Pellpax Blog

Airgun Shooting For Beginners

If you’ve ever fancied getting started in the world of shooting, it’s probably easier than you first thought. Let us help you with this handy guide to starting out…

First off, you have to be over the age of 18 to purchase an air rifle or air pistol, and have valid photo ID (passport / driving licence) to prove this when you purchase from a shop. If you want to buy online, We’re one of the very few internet retailers that deliver to item to your door. Secondly, the rifle or pistol has to be below 12 ft/lbs, which is the legal limit for air weapons which don’t require a license. If you take a look in our Airguns category, then everything within there is below this limit, so they only governing factor now is your budget!

The Sport of Shooting

The sport of shooting has more benefits for it that you may think, and is by no means reserved for the upper class, as many believe it is today. Air rifles and air pistols are a low cost form of shooting, and there are many local clubs which have large memberships in the disciplines of Field Target and Hunter Field Target shooting. If you fancy joining one of these clubs, a couple of great websites to check out are www.shootingclubdirectory.com and basc.org.uk/airgunning, which have details of numerous air gun clubs across the UK that would be more than happy to accommodate new members.

Of course you don’t have to be a member of a club to shoot; you can quite as easily purchase several targets and shoot on your own land. A wide range of targets are available such as knockdowns, knock and resets, and standard paper targets. You can take a look at our full selection of shooting targets here and start building your own home range today!

A lot of air rifle users also use these weapons for pest and vermin control, such as rabbits and squirrels. They present the hardest of targets as they are prone to rapid movement, and shot placement must be spot on to ensure a humane kill.

All these targets and practicing target acquisition massively improves your hand eye coordination, steadiness and sense of distance which can benefit you greatly in day to day tasks.

The Law

The law is very clear on Airguns; they are classed as a firearm and hence carry heavy penalties for misuse. For this reason you must ensure that you comply at all times, which means you must first know the law.

The Law is split down into different age groups as follows…

If you’re over the age of 18 then there are no restrictions on you purchasing an air rifle and ammunition, but you must only use it on land which you own, or have permission to shoot on. If you do get some land to shoot on with permission, I would suggest getting it in writing, as well as a map of where you are allowed to shoot. You must also remember that whilst shooting, no projectiles must leave the boundary of the land, so know your boundaries!

If you’re between the ages of 14 and 17 years old, then you can borrow an air rifle and ammunition, and use it without supervision on private premises where you have permission to do so. At this age you can’t hire or buy an air rifle, buy ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Everything must be looked after by someone over the age of 18 such as a parent, guardian or other responsible adult. You also cannot have an air rifle in a public place unless you’re with someone over the age of 21 and have a reasonable grounds to do so, such as traveling to a shooting club.

The final age group is 14 years and younger. In this age group you can use an air rifle on private land with permission, but you must always be supervised by a person over the age of 21. You can’t buy or hire an air gun or ammunition, nor receive one as a gift, and those who do buy an airgun for use for someone below the age of 14 must be sure to exercise control over it at all times.

Air Gun Power Plants

When it comes to choosing either an air rifle or air pistol, there are a few different power sources to choose from, and each has advantages and disadvantages. This is just a quick rundown on them, but for a deeper insight, check out our blog post from our Gun Smith Jason here.

Spring power is the cheapest and easiest to use as it consists of a large spring moving a piston within a chamber to compress air in front of it to move the pellet along the barrel. These guns require very little maintenance and only need the movement of you cocking the barrel to make them ready for firing. They also don’t require any other accessories. Spring guns do have recoil though, but this can be seen as an advantage, as it teaches you how to correctly hold the gun to deal with this, henceforth improving your skills right away.

Co2 power utilises Co2 canisters which come in a couple of sizes. These are loaded into the gun, which is then released through a valve, into the barrel upon each shot. This method reduces the recoil to practically nothing, as well as cutting down on the noise from the action. This means in most cases that a silencer can be fitted to reduce the overall noise of shooting. However, Co2 does suffer from power fluctuations with the temperature, and requires you to carry spare capsules for reloading when they run out.

PCP stands for Pre Charged Pneumatic and these guns are based around an air reservoir, which is refilled with a dive bottle or stirrup pump up to pressures of 200 BAR. This high pressure air is then allowed through to the barrel through a valve. The use of high pressure air provides excellent accuracy and consistency and similar to the Co2 guns, and a silencer can be used to reduce the barrel noise. The drawback of PCP is that they are expensive to buy, particularly with the accessories, but once set up they are phenomenally accurate and simple to use which makes them the number one choice for top end competition and match purposes.

What do I need to get started?

To get started you need as little as an air gun, either a rifle or pistol, the necessary pellets, and other essential accessories such as co2 capsules, where required, of course.

Here at Pellpax we have a few kits that we have put together at a great price to get you started. One such kit is the Wildcat Kit which comes with the rifle, scope, a gun bag, a tin of pellets and a pack of our targets. Everything you need to start punching holes in paper as soon as it is delivered.

Once you have your selected item, then it’s time to start shooting! As both of these are break barrel items, you first have to tap the barrel to break it away from the breech, then grasp the barrel firmly and pull it towards you to cock it until it clicks. Then load the pellet into the barrel and return it to its starting position.

Basic Technique

Firstly, take aim at your target. with the air rifle the best technique is to not hold the stock too firmly, as you need to allow the rifle some room to recoil slightly. With a loose hold on the rifle, disengage the safety, and slowly squeeze the trigger until the shot fires.

With the pistol it is much the same, except you will need to hold it slightly tighter to support its weight, and feel free to use both hands, one round the grip and one supporting the front of the pistol to get the best accuracy. Enjoy!

From here it is really down to you developing your technique over time and fine tuning the scope / sights and practicing hitting the centre of the target and learning your gun. Of course you might consider upgrading over time to a high quality rifle, but these basic tips and kit are a great place to start.

You can grab a Pellpax Wildcat kit here.

Our Spring powered air rifles can be found here. Our Co2 air rifles are here, and our PCP air rifles can be found here.

Club Focus: North Walsham Rifle and Pistol Club

This month, we take a look at the work of North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club in Norfolk…..

Shooting with Rifles — The club demonstrate shooting with rifles

Founded in 1934, with a current membership of over 200, North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club is one of the most progressive target shooting clubs in the country. Development Officer Mike Kirkham, who has been shooting since he was 15 years old, says, “The key to our success has been to change our club culture to think more like a sports club, and to actively promote and market what we offer.”

Safety First

The UK has the toughest gun regulations in the world – and that explains the safety of the sport in this country. Each new member joins NWRPC as a probationer. After six months (and at least 12 shooting sessions), the probationary member graduates to full membership on condition that two committee members declare that he / she is safe to shoot. The new member must then sign to say that he / she has read and understood the range rules, which are displayed on a wall in the clubhouse.

Below the range rules is the signing-in book. Every member must sign in and out on every visit. This is not only a security measure, but also a record that can be referred to in the event of a new licence application – evidence of regular shooting is an advantage to an applicant.

Ranges & Competitions

The NWRPC offers three types of shooting. The .22 target range has 10 firing points (two of which are designed for disabled users) at 25 yards, 50 metres, and 100 yards. (The discrepancy in measurement is a shooting convention.) The air range, with 12 firing points, offers sporting knock-down targets at 40 yards and 70 yards, as well as 10-metre air rifle and air pistol competition shooting. There is also a 25-yard black powder pistol gallery.

Competitive spirit is lively at this club. Some competitions (Norfolk County League, Bedfordshire League, Perthshire League, Somerset League, Hendon League, Eastern Region League) are conducted via mail; participants shoot at pre-labelled targets and send away these targets (score cards), which must be signed by an independent witness – in most cases another club member.

Charles Cain, 73 (and I must stress – a young 73), is an experienced competitor and coach. In the 1980s, he won the English Championship, and won a silver medal for England in the Commonwealth Games. The weekend before I visited the club, Charles had won the Norfolk Summer Championship in Corpusty, a competition that consisted of 80 shots: four targets at 50 yards, 10 times, and four targets at 100 yards, 10 times. Mike Kirkham came third.

Fabian Halstead (club Treasurer) told me that shooting competitions began about 100 years ago. One of the first trophies in circulation is still around today and has been won, on several occasions, by members of the North Walsham Rifle and Pistol Club. It’s a solid silver trophy, awarded to the individual with the highest score in the Norfolk Winter and Summer Outdoor County Meetings, and is housed in an enormous white cabinet – hence the affectionate nickname, ‘The Fridge’.

Funding & Future

North Walsham Gun Club receives substantial support from lottery-funded sporting bodies. Active Norfolk is the County Sports Partnership (CSP) for Norfolk, working in partnership with Norfolk’s local authorities and Sport England to increase participation in sport and physical activity. Another organisation, Sportivate, offers six to eight weeks’ free or subsidised coaching to young people between the ages of 11 and 25, with particular emphasis on individuals with a disability or from a low-income family.

The club’s key aim is to encourage youngsters in the sport. The provision of range facilities for scout groups – the main source of new members – plays an important role in the progressive development of the club. Mike Kirkham hopes that it won’t be too long before young Norfolk target shooters are competing at an international level.

The NWRPC, which is open to members from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 364 days in the year, had over 5,500 visits from members in the last 12 months. If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Oliver Crysell (Chairman) on 01692 581997 or head to http://www.nwrpc.co.uk for more information. To find out more about Active Norfolk head to their website.

Brand Focus: Daystate

In a recurring feature, this month Joe Meakin focuses in on the work of Staffordshire prestige gunmakers, Daystate…

Daystate are a great British success story. Alongside great manufacturers like Air Arms and BSA, they continue to produce airguns which are the envy of the world. The main focus of the company is high quality PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic) airguns along with a range of accessories to suit. This is premium quality product, and it’s reflected in the pricing. The price range of Daystate air rifles starts from around £800 and goes up to around £2000, but you can be assured the rifles are worth every penny that you pay for them as the accuracy and attention to detail are superb.

Daystate Origins

The origins of Daystate date back to 1978 when the company was formed to produce air powered tranquilliser guns for pest control purposes which sold fairly well. The company’s big break came about in 1980 when they were approached by the well-known pest control company Rentokil, who asked them to produce a small-bore air rifle that they could use for pest control purposes in their business. This rifle was called the Huntsman, and the name is still being used on a rifle today, the Huntsman Regal. This model back in the 1980s produced 40 ft/lbs in .22 calibre which was perfect for Rentokil’s uses.

Daystate also sold a detuned, 12 ft/lbs version of the same rifle to the general public and it enjoyed a long production run thanks to its solid production and accuracy. Many airgun experts credit this rifle as the Father of all modern PCP rifles that we know today as prior to this most air rifles were powered by spring.

Shooters of course quickly realized that the PCP action had little to no recoil meaning that they were able to produce much better accuracy with these rifles. Around this time Field Target shooting was gaining in popularity and shooters quickly adopted the PCP power plant as their favoured action. The Huntsman was used by many shooters in these competitions for years, but it was one of the heaviest rifles around, but Daystate introduced a new range which included the CR94. These were dedicated to Field Target shooters, and these rifles quickly started taking the trophies at competitions which assured Daystates position in the airgun market solidly.

Modern Day Production

Panther4000LHAFL — The MK4 (formerly known as the Panther)

Since then the company has produced numerous air rifles, both mechanical and electronic controlled air rifles such as the MK3, MK4 and, more recently, the Pulsar which are fantastically advanced air guns which maximise efficiency and consistency from each fill. Daystate have pioneered electronic controlled air rifle actions with their CDT (Capacitor Discharge Technology) and MCT (Map Compensated Technology) which are, essentially, very effective electronic actions.

The use of an electronic action means that the lock time from when you pull the trigger to the time the pellet leaves the barrel is shortened considerably. This reduces the chance of you pulling the shot off target once you have pulled the trigger, and the trigger weight is far less than is achievable on a mechanical rifle.

Daystate Pulsar

Pulsar-Tactical-LH-4000 — Daystate Pulsar Tactical

The rifle which features all this high tech technology today is the Daystate Pulsar which is available in a choice of stocks such as Forest Laminate and Synthetic. The electronic system has been improved from its predecessor, the MK4, in that all the electronics are encased in a waterproof case, making it truly waterproof. The electronics also operate off standard batteries, and not a special rechargeable one which previous rifles were.

The Pulsar is a Bullpup rifle which reduces the overall length whilst still retaining a full length barrel and cylinder for great performance and shot count figures in a manoeuvrable and compact package that is perfect for target shooters and hunters. A nice feature of the Pulsar, and probably my favourite, is probably, is the laser which is built-in. It activates only when the rifle is cocked and the safety is disabled, and really helps with both target acquisition, and range-finding when used with a scope.

Daystate Renegade

A new rifle that is now being released is the Daystate Renegade which is based on the same frame as the Pulsar, but it has a mechanical action, and comes in at a lower price point. This model doesn’t have a laser as the Pulsar does, and has an electronic trigger which releases the mechanical sear at the rear of the rifle, to save linkages between the trigger and the back of the rifle, which is often a failing point for most bullpups.

Huntsman Regal

The Huntsman Regal is their entry level rifle in their range, but is one of the finest handling, and performing rifles that I have ever used. The whole rifle is very sleek and sophisticated in the appearance, and this continues right through the whole rifle.

The unique feature of the Huntsman Regal is that the action is embedded deeper into the stock compared to other PCP rifles, which makes it feel more like a traditional hunting rifle, and balances out beautifully when brought up to the shoulder. As with all Daystate air rifles, the Huntsman Regal uses the 10 shot magazine which has been tried and tested over the years and is very simple and easy to use, and minimises any jams when loading the rifle. This is essential in a rifle, particularly when out hunting, as a jam could mean a missed shot.

Wolverine Range

The Daystate Wolverine range is in the middle of their line up, and these rifles are designed for tough hunting situations where the best is required. Daystate have made these rifles incredibly strong and hard wearing by starting off with a one piece, CNC machined breech block to which different parts such as the bolt, barrel, and cylinder and secured. This makes every aspect of the rifle which is attached to this block very sturdy which minimises any shift in zero, as well as tack driving accuracy shot after shot.

The Wolverine is available in with either a Steel 400c cylinder, or a Carbon Fibre 480cc cylinder. Both models have the same high grade Walnut stock and a shrouded barrel which makes it a delight to hold and shoot, and whisper quiet when out shooting.

All of these rifles are available in both sub 12 ft/lbs configuration, as well as FAC power levels for those who have an FAC and the allowance for one. Even in 12 ft/lbs these are great pest control and hunting rifles and are built to last from the finest of materials that are available today which you can instantly tell when you pick one up.

To grab your own Daystate air rifles, parts and accessories, head to our brands page where we list them. Or to learn more, go to the Daystate Collections page. Their official site is here.

Face Off: Weihrauch HW40 PCA vs Zoraki HP-01 (Formerly Webley Alecto)

Our intrepid airgun enthusiast Steph Brooks continues his excellent comparison series, Face Off. This month it’s the turn of HW40 by Weihrauch and the HP-01 by Zoraki / Webley Alecto…..

The HP-01 used to be known as the Webley Alecto but remains exactly the same pistol underneath. Both of these pistols use a pneumatic pump system where the shooter compresses air inside the cylinder which then fires the pellet when the trigger is pulled. The idea behind this design is to provide the accuracy and power of a pre-charged pistol but without the need for a compressor or air bottle, providing power and precision in the palm of your hand.

First Impressions

Both of these pistols actually look remarkably similar and have something about the Desert Eagle style look about them. Both are finished in matte black, with the Zoraki having marginally better detailing around the pistol grip especially. The grip of the Zoraki is also far more ergonomically shaped, for a tighter grip whilst aiming.

The HW40 is around 50mm shorter than the HP-01 which is not that noticeable, but it does weigh almost half a kilogram lighter. This was far more apparent after shooting these pistols for a good hour. I can imagine the Zoraki would start to feel heavy after a long day down the range.

Both of these pistols feel incredibly solid and utilise a high grade polymer that is moulded around a metal frame for added strength. In my opinion neither of these pistols is going to set the world alight with their looks and both of them seem to be quite generic, as they look like many other pistols in this category.

In conclusion I think the winner is the HW40 but only just, thanks its lower weight and despite its marginally inferior finish. To me, looks are not as important as something that can actually affect shooting, and the heaviness of the Zoraki started to affect the accuracy of my aim after a while.

Winner: Weihrauch HW40

Pumped Up Kicks

hw40 air pistol — **The HW40: Be careful not to trap your fingers**.

The main difference between these two pistols is that the HW40 is a single stroke pneumatic whilst the HP-01 is a multi-stroke pistol. What this essentially means is one pump for the HW40 puts it ready to fire at full power whilst the HP-01 can be pumped between one and three times to reach any of its three power settings. Pump once for low power, twice for medium and three times for full power. This gives shooters extra flexibility in how much power they want but aside from testing I found myself using the second and third power settings exclusively.

The only reason I can think why you would use the lowest setting is that the pistol makes less noise… but who doesn’t like loud noises?! Ok, your neighbours might not, and I understand that noise is a valid concern in built up areas, but when down the range I can’t see a good reason to shoot at the lowest power setting.

Now, I’m not Jeremy Clarkson! Power isn’t everything but it does mean flatter trajectories and better range, things that are far more desirable to me than quietness. I have heard reports from people of increased muzzle rise when fired at full power, but it was not something I noticed, particularly when shooting two handed.

However, I was using an under side mounted laser on the HP-01, which may have acted as a barrel weight, reducing the muzzle rise but again, unless you are in serious target shooting competitions, I’m sure this issue is not something that will bother you.

To pump the Zoraki to full power takes quite a bit of strength, while the HW40 is slightly easier. One thing to note it is quite easy to catch clothing and fingers whilst closing both pistols so make sure you have both out of the way when shutting the breech. I’m going to give the win to the HW40 again here as it is slightly easier to pump and only requires one pump to shoot at its most powerful as opposed the HP-01.

Winner: Weihrauch HW40

Shots Fired

Despite early wins for the HW40, here is where the ZP-01 really comes into its own. When both shooting at full power the HW40 produces around 2 ft/lbs of muzzle energy, while the HP-01 produces around 5.5ft/lbs. This is a big difference and means that whilst the HW40 will struggle to go through an empty Coke can, the HP-01 is capable of taking out pets such as rats quickly and humanely and is one of the few non PCP or spring powered pistols that is capable of close range pest control.

This really puts the Zoraki in a different class of pistol from the Weihrauch and makes it ideal for almost any shooting discipline, whether it’s target shooting, plinking or pest control. On the other hand, the Weihrauch is only really good as a short range plinker or target shooter.

It is worth noting at this point that the Zoraki is nearly £100 pounds more expensive and so a difference in quality is to be expected but if you are looking at serious competition shooting or to take out some pesky pests, there is really only one option.

The triggers of both are two stage and fully adjustable with a hex key, with the ZP-01’s match trigger being crisp and sharp and the HW40’s having a tiny bit of creep, but not enough to affect accuracy. Both group well at their effective ranges using Air Arms Field (4.51) pellets and neither pistol experienced any jams or problems while testing.

There is only one winner here; the Zoraki is so much more versatile in its use with higher power and a much longer effective range. This is where the price difference of the two pistols really becomes apparent, as the HW40 is certainly not a bad pistol, and performs better than most other pneumatics in its price range, such as the Beeman 2004E. However its lack of power is to be expected, as it almost half the price of the Zoraki.

Winner: Zoraki HP-01/ Webley Alecto

Sights & Extras

The sights of the Zoraki are also of exceptional quality, with the foresight flipping over to offer a choice of blade width, as well as different positioning. This allows for great accuracy right out of the box. The HW40 features front and rear fibre optic sights that are fully adjustable, although not as much as the HP-01’s, and are again, perfectly aligned. The fibre optics work in all but the darkest of conditions. It is worth noting that the Zoraki’s iron sights are not fibre optic so external optics is required for shooting in low light conditions.

Both pistols feature rails on top for the easy attachment of red dot sights or scopes, but only the Zoraki has an under mounted weaver rail for laser sights, torches or other suitable attachments. I used a laser in my testing, set up to 45 yards, and although a red dot sight is more effective for target acquisition, it is nice to have the option for under mounted attachments.

In terms of accessories the HW40 is a bit of a bare bones affair with the pistol and manual included in the box, whereas the HP-01 comes with a bottle of gun oil, adjustment tools and a cleaning brush as well as the manual and gun. Another nice feature included with the Zoraki is a test sheet from the factory showing the grouping achieved with each particular pistol. It was, according to the sheet, tested using Crosman pointed pellets which are not exactly famed for their accuracy. This strikes me a bit like Audi including official 0-60 figures with their latest car in snow tires, but whatever, it’s nice to have and gives each pistol a more individual touch.

The added accessories as well as the under mounted rail means I have to give this one to the Zoraki HP-01.

Winner: Zoraki HP-01 /Webley Alecto

And The Winner Is…

Well its 2 – 2 so far in the categories but I have to pick a winner. There is no penalty shootout this time, no referendum, the answer is obvious. With its adjustable power, crisper trigger and extended range the winner has to be the Zoraki HP-01.

The HW40 is a very good pistol for its price point and provides the best accuracy of any pistol that is sub £150. If you are looking for a pistol just for plinking there is no reason not to buy the HW40 but it is just outclassed by a far more expensive and more versatile pistol. The Zoraki is an excellent target shooter, plinker, pest controller or vermin hunter with rails for a variety attachments making it one of the most powerful and versatile pneumatic pistols on the market today.

Winner: Zoraki HP-01

You can grab yourself a Weihrauch HW40 air pistol here, and a Zoraki HP-01 / Webley Alecto here. To learn more about Weihrauch, head to our collections page.

Which air pistol do you think makes the grade? Do you own either? Or have you got a different recommendation altogether? Let us know in the comments below.

Secret Life of an Airgun & Shotgun Delivery Driver

One of our distinctive Pellpax vans on the way to a delivery.

One of the most important parts of Pellpax is our door to door airgun & shotgun delivery service. Unlike many of our competitors, who often send your order to your local Registered Firearms Dealer for collection, we have the facility to deliver air rifles, air pistols and shotgun cartridges nationwide, directly to your door.

These deliveries take place each weekend thanks to our team of drivers, many of whom are previously members of the armed forces and police. To shed more light on this very special air rifle delivery service, we sent out blogger and writer Hazel Randall to spend some time with one of our drivers…..

Friday lunchtime:

Parcels are being loaded into the van in reverse order of delivery. Every item has been double-checked, all guns have been fired, and each package has the customer’s name written clearly on it. The driver, Chris Avern, is handed a folder labelled NORTH, which contains 54 invoices and three hotel booking forms, all in correct order. Taped to the front of the folder is Pellpax’s Certificate of Registration as a Firearms Dealer.

Sophisticated software used in the Pellpax office has calculated the route and approximate time between drops. Taking into account time that will be spent with customers, an estimated time of arrival has been written on each invoice, and customers have been advised of this time. (No pressure then, Chris.)

Chris programmes the satnav with the postcode for the first drop, copied from the invoice. The satnav shows an estimated time of arrival – a few minutes earlier than the time shown on the invoice.

Chris locks the back door of the van and sets off. In the back of the van there’s a CCTV camera, and above the passenger seat is a tiny monitor. Security is paramount.

The sky is overcast and there’s a chill in the air, but the weather forecast for the north of England is good. With Radio 2 playing in the background and mobile phone (with Bluetooth connection) fixed to the dashboard, Chris begins his solitary three-day sojourn.

This is the first weekend in June. White hawthorn is frothing madly in the hedgerows, its sweet scent drifting into the van. Now and then, a splash of pink or red may blossom grabs the eye, and then it’s gone, leaving its glorious image hovering in the memory. Meadows are studded with daisies, and in the gardens, laburnum trees are weighed down by copious yellow blossom.

Chris arrives at the first address five minutes ahead of time. He takes the customer’s package from the van and knocks on the front door. The door is opened by a smiling, middle-aged man, who congratulates Chris on his excellent time-keeping. The two men have a friendly chat, and the customer tells Chris about his pigeon problem. The client’s ID documents are on the hall table, ready for this delivery.

When Chris delivers a gun or any item related to guns – pellets, scope, silencer, etc. – he must see photographic ID and a household bill that connects the client’s name and billing address. Chris records passport or driving licence serial numbers, and signs to say that he has seen the documents. If the photographic ID is something other than passport or driving licence, and there is no serial number to record, Chris takes a photograph of the document for reference. Then the client signs the form. When the paperwork is complete, Chris hands over the goods and the invoice and invites the client to check his purchase.

Chris makes a successful delivery to another happy customer.

Back in the van, Chris takes the second invoice from the folder and enters the postcode in the satnav. The ETA displayed on the satnav is 10 minutes ahead of the ETA on the invoice. Chris is making good time.

Already, the sky is clearer and the sun is warming the air. Chris takes off his sweater and throws it onto the passenger seat. He winds the window down halfway and sings along to Dire Straits and Walk of Life.

In the beautiful city of Lincoln, the Pellpax van scoots up and down the steep roads, carving a route between flower-filled gardens and elegant architecture.

When the Romans invaded the Iron Age settlement of Lindo (Celtic for pool) in 48 AD, they renamed the town Lindum Colonia, but by 1066 the name had evolved into old English Lincylene. During WW1, the first ever tanks were designed and built in Lincoln, and the city’s manufacturers continued to produce a wide range of military vehicles during WW2.

After one drop in the middle of Lincoln, Chris heads for The Humber Bridge – a 2,220-metre suspension bridge over the Humber Estuary, connecting Lincolnshire to the East Riding of Yorkshire. The Humber Bridge is the seventh longest of its kind in the world; however, when it was opened to traffic in 1981, it was the longest. It’s foggy and drizzling with rain when Chris makes the crossing. With the window wound up, he croons an accompaniment to Dolly Parton as she sings I Will Always Love You.

Humber Bridge 1 — Crossing the Humber Bridge

In the evening, after a delicious spicy pizza and a bottle of Coke, Chris arrives at a pre-booked hotel in Bradford. He has delivered to ten addresses today. Backing the van against the car park wall, he takes his overnight bag into the hotel, signs in, and snuggles into bed.

***************

Saturday morning

Chris is jerked awake, by his phone alarm. The first drop, half an hour’s drive from the hotel, is due soon. Chris showers, dresses, and finishes up last night’s pizza. Shortly after, he’s driving away from the hotel, squinting into the low sun.

Chris arrives in good time at the first address. The customer is wearing a dressing gown but answers the door promptly, ID in hand. He and Chris greet one another like old friends. This is a repeat customer – a man appreciative of the Pellpax air rifle delivery service.

The next customer is not in. Chris knocks several times and phones the contact number given on the invoice. Five minutes after the due delivery time, Chris writes a note to say that he has called and slips it through the letterbox. He’ll have to take this item home again.

Nobody's home, so Chris leaves a note for a customer. — Nobody’s home, so Chris leaves a note for a customer.

Twenty minutes later, Chris is driving into the pleasant grounds of a residential home. The sniper rifle to be delivered is for a member of staff. The door is opened by the client’s colleague, who has her own ID ready. Chris asks to see the client’s ID as well, but it seems that he hasn’t left it for her. Chris has no other phone number for the client, other than the number for this address. The lady tries to contact the client, but with no success. Chris apologises and says that he will not leave the rifle without seeing the required ID. There is no other option – he must take the gun back to Pellpax.

Today’s route takes Chris over the Yorkshire Dales. But first he must fill up with diesel – and coffee. The large red Costa sign that stands at the garage entrance is reminiscent of one of those seductive ladies who stand by an oasis in the Road films, beckoning to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Fortunately, the Costa sign is not a mirage.

Chris has long distances to drive between drops today. There are only 16 addresses to visit, but they span a distance of several hundred miles.

The view from Sharp Haw – a hill with an elevation of 357 metres on the southern edge of the Dales – is stunning. The word ‘haw’ comes from Old English ‘hawian’ (view). Chris stops the car and gets out for a few moments. His feet brush past bright yellow buttercups on impossibly slender stems, vying for attention with gorgeous campion and achingly pretty bindweed.

There are traffic jams in Hull. Temporary lights at roadworks seem to be permanently red. Chris makes a phone call to his next customer, explaining that he’s stuck in traffic queues. Apologising for the delay, he gives an estimated time of arrival, adding that he might be even later. The customer says not to worry – she’s well aware of the roadworks and the delays they’re causing.

After dropping off the parcel, Chris phones the next customer. He’s twenty minutes behind time, but the roads are fairly clear now. He tells the customer that he’ll be there within half an hour.

It’s evening, and Chris makes his final drop of the day 15 minutes after the due delivery time. Perked up a little by a nourishing KFC, Chris makes his way to the pre-booked Travel Lodge in Hull. Before signing in, he enters the postcode of tomorrow’s first drop in the satnav. He signs in, has a shower, and falls into bed.

***************

Sunday morning:

Chris wakes, showers and leaves the hotel. His mood is not going to match the lovely weather until he’s had a coffee. After ten minutes of driving, an oasis appears. With a large Costa coffee inside him, the monster that got out of bed minutes earlier turns into a Beach Boys backing singer.

This morning, Chris delivers the only shotgun of the weekend – a Webley and Scott 900 Extreme Sporter 30” Barrel, 12 gauge. In addition to ID checks, Chris must see the client’s firearms licence and sign to say that he has seen it. With this invoice are two copies of a Firearm Transfer Notification letter. On this occasion, there are no shotgun cartridges delivered, but we do have the very rare facility to do this, also.

The client must enter information about the firearm purchased from Pellpax, including the serial number, along with his own name, address, and licence number. It’s the client’s responsibility to send his copy by recorded post to his local firearms department. Chris takes the second copy back to Pellpax for their records.

A drop on the western outskirts of Kendal takes Chris through the picturesque town, famous for Kendal mint cake, the high-energy confectionary that sustained numerous explorers on expeditions to Mount Everest, K2, and the north and south poles.

During the first half of the second millennium, the main industry in Kendal was the manufacture of woollen goods – notably the hard-wearing fabric known as Kendal Green, worn by archers in battles of the Hundred Years War. The cloth was steeped in a yellow dye produced from Genista tinctoria (dyer’s broom), and then overdyed with blue Isatis tinctoria (dyer’s woad). The motto on the Kendal coat of arms is Pannus mihi panis (cloth is my bread).

Driving over Lambrigg Fell in Cumbria, Chris passes the Lambrigg Wind Farm (pictured), owned by RWE npower renewables (previously National Wind Power). The wind farm, opened in September 2000, comprises five turbines that produce enough pollution-free electricity to meet the average needs of around 2,500 UK homes.

Today takes Chris both under and over the River Mersey, and across the rivers Kent and Aire. He crosses the Manchester Ship Canal and the Aire & Calder Navigation, which leads into the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Grazing the outskirts of Liverpool, Chris’ route wends eastward. The day ends at a Premier Inn in Derby – an unusual arrangement of chalet-style rooms around a courtyard, with external stairs to the upper storey. Chris drops his bag onto the floor and falls face-down onto the bed.

***************

Monday morning:

Just eight more drops to do. For some reason, Chris craves something fishy to eat. He settles for a prawn-mayonnaise sandwich from a garage shop, accompanied, of course, by a Costa coffee. This leads to a hearty rendition of the James Bond theme song, Nobody Does it Better.

After the final drop, Chris fills up with diesel; there’s a two-hour drive back to the Pellpax base in Aylsham, Norfolk. When he arrives, Chris hands the undelivered items to sales manager, Jason Whittle, explaining the circumstances of each one, and takes the paperwork to the office.

This weekend, Chris has driven over a thousand miles, through 14 counties, and has visited 54 addresses. Next weekend will be similar, but the route will be different. But now it’s time to go home. Chris exchanges the Pellpax van for his own ‘Fred’, and drives away, just in time to collect his son from school.

To learn more about our shotguns, and air rifle delivery service, click here. You can also have shotgun cartridges delivered.

5 Of The Best Airsoft Blogs Online

When it comes to airsoft blogs, a good one can be hard to find. The main things we look for in in good airsoft and air gunning blogs are attention to detail, photos and connection to the reader. These are Ross Mitchell’s top 5 airsoft blogs that offer an eye-catching and in-depth read….

Number 5: Airsoft Odyssey

Screen Shot 2016-06-15 at 15.40.43 — **Yosser’s Airsoft Odyssey**

Coming in at number 5 is Airsoft Odyssey. This website has a variety of areas ranging from videos, kits and helpful blogs. The blog I read in particular was the WE Makarov Test and Review. In this blog, we see them take the iconic Makarov pistol and break it down talking about the whole process from unboxing the pistol to shooting it. A section of the blog that I found really interesting was where he put it through a Chronograph test.

Now, I won’t spoil it for you but he first tests the Makarov without the barrel extension on but once attached the results were very interesting. Overall I like this blog as he goes into great detail about the bb’s and gas he uses, tests and talks about all the little features of the gun and he’s got some pictures showing the guns iconic design!

Number 4: Airsoft International Magazine

Meanwhile, for Number 4 we have a blog aimed at beginners in the airsoft world. This blog is from http://www.ai-mag.com and is very neat and well presented. Within this medium sized blog we can see him starting off by talking about the laws on airsoft rifles. Now, the UK is known for being nervous around anything that looks like a gun, and to prevent Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF) being misused there are licenses and regulations you have to comply with.

This is one of the reasons I found this blog a good read. They break each part down to explain firstly why the law and licenses exist, and then continue to talk about how this affects you when buying a RIF. Finally they finish by going into detail on how you can obtain one. Whether you’re new to airsoft or more experienced, I recommend this read as it goes into good detail but portrays it in a short, simple way.

Number 3: Airsoft & Milsim New Blog

Screen Shot 2016-06-15 at 15.44.02 — **Airsoft & Milsim News Blog**

Number 3 in our airsoft blogs we have a gun review. Now, when it comes to blogs there is nothing I like more than a well written, detailed gun review. Not only do I find them the most interesting to read about, I like to see others opinions on certain rifles and pistols and see if they agree / disagree with my thoughts. In this review from www.airsoft-military-news.com they take the Modify XTC-G1 Carbine and provide a thorough review. The blog is fairly long but they break it down into small paragraphs to make it an easier read.

These paragraphs are put under subtitles which include: Externals; The Frontset; The Receiver; The Stock; Hop-Up/Inner Barrel; Gearbox and then is finished with a conclusion. Within this blog I like that they put pictures for nearly every paragraph so you can see the step by step process they go through. This includes sights, stock, magazines, disassembly of the rifle and more.

The amount of detail they go into for each part is why this blog is number 3 on my list. They show you every spring, wire and bearing even include the manufacturing processes they went through making this a very interesting read for both new and experienced players. If you’re not one for long reads then the conclusion is a nice extra as it has a few paragraphs which sums ups the highlights and lowlights of the rifle. It’s then finished off by having the gallery with all the pictures used in the blog.

Number 2: Black Rams Airsoft

For our airsoft blog list Number 2 is another gun review but has a big difference to number 3. This blog from http://www.blackrams.co.uk they review 3 different AEG rifles and compare them together at the same time. I like their choice of rifles as they’re similar to each other making the review more relevant but still have differences allowing them to be compared. They start off with the Bolt B4 AEG blow back.

They dive straight into the review by talking about the internal V2 gearbox. After explaining the gearbox system they move on to the recoil and sound. I really like how they compare the recoil, the sound produced by the rifle and more characteristic to inform you how realistic the rifle is which I haven’t seen in many other blogs. They then move onto the WE M4 and use a similar structure to compare it by starting off talking about the trigger and internal mechanism, then move on to recoil and realism.

Their 3rd rifle is the Tippmann M4, which is Co2 powered and gives them a bit more to talk about as they go into detail on what Co2 cartridges you can use before following the structure. The whole blog is then finished off by a summary stating what the most realistic rifle is, then the easiest to use and so on. Overall, this is a good read for anyone interested in airsoft and is very informative, without being long and drawn out.

Number 1: Femme Fatale Airsoft

Now Rated Number 1 on my list is a well-known group in the airsoft community. The blog I read was G&G Custom CM16 SRL by http://www.femmefataleairsoft.co.uk. Now this blog is interesting for many different reasons. First of all it is a gun review which I love but it’s based on a custom gun where there was only one in the world. In this blog, airsoft enthusiast and expert Kelly Hardwick expresses her love for a custom CM16 SRL known as “The Black Rose Version 2”. She starts off by talking about where she first found it and why she fell in love with it. Then one day she got a package from G&G and it was her very own one! She gives a very accurate and in depth review of the rifle ranging from its build quality to its power and fps.

She included some great pictures in the blog showing the rifles best features off and then shows her using it. From reading on in the blog she starts to compare it to the first Black Rose and explains how G&G stepped up from it. Overall I found this one of the most interesting airsoft blogs around and really like the story behind it as well as the great pictures. The main feature that kept me hooked was where she talked about her opinions on it for example she says “I have always held G&G in high regards to their quality, reliability, affordability and performance”. This blog is definitely worth a read even if you’re not a fan of G&G!

To check out our extensive and growing range of airsoft rifles and airsoft pistols by the big manufacturers like Tokyo Marui, Ares, KWC, WE and many more, head to the store.

Club Focus: Cromer Air Rifle Club

In a new feature, we take a look at airgun clubs up and down the country. This month it’s the turn of Cromer Air Rifle Club, which is in our part of the world, Eastern England.

Cromer Air Rifle Club was established in 1974. Like most airgun clubs at that time, it was an indoor range, which meant shooting paper targets at six yards, using 6 ft/lb air rifles – not too challenging, but great fun when you’re in competition. But as the sport waned in popularity, so did local competition. Airgun clubs’ membership was diminishing, and some clubs just folded. For the handful of members remaining in the Cromer Air Rifle Club, indoor shooting was not much fun.

So, in the 1980s, the club moved outside, to a range where members could shoot at 55-yard targets, using 12 ft/lb guns. The ft/lb unit is a measurement of kinetic energy, calculated by multiplying half the mass of the projectile by the velocity squared. It is a legal requirement that an airgun that shoots over 12 ft/lbs (approximately equal to 16 joules) must have a firearms certificate.

Outdoors, with mud, foliage, nice views and weather, competition wasn’t so important. Shooting with a few friends, or even alone, was a pleasure. Now airgun shooting was fun again, and, as you would expect, club membership grew.

Nick Larty with a hand-built Sports Match GC2 air rifle

The Cromer Air Rifle Club now has its home in Bodham, in a quiet, out-of-the-way location on farmland. The long track that leads from the road to the shooting ground is very thoughtfully signposted with the location’s postcode. Shooters meet every Sunday morning between nine o’clock and twelve o’clock, unless it’s raining.

There are only eight airgun clubs in this region – a region that covers no fewer than eight counties. The winter league, which takes place every year between October and April, is open to all members of these eight BFTA (British Field Target Association) clubs, and each club takes a turn to host a round.

It’s a thirty-shot course, undertaken in pairs. In each of the 15 lanes there are four targets – two for each shooter. Every metal target is punched with a hole, which is 35 mm, 25 mm, or 15 mm in diameter. Behind the hole is a piece of metal on a spring, which, when hit, gives a satisfying ‘clunk’.

Airgun shooting is normally done in a sitting or lying position, but some of the targets in the Winter League competition are ‘positional’ shots, which must be taken from a standing and a kneeling position. (If your knees aren’t up to kneeling, you can opt for standing only!)

If you are interested in taking up airgun shooting, or if you are an experienced shooter looking for a local club, contact Nick Larty, Cromer Air Rifle Club co-ordinator, on 01263 570 223 or 07796 904 482, or just turn up at the club on a Sunday morning from 9 a.m. The postcode is NR25 6PN.

Brand Focus: Weihrauch

In a recurring feature, this month we zoom in and take a special, closer look at German airgun manufacturers, Weihrauch.

Weihrauch is one of the oldest gun manufacturers still in business today – the start of the company dates back as far as 1899. One fun fact to note is that the business was started in a town called Zella-Mehlis, where gun makers Walther and Anschutz also began! The original founder of the business was Hermann Weihrauch Sr. who was a superb hunting rifle manufacturer, and along with his three sons they created the business, making a selection of small bore rifles, along with a range of shotguns. These models had an excellent reputation for outstanding quality, as the Weihrauch range still does to this day. Of course, Weihrauch were affected by both World Wars and were evicted from Germany post WWII as their factory fell inside the Soviet zone. From here Hermann Weihrauch Jr. (one of Hermann Weihrauch Sr.’s sons) started off the Weihrauch firearms business in the 1950’s but with the aim to produce the finest sporting airguns in the world.

Beginnings : 1950s

Several models were produced from around 1950 onwards including the HW50V, the HW25 and HW55. The HW55 quickly became one of Europe’s leading break barrel target rifles, which was a massive help to kick start the company’s reputation in the airgun market. The Weihrauch HW35 was released in 1955 and has been one of the most successful air rifles in the world, and is still in production today, which makes it the longest running model in airgun history.

HW35 Air Rifle

weihrauch-hw35-pic1 — **The simple, perfectly crafted lines of the Weihrauch HW35**

The HW35 is a full size sporter air rifle which has a spring powered action and has been a firm favourite with hunters and target shooters for many years. The rifle was the first model to feature the Rekord trigger, which has become synonymous with the Weihrauch brand thanks to its fantastic operation and full adjustability. The HW35 didn’t have a massive power output compared to some of today’s rifles but was one of the more powerful models for its time. Weihrauch have never forgotten this rifle over the years and have produced several special edition models, a favourite of mine being a gold plated model with a walnut stock of which only one was produced to mark the 1 millionth serial number.

Weihrauch produced their first air pistol in 1970 which is called the HW70. This air pistol is a standard break barrel air pistol and takes on a striking black appearance which this day is nicknamed the ‘Black Arrow’. This pistol is also still in production and is a great little pistol, ideally suited towards target shooting.

1970s

From the 1970s onwards, a close connection between Weihrauch and the USA importers, Beeman Precision Airguns, led to the production of a new rifle tailored to the high power requirements of US users. The design was loosely based upon the HW35 but was a lot larger which led to increased power, and combined American styling and features with German engineering. This rifle if you haven’t guessed already is the legendary Weihrauch HW80 (sold in the US as the Beeman R1). This rifle is credited as introducing the American market to full size airguns as it can push out pellets at around 18 ft/lbs of energy making it ideal for hunting. The HW80 is also a massive hit here in the UK where it is available in FAC or sub 12 ft/lbs and is regarded as the ‘workhorse’ as it is just an awesome piece of airgun engineering and is really built to last.

Weihrauch HW45

The Marque of distinction

From here multiple other rifles and pistols have been produced over the years such as the Weihrauch HW45 air pistol which was another German and American collaboration with the Americans designing its classic Colt 1911 styling, and Weihrauch producing the internals. The internals are quite unique to the HW45 as it features a dual power cocking system which has made it a favourite amongst target shooters and pest controllers.

The HW70 led a few years after this pistol which features very similar styling, but with a more target orientated single stroke pneumatic firing system which has minimal recoil to improve consistency.

HW77

The Weihrauch HW77 was the next milestone rifle to come out of the Weihrauch factory and was an under lever rifle which had become incredibly popular amongst target shooters in Europe and the UK. This rifle didn’t sell well in America, though, as it had a modest power output compared to the HW80. The HW77 is available in both standard and carbine lengths and the direct barrel loading system were rather innovative for its time, which massively improved accuracy compared to other models of its day. The sporter style stock was perfectly designed for shooting with a scope which target shooters absolutely loved, and still do to this day. After the great success of the HW77, Weihrauch produced another underlever air rifle but with a larger compression chamber, larger selection of stocks and finishes and without any open sights, called the HW97. This is more inclined towards serious hunters and target shooters as it is a large, heavy rifle but is superbly accurate and can be fitted with a sound moderator to reduce the heard muzzle blast.

HW90

The Weihrauch HW90 was the next rifle to come from Weihrauch, and this time it was a collaboration with the old English airgun company Theoben, and includes their most notable airgun innovation, the gas ram system. This system offers multiple advantages over the conventional spring such as lower recoil, no loss of power over time, and increased accuracy and consistency. The HW90 had a classic sporter stock and has been a firm favourite over the past years with hunters and pest controllers thanks to its high power output and fantastic build quality.

Weihrauch HW100

Weihrauch have also in more recent years been a pioneer in the world of Pre Charged Pneumatic airguns with their HW100 rifles, and the HW110. The Weihrauch HW100 is a multishot PCP rifle with a side lever action which Weihrauch were one of the first to develop. A 14 shot magazine loads the pellets and an anti-double load system makes the rifle more usable and safer than others on the market. One of my favourite features of the HW100 is the Weihrauch barrel fitted with one of Weihrauchs high efficiency silencers which makes the rifle so quiet, you sometimes don’t know if it has fired or not. The HW110 is the latest PCP rifle and has a 10 shot magazine and a synthetic stock and comes at a lower price than the HW100 and has already been a big hit with consumers and the airgun press.

A Marque of Quality

Weihrauch never forget their high quality standards and examples of their products just keep working and working. I personally have a HW35 which dates from the 1970s, and despite its physical appearance the accuracy is phenomenal and I wouldn’t change it for anything!

To learn more about Weihrauch, head to our collections page for a full list of products. And you can check out the official Weihrauch official site here.

Love Weihrauch? Own one of their airguns? Tell us what you think of the brand in the comments below.

The Big Interview: Andrew Hood (Archery Instructor)

With our store selling everything from compound bows to arrow quivers, it seemed only fair that we interview someone from the world of archery, for the avid and passionate fanbase that buy our products.

That’s why our correspondent Hazel Randall talked to archery instructor, Andrew Hood, nine-times winner of the Norfolk Championships (in consecutive years), founder-owner of the successful archery training and advisory business, Feathers and Fletchings, based in Worstead in Norfolk, and proud owner of a banana-yellow Triumph 955 RS.

Andy – tell us about Feathers and Fletchings.

We do archery-related stuff. We’re archery coaches, mainly. We run sessions for schools and colleges, activity centres, sports centres … that sort of thing. We provide private coaching – that’s the really intense stuff for competitive archers – and we do a lot of these two-and-a-half-day Archery GB Instructor courses. Hopefully that’s a sign of increasing opportunities for youngsters to learn archery.

We’re technical advisors to Hautbois Activity Centre in Coltishall, and a number of other centres across the country. We provide information and guidance regarding industry compliance, teaching practices, personal safety, range position … and we organise their staff training.

Is the arrow wrap product Fletch-o-Set your own design?

Yes – I’m an inventor!

The arrows we usually use for teaching are made of aluminium. Now, there’s a natural oxide layer on the surface of metal that delays corrosion, but to thicken the oxide layer and increase resistance to wear and tear and corrosion, the aluminium is anodised. Are you keeping up?

Just about.

Good. Well, the anodising process leaves the aluminium slightly oily, which makes things very difficult when it comes to sticking on the fletchings. That’s where Fletch-o-Set comes in. It’s a strip of vinyl with an adhesive backing that’s wrapped around the back portion of the arrow shaft, forming a barrier between the oily surface of the metal and the glue that attaches the fletchings.

We can print whatever you like on your Fletch-o-Set strips – a club’s or sponsor’s logo, for example – so it serves a proprietary purpose as well.

Do you teach people with physical disabilities?

Yes, we do. There are ways to accommodate students with disabilities, and this is actually a big part of the GB Instructor training course.

Equal opportunity is key. I’m not talking about equal or uniform treatment. You need to treat people in very different ways if you’re going to provide them with the opportunity to achieve equally. We train instructors to assess the needs of individuals and to provide the help that they need.

I’ll give you some examples: a blind archer may need a tactile sighting aid; an archer with only one arm may need someone to lend a hand in holding the bow or some form of mechanical device to pull and release the string; a wheelchair user may need a little help in manoeuvring the wheelchair.

As an instructor, you have to be aware of different needs and you have to be constantly developing the skills to adapt your lessons to these needs. I’ve worked with severely abused kids. Their perception of right and wrong – i.e. the consequences of ‘doing something wrong’ – is sometimes warped, and can be detrimental to learning. Reassurance and consistent treatment will help to free a child from the bonds of fear. Sounds a bit fluffy, I know, but fear is restrictive. Take social anxiety – a perfect example.

What were you doing before wielding bows and doing archery-related stuff?

Until eighteen years ago, I was an engineer, working in steel fabrication. One particular job I’m very proud of is the design and construction of the enormous steel brazier that contained the first millennium beacon, lit by the Queen.

I know that you care deeply about giving children the opportunities they deserve. Can you tell us about Kids With Cake?

Well, it’s a simple system whereby a proportion of our turnover is siphoned off for the purpose of providing free sessions for disadvantaged kids who wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to have a go at archery.

The name comes from an experience I had when teaching after-school archery sessions at a school for ‘difficult’ children. It’s a long story. It’s on the website of one of my other companies. (click here for more).

While we’re talking about kids with cake, I might as well mention the Big Brownie Tea Party in August 2014. I taught an archery session in the garden at 10 Downing Street with 100 brownies – and David Cameron!

Have you ever taught archery abroad?

Yes, a few times. And I’ve also been taught abroad. I had a wonderful experience at the US Olympic Training Centre in California. I was trained by head coach, KiSik Lee, and was awarded Level IV Performance Coach status. I’m not a big-headed person, but I’m really proud of this achievement; there aren’t many coaches outside the US who are trained and qualified to this level.

The laws of physics, as defined by Scottie in Star Trek …

(Andy has an exceptional knowledge of human behaviour and the psychology of learning. He also has an in-depth understanding of the science of archery. He hides his intelligence pretty well, though, behind humour and brusqueness.

When I asked Andy for a business card, he said he couldn’t find any, but he produced, instead, four playing cards – all Kings of Hearts. Then, at point blank range, he performed card tricks that had us all gaping. He told us about his magic tricks.)

Sometimes a group of kids will get restless. You might have children wandering away, others being noisy – and maybe a quiet kid is left out. That’s when I bring out the card tricks. It’s like a magnet. They gather round, totally focussed – and unified in one activity.

(The four playing cards turned out to be business cards!)

You can find out more about Andy and archery training with Feathers And Fledglings at the official site. And we have archery equipment for sale including compound bows and arrow quivers in our ecommerce store.

You can also learn how to shoot a recurve bow in our blog.

Pellpax go Archery Instructor Training with Archery GB

At Pellpax, we work hard to ensure our staff expertise is some of the best in the industry, so they can provide excellent customer service. We believe training is vital.

Our very own James carrying arrows back from the target. — **Our very own James Hancock carrying arrows back from the target.**

That’s why, in April this year, Pellpax sent three of the archery shop sales team – James Hancock, Chris Roberts, and Jake Kirk – to Eaton Vale Scout and Guide Activity Centre in Norwich to take the Archery GB Instructor Course. It was led by highly knowledgeable official Archery GB instructors Andrew Hood and Abbie Stewardson. Blogger and writer Hazel Randall joined them to participate and observe proceedings….

I was delighted to be included in the event. Everyone on the Archery GB Instructor course was there to learn how to teach archery to a group of beginners. The instructor, Andrew Hood, demonstrated a beginners’ session.

Andy is not only an excellent archer – he’s a first-class teacher. Understanding that experience shapes the way we perceive and interpret the world, Andy adapts his sessions to the needs and ability of each student. His instruction has a fluid quality that reaches the most distant individual.

Introduction

Andy introduced himself – name and credentials – and asked for the names of all the students. He told us that the aim of the session was to learn how to shoot. We were asked if we had any medical conditions that might affect our shooting. “You don’t need to shout it out,” Andy told us. “Just come and tell me privately.”

Andy then asked the students about archery experience. If a student has had a go before, then preconceived knowledge and learnt behaviour may affect their ability to follow instructions. In this case, particularly, experienced performance shooters posed the greatest challenge. This course was not about shooting well – it was about learning (or relearning) each minute step of archery protocol as set out by Archery GB.

Our own James Hancock, holder of many shooting titles, had the difficult task of temporarily shedding his ingrained, automatic habits in order to adopt new sequences. James told me that many

aspects of this course were enlightening, in that he became aware of details that needed to be explained to beginners – details so familiar to James that he was unaware of their importance to a novice.

It is important that an instructor fully understands every aspect of the activity – far more than he will ever share with his students. Andy told us what we needed to know, when we needed to know it. He didn’t overload us with information, and he repeated each point clearly.

After the introduction, everyone trooped from the classroom to the archery range. As he gathered his equipment together and pottered into the sunshine, Andy whistled softly to himself. By the time we were all gathered together, two other people were humming or whistling that same tune. His natural charisma and leadership were infectious. This happened on two other occasions, and when I mentioned it to Andy, he said, “You see how easily people are influenced by what they hear; they probably don’t even know they’ve heard it.”

The waiting line

Andy told us that the waiting line is a rope stretched across the range, parallel to the targets. Its purpose is safety. The rule is: don’t cross the line until your instructor invites you to do so. If you cross the line once, you receive a warning. If you cross it a second time, it’s an early bath!

Tell students what to do – don’t tell them what not to do

Andy explained: “Running on the archery range is strictly forbidden. So don’t run makes sense – until your students are hopping, skipping, and jumping all over the place, and your life suddenly becomes a nightmare of blood, death, and paperwork. The correct way to move around on an archery range is to walk. So the best instruction to give students is: walk.”

Chris shooting 1 — **Chris Roberts from the Pellpax team takes aim at archery targets**

The bracer

A bracer protects the shooter’s inner forearm from the bowstring. The word bracer is probably unfamiliar to young children, and easily forgotten. The term arm guard carries overtones of danger and pain – why else would you need a guard? So Andy referred to the bracer as an arm thingy; it’s just a thing you put on your arm.

We were asked to hold up the hand we write with (remember that these sessions are designed for children), and a bracer was put into our dominant hand. We were shown how to put the bracer onto the opposite arm (the one that holds the bow). To check that we were wearing the bracer on the correct arm, we were asked to raise our dominant hand again, to check that no bracer was being worn on this arm. (In case you’re wondering – yes, there was at least one!)

Arrow length check

Arrow length is an important safety check. It is safest for everyone to use long arrows, avoiding the possibility of somebody tall using an arrow that is too short.

Arrow length Pellpax boys — **The Pellpax archery team learning about arrow length**

A person’s arm span is virtually equal to his own height. So a tall person will have a longer arm span than a short person. When an archer draws back his bowstring, the longer his arms, the further back the string (and arrow) will go. So if the arrow is not long enough, it will be drawn back beyond the riser (middle section of the bow). There have been some very nasty accidents involving pierced hands and arms, caused by using short arrows.

The shooting line

When students are introduced to the shooting line, understanding the rules is crucial for safety. Students might be told: stand behind the line. But what does this mean?

It might mean, stand anywhere behind the line. But if a student shoots from a couple of feet behind the line, others – who are standing forward of the shooter but behind the line – would be in danger. Stand behind the line might mean, put your toes on the line and face the target. In this case, an extra lesson must be taught in taking up the correct position.

Although the idea of the shooting line is to be behind it, Andy finds that the clearest and safest way to teach this element of archery protocol is to instruct students to stand with feet parallel, one either side of the shooting line, the arm-brace arm towards the target. It is made clear that only one foot is over the line and that equipment is not to be handled until you are in this position.

This choice of words results in a steady stance, a safe shooting position, and elimination of the risk that a student will wander around with equipment or step over the shooting line.

Wheelchair Jake 2 — **Jake Kirk from Pellpax takes aim.**

The STOP command

The STOP command is for potentially catastrophic situations. Anybody on the archery range can call it, and the command must be acted upon immediately. If an archer is at full draw when the STOP command is given, he must abort that shot. The first step is to point the drawn arrow at the ground in front of you. At this point the string tension must be released.

The terms release or let go may suggest following through with the shot, firing the arrow into the ground. But push the arrow forward describes the controlled manner in which an archer should keep hold of the arrow and slowly ease the string tension until bow and arrow are held separately, at which point they can be returned to bow stand and quiver.

Demonstration

Standing in the correct position, Andy picked up the bow and an arrow. Holding the bow in front of him, and keeping the arrowhead facing the archery target (i.e. away from everybody), he slid the arrow up the right side of the bow, over the top, and down the left side of the bow. A left-handed archer will do this the opposite way round (left to right).

He then fitted the nock onto the bowstring between the nocking points, and with three fingers (fore, middle, and ring) underneath the arrow, drew the string back until his forefinger touched the

corner of his mouth. He aimed and fired. This demonstration was done with commentary. Andy went through the process again, but without speaking. Our visual learning was now brought to the fore. Andy explained the power of visual experience by suggesting a scenario.

“Children are passing by the archery range en route to a canoeing lesson, and they happen to witness an archer walking straight from the shooting line to the target in order to retrieve his arrows. The children don’t really register what they see – they’re thinking about canoeing. But they’ve seen it; the memory is made.”

Guided shoot

Individually, we were guided through the shooting of three arrows. Physical guidance can be valuable in teaching. Having limbs put into position and torso turned at the right angle can give the nervous system a head start in the learning of new moves.

Retrieval of arrows

Following the instructor, we filed round the edge of the range to the targets. When you extract an arrow from the archery target, you need to consider three things. One: do minimum damage to the fabric of the target. Two: reduce the risk of losing the piles (arrow tips). Three: don’t stab anyone.

Andy placed a hand flat on the target, with the arrow between forefinger and middle finger (“or middle finger and ring finger if that’s more comfortable”), looked behind him, and pressed against the target as he drew the arrow out. This method of retrieval protects the target from tearing, and if the pile has come free of the arrow, you’ll find it wedged between your fingers. Looking behind you, of course, will prevent you from stabbing anybody!

After pulling our arrows from the archery target (or picking them up from behind it), we walked straight back to the shooting line (across the range), the arrows held in one hand, resting over a shoulder. There followed a period of free shooting. Andy asked us questions that tested our memories of what we’d learnt. There followed a review of the session from a teaching point of view.

Open and closed questions

Andy talked to us about open and closed questions. “Ask a group of kids, did you enjoy the session? and you know that the answer will be yes. Children know that’s what you expect to hear; they know that’s what their peers will say; they know there’ll be some sort of fuss or attention or adult fretting if the answer’s no.

But questions like what did you enjoy about the session? / what did you find difficult? / why did we teach you about the waiting line and the shooting line? produce thought-driven answers. Just as an ill-chosen phrase can give wrong (or ambiguous) information, so a badly worded question can smother real communication in pointless platitudes.”

Be specific

Andy demonstrated the importance of choosing apt vocabulary. We were asked to hold up our hands at face level, palms facing each other, a head width apart. Then we were asked to close our eyes and move our hands apart a little bit. When eyes were opened, it was obvious that interpretations of a little bit varied hugely – from less than a centimetre to about fifteen centimetres.

Presentation

Andy spoke at an even pitch and speed, and his delivery was clear and audible. He never conveyed impatience or stress or haste. Certain phrases were repeated several times over, allowing students to grasp new facts that might otherwise have skimmed over our consciousness like a miss-fired arrow. The day was enjoyed by all of the Pellpax team, and we all felt we had developed a knowledge of how to guide and instruct young archers taking their first steps.

To check out our full range of archery supplies and accessories, check out our archery shop, where we sell everything from recurve bows to crossbows, arrows, targets and quivers.

You can also learn how to learn shoot a recurve bow with the help of our very own Jason Whittle, in another post on this very blog.