CharlesC

We've been in France since last July and loving every second. I'm not sure what type of shooting I want to do, don't think it will be airguns as my speciality was HFT and that became too much physically for me, and anyway there doesn't seem to be any of that locally. Joining a 'chasse' might be a problem with my limited French, so it looks like target shooting with .22lr rifle, something I've done in the past, or pistol speed shooting, quite fancy that. Hope your move goes well and you enjoy your time here as much as we do. The club at Vire has rotating targets for speed-shooting. Take ad

We've been in France since last July and loving every second. I'm not sure what type of shooting I want to do, don't think it will be airguns as my speciality was HFT and that became too much physically for me, and anyway there doesn't seem to be any of that locally. Joining a 'chasse' might be a problem with my limited French, so it looks like target shooting with .22lr rifle, something I've done in the past, or pistol speed shooting, quite fancy that. Hope your move goes well and you enjoy your time here as much as we do.

Yeah, I find it difficult sometimes too, especially when the range master uses complex words like "STOP!" Touché

Thanks CH, my schoolboy French (learnt 50 odd years ago) gets me by day to day, but I think I'm sadly lacking in vocabulary for the more technical side of shooting. Wouldn't want to get confused when they called 'Cesser le Feu!' or whatever term is used.

Thanks all.

There's a big club at Vire, another at Truttemer le Grand, near Vire, and another just south of St Malo. The Vire club has an air rifle/pistol range and lends guns, and they have a separate range for firearms. Have a look here and click on "où pratiquer" then select your department: http://www.normandie-tir.net/ Any air rifle under 20 joules can be purchased and held without a licence. The limit for pistols has always been smaller, but I don't know what it is following the change in the law in 2013 -- your local gun shop should be able to tell you. Thanks for the info; do you happ

Used to love my early Daystates, had an AirRanger than a few Mk3's, all good guns. Then I bought a Grand Prix, not as reliable as hoped, then I won a computerised AirWolf, same story. Imho they just became too complicated.

There's no 'best scope for the money' it's the one that best suits your eyes. Personally I'd be happy with a Light Stream 4.5-14x44.

Just thought of another question. Would a sub 20 joule semi automatic rifle with a magazine capacity of 12 pellets be allowed in France? Atvb Charles

I've recently moved to Lower Normandy and finding that the French have raised the airgun limit to 20 joule has encouraged me to think about shooting again, also may want to join a shooting club to get my licence. So a couple of questions..... Does anyone know of any shooting clubs around the Mortain/Avranches area? Does the 20 joule limit apply to pistols as well as rifles? Atvb Charles

I have been an enthusiastic shooter for nearly sixty years, starting with a Webley Junior air pistol at the age of 8, through to rimfire and shotguns. For the last few years my main interest has been airgun HFT, so little chance to hunt. Had to give up competition shooting due to the rigours of old age. I have recently retired and moved to France where I discover that gun law is more relaxed, so maybe more of an opportunity to renew my shooting passion. Atvb Charles