chop Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Is it illegal or just not the done thing? If so why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It is not traditional in the UK. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 We discussed this matter a few months ago in some depth. Apparently it is legal, but as has been indicated above you would certainly raise some eyebrows. I would suggest that you enquire as to your guns acceptability on any particular shoot before turning up and being put into a potentially embarassing situation. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Not as 'safe' as a break open gun apparentley , not traditional, extra shot etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It's not easy with a 10/22 either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It's not easy with a 10/22 either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 (edited) It's not easy with a 10/22 either. - thanks Bob, thats cheered me up on a wet Thursday night in north wales Edited June 26, 2008 by tulkyuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I think its ok as long as you only load 2 shots and sleeve it at the end of the drive but its still not a traditional english game gun yet nor is an over and under. just my 2p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It's becoming more acceptable in some circles but personally I'm not keen. Nothing to do with it actually being safe or less safe but more peoples perception. My attitude is that I can see a s/s or o/u is safe because they're open and seen to be unable to fire. A semi, even with the bolt held back, can't be seen to be safe even if it is. Even pointed in the air the holder could slip or trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It's not easy with a 10/22 either. With practice though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 dont see why not, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I don't see why not either, It is still a shot gun, what is the difference between having 3 cartridges in the gun or a loader stoo behind you with a loaded second gun? The safety thing is just an excuse used by people who don't know any better. It is the person using it that determines the safety of the gun not the other way around. It is just snobbery plain and simple. I wear high tech and modern clothing when I go out so why shouldn't I use a modern gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 It depends on where you are shooting, and who the fellow Guns are, in my experience. I have shot driven game alongside Italians and French Guns who used only semi-autos, and a Yank who refused to surrender his Wingmaster when offered a 'proper' shotgun. For those of us that aren't privileged to be able to own and host a shoot, turning up as a guest on a traditional driven day with a semi-auto just looks like an intentional flouting of the unwritten rules, which may be perceived as bad manners. People talk: I personally wouldn't want to be labelled as the one using the semi-auto. I doubt you'd be invited back, or invited as a guest on fellow Gun's shoot. I think the safety issue is more that a broken O/U or S/S is visibly safe even when seen from a distance. What about the speed and simplicity of unloading an O/U or S/S? It's instant and silent, and no faffing with ammunition dropped in the mud (the same goes for a double rifle). Above all, there's nothing that I cannot accomplish with a semi-auto that I can't do with an O/U or an S/S. I can't see the advantage of using a semi-auto, whilst having to put up with the weird looks from the fellow Guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 From a safety perspective is a semi auto any less safe when your on a driven day or a clay ground? In my my (admittedly small) experience surely you only have a loaded gun when you are at the peg/stand and at a time and position when it is safe to do so? Genuine questions looking for an answer as personally i can't see any difference between using a semi at a clay ground (which is acceptable) and at a driven day (which is not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 snobbery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 If its all you have got i think you should be alowed to use it but with only 2 shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmer_fudd Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) Any gun, be it s/s o/u semi-auto is only as safe as the shooter behind it! I have shot all three types on driven days, both attended and organised and of course for clays. In my experience people get nervous with a semi-auto in the field compared to the clay ground, generally because you are walking/moving about more and accidents have happened in the past. Other than that it is down to pure snobbery. simple. One interesting fact is that a couple of the "old boys" I know are now moving away from the s/s and to semis because of the recoil issue on their slighlty older bodies I love semi-autos in the field, but make sure you go out of your way to prove and check to yourself it IS safe! Elmer. Quick RANT - if you do shoot semi, pick up your empties! I have yet to see someone do this consistently (this will not help the cause) Edited June 27, 2008 by henry d Swearing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 It's not a matter of whether they are as safe as any other gun or not, as was said in the first reply by FM, it is a matter of tradition, snobbery, if you wish. It's rather like turning up in full cammo gear instead of tweeds. When a party of us turned up at a grouse shoot 30 odd years back, our o/u's were tutted at and clucked at by the gamekeeper, who ressembled and sounded like John Laurie ( Frazer) from Dad's Army, he said, in a very broad Scottish voice "It's neverrrrr been seen on the mooorrrrs before laddie", apparently he had not seen an o/u before, made us feel like social outcasts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 snobbery :lol: Deffinatly, i go rough shooting with a friend of mine, he uses a semi-auto, i have never felt nervous ever, one simple rule we follow, the guns are never pointed in the direction of the other shooter, ever..... even when unloaded. So why cant this simple rule be used on a shoot? ******** to it... old farts in there old ways with there antique S/S trying to hold on to their youth..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Its tradition and nothing to do with snobbery or a class thing at all. Obviously safety is more of an issue on game days simply because you have beaters but it is far less of an issue. Semis are also slower to load so if you have lots of birds about they are a disadvantage believe it or not. Its the same as turning up to shoot on a traditional day in jeans or cammo it just isn't done. If its a small knock about syndicate with mates then use what you like but there is something really nice about dressing up for the occasion for a proper game day. Personally I hope game shooting doesn't just become the same as any old day out doing vermin control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 I agree with you on enjoying the tradition, Alex, and I can't quite grasp the insinuation that anyone using a S/S should be ashamed of themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Nobody is saything that people using a S/S should be ashamed, or that the clothing should become a thing of the past either.... All they are asking is why cant a semi auto be used?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Quick RANT - if you do shoot semi, pick up your empties! I have yet to see someone do this consistently (this will not help the cause) I agree. My solution to the problem was to carry one of those pocket sized telescopic magnetic pickup tools. They cost around a quid, will easily pick up 3 or so empies. I have also used one at clay grounds, a swift tap on the edge of the bin soon discharges the pickups. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 I doubt its snobbery. Some people are too eager to label it snobbery and have a go. Relax guys. I can see that a S/S Or O/U IS SAFER than a Semi. Say your walking up a line with a semi, you know there are some birds up ahead so the gun is loaded and your waiting to take your shot, suddenly you footing gives way. As you slip you know the gun or trigger and end up blowing a hole in the shooter to your right (or left ) Now with a double barrel with the gun being open until the last minute they are viewed as "safer". Obviously the exact same thing could happen with a double barrel, its just slightly safer. On another note, theres nothing wrong with traditional values and they need to be held on to. Without our traditions this country will be in an even bigger mess than it is atm. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 All guns are totally safe. Its the idiots who hold them that are the danger!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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