KIT & GEAR THE UK TARGET SHOOTING SHOW
THANKFULLY, WITH SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS HAVING BEEN LIFTED IN THE UK AT THE TIME OF WRITING, WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO GET OUT AND ABOUT TO SHOWS AGAIN, AND LAST MONTH ON 20-21 NOVEMBER BOYCIE HEADED OUT TO THE UK TARGET SHOOTING SHOW AT STONELEIGH TO MEET UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND CHECK OUT WHAT WAS NEW AND IMPROVED!
I
t feels like it’s been such a long time since I’ve been able to attend a shooting show and the Target Shooting Show was a welcome return to being able to get out and mix. This year the show was sponsored by The National Rifle Association (NRA), T2, Shield Sights and The UK Practical Shooting Association (UKPSA). As has become the way through Covid times, tickets were bought online for myself, Richard (a work colleague) and Brian, my brother from another mother who I have known for about 35 years when we both started competing in UKPSA/IPSC Practical Shooting. I had originally gone to be able to have a look, in person, at the firearms and accessories that I’ve been restricted to doing online since the Covid pandemic struck. With an impressive 53 exhibitors, my plan was to start with a walk around the outer 24 stands then look around the remaining 29 that were in the
centre of the exhibition hall. I spent the first couple of hours walking around and spotting people who I have known for around 30 years and had competed alongside over the years. A pair of very familiar faces were staffing the National Target Shotgun Association; Vanessa and Andy Duffy are veterans of many forms of practical shooting and long-time members of the UKPSA. We were reminiscing about “the good old days” and I was just about to mention a guy who I remembered well from many competitions by the name of Andy Haines, and before I could mention his name he had appeared at my shoulder. Andy was representing his business at the show with Master Class Custom Guns. Next to the NTSA stand was a display of steel reactive targets from Practical Targets. These ranged from small round steel “fall when hit” targets right up to the familiar “pepper poppers” which are still being
“IN THE FIRST CORNER WAS A VERY FAMILIAR SIGHT OF OUR GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE ATTACK SENSE SMART TARGETS AND RANGE FOR VISITORS TO TRY THE SYSTEM FOR THEMSELVES. AS THE QUEUE WAS ABOUT FIVE DEEP ACROSS THE FRONT OF THEIR STAND I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SEE THEM LATER IN THE DAY” 80
JANUARY 2022
