North East Gunshops, RFD’s, Clothing shops inc some outside

[Katzenjammer]

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This is a brief outline of my thoughts and experiences of various outlets in the North East etc who have had my custom at some point. Some may find it useful, some may disagree and have had different experiences. It covers all the forms of shooting I do – Shotgun, Rimfire and Airgun. Feel free to add your comments and details of any other places you have dealt with in the North East.

Blackpool Air rifles, Uttings, not in the NE I know but purchased a lot from these two organisations over the years and found them to give good service and competitive prices. Some excellent staff especially Lloyd at BAR. Rifles, pistols, pellets, scopes and all manner of other stuff all delivered as promised within 24 hours.
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Bob Dunkley Firearms of Elwick. I guess I have bought most of my shooting items here over the years, as well as being one of the original Woodview range members from 2006. On the air rifle side I have had some bargains but then my thrust now is not so much towards airguns. Getting a little bit more expensive as well, regrettably, and does not stock enough in the way of choice on the shotgun/firearm side – a rather motley collection in fact and a poor selection of cartridges. But his thrust is more towards the LBR etc supply side rather than the sporting and pest control which I am interested in and certainly smaller RFD's must find it hard to compete against the bigger players on prices. The 5.11 clothing and accessory range is a bit of a joke from my point of view and does not cater for the sporting shooter more for the SWAT team wannabes. I think he said he was running this down so perhaps camo and greenish clothing may appear which would appeal more to the airgunners. But that said Bob does stock a lot of other stuff for airgunners including a good range of air rifles and pistols and the range facilities are good and currently unmatched but competition is rising. He has the excellent LBR facility in a National League where you can shoot 22lr as well so many airgunners will find that useful if they wanted to move up to other forms of shooting. Plans for a .22lr range as well so let's hope that kicks off. Bob is a pistol shooter of renown in his disciplines on the world stage including at one time shooting from horseback, he also trains servicemen, private individuals and runs a close protection training school so from a live firearms point of view in those disciplines I doubt there are many who can match him.

Bowtec of Birtley, Dave Folwell did an excellent job of cutting down my 22lr and rethreading at £65. Lovely guy and a great natter about guns and suchlike. We have some lovely industrial estates in the North East – the Westline IE isn’t one of them!

Bradford Stalker of Birtley. Bought shotguns and airguns here as well as cartridges. A well stocked and well laid out gunshop which is clearly aiming at quality end of the market. There is a certain up market atmosphere as you walk in. Prices and trade-ins are tight and a tad expensive but they do have ample stock in especially of cartridges so you always come away with what you went in for. Just up the road from Bowtec but not on the aforesaid estate.

Buckshee’s of Middlesbrough. Only stocks cheap airguns but has a good range of ex-army gear etc including camo netting. Always found the guy friendly and welcoming.

Custom Airgun Repairs and Servicing https://www.facebook.com/pages/Custom-A ... ?pnref=lhc This is Paul Sewell or Premierpistol as he was on the old AAOC. I have been friends with Paul for years and this is the company he has set up recently. He is doing well and the orders are piling in. Paul is a consummate professional and is able to repair all makes of air rifles – he does specialise in Airarms so worth bearing in mind if you are in the NE.

Genuine Army Surplus of Darlington. Had a few things from here including a keenly priced set of Deerhunter Clothing. Always worth a look in particularly if you are searching for a genuine Russian Army greatcoat to replace the one you bought from some dealer in Exchange and Mart in 1970 for £2.50 plus p+p. Best coat I ever owned. I doubt they will be £2.50 now!

Gilsan’s of Leyburn and Richmond, bought a few shotguns here and got good trade ins on those I wanted rid of. An excellent range of shotguns and rifles. Do all your paperwork for you. I know a lot do now but his was one of the first ones I came across that did so. Only used Leyburn premises. Got a bargain Ridgeline jacket from here too which I had phoned up about and the lassie had various sizes waiting for me including one sent over from Richmond. Always had a great welcome here and a good natter. Good selection of stock of all types. These lovely Yorkshire market towns are good for a day out anyway with a visit to the Green Howards Museum in Richmond being well worth it. For those looking at an alternative outlet to sell rarer guns or buy them it is worth remembering Tennants Auction House in Leyburn. I made a killing on the sale of a Feinwerkbau target pistol here some years back. They do auction run of the mill guns as well so you may pick up a bargain. Have a resident firearms expert.

Ian Meadley of Wolviston, an RFD who repairs shotguns in the main, also a clay coach. Repaired a few shotguns for myself and friends. Lovely guy and great turnround on repairs.

Johnson Brown of Shildon. On an industrial estate and in a unit which was a new one for me the first time I went. Well appointed inside on two levels. Some quality guns but few air rifles – mainly Stoegers. It is clear the main thrust of the business is towards shotguns and rifles and most prices are beyond my range. Got a good range of quality clothing. Got my Harkila boots there at a discount price, not so keen on the Meindl wax they pushed for them. Good selection of quality cartridges. Got my special Hammond shooting stick there – they and the importer are the only outlets for these Danish made £160 stable full height bipods. Knowledgeable and friendly guys.

John Norris of Penrith – clothing purchases. Good service and keen prices on selected clothing, especially their own brand. Moleskins good and their lightweight summer jacket was a bargain.

Keith’s of Saltburn. Personally I can’t fault this shop as an interesting place to visit and just have a look round it being in an old Victorian/Edwardian premises with Edwardian Cast Iron canopies outside. It has a unique atmosphere and a good selection of hunting, shooting and fishing gear. As I have said elsewhere recently I have never failed to have a discount off the marked price and this has to be a great ploy for getting you to return or spread the word. I return regularly just for a run out and a chat to Keith and his wife. Again a shop who completed all your paperwork for you including a letter for you to send to the FEO re a new purchase before this became commonplace. Shotgun cartridge prices are excellent and Keith has a fearsome reputation amongst other cartridge sellers. Open fires in winter which make it a good place to warm up after a walk along the front.

Pickering Airguns, my hometown so always good to visit when I’m over at my parents. A good range of air rifles etc. A small but well stocked gunroom for shotguns and firearms. On two floors with a good display of goodies and peripheral stuff.

Wighill Park Guns near Tadcaster, a long time since I’ve been here. Got a BSA Lightning XL in .22 from here. A tad overpriced. The guy seemed ok but I have read other less complimentary feedback.

[Blackbaronfish]

I have only used the two from your list. Loyd from BAR was a nice place to spend an hour whilst having a break from my daughter dancing at the tower. When i first went looking for BAR i asked a police man if he knew where the gun shop was....he didnt know. I bet he knew where to buy doughnuts and coffee . The other is Ramsbottom,but not had anything from them in years.

BBF

[richierich]

Bradford Stalker is my local and preferred RFD. Always seem cheaper than Bagnalls in Newcastle. Depends who you speak to in the shop, but if you ever go there, speak to Scott. He's cracking to deal with and if you are buying a new rifle from them, he'll look after you :nudge nudge:

[Katzenjammer]

Bradford Stalker is my local and preferred RFD. Always seem cheaper than Bagnalls in Newcastle. Depends who you speak to in the shop, but if you ever go there, speak to Scott. He's cracking to deal with and if you are buying a new rifle from them, he'll look after you :nudge nudge:

It was a sad day when Dave left - the little guy.

[zippy]

GOOD, write up Steve, ...

There is also Bagnall & Kirkwood Here at Newcastle, http://bagnallandkirkwood.co.uk/

I have used a most shops you stated above, as far as prices go, better than most, here... http://bradfordstalker.co.uk/

Uttings,,, is convenient and well stocked on special items like Scopes ect, great service, although not the cheapest and add the dreaded posting costs...

I find RS Ramsbottom cater for the cheap market and a lot of china made TAT, again posting costs, and a lot of products seem constantly out of stock.

I have used most of the shops you stated above,

Regards Mick.

[Pat g]

Bradford Stalker is my local and preferred RFD. Always seem cheaper than Bagnalls in Newcastle. Depends who you speak to in the shop, but if you ever go there, speak to Scott. He's cracking to deal with and if you are buying a new rifle from them, he'll look after you :nudge nudge:

Scott is Peter Bradfords son . I've known his dad since he started his rfd back in the 80's. Back then he started from the garage on his house at Burnopfield. He then moved up to Ouston Bank farm in 1989 and then extended the business a few years ago. Good lad is Scott and had many dealings with him and his dad over the years. This is also my local rfd. I get all my cartridges, c/f and rimfire stuff from here as well. They also supply my local clay club with clays and cartridges.
Also worthy of mention are the Weldon Gunroom Longframlington. I recently bought my new O/U Shotgun from here where they also did the fitting for me. Excellent selection of Airguns, Shotguns R/F and C/F rifles together with everything else shooting related that you could think of.
Also Bywell shooting ground Northumberland. Mainly Shotguns and rifles with excellent clay Shooting facilities.
I have to say that i always get good deals on my clay and game shooting cartridges from Bradford Stalker.
You're right Steve. Little Dave is a miss. His fall a couple of years ago took its toll i think. Very experienced shooter he was in all disciplines.
Highly Recommend Paul Sewell of Custom Airguns. Recently did a repair on a friends S410 and just done a service and some modification work on my own s410 carbine. A really good lad.
ATB,
Pat

[Katzenjammer]

I often use the location and existence of a gunshop for a run out. Not that I have to justify a run out as I got rid of my wife

I forgot Yorkshire Trading - worth remembering for shooting clothing or that which can be adapted for shooting clothing. Keen prices too but they are mainly Yorkshire way. Also online.

Boyes Stores too - they stock fishing gear and fishing clothing - Jack Pyke etc

There is a store in the Flea Market in Pickering up the Market place that sells army gear - I got a camo poncho from there and a French Foreign Legion backpack.

It's a long time since I was in Bagnalls - I went in when I worked in geordiewhyayehinnypetbuggerland. I did buy stuff from the one in Clayton St but that has now closed

Richardsons Garden Centre near Dalton Park - A19 Country pursuits or summat? Have they closed?

[richierich]

Richardsons Garden Centre near Dalton Park - A19 Country pursuits or summat? Have they closed?

They are still there the last time i checked (about a year and a half ago), but the prices left little to be desired if you were after pellets. Hell of a mark up!!