go on the Tactical Training Scenario although he might need a few more tries to beat the top score. Overall we had a fantastic day out and hope you all did too and we can’t wait to see what next years British Shooting Show has to offer.

Great British Shooting Show

Here at Drapers Gun Centre we are all getting excited to be at the Great British Shooting Show this weekend, which you can catch us at on Sunday. We just love to see all the familiar faces coming together once again to celebrate this great hobby so we thought we’d tell you a little about what’s going on for those of you out of the loop.

What is the Great British Shooting Show?

As stated on their website the Great British Shooting Show is an opportunity to educate and inform. Everyone wants to keep the sport alive and this is an opportunity for all of us to become more knowledgeable on all the different aspects of shooting, helpful for us with our current move into Shotguns and Shotgun Cartridges!

It’s also a good opportunity to get out there and see what companies have on offer as the show offers a fantastic platform for companies to announce new products, just earlier this month we got to have a sneak peak at a new offering from Hawke so be sure to look out for their stall if you get the chance.

And finally it’s for conservation and inspiration with the BASC coming to the show there is an emphasis on wildlife preservation while we all enjoy the hunting side of shooting it is important for us to maintain a low impact on the environment and wildlife so that we can keeping shooting available not only for ourselves but also future generations of shooters.

Who’s going?

As we said earlier there are going to be lots of familiar faces at the show. Not only are all the regulars going to be there such as Hawke, Air Arms, BSA, Edgar Brothers, Elite Optical and so on but also the whole Drapers Team so don’t be afraid to say hi if you catch one of the lads drooling over what new Airsoft guns are coming out or Karen getting lost in a crowd!

We’re also looking forward to seeing those outside of the show having organized to meet up with the great people at Sportsman Gun Centre and John Rothery Wholesale and being able to have a chat and some food with like minded people at the event.

Most importantly we’re also looking forward to seeing you our customers, some of which we know are going and others going to be a friendly surprise, not only on the Sunday when we’re there but also on the Saturday for those of you coming round our way before or after the show since we’re still open usual hours.

For those who can’t make it

For those who can’t make it, we are sorry to miss you but we have some good news! As part of Team Drapers going to the Great British Shooting Show we will be filming and picturing the whole of Sunday to really give you the highlights of what went on, and be sure to keep an eye out on the video side for some fun secrets coming later in the year…

Finally we’d like to thank everyone who has already gone to the Great British Shooting Show not only as fans of shooting but also suppliers, shops and friends we’re all looking forward to going here at Drapers Gun Centre and can’t wait to see what’s next.

New for 2022.

Exciting times ahead! Here at Drapers Gun Center we have got an amazing Year in front of us, this year we have got many changes in the pipeline all for the benefit of you guys out there. 

So what are we up to?

Shot Guns and Ammunition

Coming soon we are changing our registered firearms license to incorporate the ability to sell Shotguns and Shotgun shells of different gauges to suit, as you may be aware from our previous Blog the Drapers team visited the Lyalvale Shotgun shell factory, this was to experience the making of the shells along side giving our team some valuable hands on knowledge in preparation for when our customers visit or call the shop, in order to assist in any queries or sales to make the transition smooth and pleasant.

We cannot wait to be making our first order and to get things moving and growing in the area of Shotguns, We are currently making provisions for our “classic room” to incorporate a full range of Shotguns that customers will be able to come in store to view, and providing you have the correct up to date license required, purchase.

Keep an eye out on our Website/Blogs/Facebook/Twitter/instagram for up to date news on this great new venture!

Website

Next to change this year is the website, the Drapers team have worked extremely hard to come up with a brand new layout, new ideas, easier access, to make the website a much better experience and more user friendly, including up to date stock information, new and exciting offers, easier ways to shop through the website itself.

We here at Drapers are aware of the ever changing internet needs and feel now is the right time to get fully up to speed. 

Utilizing outside agencies we have spent months preparing and going over ideas and readdressing issues we feel can and may have caused customers and staff problems with purchasing online and hope to eliminate a lot of these to make your experience with Drapers through our website be taken to a whole new level.

Airsoft

As some of you may already be aware in the last year or so Drapers has expanded into Airsoft, we will be expanding this even further over the coming months, We will be actively advertising and adding to our current stock and welcome feedback from fellow airsofters should you visit the shop, The gents here at Drapers currently attend regular Airsoft Games and have an extremely good level of knowledge and experience, whether to just have a good chat over new or existing Airsoft equipment or to guide any new starter on the best route to take or practical Equipment needed to start you off on this exciting sport.

Shotgun Cartridges: A Simplified Guide

Following our tour at Lyavale last week we thought that this week would be a good time to cover Shotgun Cartridges as a whole rather than one specific company. Being new to Cartridges ourselves it can come with it’s own set of jargon completely unrelated to air gunning. Words like Bore, Load and Wad can seem a bit confusing at first but hopefully after reading this blog we can all be a bit more knowledgeable on Shotgun Cartridges.

What’s in a Shotgun Cartridge?

Shotgun Cartridges are typically made out of the following components:

Primer - The ignition cap for the Cartridge

Powder - The propulsion component of the Cartridge

Wad - Usually either a fibreglass or plastic housing that protects the Shot from the Powder

Shot - The lead (or lead free alternative) that will be fired from the Cartridge

Case - The housing for the Cartridge usually coloured Red, Yellow or Blue depending on Gage and cost

What is Bore and Gauge?

The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the inner diameter (bore diameter) of the barrel. Back when shooting meant loading up a cannon full of shot and chucking it at any enemy of the crown it was common to deal with Pounds of lead, for example an 8 Pounder Cannon would fire 8 Pounds of Lead, so when the concept of Small Arms was being introduced it was weighed against this Pound of Lead so a 12 Gauge shotgun shell is 1/12 a pound of lead cannon ball, the same is true with 28 Gauge 32 and so on. The only exception to this rule in modern shooting is .410 Bore, which would be hypothetically 67 Gauge.

Can I shoot steel shot?

Steel has become a popular alternative to lead, along with bismuth, due to its reduced impact on the environment when shooting. As we all work towards making changes in our lives to reduce environmental damage so too has the shooting community been coming up with their own ways of keeping sport alive along with the Planet. But do be carful when picking up steel shot as some guns may not be designed for its use (If you are unsure of what your shotgun can fire look for a fleur-de-lis stamped on your gun to see if it is steel shot ready)

In conclusion there are many different aspects of Shotguns and we’ve only really covered the very basics on this post as with any other firearm or air rifle we always recommend double checking with a shop or supplier if you are unsure about what cartridges your gun uses and if you are making the right choice in ammunition not only know but in the future with all the changes.

Lyalvale Express Factory Tour

As part of our current move towards the expanding of our Firearms Certificate we were invited by the lovely people at Lyalvale Express for a tour of their factory in Staffordshire so that we could learn more about Shotgun cartridges in the hopes of stocking them in the future.

Established in 1983 Lyalvale has had a long history with Shotgun Cartridges and pride themselves on being able to deliver Gold Medal winning ammunition at a competitive price.

Our journey begins with the outside of the factory, split between two buildings. Lyalvale really gets into the nitty gritty when it comes to cartridges, sourcing the best casings, powder, and wadding all from various places across Europe to make sure that every cartridge they produce is of the highest quality. The sheer size of the storage room alone would have many people in shock but what grabbed our attention was the fact that the whole room would only last Lyalvale just a few weeks of Cartridges at most! Moving on to the lower floor we watched each of the cartridges being put together with their large machines making quick work out of an afternoon's worth of reloading to the casual shooter. Each batch of cartridges is tested and changed to make sure that the same level of consistency is across all their range, no need to go hunting for batch numbers now.

Moving onto the main storage building we were met with what seemed like a mountain of boxes of all their different kinds of cartridges, from the entry level English Sporter to the more bespoke Ultimate Steel, Lyalvale seemed to have it all, even a friendly rat protector. In this building many different orders are put together on palettes ready to be shipped all across the UK and we hope that very soon they’ll be adding Drapers Gun Centre to their growing list.

Overall we left Lyalvale with not only the information we needed on Shotgun Cartridges but also the knowledge that the team at Lyalvale would be there to help us and our customers with anything we needed as we expanded our Shop Licences. We’d like to thank Lyalvale Express for the wonderful tour of their factory and look forward to working with them in the near future.

- Team Drapers

BASC Guide to Airgun Shooting

It is estimated that there are over six million air rifles in England and Wales, the vast majority of which are used in a safe and responsible manner. This code, provided by the British Association for Conservation and Shooting (BASC), offers guidance to those who shoot with them. It does not apply in Northern Ireland or Scotland where firearms laws are very different.

THE FOLLOWING GOLDEN RULES APPLY:-

  1. Always know where the muzzle of your air rifle is pointing and NEVER point it in an unsafe direction.
  2. The safe conduct of air rifle shooting must meet the standards described in this code, show respect for the countryside, due regard to health and safety and consideration for others.
  3. Before you shoot, make sure that a safe backstop is present to capture the pellet.
  4. Consider a live quarry; do not shoot beyond the bounds of your ability. Do not take chance shots.
  5. REMEMBER – ignorance of the law is no excuse. If in doubt, always ask.

Behaviour in the Field

BASC promotes and insists on safe and sensible behavior by all shooters in all disciplines. By acting on these points you will reassure shooters and non-shooters alike that you can be trusted with an air rifle.

  • Always check with the landowner, in good time, if you want to go shooting.
  • Always confirm with the landowner what quarry you may shoot.
  • Always respect the owner’s property, crops, livestock and fences and follow the Countryside Code.
  • Always treat an air rifle as though it is loaded and keep its muzzle pointing in a safe direction.
  • On picking up or being handed an air rifle, check immediately to ensure it is not loaded e.g. that it is un-cocked and that there is no pellet in the breech. Be particularly careful when checking pre-charged pneumatic air rifles.
  • Before you fire your rifle, consider where the pellet could go. Be sure that no damage can result if you miss your intended target.
  • Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet.
  • Never put down a loaded air rifle or leave it unattended.
  • Use of a sound moderator can minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other countryside users.
  • Remember that all shooters will be judged by your actions and ensure that your conduct is always above reproach. Encourage the same attitude in your shooting companions.

Above all, be safe and be sensible.

What You Can Shoot

Target shooting

There are numerous clubs catering for this growing sport throughout England and Wales, and they can offer great help and shooting opportunities to both the novice and the experienced shooter alike. You will find contact details on the BASC website in the airgun section.

If you want to practise on your own premises you must have an effective backstop. This may be an adequate soft soil bank, without stones, or a brick wall on which an old piece of carpet can be hung to prevent ricochets. Do not use chipboard, plywood or any thick composite material with a polished surface, as there is a risk of ricochet.

Remember that you can be prosecuted if any pellet goes beyond your land, whether it is directly fired or an accidental ricochet.

Live quarry shooting

Many people shoot live quarries, either on their own land or where they have permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.

All wild birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and certain wildfowl, they are not suitable quarries for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by general licenses which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the license.

These reasons include:

  • to prevent serious damage (e.g. to crops and livestock) or to prevent disease
  • to protect and conserve flora and fauna
  • to preserve public health or safety

The general licenses vary by Country and are annually reviewed, so BASC recommends that anyone wishing to take these species should regularly read BASC’s advice on general licenses, which is available online at basc.org.uk/shooting/general-licences/

You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner’s permission. Air rifles are suitable for: brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.

Respect for the quarry

Always shoot well within your capabilities. Practice on targets, never on live quarry, to establish the maximum range at which you and your rifle can consistently hit the point of aim that will ensure a clean kill; this is usually the head, and normally has a maximum diameter of about three centimeters (1¼ Inches). Practise regularly to improve your shooting and stalking skills.

Make sure you know where the kill zone is for each species that you are going to hunt. For mammals, the side -on head shot should be the preferred shot placement. For birds, head shots are effective but difficult because the target area is very small and rarely remains still. Shots to the breast or body cavity give a bigger target area but remember that dense feathers or a crop full of grain will limit the pellet’s effectiveness. The area under the wing is a good place to aim for.

You should zero your rifle and sights (check their correct alignment) before starting any hunt; usually a rifle scope will come with instructions; otherwise there are many books which explain the principles.

It is your responsibility to be able to recognise your quarry and know when and where you may shoot it. Never shoot unless you have positively identified your quarry.

Wounded quarry should be despatched quickly to minimize suffering, either with a second shot or a sharp blow to the base of the skull. Be particularly careful when dispatching wounded rodents as they can bite and scratch with a risk of serious infection.

DO NOT TOUCH RATS. They may carry fatal diseases, so you should lift them with a fork or shovel.

At the end of the day

Always leave your shoot in the condition in which you would like to find it. Make sure that you collect all your equipment. It is courteous to thank the landowner and to offer him something from the bag if you have shot any edible quarry. Take care of your edible quarry – remember it is food, store it in a cool place and never waste it.

Non-edible quarry should be disposed of discreetly, carefully and should not create a health hazard. This is a legal requirement. Under most circumstances deep burial beyond the reach of a carnivorous animal would be appropriate.

The displaying of carcasses on fences or on a gamekeeper’s “gibbet” serves no useful purpose and may offend other countryside users.

The Air Rifle

Always ensure that your air rifle is powerful enough to achieve a clean kill of your chosen quarry and do not attempt a shot of more than 30 metres. Generally the ideal power level is just over 11 ft lb (15J). For an air rifle that is more powerful than 12 ft lb, (16.25J) you must have a firearm certificate.

Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or shoot at quarry which could escape into cover before it can be retrieved. For example, do not shoot rabbits which are less than two metres from their burrow.

Certain types of air rifle are more suitable for hunting than others. Avoid those air rifles which take excessive time to charge, load and fire. Repeating air rifles give an immediate second shot which is always an advantage. All air rifles must be well maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. If in doubt, consult your local dealer.

Choose pellets which are designed for hunting. These will produce a cleaner kill than those which are intended for target shooting. Check every pellet before loading to ensure that it is not damaged or deformed.

Care and Maintenance

Take care of your gun; it is built to precise standards and damage or mistreatment can seriously affect its performance and safety.

Do not attempt to strip an air rifle without having the proper tools, facilities and knowledge to do so safely. Many air rifles contain powerful springs which can cause serious injury if released in an uncontrolled manner. After shooting, ensure your air rifle is dry and free from dirt before storing it.

Metalwork may benefit from a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag or a silicone cloth. The barrel should be cleaned using a proper barrel cleaning kit, and again lightly oiled. Only use the correct lubricants in accordance with the rifle manufacturer’s instructions. Always carefully wipe the oil from the bore before shooting.

Law

The law makes no distinction between air rifles and more powerful guns for which you need a licence – they are all classed as firearms. This means that any offence you commit can carry a very heavy penalty, and there are at least 38 different offences. Following this code will help you to keep on the right side of the law, but, if you have any doubt, seek advice from BASC (www.basc.org.uk) or your local police firearms licensing department.

WHO CAN SHOOT

18 years or older:

If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it wherever you have permission to shoot.

14 – 17 years:

YOU CAN

  • borrow an air rifle and ammunition
  • use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission

YOU CANNOT

  • buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian or some other responsible adult.
  • have an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you have a reasonable excuse to do so (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground).

Under 14 years:

YOU CAN

  • use an air rifle under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier – normally the owner or tenant. The person who supervises you must be at least 21 years old.

YOU CANNOT

  • buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as a gift, or shoot, without adult supervision. Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by someone under 14 must exercise control over it at all times, even in the home or garden.

It is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.

Where you can shoot

Where you intend to shoot, always ensure that you are authorised by the landowner or person with the sporting rights and that you know precisely where the boundaries are. Get permission in writing, if possible, to remove any doubt.

Whenever you are in a public place you should carry the rifle in a gun cover and always ensure that it is unloaded and not cocked.

Security

From February 2011, the Crime and Security Act 2010 makes it an offence for a person in possession of an air gun to fail to take “reasonable precautions” to prevent someone under the age of 18 from gaining unauthorised access to it.

The legal advice contained within this publication remains unchanged e.g. 14 -17 year olds may still use air guns unsupervised on private premises where they have permission etc.

For further advice about reasonable precautions for storing air guns not in use please contact BASC or see www.basc.org.uk for a copy of our fact sheet ‘Young People and Airguns’.

Trespassing

Intentionally going on to private land, or water, where you do not have permission is trespassing, and if you are carrying an air rifle it becomes armed trespass. Whether the gun is loaded or not, or whether you are carrying pellets, is irrelevant – armed trespass is a serious criminal offence carrying heavy penalties.

Only shoot where you have the permission of the landowner or tenant.

Firing pellets beyond your boundary

It is an offence to fire an air rifle pellet beyond the land where you have permission to shoot, unless the person holding the shooting rights of the neighbouring land has given you permission. Where someone under 14 is shooting, both the young person and the supervising adult can be prosecuted.

It is also against the law to discharge any firearm (including air rifles) within 50 feet of the centre of a highway (which consists of or comprises a carriageway) IF in consequence a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered. These offences could be committed, for example, when someone is shooting in their garden close to a public highway and the pellets ricochet onto the highway injuring someone.

How do I know I am Shooting Safely?

BASC has a simple assessment carried out by accredited assessors called the Airgun Safe Shot Award. It is not a test of competence. The assessment takes just 20 minutes and can be done at a game fair or organised by you anywhere in England and Wales. To find out more about the Airgun Safe Shot Award please contact BASC Training and Education department on 01244 573018.

If you require an airgun coaching lesson or want to learn more about shooting sports contact your local BASC Accredited Airgun Coach. Details of your nearest coach can be found on the BASC website.

Insurance

It is advisable to have adequate legal liability (third party) insurance when shooting. Membership of BASC currently provides such insurance.

Further Information

sportsmanship and courtesy, with full respect for their quarry and a practical interest in wildlife conservation and the countryside.

Never guess at what the law allows. If in doubt, contact BASC or your local police firearms licensing department. Training courses are available from BASC on the safe and proficient use of airguns, for further information contact BASC Sporting Services on 01244573018.

BASC is a representative body for sporting shooting.

Drapers and the Gun Trade Association

Late last year we at Drapers were delighted to have been interviewed by the GTA for those of you who missed the article we’ve decided to archive what we said here.

Having been in Nottingham since 1975 and specialising in the airgun trade, I would like to think we know our customers very well by now.  All ages and from all walks of life, we welcome parents/grandparents coming in with their children to start teaching them this sport, along with older customers wanting to relive their youth!  Airguns are also the perfect solution to vermin control without the need of a licence.

We find that even despite huge advances in airguns since opening the shop, still popular with new shooters are break barrel air rifles.  A basic package averages around £200.  This sets it far below the entry cost of a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) rifle which can cost up to several thousand pounds. These are powered from a tank of compressed air fitted on to the gun and can legally run up to a limit of 12ft/lb without the need for a licence.  New shooters can get to grips with the hobby before investing in bottles or compressors.

Covid has hit every industry hard this past year, but we were surprised to register an increase in the garden shooting side of the hobby, with most of our Click and Collect orders being done by those wanting to buy their first gun to shoot targets in their back garden during the periods of lockdown.  We now find many of these new shooters are returning to the shop to take up more serious target shooting as clubs re-open.

Among the younger shooters we have seen an increase in the replica CO2 pistol market with many wanting to own something close to their favourite action movie star or video game character.  With the advances of realism in modern air pistols, owning a Beretta or Glock has become more feasible.  But the line between replica and real steel has become more blurred and we worry about those wanting to own an airgun who may not know the law surrounding the hobby as a whole.

I am hoping to work very closely with Lin and the Gun Trade Association to get some clarity for all of us as Registered Firearms Dealers to ensure our security within the law, as we feel some areas are rather sketchy and difficult when we want to find answers.  We have questions regarding the posting of guns, both repaired and new, and the couriers we use.  Also blank firing guns and postage.  Plus the home defence guns that are on the market now.  These are some of the questions that we ourselves have asked the GTA, who know the ins and outs of the dos and don’ts!

Being part of the GTA has helped us tremendously as a company and we encourage other RFDs to be part of this great team.

Drapers are moving forward and expanding in a positive direction for our shooters, by expanding our RFD to sell more gun specifications so we can cater to more of the marksmanship hobby.  We look forward to working closely with you and your team.