The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I think the trade show was pretty poor, 1.5 hours driving there and just under 2.5 hours driving back (M25). I am not sure its worth the effort for a couple of waffles and some coffee. Some very nice antiques/firearms on show, but some of the prices were stupid.
Its a shame because it has so much potential, hopefully next year will be better. Also with a bit of luck a cooked breakfast will be available as well next year

Chapuis wrote:
I'm fully in agreement with you there Sim G.

I personally think the NRA should take the very bold radical step of offering free attendance for traders in an attempt to increase footfall and make the phoenix what it once was when it was the pistol AD meeting.
Obviously the traders would need to be vetted and there would have to be some charge if additional tentage would need to be provided after the available space was taken.

I don't think it needs to be free, but, if there are marquees atc, then that cost covered by everyone, so more of a nominal fee, more in the £50-100 a trader ballpark

if there was room to house everyone without a need for marquees etc (or if sellers used their own etc?) then I think free

but like with everything else, do we expect the NRA to listen? afterall, without dealers, a lot of us wouldn't e shooting and newer faces wouldnt be coming in. the dealers are almost as important as us shooters

Yes show was smaller than last, but busy. Missed the option of a cooked breakfast, let's hope it is better next year. Went to look at two Winchester 1897 12g pump shotguns, and purchase one, so for me a visit worth while, even traveling from Co Durham.

I think the trade "show" side of the phoenix definitely needs a bit of a kick start to get it going again. Long has it ceased to be a show. When was the last time that one of the major importers/distributors exhibited there?

Yes I know that all died with the pistol meeting but the likes of Viking Arms are still going and going strong, and the most popular .22 gallery rifle which they import is visible on most of the ranges on camp. The other extremely popular gallery rifle has to be the Marlin, perhaps even more common than the Ruger. What is required to get these guys back again plus of course those RFD's and small manufacturers who we all rely upon for our essential shooting supplies and support. Forget the tat merchants most of us don't want them but we would like to go to a meeting and see decent trade stands.

My thoughts are that the NRA have been a bit reluctant to get too involved in more recent times having had their fingers burned by one or two unscrupulous entrepreneurs who persuaded them to get involved with such things as Bisley Live.

polemass wrote:.Also,I do not understand why it is no cash machine on site....

There used to be one in the Lord Roberts Centre but it was ram raided in 2005. Not sure if it was ever replaced.

qws wrote:Yes show was smaller than last, but busy. Missed the option of a cooked breakfast, let's hope it is better next year. Went to look at two Winchester 1897 12g pump shotguns, and purchase one, so for me a visit worth while, even traveling from Co Durham.

who was selling them?

As has been said, the trade stands were not a patch on the old days, but it is somewhere to get your annual supplies all in one place, where you can wander the stalls to compare prices before buying.

I was looking for one gun in particular, and there was one for sale, but for a silly price... or at least more than I was prepared to pay..

Apparently its a record year for competition entries....3,500 ish, up 2 or 3 hundred from normal years, which hopefully means more people getting into competitive shooting.

I popped in for a wander in between shoots. I certainly would not travel there just for the fair. Its only viable as an enjoyable distraction in between shoots.

bradaz11 wrote:

qws wrote:Yes show was smaller than last, but busy. Missed the option of a cooked breakfast, let's hope it is better next year. Went to look at two Winchester 1897 12g pump shotguns, and purchase one, so for me a visit worth while, even traveling from Co Durham.

who was selling them?

Fultons at Bisley had one, this is the I purchased. The other was for sale by Pembroke fine arms. David brought this with him. It was only a 2+1 and was in not as good condition as the one for sale by Fultons. The Pembroke arms was a 1906 date.
It was on sale at £1400 got it down to £1200. But still bought the Fulton gun as it was in better condition and a 6 shot made in 1946.

£1400!!!! was it still in it's grease or something??