Pellpax Blog

BASC Director of Firearms, Bill Harriman, Talks to Pellpax

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) receives approximately 10,000 enquiries each year. Last month (May 2019), there were 844 firearms-related enquiries.

Bill Harriman – BASC Director of Firearms and longest-serving resident expert in firearms and militaria for BBC’s Antiques Roadshow – talks to Pellpax about general licences, political influence, responsibility, and preservation of shooting sports.

BASC

British Association for Shooting and Conservation LOGO

BASC came into existence in 1908 as the Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland (WAGBI). In recognition of the fact that a single representative body for shooting sports was required, WAGBI took on this role in 1981, and the organisation’s name was changed to the British Association for Shooting Sports. BASC is unique in the shooting community in that it has a dedicated firearms department.

The current BASC President is Lord Geoffrey Dear, a crossbench peer and former Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, who has been described as the best known and most respected police officer of his generation. In 1991, Lord Dear came across a rather feisty paper on antique firearms, and he brought this work to the attention of BASC Chief Executive, John Swift. Impressed with the paper, Mr Swift invited Bill Harriman, the paper’s author, to take on the role of BASC Head of Firearms.

“BASC is a mixture of people who know all sorts of things,” explains Bill, “There’s always a relevant specialist to refer members to, so we cover everything. A triage system ensures that urgent issues are attended to promptly. Flexibility is very important.”

“Peter’s the go-to barrister. We’re a good team.”

Bill is a member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and an Honorary Historical Consultant to the Royal Armouries Museum. He spent ten years in the auctioneer business, specialising in arms, armour, and militaria, and for many years, he’s been one of the trusted voices of authority on arms and militaria for the BBC’s popular and long-running Antiques Roadshow. There surely isn’t anyone better qualified to take on the role of expert witness in legal cases that involve firearms.

Bill works closely with BASC Chairman, Peter Glenser QC.

“Peter’s the go-to barrister. My job is to help the judge and jury to understand the forensics. Together, we’re a good team.”

BASC has approximately 155,000 members. So what’s the attraction?

“Insurance is undoubtedly the biggest draw,” Bill says. “But expert advice comes a close second.”

“If we don’t influence politicians, we might as well go home.”

What does Bill have to say about general licences?

“Things have definitely stabilised. There’s been a really good response to proposals. This will lead to much more permanent general licences … But the shooting community hasn’t done itself any favours by not being familiar with the terms of the licences – there’s a huge amount of ignorance. People who shoot have to take responsibility for promoting what they do. You need to read the licence, understand its terms, and make sure that you’re adhering to the terms. There are a lot of people out to get us. We must be very careful.”

Bill suggests that successful organisations like BASC might have lulled members into complacency.

“There’s a considerable amount of political apathy – a leave-it-to-them-to-sort-out kind of attitude. But politicians are power tarts. They’re influenced by the number of letters they get in their post bags. When someone brings a grievance to BASC, I ask, ‘Why aren’t you knocking on your MP’s surgery door?’ If we don’t influence politicians, we might as well go home.”

“I’ve always been interested in guns.”

As a child, Bill wasn’t encouraged to shoot.

“My dad did his level best to dissuade me from shooting, but I’ve always been interested in guns. I remember being at my Great Aunt Madge’s house – I must have been about seven years old. The sun was shining through the French windows. Propped up against these French windows, and framed by yellow-velvet curtains, was my dad’s BSA Standard Model air rifle from around 1928. I thought, ‘I’d like to fire that!’”

Under strict supervision, young Bill was allowed to fire his dad’s gun. This was the very first time he fired a gun. All these years later, Bill still has that precious air rifle.

As Bill grew up, his enthusiasm for shooting didn’t wane. He grabbed every opportunity to practise and to learn.

“My uncle was a farmer, and when I was old enough to go out shooting, unsupervised, he gave me free run of the farm. And I had a couple of farmer friends from university who let me shoot on their land. I learnt a lot about shooting in those years.”

“Biscuits for life! Just find that woodcock!”

I ask Bill, “What was your greatest shooting moment?”

There’s no hesitation. “I shot a woodcock with a flintlock that was made in 1824. It was one of the last flintlocks ever made.”

Bill is a good shooter, but, by his own admission, he doesn’t stand out from the crowd. He doesn’t really shine. I mean, he’s good – but not that good. (I think I’ve made my point.)

Anyway, out on a shoot, armed with an antique flintlock made by H W Mortimer London (“Very fast ignition, the zenith of flintlock technology”), Bill shot a woodcock! This small, hard-to-spot, zig-zagging bird that’s a challenge to hit in anybody’s book, was knocked from the sky by Bill and his antique flintlock.

But was it? With no physical evidence, this amazing feat couldn’t really be confirmed. I imagine there were those in the party who might have thought that Mr Harriman was telling porkies.

“We couldn’t find the bird – it had disappeared. I said to the senior dog handler, ‘I’ll see to it that those dogs get biscuits for life. Just find that woodcock!’”

The dead woodcock was found, and Bill has basked in the glory ever since.

“Little communities that bring people together.”

The social side of shooting should never be underestimated. For some, it’s a way to be around other people with the option to step into solitude when company becomes too much. For others, shooting is a passion that they love to share with fellow enthusiasts – a life within a life. People who have become isolated through adverse circumstances discover, in shooting sports, a friendly community to relieve the loneliness.

What does the sport mean to Bill Harriman?

“Little communities that bring people together. One thing I like about going on a shoot is that I’m one of the lads. Whilst I have quite a high profile within BASC, on a shoot, I’m just Bill, and I enjoy the banter and the joy of shooting.

“I also get a lot of satisfaction from encouraging new shooters. A young colleague of mine has no background in shooting, but she’s keen to learn. I’m enjoying giving her opportunity and encouragement. It’s lovely to see someone discovering the sport.”

“Who, in your opinion, is, or was, the greatest shooter ever?” I ask.

“Annie Oakley.”

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed talking to Bill Harriman, BASC Director of Firearms. For further information about BASC, you’ll find contact details here. To find out more about general licences, click here.

CZ 455 Varmint Walnut Rimfire for Vermin Control

Shooting and Conservation

Vermin control plays an important part in the UK’s rural economy. Two-thirds of the UK’s rural land area is managed with the involvement of shooting. And there are around 600,000 people in the UK who shoot live quarry.

Let’s have a look at a couple of small mammals that cause havoc to farmers.

Grey Squirrel

Because a squirrel buries nuts, but doesn’t remember where it buried them, it’s a useful fertility aid to many tree populations. But this doesn’t cut much ice in the popularity stakes. The harm done to woodland by the little grey squirrel far outstrips the benefits.

The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is an opportunist feeder, thriving on a wide variety of food, including berries, fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, leaf buds, fungi, insects, birds’ eggs, and fledglings. It also has a penchant for the phloem tissue (sweet, sap-filled layers) just beneath the bark of trees, which is responsible for the movement of sugars within the plant. Removal of bark and phloem tissue can cause permanent damage to a tree.

It’s important to remember, though, that your target must be in front of an adequate backstop. In most cases, this means that the animal is on the ground. Never shoot at a squirrel when it’s in a tree.

Brown Rat

The rat is a pest to urban societies as well as rural ones. There are other ways of culling vermin, of course, besides shooting. But as we’re talking here about shooting pests with a rimfire rifle, we’ll have to leave town dwellers to sort out the problem as best they can. Those of us who live in rural communities do have the option of shooting them.

Of the two species of rat in the UK, the most common is the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). It carries diseases – salmonella, listeria etc – which can spread to humans; it eats the eggs of ground-nesting birds; and it destroys property. Not a popular fellow.

A rat needs to gnaw constantly in order to wear down its incisor teeth, which never stop growing. The rat will cause floods by gnawing through lead pipes; dangerous gas leaks by chewing through gas pipes; and fires as a result of stripping insulation from electrical cables. It’s been estimated that 25% of electrical fires in the UK are caused by rats.

CZ 455 Varmint

A consistent feature of CZ rimfire rifles is the hammer-forged barrel. The rifling of the bore is created by inserting a reversely rifled mandrel, and then machine-hammering along the outside of the barrel in order to impress the rifling pattern onto the new rifle’s bore. This method of fabrication gives the barrel tremendous strength and accuracy.

The CZ 455 Varmint Walnut .17 HMR Screw-Cut Barrel is a great favourite with Pellpax customers.

The beautifully crafted walnut stock feels good in the hands …

“There’s a traditional feel to this rifle. A sort of timelessness. I use it for shooting rats by our compost heap.” (Jane)

With CZ rifles, you know you’re getting a top-quality product …

“I like the smooth bolt action and two-stage trigger. The trigger can be adjusted, too, to suit the shooter. Squirrels are destroying the trees on my land. They’re sneaky little buggers, and I don’t want to make a bad shot, and leave an animal badly wounded. I need to get a clean kill every time. With this rifle, I do.” (Thomas)

At the end of the 525 mm (20.5”) barrel, there’s a ½” UNF (unified fine) thread for the attachment of a silencer …

“I use a Swift silencer with my CZ 455 Varmint. I think Swift is the best you can get. It’s very lightweight. Super piece of kit.” (Oliver)

This rifle is fitted with a two-stage safety system and a rubber shock absorber on the butt. It comes with a detachable 5-round magazine, and an additional 10-round magazine is available to purchase separately. And it’s also available in .22 calibre.

Live-Fire Rifles Delivered to Your Door

As a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD), Pellpax has a legal obligation to adhere to the UK’s rigid legislation surrounding the ownership and sale of firearms. However, we are also committed to facilitating the purchase of firearms. If you own a Fire Arms Certificate (FAC), we’ll deliver your purchases right to your door.

For more information about any of our products, or about the Pellpax delivery service, give us a call on 01263 731 585.

A New Breed from Old Hands

Daystate was the first manufacturer to produce PCP airguns. Today, as the whole industry rides the waves of fashion and demand, Daystate is still steaming ahead, powered by technical excellence, sparkling innovation, and consumer feedback. So let’s have a look at one of Daystate’s latest models, the Wolverine R, and find out what some of Pellpax’s customers think of it.

Following in the wake of Daystate’s immensely popular bolt-action Wolverine 2, the ambidextrous Wolverine R, with regulated side-lever action, has made quite a splash in the shooting world.

Regulator

The airgun’s regulator – responsible for the ‘R’ in the name – is made by Huma, the internationally renowned Dutch regulator specialist, considered to be the very best in regulator technology. The advantages of this feature are three-fold. Firstly, you get more shots per fill-up; secondly, you get better shot-to-shot consistency; and thirdly – thanks to the consistency – accuracy is improved.

One Pellpax customer, who has a Wolverine R C-Type, says, “I like the accuracy and consistent power of shots. It has a great look and feel – a nice crisp trigger.”

The C-Type Wolverine R has a fixed air cylinder with a capacity of 200cc, whereas the B-Type has a 400/500cc steel buddy bottle, and the Hi Lite version has a 480cc super-light carbon bottle.

Right’s Right … Right?

All versions of the Wolverine R feature an ambidextrous thumbhole stock in a choice of high-grade walnut or grey laminate. The side lever can be positioned for either a right-handed shooter (90% of the population) or a left-handed shooter (10% of the population). After all, isn’t it about time we gave lefties a break?

The word right comes from the Old English riht, which in turn came from Germanic origin. The word is related to the Latin rectus, meaning ‘ruled’. In its evolutionary journey, right (in the sense of ‘right-hand side’) has travelled shotgun with right (as in ‘correct’).

Left is what has become of the Old English word lyft, meaning weak, which also has a Germanic origin. In German, left is links, and the word for ‘underhanded’ is link. The Latin for left is sinister.

The word adroit, meaning ‘clever’ or ‘skilful’, comes from the French à droit, which translates as ‘by rights’ or ‘properly’. The French word for left is gauche – used in English for ‘clumsy’ or ‘awkward’.

So, what I’m saying is, the left-hand side has always had bad press. And the 10% of the population who are left-handed have been on the wrong side of prejudice. But the Daystate Wolverine R, with a side lever that can be positioned on either side, is for everyone.

“That’s a really great feature,” says the owner of a B-Type. “My brother gave me his Wolverine R, but he’s left-handed and I’m right-handed, so we needed to get the lever changed over.”

More Info

This isn’t something you can do yourself, of course. For repairs and alterations, phone Pellpax on 01263 731 585 or email sales@pellpax.co.uk

There’s a lot more to this rifle than we’ve looked at here. So why not take a more detailed look, here, at the various forms of this superb model.

In the words of one of our customers: “It’s champion!”

Olivia Hill is Selected for the Junior World Cup

Exciting News

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Hill is going from strength to strength. At the 2019 ESSU Championships at Bisley on 27^th and 28^th April, Olivia qualified 1^st in Juniors and 4^th in the Open event, giving her a place in the final. Finishing 2^nd overall, Olivia was the highest scoring junior, and came home with the title of English Junior 10m Air Rifle Champion.

With A level exams just weeks away, Olivia now had to focus on her studies. However, one afternoon in May, Olivia received some exciting news that drew her focus right back to shooting. She’d been selected for the 2019 Junior World Cup.

Junior World Cup 2019

On Friday 12^th July, Olivia will travel with her team mates and coaches to Suhl, Germany. During the following week, she’ll compete in two 10m Precision Air Rifle events – individual, and mixed pairs – at the Suhl-Friedberg Shooting Centre, a venue that’s considered to be one of the world’s most attractive shooting facilities. Olivia will be shooting her Walther PCP rifle.

For hundreds of years, Suhl has held a significant position in the world of firearms and shooting. During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Suhl was a world leader in the production of cannons, and in 1751, the famous firearms manufacturer, Sauer & Sohn, was established in the city. Suhl’s largest producer of firearms today is Merkel GmbH, manufacturer of rifles and shotguns.

Olivia’s Coach, Paul Goater

Olivia’s training programme is a never-ending regime; it’s a way of life. But with an important competition approaching, Olivia must raise her game.

Paul Goater, manager of the England Rifle Academy and lead air rifle coach for the Rifle Talent Squad (part of the GB Olympic Shooting Pathway), is Olivia’s primary coach.

“We’re currently in prep mode,” he explains. “But now we need to switch to comp mode. In competition mode, the emphasis is different. We generally don’t make changes, but just concentrate on ways of making sure Liv can deliver her performance in a match. So, we’ll look at tactics, balance, stress management, endurance, nutrition, mental skills … the things that will allow her to do well.”

Paul has known Olivia for about two years. Her progress, he tells me, is impressive.

“Liv is still developing quickly and exhibits all the behaviours and attitudes of a potentially great athlete. She’s been a real pleasure to coach, and if she keeps working hard, is certainly capable of great things.”

A Very Special Girl

Between now and 12^th July, Olivia will take the remainder of her A level exams; she’ll continue to work part time at Carberrys café in Norwich; and she’ll train for the Junior World Cup. As this very special girl shows me her kit bag (how on earth will she carry it? – it’s enormous!), I feel incredibly lucky to know her.

My sentiments are echoed in Paul Goater’s words:

“I hope that I am fortunate enough to remain part of her support team moving forward.”

Very best wishes, Olivia, from all at Pellpax!

Give us a Call

For information about any of our products, or for advice about shooting or archery, just give us a call on 01263 731 585. Our experts are always pleased to help.

Knives and Blades at Pellpax

Offensive Weapons Act 2019

As a result of new legislation relating to the sale and possession of blades, we’re now including knives in our unique face-to-face delivery service. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 makes it more difficult to purchase bladed tools such as penknives and axes, as sellers are now restricted in what they are allowed to send out. At Pellpax, however, we already have a well-oiled delivery system in place, and purchasing a knife from us will be fairly straightforward.

If you have ever bought a gun from us, you’ll know the procedure.

First of all, you must be at least 18 years old. Once your purchase has been processed, we’ll contact you to arrange a delivery day and time. When the Pellpax driver delivers your item to your door, you’ll need to present ID that proves your identity, age, and address. A valid UK driving licence is ideal. Alternatively, a combination of documents, such as passport, birth certificate, utility bill etc can be used.

Let’s have a look at a few choice knives available from Pellpax.

Buck Knives at Pellpax

Buck knives have been around for more than 100 years. The American company was founded by the precocious innovation of blacksmith’s apprentice Hoyt H Buck. At just 13 years old, having learned to make knives, young Hoyt developed a method of heat-treating steel for his tools, so that they’d hold an edge for longer.

Today, Buck Knives is run by the fifth generation of the Buck family, and is one of the world’s best known and most highly respected brands of knife.

At Pellpax, we have a wide range of Buck knives to choose from. The Buck Folding Pursuit Knife, for example, with its strong, sharp stainless-steel blade, is available in Small, Large, and Large Guthook. The handle is made from VersaFlex, which is the world’s leading brand of polyurea materials.

Gerber Knives at Pellpax

In 1939, when Joseph Gerber was working for the family advertising firm, he had 24 sets of kitchen knives made and sent out as gifts. The knives were a hit, and very soon there was a demand for more. This first batch of high-quality knives marked the beginning of Gerber Legendary Blades, a US company that’s still going strong today.

There are lots of Gerber knives to choose from at Pellpax – like the Applegate-Fairbairn Combat Folder Outdoor Knife, designed by military officer Colonel Rex Applegate. The spear point blade has a semi-serrated edge, and the built-in thumb stud enables easy one-handed opening. This superb piece of kit is strong, resilient, and lightweight – the result of Colonel Applegate’s great expertise.

Cold Steel Knives at Pellpax

Cold Steel knives are among the elite in the world of blades. Always at the forefront of technological development, the brand is always in the lead as the industry pushes through boundaries. At Pellpax, we consider the Cold Steel knife a must-have accessory.

The Cold Steel Trail Master has a razor-sharp blade that’s super-resistant to breaking and bending. With a non-slip grip and a durable sheath, this lightweight knife is effective and safe.

The pistol grip of the good-looking Frontier Bowie is made from the finest rosewood and secured with steel rivets. The elegant S-shaped hand guard keeps your fingers protected, and the knife comes with a full-length leather scabbard.

Give Us a Call

For information about our delivery service, or about any of the products we sell, just give us a call on 01263 731 585. Our experts are always ready to help.

“Pat on the Back” for “Top-Notch” Delivery Service

At Pellpax, we put a lot of effort into our unique delivery service. Over the years, we’ve honed the service, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and effectively. We know that we’re doing a pretty good job, because our customers are telling us so!

“The delivery guy caught me eating my tea!”

We’ve all waited in for a delivery that didn’t come – or that was late. In fact, it’s a sad fact that many of us now expect to be let down at this final stage of purchase.

So, when one Pellpax customer was given an estimated delivery time, he … well, let’s just say, he didn’t take it seriously.

Our customer, however, was pleasantly surprised when the Pellpax van arrived bang on time.

“The delivery guy caught me eating my tea!”

“They went above and beyond to sort it”

Occasionally, there’s a problem with an item that we send out. This happened to a customer who has made numerous purchases from Pellpax over the past five years. As always, we did our very best to sort out the problem to the customer’s satisfaction.

This customer was kind enough to leave a review.

He says that Pellpax, who are “always exceptional in their customer service,” ended up swapping the rifle for a much better one.

“The staff are more than happy to answer any queries, both by phone and email. They went above and beyond to sort it.”

“Superb, quite excellent old-fashioned service”

A large proportion of Pellpax staff are experienced shooters. Several are expert gunsmiths too. So there’ll always be someone at the end of the phone who can help with queries and problems.

“Pellpax always answer the phone in under 10 seconds, sometimes less, and the team are always available and happy to give you the most up-to-date help and advice when you call them.

“I have got to know some of the delightful gentleman who drive the iconic white Pellpax vans; they always have a smile on their face, and I cannot criticise them in any way.

“I would strongly and thoroughly recommend this company to anyone purchasing outdoor shooting equipment and accessories, and I have absolutely no intention of ever changing.”

“The delivery of my order was exactly as promised”

At Pellpax, all office staff and drivers work very hard to ensure that deliveries are on time. This weekly operation is orchestrated by Logistics Coordinator, Chris, and supported by a trusty visual aid – a large map of the British Isles, studded with colour-coded drawing pins.

This customer wrote a review after purchasing from Pellpax for the first time.

“You can imagine how delighted I was, both with the professional support of the staff, and with the excellent quality of the merchandise. The delivery of my order was exactly as promised, even down to the time.”

Contact us on 01263 731 585

If you’d like to speak to one of our advisers about our delivery service, or if you would like information about any of the products we sell, give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email sales@pellpax.co.uk.

Pellpax Meets Customers at the Northern Shooting Show

Pellpax is, primarily, an online retailer. Customer service is something we take very seriously, and this is reflected in numerous positive reviews and a lot of repeat custom. Face-to-face contact with customers, therefore, is a rare treat, and this weekend, at the Northern Shooting Show in Harrogate, it’s like all our birthdays have come at once!

Keith

Keith is a middle-aged man from Middleton, in Yorkshire, looking to buy a summer deerstalking jacket.

Not so long ago, Keith suffered a heart attack. In the interests of his health, Keith knows that he has to slow down a little, and so he’s decided to take up an enjoyable, stress-free pastime. He’s chosen deerstalking.

With an Environmental Health Food Hygiene certificate, Keith is permitted to butcher deer carcasses and to distribute the meat. I say ‘distribute’ rather than ‘sell’, because Keith makes no attempt to make money from deerstalking.

“I give venison to the old people in the village,” Keith tells me. “I’m actually one of the youngest people in Middleton.”

A particularly charming feature of Middleton is the Annual Village Feast.

“I’m a keen fisherman,” says Keith. “For years, I’ve provided salmon and trout for the Feast. Now I provide venison, too.”

Colin and Marie

A tall, bearded young man approaches the stall. He’s wearing torn jeans and an orange hoodie; his arms and neck are heavily tattooed; his ears and nose are adorned with metal studs. The young man’s heavy brows are drawn together in a frown as he peers into a glass cabinet at the Umarex pistols.

When he speaks, his voice is gentle, and his face melts into a smile. “I’m looking for a birthday present,” he says. “For my nan.”

A petite lady of advanced years (yes, I mean old) grins up at her grandson. “I’m taking up target shooting,” she says. “Colin’s teaching me.”

Colin’s grandmother, Marie, tells us about her life-long ambition to shoot.

“There never seemed to be a good time. I brought up six children, and somehow got involved in bringing up their children! Then my mother was really poorly and needed a lot of care. She moved into residential care, where she died seven years later, shortly after my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”

Colin’s long arm wraps around Marie’s shoulder. “Granddad died earlier this year,” he says.

Colin, a trainee architect, has been shooting for about five years.

“I’ve picked up a few medals in local competitions,” he says, “But I’ll never make the big time. I’m concentrating on my career. But I really do enjoy target shooting, and I’m looking forward to teaching Nan – she’s gonna be brilliant!”

Alan

Alan, from Wolsingham in County Durham, is, essentially, a creature of habit.

“I’ve been a Weihrauch guy since 1974,” he tells us.

But when the Zbroia Kozak appeared on the market, Alan was love-struck!

A lightweight and well-balanced bullpup with sensitive trigger and built-in barrel shroud, the Kozak is ideal for quarry shooting. The rifle is named after the Cossacks – democratic, self-governing communities in Russia and Ukraine, who turned their backs on serfdom and religious persecution. Cossack means ‘free man’.

“People are going mad for the Kozak,” says Alan. “I’m left-handed, so the ambidextrous stock is perfect for me.”

When asked about the Pellpax delivery service, Alan says, “Superb. Bang on time.”

Thanks so much to Keith, Marie, Colin, and Alan for sharing your stories with us. And thank you to everyone who popped by to say hello!

Pellpax at the Northern Shooting Show

The Show

Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th May: 24,000 visitors flock to the beautiful town of Harrogate for the famous Northern Shooting Show. Around 300 exhibitors – manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, publishers, caterers, and trade organisations – gather together at the Yorkshire Event Centre for one of the most prestigious events in the UK shooting calendar. And the sun is shining.

Show organiser, Richard Stokoe, tells me that the show is growing bigger every year. However, size isn’t everything. Richard explains that it’s essential to maintain balance.

“We’re a shooting show; we represent all disciplines in equal measure.”

Just like the British Shooting Show (NEC, February), the Northern Shooting show reflects the relaxed, responsible attitude of the UK’s shooting community. Children are well behaved, dogs are under control, and security is apparently redundant. An atmosphere of courteous bonhomie pervades.

Pellpax Sells Umarex Guns

On Friday 10^th May, eight members of the Pellpax team travel from headquarters in Norfolk to the Yorkshire Event Centre. The bulk of our stock, this weekend, consists of Umarex products, like the PX4 Storm, a dual ammo CO₂ pistol, which looks and feels just like the Beretta firearm it emulates. This 16-shot repeater will have you shooting as fast as you can pull the trigger!

One of the most popular guns on the Pellpax stand is the Umarex Glock 17 Dual Ammo. This low-power black pistol has an eight-shot magazine with the capacity to fire either 4.5mm BBs or .177 pellets. Powered by 12g CO₂cartridges, with double-action trigger and a blowback feature that simulates the recoil of the live-firing version, the Glock 17 Dual Ammo is ideal for plinking and target practice. This pistol is 200mm in length, weighs 795g, and comes with a Glock hard case.

Trade Relations

Kevin Godwin with the Weihrauch HW45 Bronze Star

Weihrauch, care of Hull Cartridge

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with friends and associates in the shooting industry, and the NSS provides the perfect opportunity. I drop by for a chat with the guys from Hull Cartridge, the sole UK distributor of Weihrauch products. Kevin Godwin shows me some of Weihrauch’s newest products, and one of these, in particular, really grabs my attention.

The spring-operated HW45 Bronze Star, available in both .177 and .22 calibres, has a light, adjustable, two-stage trigger, ambidextrous, laminated grip, and a 13mm scope rail. The barrel is 170mm long, and the pistol’s overall length is 280mm. The Bronze Star has a power rating of 5.5 ft/lb – below the FAC limit. This lovely-looking pistol is ideal for close-range pest control.

Airgun Show

Over the last couple of years, Pellpax has enjoyed a close working relationship with the staff of Airgun Shooter magazine and the Airgun Show, both owned by Future PLC (formerly Future Publishing). During the NSS, two Pellpax experts were interviewed for the Airgun Show. The episode can be viewed later this month.

Contact Us

For more information about any of the products on the Pellpax website, or for queries about our delivery service, just give us call on 01263 731 585. Out experts will be pleased to help.

Air Pistols from Pellpax at the Northern Shooting Show 2019

Just three days to go before the Northern Shooting Show! This year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. And Pellpax will be there!

This is Pellpax’s first visit to the Northern Shooting Show in Harrogate, and the team is getting ready for a busy weekend. The weather’s going to be marvellous – well, I like to think so, anyway – and there’s loads of free parking. Come and see our wide range of airguns and accessories, and take advantage of our special show prices.

Here’s a taster of what Pellpax will have to offer at the show.

Umarex Colt Peacemaker

The ‘real’ Peacemaker was first designed in 1972 by Colt, holding the position of standard military service revolver until 1892.

This handsome replica first made an appearance in 2015, and it’s enjoyed widespread popularity ever since. The durable Colt Peacemaker Antique .177 pellet air pistol from Umarex is made almost entirely of metal, with well-finished moving parts for a realistic shooting experience.

The CO₂capsule is concealed within the pistol grip. The grip is adjusted with a hex key (Allen key), which is incorporated into the grip itself. This is a great feature, because it means you’ve always got the right tool with you.

Umarex Legends S25 Revolver

The Umarex Legends S25 Revolver .177 is a heavy, nickel-coated pistol. This replica revolver is powered by a 12g CO₂capsule that’s housed in the pistol’s grip. Each CO₂ capsule will give you 60 shots.

For a really precise shot, you can cock the hammer and then pull the trigger to fire the pellet. Alternatively, the trigger can be repeatedly pulled to fire off all six shots in quick succession.

Umarex Legends Makarov

The Legends Makarov 4.5mm BB air pistol from Umarex is an almost exact replica of the original Makarov, which was first built in the Soviet Union in 1951. Popular with defence agencies all over the world, the original version of this pistol is still in service today. The frame and all working parts are made of metal, and the comfortable grips are polymer.

Discounted Prices

So come and say hello to the Pellpax team. And don’t forget – there’s a special show price on every item!

Blank-Firing Pistols to Scare the Birds Away

General Licences

At 11.59 p.m. on Thursday 25 April 2019, Natural England revoked the following general licences:

GL04 (to kill or take certain species of wild bird to prevent serious damage or disease)
GL05 (to kill or take certain species of wild bird to preserve public health or public safety)
GL06 (to kill or take certain species of wild birds to conserve wild flora or fauna)

Although new general licences are being put in place, we still need to exercise control over destructive wild birds.

How?

Scare them off with a blank-firing pistol from Pellpax.

Let’s have a look at a few blank-firing pistols from two of the best-known brands.

Bruni

The Bruni brand was spawned in the late 1950s by Bruna Bruni. In the beginning, the company was a supplier of component parts, but twenty years on, in the late 1970s, Bruni took great strides into the design and manufacture of replica guns.

Bruni Olympic 6 – 6mm

Bruni’s Olympic 6 blank-firing revolver is the archetypal starter pistol. The Olympic 6 has a rotary 8-round magazine, and, just like with many live-firing revolvers, it has a trigger that can be either single or double action. This sturdy little stalwart, which fires 6mm blanks, is used in dog training and professional sporting events all over the world. Why not try some crimped blanks for an extra loud bang!

Bruni Model 96 – 8mm

The Bruni Model 96 blank-firing pistol is made of metal, with grip plates made of wood, giving it a great feel and a realistic appearance. This pistol emulates the iconic M1911 pistol, which was designed by John Browning (1855-1926), one of the most influential firearms designers in history. This pistol has a magazine capacity of eight rounds and takes 8mm blank cartridges.

Bruni Model P4 – 8mm

Made in the likeness of the classic Beretta PX4 Storm, this popular Bruni pistol is a large blank firer with a 10-round magazine housed in the grip. The orange-and-black Model P4 is semi-automatic, 8mm calibre, and made of zinc, which gives it a satisfying weight This is another pistol that makes a lot of noise!

Retay

Retay is a Turkish company, founded in 2006.

Retay 84FS – 9mm PAK

The Model 84FS is a realistic-looking, blank-firing pistol made of metal and coated in Cerakote for long-lasting strength. This double-action pistol is finished in blue and takes 9mm cartridges.

Retay Eagle LU

If you’re looking for a strong and durable blank-firing pistol, the Retay Eagle LU is a fantastic choice. This pistol has a full metal body with a durable Cerakote coating and a blue finish. The pistol is single action, has a manual safety, and a 9mm calibre.

Retay G19C

The G19C from Retay is a powerful and good-looking blank-firing pistol that’s ideal for bird scaring. Made of metal, and Cerakote coated, this 9mm pistol is finished in the characteristic Retay blue.

Bang!

If, at the moment, we can’t protect crops and livestock by shooting the birds that attack, we can scare the birds off with blank-firing pistols. These replicas make a good loud bang, and are really effective in deterring pests.

If you’d like to learn more about blank-firing pistols, or any of our other products, just give us a call on 01263 731585 to speak to one of our experts.