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

I was gutted at the turn out for this years Phoenix. We went on Friday morning and it was very quiet, and thought that maybe the usually fry up in the pavilion would put the 'rose tint' back on our glasses again - how wrong were we :( ... It was closed and we were told it was 'condemned' due to electrical issues? And that it was going to be fitted out for a classroom for next year anyway? So add those to NRA conspiracy theories thread if you will! So, well pee'd off about it being at least 35% smaller than last year, and if you ask me the event has gradually be winding down in popularity anyway, we wandered around to see that all the usual suspected (bar one or two) had been jammed into the hall, under the lean to or outside in limited space. So it felt cramped as well, which doesn't help matters, when you want to look at stuff or chat with stall holders. Bob had the most space, in the prime spot, with nothing to display - which astounded me! So after a few purchases (reloading, a nice alfa LBR with alu shroud from Alan, and a classic HW77) we were forced to buy a beer (or 2) from that van and not in the pavilion. However, saying all this, on the way out we chatted to Norman Clarke and a few others, who soon informed us that the chap who organises the event left 4 wks before the opening date - and took 'his' marquee with him plus all the trade contact details! And the NRA had done a good job to organise it in time ... so hats off to the NRA if this is the case. And i hope that it will be sorted for next year.

Hi, I went to the Phoenix Meet on Saturday and as a new shooter this was all new to me, I was very disappointed for the following reasons, Everything apart from a couple of tents outside was crammed into the main hall, This made for very cramped conditions and being jostled at every turn, Everyone was so polite about it but it was still uncomfortable, Especially with it being such nice weather outside. The stalls all seemed rather like second hand shops but there was no space to properly pick up and enjoy handling the weapons on display I was interested in. Also like as mentioned earlier in this thread it seemed a cash only affair with no facilities to get money out and I for one was not prepared to carry loads of dosh around with me. Even the main shop owners seemed bored with the whole affair which was also very off-putting, I won't be rushing back next year that's for sure

polemass wrote:We need this trade show-I met Scot from CCA and his rifles there for the first time-what a eye opener.Also Alan Westlake,too -now he had new selection stainless steel AlfaProj MLR,incl.2" snub nose...nothing on his web side mentioning about it.And you will ALWAYS find something special for yourself-be it 5£ charger clips only...I know the person who has a Mauser collection and every year I come with the question-is this wz.29 for sale now?..the answer is always "no" but I will try next year too...The bar and hot food+toilets inside is a MUST,like it was in previous years.I they realy want Pavilion for offices,so the only solution is to erect a tent every year-it is not mega money,can be done!

That 2" snub nose caught my eye too.

Tempting..........

We attended on Friday and enjoyed a breakfast at The Clays cafe, up top where the posh folk pose with their Purdeys. We say 'enjoy' but that was mainly because of the entertainment value. The cafe is neither the epitome of industrious efficiency nor the pinnacle of artisan cuisine. At busy times you can only have a set menu fry-up: if you should happen not to want a fried egg but wish to replace said item with an extra sausage or a hash brown then tough luck ! You get what you are given ! At lunchtimes you can only have a 5 item fry-up: the eight item version is off limits. We fail to see how that reduces the waiting time seeing as they presumably cook everything in parallel rather than in series but that's the way it is. Maybe Mr Mercer should either put his pinny on and sort the cafe out in the way he has the bogs* and swamps**, or bring in contractors from a greasy spoon to shake the place up...



* latrines
** firing point puddles

We had brekkie at the nsra cafe and it was fab - they let us swap out whatever we wanted and it wasn't as greasy as the usual spread in the pavilion!

The westlake stubby is brill. Especially the target grip he also offers, which will help tame the little dancer .... Be rude not to have more than one cylinder for it as well :)

Isn't the clay cafe owned and run by the CPSA and not the NRA? Was up there on Sat having the 5 item. I spent 5 mins clearing my table before the food arrived. Did the job though.


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Chapuis wrote:Sporting rifle shooters in particular are prepared to spend far more on rifles and scopes than ever before.

Not to mentioned the clothing and fashion side of the green wellied, tweed be-speckled cat walkers.

Anyone have experience of when the results come out ?
A thumbs up for the nsra brekkie

Priorities, ooman, priorities. This NSRA brekkers: what's it consist of ?

All the usual specialties just add what you like and sit and eat it and enjoy the entertainment .
Last year it felt like I was in the middle of an Indian wedding ........
...... Hang on I was !