Semi Autos?...Good, or Just Plain wrong?

[maddmatt]

I wouldn't support a ban, BUT I would like to see 2 shot max semi auto's.

As for camo I would like to see it banished from clay shoots, plenty of people out there shoot in all sorts of jackets, t shirts, shirts, jumpers etc and not in skeet vests, we all know these are only for serious sporting shooters anyway... (dives for cover) so I don't see why we should see camo clad rambo's on shoots.

No need to moderate this thread, its very interesting and nothing untoward has been said....

 

[Hotshot100]

hmmmm is that the moderators i see galloping over the horizon!!!

I wouldn't support a ban, BUT I would like to see 2 shot max semi auto's.

As for camo I would like to see it banished from clay shoots, plenty of people out there shoot in all sorts of jackets, t shirts, shirts, jumpers etc and not in skeet vests, we all know these are only for serious sporting shooters anyway... (dives for cover) so I don't see why we should see camo clad rambo's on shoots.

No need to moderate this thread, its very interesting and nothing untoward has been said....

Wasn't intending to moderate the thread Matt. Just trying to stop it from getting out of hand.

 

[Mike]

I wouldn't support a ban, BUT I would like to see 2 shot max semi auto's.

As for camo I would like to see it banished from clay shoots, plenty of people out there shoot in all sorts of jackets, t shirts, shirts, jumpers etc and not in skeet vests, we all know these are only for serious sporting shooters anyway... (dives for cover) so I don't see why we should see camo clad rambo's on shoots.

No need to moderate this thread, its very interesting and nothing untoward has been said....

What type of clay shoot would you like to see camo banished from, the little straw balers, the slightly bigger shoot or the Premier grounds?

I have in the past advised shooters than the done thing is only to load two cartridges when shooting at clays, most of them heed the advice, those that don't, well the ground owner then intervenes.

Do you class yourself as a serious shooter?  I do too but I have no desire to stop others from enjoying them selves.

 

[clayclouter]

your argument is predicated on a  lack of responsibility and awarenes  by auto shooters, what makes them any more dangerous than the idiots I regularly see on registered shoots with shells in the barrels waiting behind the shooter in the cage for their turn

Or the chaps who think it perfectly ok to point/aim their guns around the stand whilst waiting to shoot.

I would like to see a lot less assumption and presumption in terms of a discussion rather the rigid  mind sets that prevail every tiem this issue is raised

As I have stated previously I dont care what gun you shoot as long as you shoot it safely, I would also venture that semi auto users are perhaps even more aware of the safety aspects given that we get such a negative press regarding our guns.

I can spend hours quoting experiences and examples of bad practice relating to O/U and S/S users, so what ?? the important thing is not the gun it is the person  using it, whether it is a 2 shot or a 10 shot is immaterial if it is handled safely then what is the problem. .

 

[ips]

I am with you fully on dress code mat. I would even ban denim as it only looks right on cowboys and tramps.

Oops any room for me wherever you dived for cover.

Ps. Have i mentioned i don't like autos.

Clayclouter

i respect your opinion that one should be able to shoot what you like, within reason of course. Its only my personal opinion and that of a few others. No offence intended.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

As Hamster has already responded to your comment, I will only add I am shocked and appalled at this comment from such a senior and experienced shooting participant. Are you truly saying that you are so prejudiced towards such guns that you would rather see someone do themselves or others harm purely from a gun malfunction rather than step in and help yourself??

I had not been shooting long when I had an experience with an O/U which had jammed with a live round in the bottom barrel I was extremely grateful to an a chap who just quietly came up behind me and calmly guided me through the situation, it was my first ever major malfunction.

Equally I shot the Classic at Upavon and was on a squad with Matt Hance, I was shooting a semi auto , on the first stand it jammed after the first shot, the sliding block had cracked, the shell was stuck half way in the chamber and the whole thing was just inoperable. Bearing in mind this was a Major shoot and top shots were focusing on their game, Matt Hance very calmly and again quietly helped me sort it out, and checked with me after the squad had finished shooting the first stand that everything was ok. These are examples of responsible senior shooters behaving and reacting in a very helpful and non judgemental mannner. I would have expected at least as much from you.

I admit clayclouter that I have not read it all....been in the pool all afternoon....but to answer the first point...

I do not care what others do....that is between them and their god.... :laugh:

If they cannot work it....don't buy it.

There is also no reason why I should care about some hypothetical person with a gun I hate.... But....

To be clear so I am not misunderstood......

I WOULD KEEP WELL AWAY.....don't want to be shot by some moron that cannot work his or her own gun.....

Is that clear enough?

Now enjoy......I am off to the bar....and then off for seafood yum yum...!!

 

[maddmatt]

Sorry wasn't trying to imply anything, just this is a good thread.

What type of clay shoot would you like to see camo banished from, the little straw balers, the slightly bigger shoot or the Premier grounds?

I have in the past advised shooters than the done thing is only to load two cartridges when shooting at clays, most of them heed the advice, those that don't, well the ground owner then intervenes.

Do you class yourself as a serious shooter?  I do too but I have no desire to stop others from enjoying them selves.

Premier grounds for certain, any county event and any ground that holds 'have a go' shoots that encourage new shooters. While I agree about enjoying the sport I don't see why a very simple change in choice when they get dressed is too much to ask for.

I have seen camo worn at premier grounds and while shooting a registered shoot, did anyone say anything, nope, not a word. But I can say the same about glasses and hearing protection.

Difference between an o/u loaded while the shooter waits behind the stand is the gun is open and therefore in no danger of the pins hitting the primers, with a semi it is very difficult to tell if the breech is loaded or not, now if I saw someone behind load his o/u before he got in the stand I would have a chat with him, I'm sure he would see the error of his ways...

 

[Mike]

The ground owner will say nothing, even at a registered shoot because money has been taken from the shooter, they have to make a living.

Where would will all be if the shoot owners just packed it in?

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Thread was about do you like autos or not. Freedom of speech and all that ....where some of us gave our honest opinion.....and boom.....vilified by others.

Well sorry guys.......I hate autos.

Do not remember who brought up banning them but to be clear.....i never said anything about wanting them banned. Have 10 apiece if it floats your boat......just that none will be entering my stable :laugh:

I think restricting to two shots is a great idea. So I agree with MMatt.

Cheers......Mmmmmmm.....

 

[ips]

Yes this is all most interesting but what about denim !!

 

[MidnightMinstrel]

An opinion would not be an opinion I suppose if it not differ with someone else's train of thought, its clear that many of those here who appose semi auto's do so on safety issues, and as one Poster so eloquently put it the "Tit" that fires it :lol: Safety is one thing that we simply can not compromise on can we?, we only need one tragic accident at a Clay shooting ground before the Big Stick wielders start wading in on all aspects of the sport. I am too new to this sport to actively support one camp or the other, I am now favouring O/U's , but that is a personal choice based on what I have read on here, I did not set out to alienate one group of shooters from another when I started the thread, and if that is the impression I gave then I am sorry. I just wanted a basic opinion on them in general, or one particular gun that I had seen. Lets keep the thread interesting though, and avoid starting a war on what we should shoot or even ware when we are doing it.....Deal ?

 

[Hotshot100]

The ground owner will say nothing, even at a registered shoot because money has been taken from the shooter, they have to make a living.

Where would will all be if the shoot owners just packed it in?

Very true. Also if we were restricted to 2 shot semi autos how could we shoot the competitions specifically set up for semi autos?

What has come through time and time again through this thread is that it is safety that matters. We should all act as safety officers and not be scared to tell the offenders about their misconduct or report them to the shoot organiser. After all who will end up getting shot? Not the person in the office but most likely some one waiting to shoot. It is in the ground owners interests to run a safe shooting ground, if there was ever an accident they might as well put up the closed sign and close the ground.

 

[SIMON-B]

An opinion would not be an opinion I suppose if it not differ with someone else's train of thought, its clear that many of those here who appose semi auto's do so on safety issues, and as one Poster so eloquently put it the "Tit" that fires it :lol: Safety is one thing that we simply can not compromise on can we?, we only need one tragic accident at a Clay shooting ground before the Big Stick wielders start wading in on all aspects of the sport. I am too new to this sport to actively support one camp or the other, I am now favouring O/U's , but that is a personal choice based on what I have read on here, I did not set out to alienate one group of shooters from another when I started the thread, and if that is the impression I gave then I am sorry. I just wanted a basic opinion on them in general, or one particular gun that I had seen. Lets keep the thread interesting though, and avoid starting a war on what we should shoot or even ware when we are doing it.....Deal ?

As a newbie to the sport I was taught to shoot a semi auto by an experienced friend, subsequently I have gone on to shoot both semi autos and over and unders. Dont let any opinion colour your judgement. Shooting any type of shotgun should be fun when you are new to the sport. If your worried about safety or gun handling ask for help and learn, learning can also be the fun part..good luck

 

[ips]

Nicola

i get the distinct impression you do not like autos, can you clarify.

Ps. Very hot just south of oxford we are having a week hols in motor home enroute to bisley for abt currently sat outside said motor home drinking Scottish liquer 2 yds from Thames so far resisted temptation to swim.

 

[Mike]

I'm an ex NRA RCO for rifle pistol etc, I just cannot turn my back on safety issues, the problem is though that the transgressor does not like being questioned about their actions as they always seem to think that it's OK to be unsafe.

 

[RobertBeard]

Difference between an o/u loaded while the shooter waits behind the stand is the gun is open and therefore in no danger of the pins hitting the primers, with a semi it is very difficult to tell if the breech is loaded or not, now if I saw someone behind load his o/u before he got in the stand I would have a chat with him, I'm sure he would see the error of his ways...

I disagree with this.

An OU should only be loaded once you are in the cage when it is your turn - never otherwise!

There have been accidents with OUs in these circumstances

 

[Robo]

Well I'm looking forward to getting another auto in the autum for use in the field , quite fancy a Beretta this time though, either a AL391 or A400 , might even take it out on the clays now and again ! .... tin hat on

 

[Mike]

Well I'm looking forward to getting another auto in the autum for use in the field , quite fancy a Beretta this time though, either a AL391 or A400 , might even take it out on the clays now and again ! .... tin hat on

 The 400 is totally different than the 391, I prefer a 391 to shoot but the 400 is much easier to clean, tin hat's are not compulsary yet

 

[Kentskeet]

because of feel weight balance etc. and the right to choose whatever gun one bloody well wants to shoot regardless of narrow minded opinion

I think it's unfortunate that some narrow minded opinions from within the shooting community hold the sport back as effectively as the narrow minded opinions of the anti shooting lobby.As for clothing to shoot in, I'll be mainly wearing Versace this coming season with the occasional Lacroix accessories but I will try and avoid the camo print toga if it's going to cause issues!

 

[VicW]

A shotgun is designed to do one thing and one thing only,be it an auto,a pump,a s/s or an o/u and that is to kill things.

When it is not in the act of killing things it is only as safe as the person handling it allows it to be.

If that person has never been taught the safety aspects of gun handling and has never been reprimanded for unsafe practises then perhaps there is something wrong with the system as it stands.

We don't exactly have to jump through hoops to get our licences so is there a case for a simple,once in a life time test for safe handling to be conducted at the first issue of a licence ?

It's easy for me to suggest this because I already have a Shotgun Competency Certificate issued by the BASC from a course I did many years ago.

By the way,I have assumed that IPS was joking when suggesting banning Denim,I would have to buy all new underwear if it was !!!

Vic.