THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DAVE

Airgun World technical editor Dave Barham reflects on the current health of the trade

Airgun World (AW): How would you describe the health of the airgun industry and this time?

Dave Barham (DB): I think it’s relatively healthy. I speak to a lot of people in the trade, as well as the major retailers, and they’re all saying that they’re fairly steady. There was a huge upturn in sales during the Covid lockdowns, because people got bored just sitting around at home. Many decided to rekindle their love for shooting airguns in their back garden, and I’m quite sure the lockdowns brought a lot of people into the sport. Obviously, once you’ve got the airgun bug, it’s hard to shake it off and you just want to progress to better gear. It’s encouraging that there’s so many new rifles being released and developed, too. That gives you some indication of how good the market is.

AW: What emerging products have caught your eye in recent months?

DB: One in particular has really made an impact. In fact it’s so good I begged to review it in this issue! The new HikMicro Alpex 4K Lite day/night scope has been designed specifically for airgunners, and it has really left a lasting impact on me, so much so that I’m currently scrimping and saving in order to buy one. The BSA Lightning CLX spring has also given my shooting another dimension. It’s one of the most accurate springers I have ever shot. I used to shoot springers all the time as a kid, but we all know how easy it is to get sucked into the PCP route. I’m enjoying a few hours a week down the range with this new springer rifle.

AW: Are there any industry trends/ external economic conditions that are causing you concern?

DB: Not at present. I’m not too deeply involved with the import/export side of things, but I do know that some manufacturers have seen their import costs double or even treble in recent years. Hopefully things will level out.

AW: What can the airgun industry be doing to introduce newcomers to the sport -and should those efforts always be concentrated on young people or adults with money to spend?

DB: Bringing kids into the sport is a must if it’s going to survive. Go to most club shoots at the weekend and it’s mostly old gits like me (50+), with a large percentage of OAPs too. It’s encouraging to see certain manufacturers giving back and doing what they can to help more youngsters get into our sport. I think the lovely Claire West at Air Arms does more than most, and a few more manufacturers/ suppliers would do well to take a leaf out of her book. It’s always going to the dads and grandads who spend the money on their kids and grandkids where shooting is concerned, partly because most kids don’t have the money to buy the gear in the first place, but the law dictates that until they’re 18 they can’t actually buy anything.

AW: How would you rate UK-made airguns/rifles/pistols versus those from foreign manufacturers?

DB: This is a good question. I’ve seen the shift back and forth over the past decade or so. Some British manufacturers took their finger off the pulse and quality began to slip, whilst some of the foreign manufacturers were hurriedly upping their game with better quality control and build quality. I’m pleased to say that all the British manufacturers are right on target now with regards to quality, design and innovation. Some of the rifles coming out of Turkey now are absolutely superb, and that’s due in large to British retailers and distributors having a massive input into design and quality control. It’s all very good for the industry – more competition means more attention to detail.

AW: What’s the one subject you have been talking about most often at shows/ trade events that you wish was getting more coverage?

DB: I think most things get covered with enough regularity, but I do think a lot of folks need reminding of the law surrounding airguns more frequently, particularly when it comes to hunting and the General Licenses. There’s often a lot of confusion on that subject.

AW: How anxious should English and Welsh airgunners be about the licensing restrictions that currently govern Scotland coming farther south?

DB: We’re very lucky in the fact that we have some very switched on people who have a direct link to the Home Office. Ask any manufacturer and they’ll tell you that the introduction of licences in Scotland has had a seriously detrimental effect on business. If they were to introduce licensing in England and Wales, it very well could spell disaster for the industry as a whole. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed, permanently.

AW: Who are the unsung heroes of the UK airgun trade right now; the people without whom the industry would struggle yet don’t always have their name shared around?

DB: The people who we never see, working in the factories designing, building, and checking every air rifle that is made in the UK or is imported here. All the people who work for major retailers, packing orders day in, day out. The industry wouldn’t run without them, it would come to a grinding halt.

AW: What is the biggest test/ challenge the airgun trade is currently facing in your view, and how is it meeting this challenge?

DB: There are always constant threats within the industry such as import/export duties, the price of raw materials, the cost of parts and even labour. Plus of course the threats from the government regards banning shooting, banning lead, introducing licences and so on. The industry as a whole is a fairly small and close knit community – everyone knows everyone, and they all talk and try to work through any potential problems.