A Friendly Bunch

[Alan Maughan]

Ive had my licence and own gun for 5 weeks now, before then I would shoot with 2 or 3 mates and a borrowed gun.

Now that I have my own wings so to speak I have been venturing further afield on my own. It can be a bit daunting walking into a whole new world with little experience but Im that kind of guy. Im gunsafe and confident in that respect and when learning I listen more than I speak so I decided the best route was to say exactly what my experience level was and ask anyone I met to keep me right if they saw me doing anything wrong, either safety or ettiquete wise.

Im must say Ive been overwhelmed with the friendly reception I have recieved in general from the shooting fraternity.

Ive shot DTL and Skeet at 2 different shooting grounds and have joined a local gun club that meets every other week for Sporting, In each instance I have met more than a couple of guys who are happy to pass on a few useful tips, often more about ettiquete than actuall shooting and this has proved really useful, stopping any chance of me embarrassing myself through ignorance.

If this is a true reflection of this sport and the people in it then I would say give yourselves a pat on the back guys, nice one, much appreciated

 

[Hamster]

It's also notable how many of the stars are so willing to help beginners, Barry Simpson (lent me his 682 to shoot), Steve Whitelock, Micky Rouse and Phillip Thorrold are just a few I can recall who stood and helped me with free advice .

 

[ExSCA]

Alan - I'm relatively new to shooting (nearly three years) and I've always found the majority of shooters to be a friendly, open bunch. Glad that you are seeing that as well....

 

[Al-Nitro]

I have only been shooting for three months now. Enjoying this more than the many sports i have been involved with over my years.

Everyone is so helpful, walking around sites the environment and nature of people are very friendly.

From day one when i went out with an instructor at my local site, to this day, not once have i felt intimidated.

 

[Rob Boakes]

Alan I am in a very similar situation to you,

I have also been overwhelmed by the freindliness of the people I have met in the 4 months I have been shooting,

 

[Will Hewland]

Agreed. Something about this sport seems to compel folk to assist. (Came as a shock, coming from Motorsport where everybody else wants you to fail).

 

[Rob Boakes]

As you know CleverSC3 thats the same as me,

The motorsport industry can sometines be like a lake of thin ice, always being carfeul to balance the competitive cut throat side with the friendly side of our industry. I was also shocked coming into to this copmetetive sport (clay shooting) where everyone is so friendly and willing to help and advise.

I have to say I am really enjoying it.

 

[Will Hewland]

I have been in a situation where I was shooting with a fella for a good while and the competitiveness was bristling. We started at the same time, same age, other similarities. It was all too comparable and did have its moments.. He hardly shoots now.

Certainly, I have not been doing this sport long enough to have forgotten how it feels as a newbie, hence my desire to stop somebody new falling in to any really obvious bear-pits. Being an opinionated gobby git assists me in my advising capacity.

 

[Westward]

It's also notable how many of the stars are so willing to help beginners, Barry Simpson (lent me his 682 to shoot), Steve Whitelock, Micky Rouse and Phillip Thorrold are just a few I can recall who stood and helped me with free advice .

Even the term "stars" is sort of surreal in this sport. The camaraderie seems to be there whatever the level of shooter. Also I think many of us know what a good feeling it is seeing someone doing better because of some tip or bit of advice we were able to pass on.
.....And this forum is pretty typical of the general mateyness.

 

[Les53]

Alan, I have rarely met any shooter who would not help a novice in this sport.

 

[ips]

I used to fence as well up to about 5yrs ago when various ailments forced me to hang my sword up, now if you want a sport full of prima donnas fencing is just up your street. Not un friendly as such but as a lot of arrogance involved. Fantastic sport though, i miss it.

Anyway shooting sports yes very friendly bunch and not many sports you can shoot next to an Olympic champion then have a brew and a chat with them.

 

[Les53]

I used to fence as well up to about 5yrs ago when various ailments forced me to hang my sword up, now if you want a sport full of prima donnas fencing is just up your street. Not un friendly as such but as a lot of arrogance involved. Fantastic sport though, i miss it.

Anyway shooting sports yes very friendly bunch and not many sports you can shoot next to an Olympic champion then have a brew and a chat with them.

Yeah you are right Ian, I have been on the line at various times and we have been joined by some sort of champion shooter. The oddest thing that ever happened though was when a mate and I were shooting full bore pistol at Bisley. We were on the pistol butts messing about with S&W 38's and two guys came onto the box next to us. They had a small arsenal with them, some very serious stuff indeed and we got talking to them. They were really nice, friendly guys and were apparently Israeli "diplomats" !!!!! :blink: Yeh right!!! More like Mossad with those kinda toys! :.:

 

[SidesGary]

Its all about reciprocation i suppose - i got my neighbour into air rifles, then rimfire and centerfire............he in return got me in a clays.................we both pass on tips , enjoy shooting together and a fiercely competitive (in a friendly way of course!) . The people i have met have always been giving of their time and experience. I have mentored a number of people into centrefire and reloading so i hopefully have returned the favour passed onto me.

 

[KR24]

Couldn't agree more.

Like Alan I've been shooting for 5/6 weeks and have experienced exactly the same kind of help and encouragement from pretty much everyone I've met.

 

[ips]

They were really nice, friendly guys and were apparently Israeli "diplomats" !!!!!

Imagine that nowadays... have you still got yer gat ?

we could have a go with that :.:

Unfortunatelly I havent got mine anymore I seem to remember the barrel shooting out (forward) when I shot it once in about 1976 now I am no expert but pretty sure it shouldnt have done that.

 

[Harley]

Alan, I have rarely met any shooter who would not help a novice in this sport.

I have, grrr woof woof.. :.:

 

[Les53]

Imagine that nowadays... have you still got yer gat ?

we could have a go with that :.:

Unfortunatelly I havent got mine anymore I seem to remember the barrel shooting out (forward) when I shot it once in about 1976 now I am no expert but pretty sure it shouldnt have done that.

Nah, the Gat went in part ex to a mate of mine. He had a Webley Senior I think it was, he took my Gat and a Bowie knife for it as I remember. The good old days, two offensive weapons in exchange for one.

 

[ips]

Alan, I have rarely met any shooter who would not help a novice in this sport.

Me niether (or if your a pedant is it neither) in 26yrs I can count on one hand the people I have met who I disliked for whatever reason. And cant think of anyone currently on the list, they have all either given up or moved onto other disciplines or summat. Anyway good ridance to the miserable beggers

 

[ips]

Nah, the Gat went in part ex to a mate of mine. He had a Webley Senior I think it was, he took my Gat and a Bowie knife for it as I remember. The good old days, two offensive weapons in exchange for one.

ooh webley senior they were cool and then came the typhoon and summat else if I remember correctly.