A Guide to Bisley National Shooting Centre
1. What is Bisley National Shooting Centre
- Bisley is the National Shooting Centre for the UK. It is based in Bisley, Surrey. It occupies a very large area of military ground. It is ultimately controlled by the Military but managed by the NRA(National Rifle Association)/NSC (National Shooting Centre Ltd). The facilities at Bisley are open to all shooters, novice and experienced.
- Bisley NSC is the home of the National Rifle Association, National Small Bore Association, Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and the Muzzle Loaders of Great Britain. Bisley has a really wide variety of ranges to shoot on and houses a number of active shooting clubs.
2.How do I start shooting?
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If you want to shoot clay pigeon we offer all inclusive shoots. These are held on the second Sunday of each month. The session runs from 11am - 12.30 pm at an all inclusive cost of £29 per person. For further information or to make a booking please contact us on: 01483 799 998
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Or you could speak to the Clay Centre on 01483 797666. You can book a lesson and see if you like it. Or you could phone the CPSA and take a short course.
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If you want to shoot rifle then you would need to join a club. There are many clubs on Bisley NSC, (The Old Sergeants Mess Shooting Club is just one of them) . Some of them have their own clubhouses for refreshments and storage. The details of many clubs can be found on the NRA website www.nra.org.uk. In order to take on new members, clubs must have approval from the Home Office. They are called "Home Office Approved Clubs". This means that they are regulated by the local firearms authorities and the Police. Some clubs specialise in one type of shooting, others are multi-discipline clubs.All clubs have rifles or shotguns for their new members to use, so you don't need any equipment.
- Or you could attend an NRA open day - they are signposted locally and on the web-site. There are 2 each year.
3. What can I do on Bisley NSC?
- Clay Pigeon Shooting (Shotgun)
- Rifle Shooting (Full Bore & Small Bore)
- Air Rifle Shooting.
- Black Powder Rifle & Pistol.
4.Is it safe?
- Yes - all activities on Bisley NSC are subject to rigorous safety regulations.
- Shooting is supervised on a one to one basis until you have sufficient experience, a shooting qualification or a personal firearms (or shotgun ) certificate.
5.What do people shoot at?
- Paper targets from 10 to 1200 yards
- Clay pigeons (these are discs made of clay that travel through the air).
6. Who controls what happens on Bisley NSC.?
- The National Rifle Association looks after the full bore rifle shooting, some clay shooting and most of the ranges.
- The National Small bore rifle association looks after the small bore rifle and air rifle at the Lord Roberts Centre.
- The CPSA and the Muzzle Loaders have their headquarters on Bisley NSC.
7.Can I turn up and learn to shoot today?
- No - you need to be a member of a shooting club or
- have a pre-booked lesson (clays) , or have a pre-arranged corporate event where you will be supervised on a one to one basis or
- attend an NRA open day.
8. Can I buy my own rifle (or shotgun) now?
- No - you need to have a Firearms Certificate or a Shotgun Certificate. In order to get one of these you need to fill in a form and be checked by the Police. You also need to show that you have a good and legal reason to have one!
9. How long to I have to be a probationary member of a club?
- usually 6 months - but each club has its own guidelines.
10. When are the ranges open on Bisley Centre?
- Tuesday to Sunday for most of the year.
11. Where can I eat on Bisley NSC?
- If you are a member of a club, you can eat at the clubhouse.
- The Clay centre offers food most days until 3ish!
- Jenny's cafe is often open (near the clay centre)
- The Lord Roberts Centre or the Pavilion Public House.
- There are lots of pubs and take-aways locally.
12. Can I stay overnight on Bisley NSC?
- Yes - there is accommodation through the NRA and some of the clubs. See the web-site for details www.nra.org.uk.
13. Can I book a corporate event at Bisley NSC?
- Yes - either through the NRA or a club.
14. How old must I be to shoot?
- Generally speaking the youngest age is 14 but there are exceptions for clay shooting and air rifle.
- There is no upper limit ! - If you are fit and able to shoot safely, you can keep shooting till you have had enough!
15. I am disabled - can I shoot?
- Yes - it depends on the nature of the disability - but it is more than possible.
16. Can I shoot a pistol?
- No - not a standard pistol. That sport was taken away by the government after Dunblane. Our own Olympic Pistol competitors have to train abroad because of the legislation in this country.
- You can shoot black powder pistol (with appropriate training).
- You can also shoot a long barrelled revolver (with appropriate training).
17. What stops potentially dangerous people from shooting?
- Shooting is tightly regulated in this country. You have to be a member of a "Home Office Approved Club" to shoot a rifle at a target.
- You also have to be vetted by the Police.
- You are supervised for at least 6 months.
- You cannot own a firearm without demonstrating that you can use one and store it safely.
- On Bisley ranges you need to show a certificate of competence before you can shoot. (These are arranged for you by the club you join)
18. What is fun about shooting a piece of paper or a bit of clay?
- Shooting involves concentration, accuracy and breathing control. It is a discipline that can be mastered.
- Shooting at targets is amazingly rewarding. There is a huge sense of satisfaction about hitting the centre at long distances, particularly if you can do it more than once!
- Smashing a piece of clay out of the skies and watching it disintegrate is a challenge!
- Displaying accuracy and skill can be just as rewarding as running a race or adding that extra 20 reps at the gym ! Just depends how you like to spend your leisure time.
19. Why is it a good corporate activity?
- You can combine a meeting and shooting on one day on Bisley National Shooting Centre. Really creative ideas can come out when staff are taken out of their normal work environment.
- Shooting can be competitive - to bring out the drive in some employees.
- Shooting can be team building - working with each other to beat the opposing team.
- A day shooting can be a reward for hard working departments.
- Women normally do very well at shooting - it can be confidence building.
- Your employees will remember their day shooting. It is about personal development and growth.
- Shooting doesn't have to be expensive - it can be - but you can tailor a package to suit a tighter corporate budget.
If you would like to talk more about shooting or Bisley NSC, please feel free to call us on 01483 799998 or look at the web sites for the:
