Flashy Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Im quite interested in Practical Shotgun shooting, however concise information that answers my questions can be hard to find! I have done extensive googling though some of the info out there is quite old and all over the place! Im currently applying for my SGC and have looked into an FAC though I have not applied forone yet. As the information isn't that clear Im hoping I can get some help from you guys. I wont obviously be starting anything until I get at least my SGC but if I can gather as much info now I will have a good idea how to get the ball rolling. If there are any Practical Shotgunners out there who can answer my questions I would be grateful. I'll number them for ease of answering. 1. I understand to shoot in Practical Shotgun competitions/shoots you need to do a 14 hour UKPSA training course. Is this the first thing I should do? Are there any courses in the North West of england or nearby? 2. Do I need a gun before attending such a course? I will be buying a O/U for clays initially, but will then get a semi and/or a pump action. 3. For a full FAC in order to have more that 2+1 shotty I understand I need a good reason to own such a shotgun. Do the police generally consider Practical Shotgun a good enough reason (I live in Cheshire). I have no need for one otherwise. 4. I know for rifles and such you need to be in a club for the good reason part of getting an FAC, is it the same for sect 1 shotguns? If so anyone one know of a good NW england club? 5. Do you need to be a member of each club where Practical Shotgun takes place or can you shoot as a visitor? 6. Can you use Sect 1 guns for clay shooting? Im not suggesting I will be popping down to my nearest ground and blasting 10+1 at the clays rapid fire, I would just use 1+1. However Im not made of money and I cant afford lots of guns so I would like to get maximum use out of limited guns. 7. Are there many PS ranges available? There doesnt appear to be many. I live in Cheshire, are there any within a few hours driving? I have seen Border Guns PSG club, they are within a reasonable distance, but is there anywhere else? And just for info. I am interested in accurate fast shooting but am NOT interested in being a wannabee rambo/SWAT team member. I have no interest in commando rolling through the patio doors to take out 'terrorists'! One of the aspects of PS that appeals to me is the fact that it isnt combat orientated, but it looks challenging all the same. At the end of the day I did that stuff when I was a solider (I got to fire all sorts of interesting weapons from pistols to guided anti-tank missiles, but never shottys) and have no interest in reliving my 'glory days' I just fancy some interesting and difficult shooting.... not that im going to find clays easy! Anyhoo I would welcome any advice. Cheers, Flashy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Wecome to Pigeon Watch, I`ve never heard of practical shotgun before, so started noseying have a look at this http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/8700-check-out-practical-shotgun/ it appears you can use this dicipline for a reason to get a FAC shotguns or so it says. could become another chapter in PW mods you reading this??? good luck mate it looks fun if not a bit expensive in amo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 There is a UK club best place to start http://www.ukpsa.co.uk/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ellwood Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Flashy - you have PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 (edited) Im quite interested in Practical Shotgun shooting, however concise information that answers my questions can be hard to find! I have done extensive googling though some of the info out there is quite old and all over the place! Im currently applying for my SGC and have looked into an FAC though I have not applied forone yet. As the information isn't that clear Im hoping I can get some help from you guys. I wont obviously be starting anything until I get at least my SGC but if I can gather as much info now I will have a good idea how to get the ball rolling. If there are any Practical Shotgunners out there who can answer my questions I would be grateful. I'll number them for ease of answering. 1. I understand to shoot in Practical Shotgun competitions/shoots you need to do a 14 hour UKPSA training course. Is this the first thing I should do? No, the first thing to do is to visit a PSG club and see if you really like it first!Are there any courses in the North West of england or nearby? You've just missed one in Carlisle, d'oh! Theres normally one every few months though 2. Do I need a gun before attending such a course? I will be buying a O/U for clays initially, but will then get a semi and/or a pump action. You'll normally be expected to have your own gun (S1 or S2 will do) but i'm sure the course organiser could sort something for you if you let them know well beforehand (SGC only, FAC shotguns can't be borrowed ) 3. For a full FAC in order to have more that 2+1 shotty I understand I need a good reason to own such a shotgun. Do the police generally consider Practical Shotgun a good enough reason (I live in Cheshire). I have no need for one otherwise. Most forces do. When applying don't forget to ask for slug aswell to make sure you can compete in all types of competition 250/300 is perfectly reasonable 4. I know for rifles and such you need to be in a club for the good reason part of getting an FAC, is it the same for sect 1 shotguns? It is NOT a legal requirement but lots of FLD say you do and as they're the ones with the keys to the safe as it were its a lot easier to comply If so anyone one know of a good NW england club? We probably have a different idea on what the NW of England is but Border Guns is probably closest to you, that or Rossendale near Manchester 5. Do you need to be a member of each club where Practical Shotgun takes place or can you shoot as a visitor? No you can shoot as a visitor, there are national (and international) competitions and theres not many people that could afford to be a memeber of them all! 6. Can you use Sect 1 guns for clay shooting? Yes, you just need to get the condition added to your FAC - it should be added automatically Im not suggesting I will be popping down to my nearest ground and blasting 10+1 at the clays rapid fire, I would just use 1+1.However Im not made of money and I cant afford lots of guns so I would like to get maximum use out of limited guns. 7. Are there many PS ranges available? Not as many as there should be!!! There doesnt appear to be many. I live in Cheshire, are there any within a few hours driving? I have seen Border Guns PSG club, they are within a reasonable distance, but is there anywhere else? Borders, Rossendale and Carlisle And just for info. I am interested in accurate fast shooting but am NOT interested in being a wannabee rambo/SWAT team member. I have no interest in commando rolling through the patio doors to take out 'terrorists'! Good, you'd be kicked right out of any club and be reported to the Police if you did anything like that! One of the aspects of PS that appeals to me is the fact that it isnt combat orientated, but it looks challenging all the same. At the end of the day I did that stuff when I was a solider (I got to fire all sorts of interesting weapons from pistols to guided anti-tank missiles, but never shottys) and have no interest in reliving my 'glory days' I just fancy some interesting and difficult shooting.... not that im going to find clays easy! Anyhoo I would welcome any advice. Cheers, Flashy Hope to see you on the circuit Mark Edited March 15, 2011 by Breastman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashy Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys, some good information there, gives me something to think about! Im a bit away from getting my SGC so its a little early for me to do anything practical at this point but at least I know where to start! Once I have my SGC I will definately look at visiting one of the nearby-ish clubs to see whats what. Im pondering buying a pump action gun (as well as an O/U for clays) once my SGC arrives and obviously it will have to be a 2+1 initially. Im thinking of either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 as I know both of these can have magazine extensions at a later date. They are also relatively cheap. Id love a posh benelli or beretta but im not made of that kind of money im afraid! Are either/ both of these guns suitable for the pump action part of PSG? Not sure why really but the pump action version of PSG appeals to me most.... I could swear I read somewhere (cant find the link now!) that you cant have a ported barrel in PSG, and the Mossberg 500 comes with a ported barrel. Is this right or I have misread somewhere? Also in case there are any others wondering the same things, I found this thread discussing the Rossendale club after being pointed in that direction. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/121787-rossendale-fusiliers-rifle-pistol-club/ also I found Border Guns website as well. http://bordergunspsg.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Before you go nuts learn to shoot the O/U at regular clay targets first have some lessons and see how you get on learn to shoot one gun at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Either of those pump guns would be fine for PSG, but if the Mossberg has ported barrels it would put it in the Open division which is a bit like the Formula 1 in racing, i.e. who ever has the most money to throw at the gun generally wins IMHO you could start with PSG at the same time as clays as they're completely different shooting styles and if you've had military firearms training you'll probably be more used to the pressured 'rifle' type shooting PSG requires. Not saying its not a good idea to get used to shotguns first though Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashy Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks HDAV and Breastman, some good tips. Yep, had plenty of military shooting experience (though its been a while!) and in part thats what attracts me to PSG direct style shooting. However I am interested in clays having done it in the past plus there is the benefit of much more shooting opportunites! Nearest clay ground: 10 min drive, nearest PSG range 1 hour+! I will be staring out with clays, already got a deposit on a O/U gun, but PSG definately has an appeal I though I'd read about porting barrels somewhere..hmm. I presume thats the small holes in the barrel to help reduce muzzle jump/recoil? This appears to come as standard on the Mossberg 500 (though im not sure about the 535 version). The Open division doesnt sound like my thing as i'll be driving my diesel Ford Focus against the Ferarris so to speak given my spending power! I have also had a look at the benelli Nova but am unsure if they come as 2+1. Anyhow choice of gun is a bit further down the line yet and Im sure i will come back to it. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 101 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Hi . My best advice if you want to do PSG is join a club which you will have to do any way , try it out have a go with the club gun , and get the advice of the people who are actualy doing it . Dont get a pump its hard work and its to slow for timed events . The reason you will have to join a club is you will need a section one shotgun so to obtain your FAC you have to be a club member to show good reaason to apply for it . Its good fun enjoy it and good luck Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Flashy, If you want to try it at Rossendale let me know. £15 for provisional membership (three months) then com along during that time using one of our section 2 guns. You will see a number of guns for you to make your mind up which you would prefer, but see if you enjoy it first! If you want to come up, let me know via pm. Good luck. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashy Posted March 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Flashy, If you want to try it at Rossendale let me know. £15 for provisional membership (three months) then com along during that time using one of our section 2 guns. You will see a number of guns for you to make your mind up which you would prefer, but see if you enjoy it first! If you want to come up, let me know via pm. Good luck. M Im certainly interested, PM Sent! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Im certainly interested, PM Sent! Cheers. And returned mate! Hope to see you taking part soon! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 I forgot you were on here Mick, should've put you in contact straight away Are you doing the Hadrian on 2nd? Flashy - Are you Flashman on GT? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashy Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 (edited) I forgot you were on here Mick, should've put you in contact straight away Are you doing the Hadrian on 2nd? Flashy - Are you Flashman on GT? Mark If by GT you mean Gun Trader then thats me yeah. Flashman was already taken here! I have been pondering PSG over there as well. Ahh... just realised... are you Markg36 over there? Edited March 18, 2011 by Flashy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 I forgot you were on here Mick, should've put you in contact straight away Are you doing the Hadrian on 2nd? Flashy - Are you Flashman on GT? Mark Hi Mark, I was down for it but I have snapped my Achilles so a bit ******** at the moment! I can’t even get to the range as it is my right leg so can't even drive the auto at the mo - but saying that could not have stood up when I got to the range anyway!! I hope to start getting to the range in the next couple of weeks just so I can keep the momentum going and do a bit of ROing and coaching for any newer guys turning up! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 Hi Mark, I was down for it but I have snapped my Achilles so a bit ******** at the moment! I can’t even get to the range as it is my right leg so can't even drive the auto at the mo - but saying that could not have stood up when I got to the range anyway!! I hope to start getting to the range in the next couple of weeks just so I can keep the momentum going and do a bit of ROing and coaching for any newer guys turning up! M Ouch! I badly bruised/strained both of mine at the same time about 5 years ago and that was bad enough, i was walking around like i had a full nappy! Hope you recover soon and continue the great work at Rossendale Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.