TONY’S TAKE ON THE TRADE

Dave Barham talks electronic airguns, licensing and exciting developments with Tony Belas of Daystate and Brocock

Dave Barham (DB): How did you first get involved in the airgun industry, and what attracted you to this field?

Tony Belas (TB): Since an early age, I’ve been fascinated with firearms and the ease of getting airguns in the UK lead me to shooting in the then new sport of Field Target, this meant that when I was available to join the trade, I had 30 years of shooting and 10 years of experience of working with the industry and already had many friends.

DB: What are the most significant changes you’ve observed in the British airgun market over the past decade?

TB: When I joined the industry, PCP airguns were still scarce, but that has completely changed now with PCPs made by everybody. In the last 10 years there has been a flood of new manufacturers entering the market from the Czech Republic, China, and Turkey, among others.

DB: Can you tell us about a particularly innovative airgun product you’ve worked on or encountered recently?

TB: The introduction of Daystate’s electronic MK3 in 2003 was a magical time, though every idea we could have dreamed of back then came to life when Daystate announced the Delta Wolf four years ago. The ultimate for me now is the new Performance version of the Alpha Wolf – you really couldn’t get a more advanced airgun that shows shotgun and firearm development.

DB: How has the growing emphasis on environmental concerns affected airgun manufacturing and design?

TB: Airguns have always been an eco-friendly choice. What could be more environmentally responsible than using an airgun which uses air as a propellant, uses a fraction of the amount of lead than a firearm, is essentially silent and almost never wears out. Airguns have always been way ahead of the rest in this area.

DB: What challenges does the British airgun industry face in terms of regulations and legislation?

TB: Modern times demand an increasing level of certification and red tape. Licensing in Scotland also set a dangerous precedent for England and Wales. It still seems ridiculous to me that the United Kingdom has invisible borders where two steps to the right could mean the difference between a legal hobby and a criminal record. It doesn’t seem in the spirit of a United Kingdom.

DB: How do you see the role of social media and online communities in shaping the airgun market?

TB: The social media Facebook groups have in many ways become the airgun clubs of the 21st century. I still find it amazing that I can chat online with shooters in every country of the world scarcely knowing or being aware of where they live.

It has made the world a lot smaller and gives me a lot of fun. But I think we are at the beginning of the social media revolution and there is a lot more to come.

DB: What trends do you foresee in airgun technology and design over the next five years?

TB: Although Daystate remains the only company with the resources to manufacture electronic airguns, the rise of electronic scopes over the last five years has been spectacular and I’m sure this will continue, perhaps with some gun integration.

DB: How does the British airgun industry compare to those in other countries, particularly in terms of quality and innovation?

TB: For well over 100 years Britain has been the natural home of airguns. With the UK’s heavy-handed firearms laws, generations of UK airgunners have grown up with airguns and do not care for much else. This has led to our unique

British take on airguns and has meant UK airgun companies were in a healthy position when the rest of the world woke up to the potential of airguns.

Because of our island position, and high tax burden, it is expensive to manufacture in the UK, and for that reason quality and innovation has to be our answer to cheaper imports from manufacturers where labour and energy costs are much lower.

DB: What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in the airgun industry?

TB: It’s a tiny industry and jobs really do not come along often. You need to show a passion and good knowledge on the hobby, and then develop skills that compliment what the industry is looking for.

DB: What role do airguns play in introducing newcomers to shooting sports, and how can the industry encourage more participation?

TB: Airguns are super accessible compared with all the hoops you need to jump through to get to shoot firearms, but I don’t really go with airguns as a stepping stone to anything. For me and thousands of other airgun shooters, airguns are the sport.

I have shot all types of firearms for many years, but as I have got older, I really can’t be bothered with shooting dirty, noisy and dangerous propellant-fired weapons. For me, airguns give me all I need.