Great War Group Shooting Event 08/07/23
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 5:48 pm
Great War Group Shooting event 8th July 2023
On Saturday 8th July I had the pleasure of attending a historical weapons shooting event organized by the Great War Group, of which I’m a member, in association with a shooting club in Gloucestershire. The day began with a ‘show and tell’ in which we got the chance to handle a variety of firearms from the era of matchlock muskets to modern semi-automatic. We also had the chance to talk to the owners of said weapons were also available to chat about them. A safety brief followed regarding the use of the weapons on the range which we would have the opportunity to fire. The club had also kindly organised a barbeque which was included in the cost of the day.
This over we proceeded to the main event of the day, the shooty bit! Six lanes were set up with a variety of weapons, which we would be able to load and fire under supervision from the owners, or other club member.
Weapons Fired.
I shall list the weapons I fired, along with number of rounds and a few comments on them.
- 17th Century Matchlock – A reproduction of an English Civil War era weapon. The sort of thing used at Marston Moor etc. Only difference between it and an original matchlock and this one was that it had a steel, rather than iron barrel. Quite a pleasant weapon to shoot, especially since its stand took a lot of the weight. Recoil was low and I’m pretty sure I hit the target with the one round I fired from it.
- Brown Bess Flintlock – Quite a fun weapon to load and make ready. Again, the recoil was not a big issue and I hit the target I fired from it. My hands were black after firing this and the Matchlock.
- Enfield P1853 – The rifle the British Army would use in the Crimea and would also be used by both sides in the American Civil War. Loading and tamping down the propellant and round was straightforward. Fired two rounds from it, one was an American Burton cartridge and the other was a British Pritchett. The American round made a louder bang and had more of a recoil, plus was a bit more complicated to load. The British round was far easier, and historically would not foul the barrel as quickly. It made less of a bang, had a far more pleasant recoil and I’m sure I shot more accurately with it. My feeling is that in action, the Pritchett would be the better round to use.
- Snider – The breach-loading conversion of the Enfield. Little fiddley to load until I got the knack. Recoil was not unpleasant. Ejecting the spent cartridge was something I just could not get the hang of. Put four rounds through the weapon, the last three at the end of the day when I got the chance to do a bit more shooting. Being a bit tired and sore did not help with the ejecting process.
- Martini-Henry – The iconic rifle we’ve all seen in Zulu. Loading was relatively easy, although, if like me, you’re doing it at the end of the day, and you are tired, sore, and losing the strength in your arms, it can be a bit hard. I fired two rounds successfully before messing up loading the third round, which I did not load flush with the barrel. Interestingly, that was a common user error I’ve read about. Recoil, as with all the black powder weapons was not a particular issue and shooting accurately with it was not a problem. This and the Snider were the only two weapons, other than the Matchlock, that I fired standing up.
- Lee-Enfield Mk.III* - The first rifle I fired at the event and indeed the first full-bore rifle I’ve ever fired, so I was pretty nervous. Belying its reputation, the bolt on this example was stiff as was loading the 5-round charger. I chambered the first round, took careful aim, breathed out and pulled the trigger. ‘CLICK’. No bang. No recoil. Now, per the range rules, this increasingly nervous virgin shooter had to keep the SMLE pointed down range for 30 seconds before it could be cleared. The rifle’s owner found that the bolt had not engaged with the first round and had to take out the magazine and mess about with it. After that I successfully put five rounds through the rifle, shooting pretty accurately. That particular rifle had another couple of stoppages during the day, for, as far as I know, the same reason. The recoil on the SMLE was noticeable, but not unpleasant.
Despite assurances from a couple of club members that SMLE were ‘just that stiff back in the day’, I spoke to a few GWG members, who, like me, did not think that was true. I’ve never, for example, read any accounts from the First World War that said the SMLE was stiff to load, or that the same was true of the bolt. So, when I got home, I got hold of my deactivated SMLE. Now, taking into account I was not actually chambering a round, its bolt is very smooth for a rifle that has probably not been oiled for decades. My conclusion is that particular Mk.III* is probably just not in the best condition, possibly due to its age.
- Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.2 – That particular example had been made in 1955 for the Irish Army. The lightened bolt of the No.4 really stood out in comparison to the Mk.III* and was a smooth as butter. Loading the 5 round charger was also far easier; I used the same amount of force as I used with the rifle’s older sibling and practically put the rounds through the bottom of the magazine. I was able to put 5 rounds through the rifle really quickly.
- Lee Enfield No.5 ‘Jungle Carbine – First got a chance to handle this rifle during the ‘show and tell’ and it is light as a feather compared to the other Lee-Enfields. The bolt was as smooth and easy as the No.4. But the recoil and bang experienced from the one round I put through it was another matter! The recoil was fierce, and the bang was really unpleasant. Anyone firing one of those in the Malay jungle would have let every Communist Terrorist for miles around know they were about. I can imagine that a No.5 could become quite tiresome to use fairly quickly.
- Mauser G98 – The standard infantry of the German Army in the First World War. My experience of it was that the bolt was a joy to use, hardly needing any effort to chamber a round. I fired three rounds through this rifle and while reloading was a pleasure, the recoil was quite sharp compared to its British contemporary.
- K98az – The shortened version of the above rifle made in 1918 for Stormtroopers. The comments on the G98 also apply to this rifle, except that the recoil was worse and resulted in a ‘wow’ from me on firing the first of two rounds.
- K98K – The even further shortened and simplified version of the G98. The example I fired was from 1945 and was an utter piece of crap! It used unseasoned wood for the furniture and looked like it had been put together in someone’s shed, badly! The recoil was appalling and led to some serious ‘ouch’ and swearing. One round from the K98K was more than enough! I blame this rifle for me being sorer than I perhaps would have been had I not fired it before the ‘Mad Minute’. It actually made feel almost sorry for the teenage ex-Hitler Youth who were probably handed that rifle and ones like it and sent off to fight the Red Army.
Some General Comments: As I had travelled the furthest, the club very kindly allowed me to try a ‘Mad Minute’ with the Lee-Enfield of my choice. I’m sure that it was no surprise that I chose the No.4! My shoulder was getting quite sore by this late in the day, so even shooting a No.4 was getting a bit unpleasant. However, even with that I was able to manage 12 rounds in a minute, then finishing off with the three rounds left in the magazine. Had I done it earlier, I’m pretty sure I could have managed 15, but I’m pleased with how well I did. The club also let me fire more rounds through the Snider and Martini-Henry for the same reason.
After Saturday, if you told me that I had to take one of the weapons to war in its contemporary setting, I’d pick the No.4 any day of the week, probably followed by the SMLE, despite the issue I had with it.
If the GWG manages to organise this again, I’d go. Yet another reason I will give to join the Great War Group.
Bernard’s Pro-Tip: When firing a matchlock, or pro-tip, I would recommend doing so in long sleeves. Unless you are prepared to risk minor burns on your arms from burning embers that may blow back on you!
Additional Pro-Tip: If firing a ‘Mad Minute’ from a seating position, you may be put off your stride by a spent cartridge that almost lands in your lap!
Final Comments: Considering that the price of gunpower and propellant has recently shot up (no pun intended) because people seem to be buying it up for some reason (no idea why!) a cost of £30 including the BBQ was amazing good value. I doubt that we would have been able to shoot such a wide variety of weapons anywhere for that cost!
On Saturday 8th July I had the pleasure of attending a historical weapons shooting event organized by the Great War Group, of which I’m a member, in association with a shooting club in Gloucestershire. The day began with a ‘show and tell’ in which we got the chance to handle a variety of firearms from the era of matchlock muskets to modern semi-automatic. We also had the chance to talk to the owners of said weapons were also available to chat about them. A safety brief followed regarding the use of the weapons on the range which we would have the opportunity to fire. The club had also kindly organised a barbeque which was included in the cost of the day.
This over we proceeded to the main event of the day, the shooty bit! Six lanes were set up with a variety of weapons, which we would be able to load and fire under supervision from the owners, or other club member.
Weapons Fired.
I shall list the weapons I fired, along with number of rounds and a few comments on them.
- 17th Century Matchlock – A reproduction of an English Civil War era weapon. The sort of thing used at Marston Moor etc. Only difference between it and an original matchlock and this one was that it had a steel, rather than iron barrel. Quite a pleasant weapon to shoot, especially since its stand took a lot of the weight. Recoil was low and I’m pretty sure I hit the target with the one round I fired from it.
- Brown Bess Flintlock – Quite a fun weapon to load and make ready. Again, the recoil was not a big issue and I hit the target I fired from it. My hands were black after firing this and the Matchlock.
- Enfield P1853 – The rifle the British Army would use in the Crimea and would also be used by both sides in the American Civil War. Loading and tamping down the propellant and round was straightforward. Fired two rounds from it, one was an American Burton cartridge and the other was a British Pritchett. The American round made a louder bang and had more of a recoil, plus was a bit more complicated to load. The British round was far easier, and historically would not foul the barrel as quickly. It made less of a bang, had a far more pleasant recoil and I’m sure I shot more accurately with it. My feeling is that in action, the Pritchett would be the better round to use.
- Snider – The breach-loading conversion of the Enfield. Little fiddley to load until I got the knack. Recoil was not unpleasant. Ejecting the spent cartridge was something I just could not get the hang of. Put four rounds through the weapon, the last three at the end of the day when I got the chance to do a bit more shooting. Being a bit tired and sore did not help with the ejecting process.
- Martini-Henry – The iconic rifle we’ve all seen in Zulu. Loading was relatively easy, although, if like me, you’re doing it at the end of the day, and you are tired, sore, and losing the strength in your arms, it can be a bit hard. I fired two rounds successfully before messing up loading the third round, which I did not load flush with the barrel. Interestingly, that was a common user error I’ve read about. Recoil, as with all the black powder weapons was not a particular issue and shooting accurately with it was not a problem. This and the Snider were the only two weapons, other than the Matchlock, that I fired standing up.
- Lee-Enfield Mk.III* - The first rifle I fired at the event and indeed the first full-bore rifle I’ve ever fired, so I was pretty nervous. Belying its reputation, the bolt on this example was stiff as was loading the 5-round charger. I chambered the first round, took careful aim, breathed out and pulled the trigger. ‘CLICK’. No bang. No recoil. Now, per the range rules, this increasingly nervous virgin shooter had to keep the SMLE pointed down range for 30 seconds before it could be cleared. The rifle’s owner found that the bolt had not engaged with the first round and had to take out the magazine and mess about with it. After that I successfully put five rounds through the rifle, shooting pretty accurately. That particular rifle had another couple of stoppages during the day, for, as far as I know, the same reason. The recoil on the SMLE was noticeable, but not unpleasant.
Despite assurances from a couple of club members that SMLE were ‘just that stiff back in the day’, I spoke to a few GWG members, who, like me, did not think that was true. I’ve never, for example, read any accounts from the First World War that said the SMLE was stiff to load, or that the same was true of the bolt. So, when I got home, I got hold of my deactivated SMLE. Now, taking into account I was not actually chambering a round, its bolt is very smooth for a rifle that has probably not been oiled for decades. My conclusion is that particular Mk.III* is probably just not in the best condition, possibly due to its age.
- Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.2 – That particular example had been made in 1955 for the Irish Army. The lightened bolt of the No.4 really stood out in comparison to the Mk.III* and was a smooth as butter. Loading the 5 round charger was also far easier; I used the same amount of force as I used with the rifle’s older sibling and practically put the rounds through the bottom of the magazine. I was able to put 5 rounds through the rifle really quickly.
- Lee Enfield No.5 ‘Jungle Carbine – First got a chance to handle this rifle during the ‘show and tell’ and it is light as a feather compared to the other Lee-Enfields. The bolt was as smooth and easy as the No.4. But the recoil and bang experienced from the one round I put through it was another matter! The recoil was fierce, and the bang was really unpleasant. Anyone firing one of those in the Malay jungle would have let every Communist Terrorist for miles around know they were about. I can imagine that a No.5 could become quite tiresome to use fairly quickly.
- Mauser G98 – The standard infantry of the German Army in the First World War. My experience of it was that the bolt was a joy to use, hardly needing any effort to chamber a round. I fired three rounds through this rifle and while reloading was a pleasure, the recoil was quite sharp compared to its British contemporary.
- K98az – The shortened version of the above rifle made in 1918 for Stormtroopers. The comments on the G98 also apply to this rifle, except that the recoil was worse and resulted in a ‘wow’ from me on firing the first of two rounds.
- K98K – The even further shortened and simplified version of the G98. The example I fired was from 1945 and was an utter piece of crap! It used unseasoned wood for the furniture and looked like it had been put together in someone’s shed, badly! The recoil was appalling and led to some serious ‘ouch’ and swearing. One round from the K98K was more than enough! I blame this rifle for me being sorer than I perhaps would have been had I not fired it before the ‘Mad Minute’. It actually made feel almost sorry for the teenage ex-Hitler Youth who were probably handed that rifle and ones like it and sent off to fight the Red Army.
Some General Comments: As I had travelled the furthest, the club very kindly allowed me to try a ‘Mad Minute’ with the Lee-Enfield of my choice. I’m sure that it was no surprise that I chose the No.4! My shoulder was getting quite sore by this late in the day, so even shooting a No.4 was getting a bit unpleasant. However, even with that I was able to manage 12 rounds in a minute, then finishing off with the three rounds left in the magazine. Had I done it earlier, I’m pretty sure I could have managed 15, but I’m pleased with how well I did. The club also let me fire more rounds through the Snider and Martini-Henry for the same reason.
After Saturday, if you told me that I had to take one of the weapons to war in its contemporary setting, I’d pick the No.4 any day of the week, probably followed by the SMLE, despite the issue I had with it.
If the GWG manages to organise this again, I’d go. Yet another reason I will give to join the Great War Group.
Bernard’s Pro-Tip: When firing a matchlock, or pro-tip, I would recommend doing so in long sleeves. Unless you are prepared to risk minor burns on your arms from burning embers that may blow back on you!
Additional Pro-Tip: If firing a ‘Mad Minute’ from a seating position, you may be put off your stride by a spent cartridge that almost lands in your lap!
Final Comments: Considering that the price of gunpower and propellant has recently shot up (no pun intended) because people seem to be buying it up for some reason (no idea why!) a cost of £30 including the BBQ was amazing good value. I doubt that we would have been able to shoot such a wide variety of weapons anywhere for that cost!
