UPDATE.

 Since my last update a few weeks ago I regret to say I have done no modelling whatsoever !!!!! So what have I been up to...well as usual, I really can not say !!!! Going out on day trips, shopping, gardening and other essential chores have occupied most of my time. I guess it is just that time of year.

However I do have one thing to report. Readers may recall my purchase of a couple of new air guns last year. These have been great fun and have been used in the garden as they are only about 60% of the maximum power allowed in this country. That said I have often wished for a full power rifle.  Such a gun is not safe in the garden and the nearest ranges, over 25 miles in opposite directions, are expensive and one is only open at weekends.

However recently a new small range opened only 10 minutes from home and it is very inexpensive. So early last week I visited said range and found it to be perfect for me. In addition, being only small, I could book the whole thing for a couple of hours for only £5. Here was something to think seriously about !!!!

Perhaps not surprisingly by the end of last week I was the proud owner of a brand new air gun !!!! 

The gun is an AIR ARMS (British made) S510TR Tactical with an ELEMENT scope. My existing guns are all traditional wood stock etc so the tactical look appealed as something different. The gun is as powerful as is allowed under British gun laws and is a PCP powered 10 shot repeater.

Yesterday I took it to the range for the first time. The gunshop who sold it to me fitted the scope and zeroed it in at 10 meters on their inhouse range. On my range I started shooting at 30 meters and after only a few minor tweeks of the scope, found myself shooting very tight groups  to 40 meters. The gun is superb quality. The scope is good too but a bit unforgiving in respect of you have to look very squarely down the sight to get an clear view. However after an hour or so I got the hang of it. I had a great couple of hours and fired over 100 pellets.

The shooting shed, plenty of space for up to four shooters but each booking is exclusive which suits me. At least I know I will not get shot in the rear when I go mess with the targets !!!!

There are actually a wide variety of targets down range but most cannot been seen in this photo. I was shooting at those furthest away, around 40 meters.

I am sure many will not see the appeal of this or any gun but it amuses me and I am in the fortunate position of being able to indulge myself to some extent. In fact I have already booked the range again for Wednesday afternoon!!!!

UPDATE.

Back in March I published an update about my then recent purchase of a new air rifle in the form of a replica Winchester 73. The last line of that update questioned whether I also needed a new air pistol in the form of the legendary Colt 45 to complete the set. 

YES I DID  !!!!!!!

After much consideration I decided my regression to boyhood would not be complete without a "cowboy" pistol to go with my new rifle.  So, having raided the piggy bank again, off I went to my gunshop of choice to look at the various versions available. The new gun is a perfect replica of the famous Peacemaker. I chose the "blued" version. Again it is powered by a Co2 gas capsule fitted in the grip.

The "shells" are loaded in the same way as the original but each is charged with a .177 pellet. Cocking the hammer prepares a charge of gas and rotates the cylinder and once the six "shells" are fired they can be reloaded with pellets.

Once again the gun is a joy to fire. Obviously neither as powerful or accurate as the rifle it is nevertheless great fun and very addictive. Once again there are plenty of videos on YouTube if you want to see the gun in action.

Now, do I need a quick-draw holster rig ???????????

UPDATE.

For this weeks update, I offer the reader something completely different !!!!

As a kid growing up in the late 50's and early 60's, like most boys of that generation we played cowboys and Indians regularly. The TV was full of western shows and I was very fond of the weapons of the cowboys, the Colt .45 revolver and the Winchester 73 rifle. My first "real" weapon was a Daisy BB gun similar to the Winchester. Later this was replaced by a Webley .22 air rifle, which I still have to this day.

Later in the early 70's I spent some time with my Aunt and Uncle in Colorado. My Uncle, a life long hunter and fisherman, owned a number of guns, all of which I fired on many occasions. Among his collection was a very old circa 1900 30.30 Winchester rifle. Very exciting to use but like most guns of that age the butt stock was a steel plate. I well remember how that hurt when fired !!!

This interest in guns has remained with me to this day. Of course with the gun laws in the UK being so strict, gun ownership is restricted to air rifles and pistols only. For a few years now I have been aware of the availability of "replica" air weapons. Nowadays you can buy a replica air weapon of virtually any military or historic gun imaginable. A couple of years ago I got to handle a Winchester "replica" rifle. I was very impressed but as they are rather expensive I decided against purchasing one. Over the past year however I have , under the influence of lockdown, become increasingly interested in these weapons.

Finally I have extravagantly bitten the bullet so to speak and this week I excitedly collected a Walther lever action .177 air rifle from a  local gun shop.

The gun is powered by CO2 and has an eight round magazine. Operating the lever action, just like the real thing, loads a pellet, brings the hammer back and charges the gun.

The gun is very accurate and straight from the box on my first go I managed this group at a range of 12 metres. A few adjustments to the sights have improved things even more. Dead-eye Dick is definitely back in the saddle !!!!

The magazines, of which I have bought five, means I am burning through rather more pellets than I expected. The first session used 90 !!!!!!

Loading the magazines in very clever. Depressing the reloading slot causes the magazine chamber to open as shown. The gas cartridges are located within the butt and accessed by removing the butt cap. 

Using the gun is addictive. The lever action sounds and feels so good. There are a number of video reviews of the gun on YouTube if you wish to see it in action. My model is the Wells Fargo edition with a gold engraved receiver mechanism and beautiful solid wood butt and fore stock.

I foresee using this gun on a regular basis and my only regret is not buying one a long time ago. Now, do I need a replica Colt .45 revolver to complete the set ??????