ONE OF THE few positive things to come out of the legislation which denied us our handguns, was a change in the status of CO₂ guns made at the same time. This brought them into line with low power airguns, removing the need for a FAC. This of course lead to an immediate increase in their popularity, especially of pistols like those from Umarex, which have a look and feel similar to some of the pistols we had lost. The sale of these CO₂ guns went through the roof, as we all went out and bought one to ‘fill the gap’ of our recently removed handguns.

These CO₂ guns may be low powered, but this has the advantage of causing very few restraints where ranges can be set up. I’ve even heard of people setting them up in their bedroom!

My initial choice of CO₂ pistol was the very popular Walther CP88 by Umarex; I subsequently bought their model based on the Smith & Wesson revolver. What I have found though, is that you need some decent courses of fire to make it interesting. I have to admit to struggling to maintain my interest for much over an hour when shooting with them. We even had some small practical type events at my local clubs, specially for CO₂ handguns. It sometimes had a good attendance, when people remembered to bring their CO₂ guns: I confess I was one of those ‘forgetful’ ones. What I would like to do is to encourage more people to give it a try. I am at present and enjoying more than I expected.

You have to come to accept the CO₂ pistols for what they are. If you think of them as ‘toys’ as some refer to them as, because you liked the bang of your handgun, then maybe they are not for you. However, if you like to test your skill with shooting fast and accurately and the buzz you get from competitive shooting then this is for you. I don’t care if it is fullbore or CO₂ it’s the challenge I like. But I still want my pistols back, if you are reading this Mr. Blair.

Since completing the United Kingdom Practical Shooting Association basic shotgun safety course last month and joining the UKPSA, many doors have now opened up to UKPSA run competitions. This includes CO₂ practical events. They have apparently been going on for some time. The first match was in November 1997 and have since then been slowly growing in popularity. This year they have ten matches organised and on E-mail postal shoot if you can’t get to other clubs. I had heard of such competitions before but never had any contact details or names until now.

CO₂ practical competition.

I recently took part in a competition which was held in Northampton on the 17^th March. All indoors, so you don’t worry about the weather. And I can tell you in all honesty what a great day I had. With nine stages that encompassed fast plate and target shooting. To stages where you have to kneel, stand, weak hand shooting and even a stage which you have to shoot into a darkened room (if you have open sights, take some tippex or fluorescent paint, it will make your sights visible against a dark target) for even greater variety. The results of the Northampton CO₂ Practical were as follows. Malcolm Dowding winning the open division and the overall match. Sarah Frazer won the standard division and Paul Foster coming out on top in the open plus division.

Guns and Classes.

The most common was the CP88, with a four-inch barrel. With holsters made by our own boys of Price Western Leather and Escort Gun Leather. Open sights were the most common, but some were using red dot sights. There were four classes you can enter; revolver, (Brocock air cartridge) six shot only. Standard division incorporates open sights, holsters and mags behind the hip. Open division with optical sights, barrel weights and compensators and open-plus for the Anics CO₂ variants with the 28 shot high capacity mags. Magazines for the standard and open division were limited to ten shots, revolvers six shots and open plus use high capacity mags. One point to mention is, if you are thinking of buying a gun for these events is that the safety catch must be applied if a safety is fitted to the gun. I personally had trouble finding the safety catch when drawing the gun from the holster. With practice you can release the safety OK, but my hands have been compared to tree roots. But if you had a Smith and Wesson or a Brocock revolver, there is no safety catch. The safe is an in built hammer block that only releases when you pull the trigger. Something to think of when choosing a gun.

It was explained to me that to compete in UKPSA competitions I would have to do the Basic Practical Pistol Safety course, as there are different movements and safety aspects, for example drawing a gun from a holster. As was explained the UKPSA promotes safe shooting and completing a safety course. I did compete in this event, but I should have completed the correct safety course. Having explained that I have had pistols before and under strict supervision by the range officer they allowed me to enter. In the early stages of these new matches they wish to promote more people to take part, if you haven’t taken a safety course you can still enter. They would explain basic safe handling and under strict supervision would allow you to enter the competition. So if you want to have a look before you commit yourself to any membership or courses, give the oganisers a ring and they would be more than happy to show you what goes on.

Contact Details.

If you have access to the Internet you could go to the main UKPSA web site under http://www.ukpsa.co.uk but if not the address is UKPSA, PO BOX 4478, Harlow, CMI7 0RS or call the hotline on 07010 703845 Fax 0870 7657721.

There are many different venues up and down the country offering shooting for CO₂ guns, but why not try one of the following:

Northampton Target Sports Club was the venue of the competition that I entered. The contact is John Harvey on johnrv@callnetuk.com

Glevum Target and Sports club in Gloucestershire. The contact is Sarah Frazer on JSS4S@aol.com Sarah also organises the E-mail/postal shoot with practical events, also the same club runs a CO₂ PP1 postal shoot. Thanks to Sarah and Glevum T.S. club we now have a world-wide CO_2. Event. For courses of fire and regulations e-mail Sarah on the above address.

In Surrey you have The Blue Team. The Blue team is the practical section of the Metropolitan Police Shooting Association. For information on their Practical and PP1 shooting events contact Vanessa Duffy at vduffy16@aol.com One last one is the Iron Plate Action Shooting. The IPAS specialises in steel plates for CO_2. No paper targets, just plates. The web site is www.ipas-shooting.co.uk

If you are looking for a CO₂ handgun and accessories, I am sure if you give Brocock a ring on 0121 773 1200 they will be happy to send you a brochure with the most extensive range of CO₂ handguns and air cartridge revolvers available.

With ten dates on the competition calendar already this year and an e-mail competition. it is looking good for these CO₂ guns that may be accumulating dust on top of the gun cabinet!

I keep giving out other people’s contact numbers, so I ought to give mine as well. If there is anything I can help with, or I may know someone who could give assistance, please contact me on my e-mail address at prw@winnall.freeserve.co.uk

One final note, with the present Foot and Mouth epidemic, some competitions have been postponed. Please check with the organisers before setting off on the day of the event.

Stop press news.

I have just been informed that Brocock would like to encourage these new events and by way as an incentive they have generously donated a CO_2, pistol, duck target set, pellets and CO₂ capsules. But I don’t think these prizes are for the top overall winners. For each competition you enter you will receive a raffle ticket. And the winners will be drawn from a hat at the end of the year. For more information on how to enter, please e-mail Sarah Frazer at JSS4S@aol.com

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ABP 14/5/2001