Great British Shooting Show

[Les]

I've been going to this show for the past 4 years, but I think this year will be the last. I don't know if it's just me, but the show has got very stale and predictable, and some of the prices for used guns are optimistic in the extreme.

I got a couple of goodies, but nothing that I couldn't have got cheaper on the internet.

I suppose if somebody hasn't been before, they'd think it was great. I know I did the first time. I went to the Northern Shooting Show last year, and I thought that was great, because it was new and different. I'll be going again in May, because with the new exhibition hall that has been built it should be even bigger and better this year.

Did anybody else go to the GB show today? What did you think?

Like I said, perhaps it's just me. I don't know what could be done to improve it, if anything. I think it's just a case of been there, done that, move on.

[David Nimrod]

Well, my only purchase was a paperback copy of 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' by T E Lawrence... for £1.

As to the actual firearms, well, there was too much to take in really.

I did like the Ruger Gunsite rifle, in .308... not so keen on the 'feel' of the Ruger Precision rifle.

To me, everything (new and secondhand) seemed expensive.

And we pay so much for American stuff, it's just ridiculous aaarggh

[Dark Skies]

I went last year with the express intention of buying a shotgun - which I did.
Because I had a set purpose and therefore was on a mission I enjoyed the search.
Once my mission was complete the rest was kind of samey I felt. There were one or two interesting stalls but apart from the shotgun I came away empty-handed.

I've been considering going this year but going through the online show guide nothing I want seems to leap out of me.
The BP cleaning kit and sundries I need are outstripped by the £20 to get in plus another £20 in fuel.

Had hoped there might be some nice new Piettas and Ubertis to be had but the folk who might have them either don't have a stall or haven't replied to my emails.

The very best shooting show I've been to was at the NEC in the early nineties - but obviously most of the items I lusted over then are not available to us now. The large expanse given to airguns and airsoft on the show map hasn't helped.

The money spent on going to and getting into the show might just be better spent driving all the way up to Henry Krank in my case.

[David Nimrod]

The large expanse given to airguns and airsoft on the show map hasn't helped...

Definitely agree... plus dog food, ridiculous clothing, and all sorts of tat.

[bradaz11]

The large expanse given to airguns and airsoft on the show map hasn't helped...

But it also the British airsoft show that almagamated to make the show so is hardly surprising they are there

[Dark Skies]

The large expanse given to airguns and airsoft on the show map hasn't helped...

But it also the British airsoft show that almagamated to make the show so is hardly surprising they are there

True ... but at £20 a pop I expect more 'proper' shooting stuff. I don't care about well, toys, and stuff I used to buy when I was a kid.
I accept others may. But I and those who like stuff that goes bang proper want more of that. And bargains - genuine bargains.

I want to go to a show where I KNOW I'm not going to be able to resist buying stuff because it was there and a steal. I want to know I'll be coming back with armfuls of stuff because I wanted it rather than to justify the long drive and the expense.

[Kungfugerbil]

The Northern show is half that and I thought was ace. For me it was doubly good as North Yorks police were doing on-the-spot instant variations, a service I took advantage of.

I'm going again this year for sure.

[lasbrisas]

We don't go because there's not much for the target shooter and I have a passion for WW2 and military rifles and not many of the usual suspects are there. I'm not really into tweed jackets, green wellies and O/U shotguns that cost £30k, I can get everything I want locally and it has been said before, 200 mile round trip and the cost of getting in also put me off.

[daman]

I went today, really just to take a look as I was en route to buy an lbp from a dealer not too far away.

Spent about an hour walking round, impressed by the size of the show.

Lots of people seemed to be making purchases, but I didn't myself.

Can't say I saw a lot of bargains, but still nice to be able to actually feel stuff that I might later buy on t'internet.

That said, not sure I'd pay £20 to go back unless I had a shopping list of specific items to pick up.

[bradaz11]

I'm only going as I'm driving past