Northern shooting show

[benbobailey]

Hello, I am making a long trip down to the show tomorrow (Sunday). With the price of fuel and expensive entry fee it will prove a costly day.

 I have arranged to view a shotgun and wondered if there is a pool trap or similar, to try it out?

  With the unfortunate clash of dates I think it may have been a low turnout today, but if anyone did go today is there a selection of British guns to browse?

Thanks

[Centrepin]

I've just got back home, there's a huge array of guns on display.

I saw very little Miroku although Browning and Bretta were well stocked. Seemed to be soooo many Bretta compared to others. From what i saw a lot of guns were vastly overpriced and as it was so busy not easy to view.

Having recently sold my MK38 I'm in the market for new but a lot were at new prices for real trash. I saw several that they should have been embarrassed to display with a price tag.

I have absolutely no idea if you could try a gun as I never asked.

I was quite taken with a Longthorne titanium barrelled 12 bore but starting at £14885, I was just £14000 short.

I saw a McNab Highlander 20 bore like @Old Boggyis selling at over £1200 and it was almost falling to bits. 

I didn't get around everywhere as I was too tired of walking but with the exception of a new gun bought what I went for, sort of🤔

Never looked at the outdoor stands I was too knackericated.

[benbobailey]

Centrepin, thanks for reply and update. I am only looking to view British s/s guns at show, I don't think there will be many on display. I have pre arranged a viewing with possibility to purchase and px my nearly new Browning ou, which I do not like. Surprised to hear it was busy. Thanks again.

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by benbobailey

[Centrepin]

12 minutes ago, benbobailey said:

Centrepin, thanks for reply and update. I am only looking to view British s/s guns at show, I don't think there will be many on display. I have pre arranged a viewing with possibility to purchase and px my nearly new Browning ou, which I do not like. Surprised to hear it was busy. Thanks again.

 

Quite a lot of SBS on one stand, unfortunately can't remember which but most have some on display unfortunately not the English hammer gun I wanted as "an if I could afford as well as a new gun"

The stand that had most SBSs, they were laid down close to the floor,  Well, I can get down, unfortunately I can't get up without help, so never looked.

[benbobailey]

1 minute ago, Centrepin said:

Quite a lot of SBS on one stand, unfortunately can't remember which but most have some on display unfortunately not the English hammer gun I wanted as "an if I could afford as well as a new gun"

The stand that had most SBSs, they were laid down close to the floor,  Well, I can get down, unfortunately I can't get up without help, so never looked.

I'd imagine the stand with all the ss is the chap I'm visiting. I'm familiar with his stock, but was hoping I could look at a few others with different sellers, for options. Cheers 

[Ian willetts]

Been today there was quite a lot of side by side in various stands so I think you will have a good selection I enjoyed the show but don’t take your dog as they are not welcome in the main hall as we found out this morning along with the stewards patrolling 

[benbobailey]

7 minutes ago, Ian willetts said:

Been today there was quite a lot of side by side in various stands so I think you will have a good selection I enjoyed the show but don’t take your dog as they are not welcome in the main hall as we found out this morning along with the stewards patrolling 

Thanks Ian, sounds promising re s/s. Glad you enjoyed show and I'm looking forward to it, although not the 4 HR drive each way! Cheers 

[Lever357]

I understand you visiting for a particular gun but I would say it would not be worth the 8 hour round trip. the show is a shadow of its former self, unfortunately. The aisles in the halls are a lot further apart than normal and some of the large central ones are taken up by Land Rovers!! I know the cost of stands has put some traders off. There certainly wasn't anything for classic rifle fans like myself. Had I not had the free ticket from BASC, it would have been an expensive let down.

[benbobailey]

5 hours ago, Lever357 said:

I understand you visiting for a particular gun but I would say it would not be worth the 8 hour round trip. the show is a shadow of its former self, unfortunately. The aisles in the halls are a lot further apart than normal and some of the large central ones are taken up by Land Rovers!! I know the cost of stands has put some traders off. There certainly wasn't anything for classic rifle fans like myself. Had I not had the free ticket from BASC, it would have been an expensive let down.

lever357, thanks for the reply.  I am currently heading home and stopped off for bite to eat north of Carlisle . I have been in correspondence about this gun for some time, and it was sole purpose of journey and visit to show. Successful outcome made it worthwhile. Face to face with gun available to inspect (the gents on Holts stand, very kindly, gave it a thorough inspection and barrel /bore measurement) and fire and my px visible to dealer was the only realistic option, for me. However you are correct, show was very poor and overpriced and looks to have run its course. Most country fairs are shadows of their former selves unfortunately. Variety and combination of reasons I suppose.

[button]

2 hours ago, benbobailey said:

lever357, thanks for the reply.  I am currently heading home and stopped off for bite to eat north of Carlisle . I have been in correspondence about this gun for some time, and it was sole purpose of journey and visit to show. Successful outcome made it worthwhile. Face to face with gun available to inspect (the gents on Holts stand, very kindly, gave it a thorough inspection and barrel /bore measurement) and fire and my px visible to dealer was the only realistic option, for me. However you are correct, show was very poor and overpriced and looks to have run its course. Most country fairs are shadows of their former selves unfortunately. Variety and combination of reasons I suppose.

What did you end up buying? Did you have an AYA BQB?

Edited May 7, 2023 by button

[Scully]

Had a run down today ( Sunday ) and first impressions were that there weren’t as many stalls as last year, and it was very quiet by comparison, but I did go on the Saturday last year, and there may have been a continuation of Coronation celebrations at play today. 🤷‍♂️

Anyhow, stand out pieces for me were a wonderful condition G3 Miroku MK38 which had been Teagued, for £1295 on the Premier Guns stand. A mint, with no wear at all that I could see, Winchester 101 Field 101 at £795, another in Pigeon Grade skeet gun, and a very nice Indy Shadow. There was also a very very nice high ribbed CG on Gilsons stand, and a sold but grotesquely embellished Krieghoff…totally ruined! 

I can only assume it was commissioned by an American or a gypsy! 😀

There were many classics on display from all the best manufacturers, and Westlands included a lovely Remington 700 BDL. For a gun nut like me it is still a must go place, but I was a tad disappointed the Classic military rifle stand wasn’t there this year. 
I had a play with more than one 725 Pro Sport, and have to admit I’m heartily smitten, if only they did one without that gold trigger. 
There were more hammer guns and sxs’s than you could shake a stick at, ditto for airguns, a plentiful supply of good knives, and something to suit every pocket and sense of taste. 
Talking to one stall holder though, he expressed his concern for the future of the event, blaming the organisers greed for the cost of the stalls. He said that all things considered he seriously doubted any RFD was making more than 10% on any sale as a result. He may be right, I wouldn’t know. 
Anyhow, I thoroughly enjoyed my day, but all I came away with was a new tweed baker-boy hat. 👍

[benbobailey]

52 minutes ago, button said:

What did you end up buying? Did you have an AYA BQB?

Good quality English sidelock. I did have an Aya bqb a few years ago.

[button]

40 minutes ago, benbobailey said:

Good quality English sidelock. I did have an Aya bqb a few years ago.

👍I wanted to go as I think Vaynol had a stand and they have one but would like to see before buying but sadly the Boss had other ideas!

[Sweet11-87]

thankfully it was just an hour down the road and im a basc member,  and a day out at a shooting fair isnt a chore regardless.  center peice hall was taken up by landrovers and  ornament/statues of animals.  isles were massive, back wall wasnt filled, next to no pigeon gear.

compared to previous years their just seemed to be no "meat on the bones" so to speak. lots of big stalls to discuss non toxic or talk to basc, few police forces, the big 50 cal stall thats worth a look. All very important and popular enough but a serious lack of little man selling shops.  and what was selling all seemed to just be selling the same stuff mora knives, yeti coolers and vihtavuori powders. i took a fair bit money and a list down with me fully intending to have a good haul to come home with and i think i managed to score a sidewinder gun sling and a role up gun slip.

 

clearly somthings not working at orginisation level when so many vacant slots were about.  it looks bad and it just hurts everyone. if theirs nothing their  its making nobody money and people wont hang around making it less worth while for those that do buy a stand

[grahamch]

Went on Saturday with cash and certificates looking for a LH 243 and a good 20 bore game gun and saved my money!

Less stands than last I was there and less folk. At least the free BASC entry paid for my fuel but wont be back

 

 

 

 

15 hours ago, button said:

👍I wanted to go as I think Vaynol had a stand and they have one but would like to see before buying but sadly the Boss had other ideas!

But you are the Boss!!

Edited May 8, 2023 by grahamch

[button]

47 minutes ago, grahamch said:

Went on Saturday with cash and certificates looking for a LH 243 and a good 20 bore game gun and saved my money!

Less stands than last I was there and less folk. At least the free BASC entry paid for my fuel but wont be back

 

 

 

 

But you are the Boss!!

I wish

[SBL]

First time their for me and I was really looking forward to it but found it really disappointing being completely honest.

Loads of nice guns to look at but I just bought a new 694 so wasn't in the market for something else. I really wanted clothing, vests, boots etc and was quite happy to spend whatever. Yes there were some but a distinct lack of choice and for a big lad, all I left with was a CPSA membership.