Hey All!!!

[Andy Smith 0]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

 

Just thought I'd say hello and introduce myself.

 

I'm Andy and live in Wiltshire SW UK.

 

I have been an avid firearms hobbyist since owning my first BB gun at the tender age of 12 (bought and used with the supervision of my parents)

 

I was with the Air Cadets for 7 years and loved everything about it, especially the shooting and flying. We were lucky enough to have our own 30 meter range and a number of Anschutz Martini action .22 rimfire rifles.

 

I achieved marksman classification in my time with the cadets (5 rounds in a 1 inch grouping at 25 yrds (not overly impressive I know)) at 13 and went on to become an RAF marksman using the cadet version (single shot) of the SA80 at 15 (numerous disciplines)

 

After leaving the Cadets I really didn't have much to do with shooting unless doing some at an activity center along with other activities such as mountain boarding and dry slope skiing despite missing it quite a bit.

 

On 30th 2012 I had a very serious motorcycle accident where I was taken out by a Landrover at a junction. The accident has left me with some severe injuries to my left leg, my femur was shattered into 6 pieces, all the ligaments in my left knee were snapped and I broke my left elbow.

 

I have been through several surgeries to repair my leg over the past year or so (the latest one was to shorten it and have at least another 3 to get me back to the best they can. As you can imagine, I have not been able to work since my incident so have had lots of time on my hands.

 

Last week I decided to get back into shooting as I can utilise the length of my garden (20 meters) to my advantage. I went to the local range (Devizes) to see what they had. My budget was not amazing but enough to get something fairly good and found that they had a second hand .22 Weirauch HW 57 fitted with a webley silver 3-9x40 for a fair price, if they had had the .177 I would have preferred it but decided to buy it to see how I got on with the intention of upgrading when I am back to health and earning money again. Also got them to throw in a tin of pellets (thanks guys). My friend invested in a Gamo P-45 (I think) which I must say he is a crack shot with, just too have some fun punching holes in targets and cans. I am impressed with it's accuracy (and his).

 

The rifle was in excellent condition, it's previous owner had looked after it well. I know a lot of people have an issue with the 57 because if it's slightly quirky breach but I can honestly say mine gives me no problems and shoots straight and well, I love the Rekord adjustable trigger action and have mine set fairly light. I have got my eye back in now (I think) but I am by no means thinking I am a competition grade marksman and have that wonderful feeling when I am able to put a few shots through the same hole. I am unable to shoot prone as I cannot get up off the floor but I shoot from a chair on the patio.

 

Anyhow that's a bit of a life story so sorry for the ramblings. Looking forward to punching holes at a distance.

 

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

[The one 8,597]

Hello and welcome mate ,thats some introduction

[Lannyman8 3]

Blimey, that sounds like some come back, best of luck with the recovery and sugery to come.

 

Shooting from a chair is no problem and you will be getting a rim fire before you know it, to take down the range and get some bunnies....

 

regards.

 

Chris.

[shamo_uk 15]

Hello mate and Welcome to the site

[Andy Smith 0]

Thank you for the welcome guys.

 

Yeah I read it back after I had posted it and thought "blimey, must have been the painkillers having a chat"

 

I do intend to obtain my licence once I am sorted (both shotgun and rifle) as there are a few places to shoot around here. I do intend to hunt and have a farm that will require some pest control once I am properly mobile.

 

Cheers again for the welcome and well wishes.

 

Andy

[j j m 6,630]

welcome mate