Have you just started shooting or want try a new discipline?

[JSC]

You're saying you don't have data but then say "target shooting" and "numbers for all the major comps" are down, so where are you getting that from?

Ranges and clubs close for all sorts of reasons and not necessarily because there's no demand or that a particular shooting discipline is in decline. Several different types of matches I've entered recently have been over-subscribed when there would have been empty spaces in the past.

Some types of shooting are less popular than they once were, but that doesn't mean the sport as a whole is in decline. Unless you've got reliable data, you're just going on 'gut feel', which doesn't tell me anything I don't already know.

In any case, I do believe we can attract a lot of new blood into the sport if it's done in the right way and that's what I'm currently looking at, so I still value your opinion and experience from what you've done with SSC.

[The Gun Pimp]

Not sure where you get the data that target shooting is a growing sport, all the data I see is that it’s shrunk year on year for the past 20 years and more. However, I agree with your sentiment and well done on the grant.

Obviously, the pistol ban was a massive blow to shooting with many 'pistol only' ranges closing as a direct result.

However, at my home range -Diggle - membership has virtually doubled in the last 20 years and participation in most disciplines has increased.

We run well-attended comps every single weekend - Saturday and Sunday - and all have healthy entries - particularly F Class, Benchrest, CSR, McQueen, Lever-action.

We run a three-month Probation with compulsory instruction in safe handling of firearms - as per Home Office requirements.

[JSC]

So, 3 month vs 6 month probation. What are the pros and cons of each approach from the club's point of view?

[Thorney]

So, 3 month vs 6 month probation. What are the pros and cons of each approach from the club's point of view?

I think you're going to get a lot of opinions none of which are right as both levels have merits.

Personally I'm in favour of 3 months and more formal training than 6 months and less formal training but 6 months and allowing the club more time to get to know the shooter also has merits.

The legal minimum is 3 months but training is less defined, for the most part clubs do a good job but there are some horror stories of people just being let loose but who knows as to the accuracy of those.

[JSC]

Would it be possible to stipulate a minimum number of visits, so if someone didn't visit enough with 3 months to satisfy the club, their probationary period would be extended or does the period have to be set in stone?

[Thorney]

Would it be possible to stipulate a minimum number of visits, so if someone didn't visit enough with 3 months to satisfy the club, their probationary period would be extended or does the period have to be set in stone?

3 months is the minimum under HO rules. We ask for 6 visits that period.

[JSC]

I'd say that's reasonable. 6 visits should be enough to assess someone's suitability if it's done in a formal, structured way.

[Tithras]

Well the NRA course I attended a few years ago was a 3 month probation which appeared to start when I did my first course as after the 5 full days of training covering 5 odd disciplines, over the course of about 4 months, i got signed off.

At the end of that course I could hire a rifle from the NRA armory, book a lane / marker and buy ammo then go spend time on my own shooting to my hearts content (This is at Bisley btw).

Yes the course set was expensive, £500, but at the end of it i could shoot etc as a full NRA member but as has been stated that is only one root into the sport.

P

[JSC]

Well the NRA course I attended a few years ago was a 3 month probation which appeared to start when I did my first course as after the 5 full days of training covering 5 odd disciplines, over the course of about 4 months, i got signed off.

At the end of that course I could hire a rifle from the NRA armory, book a lane / marker and buy ammo then go spend time on my own shooting to my hearts content (This is at Bisley btw).

Yes the course set was expensive, £500, but at the end of it i could shoot etc as a full NRA member but as has been stated that is only one root into the sport.

P

I'm quite interested in understanding what motivated you to get training in 5 disciplines.

Also, during the whole process from start to finish, what could have been done better (or was it all brilliant!?)

[Tithras]

Well the NRA course I attended a few years ago was a 3 month probation which appeared to start when I did my first course as after the 5 full days of training covering 5 odd disciplines, over the course of about 4 months, i got signed off.

At the end of that course I could hire a rifle from the NRA armory, book a lane / marker and buy ammo then go spend time on my own shooting to my hearts content (This is at Bisley btw).

Yes the course set was expensive, £500, but at the end of it i could shoot etc as a full NRA member but as has been stated that is only one root into the sport.

P

I'm quite interested in understanding what motivated you to get training in 5 disciplines.

The NRA course was setup that way and was the quickest and easiest way for me to get into shooting. I did briefly look at other options, i.e. clubs, but found it hard to contact the clubs i.e. out of date information and I was concerned that I wouldnt be welcomed due to the sometime crappy websites! Also when reading the NRA course information it seemed the best choice to give me a good range of shooting experience with various types of firearms. https://nra.org.uk/courses-and-training ... s-courses/

Also, during the whole process from start to finish, what could have been done better (or was it all brilliant!?)

The courses themselves where well run, I think the only thing that it lacked in hindsight was a good run through of the zeroing process at Bisley; they showed us the range for it but didn't do it with us, i.e. setup the paper, plumb line it and then aim for the black circle at the bottom. Also while not that difficult they didn't run us through booking the ranges or hiring the firearms out although i am not 100% sure that was required due to the time constraints they are under with a 5 day course.

Other than that the course was very good and welcoming in my opinion.