My first vintage - 1939 BSA Standard

[Jim Garten]

I know I've posted about this in another Forum group, but reflecting back on my first outing with her yesterday, I'm almost childishly chuffed at the results.

For those who didn't see the OP, I finally got my hands on one of my bucket list guns:

1939 BSA Standard.

Really well looked after, everything crisp & solid, partially re-blued (tbh with varying degrees of success ), no leaks, stock almost perfect.

Was a little nervous about taking her to the range yesterday in case there was a chorus of 'you paid money for that?' Or 'sorry, but you've been ripped off ', but exact opposite... more a case of 'you only paid WHAT?'.

A few of the range vintage experts looked her over, took a few shots and declared her a really good example of the breed, all seals good, all original, too +++phew+++ the only advice was to pick up some renaissance wax for protection.

All my other rifles are scoped, so this was also my first open-sight day... started with 10/15 yard targets, then adjusted the rear sight and went farther afield. Really impressed at the accuracy and power from such an old gun, even to the point of hitting the furthest target at (approx... forgot the range finder) 55/60 yards.

So enjoyable to fire (the PCP i took never left its bag yesterday) - what I thought was going to be an occasionally used talking point, could be in very regular rotation.

Again, I know I've posted about this before, but just had to do so again

 

[Cinimod]

Happy new gun day and well done on getting one crossed of the list ……….dom

 

[Daniel492]

I got my first Pre 1939s last year and I have really enjoyed shooting these, infact my hw77/97 haven't been used since. I love shooting 6yrd paper and bell target, it's all quite addictive.

Hope you enjoy your new rifle.

 

[Mutantmonkey]

Theres something satifying and fun about going back to basics and shooting a pre war air rifle with open sights . Its so much fun hitting spinners at 20 or 30 yards when you can barely see what youre aiming at . Simplicity itself , the gun , a few pellets and away you go

 

[wheresthetorch?]

I absolutely love shooting my BSA light pattern. Like you, I'm amazed at the accuracy of a gun that will be 120 years old this year.

 

[Lakey]

Most people who have never shot a pre-war BSA Air Rifle, don't realise how much fun they are to shoot. The pride of hitting distant targets is far greater with these guns than modern PCP's , and it always comes as a surprise to people when they see just how accurate these old guns can be - even after 100 years or more of use. People always want to have a go on range days, and they always provide a high level of interest whenever they get taken to the club. One thing you will find - One is NEVER enough........