Australian Shooter Letters

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September 2008

Notes from Dubai
I was just looking at the SSAA website, having been daydreaming at work about recent hunting trips to the hills above Tamworth in NSW. Now a resident in Dubai, UAE, I miss the cold weather trips to the farm and the amazing green of the Australian bush. I miss the bunnies, the ’roos and the other noises that only come from being in the country and I miss the smell of wood smoke from the cooking fire. There is something about lighting the kitchen stove at 6.30am after a sound night’s sleep, filling the kitchen with smoke and then, after the fire settles down, cooking a great breakfast of fresh eggs, local beef sausages and bacon, before heading out to take stock of pigs, bunnies or foxes. All can be seen if you are careful and quiet.
Last trip, I took my twin boys, who have visited the farm before, but have not been allowed to hunt. Each boy was allowed to take a pair of rabbits, under strict supervision, during a late afternoon drive into the paddocks. Each boy took one rabbit at about 80m and one in close at about 30m. They used my old Voere .22, which I purchased with hard-earned pocket money when I was exactly their age. Now 40 years later, it still shoots beautifully and the woodwork on the Monte Carlo stock is unmarked. It is on its second scope now, but that is the only modification after 40 years of hunting.
For those of you who may not realise it, Dubai is hot and dry. All drinking water is desalinated and while there is amazing green growth to be found along the road systems, it is there only due to the recycled and desalinated water that is poured into it and through the attention of the gardeners, who clip, manicure and prune.
I visited a gun club here the other day, just up the road from Dubai in Jebel Ali. They have a number of well-supervised gun clubs in the UAE, where visitors can shoot either handguns or clays. It was good to load a .38 S&W again (I had to dispose of my pistols when I left Australia) and shoot a ‘private’ Standard Pistol match. The guns were well cared for, range discipline was good and the range equipment was in perfect order. I was tempted to shoot some clays, but will save that for another day - perhaps next time when one of my sons comes to visit me.
I plan to try and get home soon and make another trip north to the farm. I hope to take both of my boys with me again. The lure of the Australian bush is an amazing thing. I have always enjoyed living in parts of Sydney where the bush was only a few metres away. In Dubai, we are striving to keep the grass in our small backyard alive - done by hosing huge quantities of that expensive desalinated drinking water onto it. My wife loves gardening, but plants are expensive here and keeping them alive is a little problematic. Water is dear, but the petrol is cheap.
I will never take our great outdoors for granted. I can get into the desert in the UAE to camp and I can fish in the Gulf and I could dive for pearls if I knew where, but nothing on earth is like the Australian bush and there is nothing like taking your young boys into that bush and teaching them stuff or just spending time together chatting.
I believe my family are bringing some back issues of Australian Shooter with them and I occasionally receive a care package of important ‘printed material’ from a mate with similar interests, but beyond that, there are no gun magazines in the UAE.
Keep up the great articles, guys. If I could just work out a way to receive a more regular delivery of my SSAA magazine, everything would be good with the world.
Geoff McCahon, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

More publicity for shooting and hunting
I have a suggestion about lifting the awareness of hunting and shooting in Australia. Could we converse with the firearm makers and ammo makers (who are mostly internationally based) to help promote the sport in Australia with financial help to advertise their products? We could have a conservation slant on the hunting side and a family sport slant on the target side of things. It can only be good for manufacturers even if only 1 per cent of the population got into the sport.
Billboard advertising would be the cheapest I would think and so that it is seen time and time again by travellers on road, train or bus. TV adverts too late at night (to keep costs down) just wouldn’t be seen by thousands upon thousands of youngsters - the future life of the sport. Billboards would be seen 24/7, not a 30-second timeslot at 10.30 at night a couple of times a week. We have some great sportsmen and women that have appeared in articles in magazines and national heroes too like Todd Russell, whose faces the general public can relate to.
Phrases like “Become a real greenie and save our wildlife from predation” or “Become AL and liberate our wildlife from ferals” and stuff like that with pictures of bilbies in foxes’ mouths or a cat chewing up a bird. Nothing too graphic, but enough to move an imagination to start to think of the disappearing wildlife and that conservation hunting is the vehicle to help all the cuddly animals that the city voters so dearly love, but have probably never seen! This could also partly counter the AL’s argument about animal rights, if the realities of life in the wild can by sold to the punters.
Steve Young, NSW

August 2008

Firearms store in Fairy Meadow, NSW
I wanted to write in regards to your letter printed in the July issue of Australian Shooter about the unsuccessful attempt to open a firearms store in Fairy Meadow, NSW.
I might mention that I work next door to the proposed location and it would have been a replacement for the old store just down the road that supplied a majority of the wares for the sporting shooters of the Illawarra.
The protestors’ and the media’s argument was that the new store would be ‘near a school’. But they failed to note that the old store was close to not only the very same school (same highway about 2km up the road) and that it had been there for many years with no impact on the school or the community, but it was also a stone’s throw from St Mary Star of the Sea College, Xaviers Primary School, the youth centre and not to mention dozens of childcare centres within a few block’s radius.
The proposed new firearms store would have, in fact, been further away from a larger number of schools than the original store! Yet the ignorant and uninformed protestors and the Illawarra Mercury obviously did not do their research before shooting their mouths off and hence I (and assumingly, many shooters in the Illawarra) have to drive an hour each way to Horsley Park just to buy my ammunition.
The location of the proposed new firearms store has now been converted into a very nice fishing tackle and dive shop. A shop where people can easily gain access to unregulated high-powered spearguns, hand spears and knives with as much ease as it takes to open a wallet. I wonder if the Illawarra Mercury will start a protest against these easily accessible tools? Maybe I should take up fishing?
Michael Kelly, NSW

Safety a priority for juniors
Well done on the May 2008 edition of the magazine, particularly well done with the articles featuring young shooters. As a firearms instructor, I was particularly impressed by the photos. Not once did I see ‘a finger on the trigger’ symptom, which tells me that the young lads had formal training in the use of these firearms. Use of hearing protection was also good to see. Such safety precautions are often neglected when the only training received is in a non-formal environment. Unfortunately, this creates bad habits, which are hard to correct and often lead to injury (take it from me, I have 42 per cent hearing loss).
Organisations such as the SSAA, with their accredited shooting ranges and experienced safety staff (in most cases, volunteers), have improved firearms safety to commendable levels through the years. I only wish that more new shooters would take advantage of such organisations and learn to use firearms the correct way right from the start.
Peter Agriopoulos, Vic

1080 on the radio
I refer to the letters column of the March issue about the ‘1080’ recipe book. As an aside, did you know that the AM radio station 2MO in Gunnedah, central NSW, has a broadcast frequency of 1080KHz?
Bob McLeod, NSW

Thanks to Cleaver Firearms
With human nature being what it is, we are all too ready to criticise someone when we think we are not getting the service we think we should be getting. Well, I would like to express my thanks to Cleaver Firearms for their efficient and friendly service.
Recently, I purchased a secondhand Ruger Mk II target/varmint rifle in .308-calibre. After cleaning and checking the rifle, I took it out to the Belmont rifle range to see how it shot. After a few shots were fired, however, I felt there was too much recoil generated through the rifle and the groups weren’t consistent with the newly installed MAB barrel. A quick check of the rifle revealed that the front barrel screw was loose, so I tightened it up, but it continued firing with the same result.
I called Cleaver Firearms and after speaking with Jade, he informed me that secondhand rifles had a three-month warranty. He told me to bring it back and they would have a look at it. Their resident gunsmith, Don, inspected the rifle, made a couple of adjustments and stated to bring it back if it didn’t perform.
I went out to the range again and got the same result, except this time I couldn’t release the magazine cover, it was stuck fast, so I took it back. Don carried out remedial work on the rifle and it now shoots fine; well, more than fine - the rifle shoots better than I can.
Full marks to Cleaver Firearms though. Their service was excellent and friendly and I would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.
Thanks again Cleavers.
Wayne Welch, Qld

July 2008

Shooting artefact
The included photographs are of a ‘buckle’ that was recently passed onto me by my father. Apparently, the buckle was found in a shed while family members were doing a clean-up after the death of a relative near Ceduna on the west coast of South Australia. My father is well known on the west coast as a Big Bore target shooter (for more than 60 years), so it was passed onto him. My father was not familiar with the object and forwarded it onto the South Australian Rifle Association who were also unable to place its origins.
The buckle’s backing plate is made of brass with ornate engravings and the raised map and scrolls are soldered onto the backing plate. The fixtures on the back of the buckle are mild steel and the tongue of the buckle has been broken. There are no hallmarks on the backing plate.
I was wondering if anybody knows of the history of the buckle. If it can be established that it originated at a specific range or competition I am willing to forward it on to the appropriate club as an artefact. If the object cannot be identified or placed, I will fit it to my rifle sling and tell lies about my prowess!
Larry Bebbington, SA

Japanese ‘pock-pock’ gun
In reply to Tony Smith’s April 2008 letter, he was right that the machine-gun displayed as a background to the Kizlyar DV-2 Bowie knife was a Japanese 7.7mm Type 99 Japanese LMG, also known as a ‘pock-pock’ gun by New Guinea soldiers due to the odd sound they made when fired.
The LMG in the photo belongs to the Atherton RSL Branch (Queensland) where it has been displayed for decades and continues to be displayed to this day. It was made totally inoperable after being transported to where master gunsmith Robin Gourley decommissioned it, as directed by the Queensland Police, by welding all moving parts shut.
Dick Eussen, Qld

Gunshops and ‘the old days’
In the April 16 edition of the Illawarra Mercury newspaper, an article was printed about a Wollongong gunshop that was proposed to be opened in the vicinity of a primary school. While the proposal was backed by council staff, some members of the community opposed it and the proposal was initially rejected. The proposal, however, came back to the fore, bringing with it much debate about the suitability and locality of gunshops. The Mercury further printed a letter to the editor, titled ‘Stand up to gun shops’, to which SSAA member Larry Dixon replied. Larry sent us a copy of his letter for our interest.

The editor of Illawarra Mercury
In 1955, I started an apprenticeship. My first week’s pay was 3 pounds. I put 10 bob deposit on a rifle. It took me seven months to lay-by it.
I lived in Merrylands with my parents at the time. Saturday after work I would sling the rifle on my shoulder and walk to the station to catch a train to Granville, change to Parramatta, then take a bus to Pennant Hills to go to the Sporting Shooters’ range. I would shoot in the Saturday afternoon competition and do the same journey o the way home and nobody took a scrap of notice.
I am now 67 and still competing in the shooting sports. I needed some reloading equipment. I had to get in my ‘urban assault vehicle’ and travel on a tarred road all the way to Horsley Park [Gun Shop] in Sydney. It probably cost me $40 in fuel, plus about three hours return journey and why? Because a group of people who really don’t know what they’re talking about objected to a gunshop opening in Fairy Meadow. I think it is unfair that the small minority can dictate to all the shooters in the Illawara area.
Maybe now that there are no councilors looking to win votes we might have a bit of commonsense in a businessman trying to open a legitimate business in secure premises regardless of its location.
Larry Dixon, NSW

June 2008

Adriana Talajic story response
I was at the same time pleased and shocked upon reading the article on Adriana Talajic on page 76 of the December issue of Australian Shooter. I was pleased to see more female minors like myself in the sport, but was shocked about the media’s response to her interview.
As a junior shooter myself, I can understand Adriana’s difficulties in being a minor only too well. I’ve been shooting, or at least coming with Dad on camping trips with the rifles, since I was about six years old and although I go to a school where shooting is an electable sport and it is accepted, I still can’t believe how ignorant most people are. Shooting is most certainly not a violent sport; it is one of the safest I have ever encountered.
I was particularly outraged to read what Gun Control Australia’s John Cook had said. “Teaching a child to shoot is teaching a child to kill. It’s what guns are used for” is complete and utter rubbish. Yes, guns can kill, but it’s not always what they are used for. Take target shooters for example, they are hardly killing anything, except perhaps time.
As for “teaching a child to shoot is teaching a child to kill”, I was very angry at reading this because it’s not; a child’s parents dictate a child’s upbringing and as long as the parents teach the child that guns can be used safely and to not harm other humans or animals with them, excepting perhaps in the way of hunting, most of the time the child will grow up with these ethics and continue them into adulthood. Putting a gun into someone’s hands does not automatically make them a killer; the world is not separated into good people and shooters.
Good on Adriana for trying to get the good word out there on shooters, adult and minor alike; I think I say it for everyone with a firearms licence that we’re all behind you!
Jessica Burai, NSW

Pig culling ethics
I am an enthusiastic pig hunter, but am always amazed by the number of people who are simply after that one trophy boar. Can you please remind readers of their ecological responsibility when it comes to pig hunting? I am a firm believer in pest destruction and am more concerned in numbers, not size. A pig is a pig, whether it is 2kg or 200kg. A 2kg pig will be 200kg in seven or eight years if it’s smart enough. The question is why not shoot it now if it’s a pest? I get more satisfaction from culling a mob, than shooting a singular pig. I live in North Queensland and mobs are more prevalent, but the theory is still the same and so is the damage they cause, not to mention the potential of disease.
Supplied are some photos to back up my claims and theory. This is not a whinge, but a plea to remind your readers when they are hunting for culling purposes to take all of them, not just a trophy boar.
Graham Smith, via email

Brown Bess musket
I was interested in Leo Laden’s article on the Brown Bess musket in the December issue of the Australian Shooter and would like to add a few comments, which readers may find of interest.
Hans Busk, who was an instructor in musketry for the British Army, wrote a little book entitled A Handbook for Hythe. In it, he mentions the Brown Bess and it was his opinion that it was the worst contrived firelock of any in the world. However, the firearm was reliable and soldier-proof and was used in many parts of the world. He also recorded the comment of one old veteran who said he was prepared to sit in a chair at 200 yards and have someone blaze at him all day with one of these muskets provided that, on his word of honour, he would aim at him directly every time.
Forty-five years ago when I was in England, I was a member of the Muzzleloaders Association of Great Britain and each year a competition was held at Bisley. One of the events was a Brown Bess shoot - 10 shots in 10 minutes at 75 yards at a 4ft target. In the 1963 shoot, out of a possible 50, the scores for first, second and third were 27, 24 and 22. The shooters used original firearms and patched balls. Under battle conditions and with military ammunition, I am sure the accuracy would have been of a lower standard.
Reg Magee, Qld

Firsthand experience of big cats
Having lived in East Gippsland for many years, particularly near Binginwarri, it was known many, many years ago that people in the Primary Industries Department or Lands Department had solid evidence of big cats even back in the 1960s. Some department people even thought it was a good idea to have a large carnivore to even out the ’roo population. This was known by many farmers in the area.
The big cat problem has been around in that district for 40 to 50 years, mainly around Hiawatha, Madalya, Jeeralang and Tarra Valley region. It is not new news, but there are many in that district who will not say a word for fear of ridicule.
Having firsthand experience of the problem, I understand the department’s known damn well what is evolving and breeding in the remote areas of the Australian Highlands, but do not want to start a panic of thousands of hunters out there to bag a big cat.
My hunting these days is limited to a few pigs in the Top End.
Thanks for a top mag.
Andrew, via email

May 2008

A budding writer
Young Matthew Vshivkoff from NSW recently sent us these books he created. Titled The Deer Hunter and The Deer Hunter 2, the stories are about a young boy who goes out deer and feral animal hunting with his father. Matthew wrote and illustrated these books himself and in his letter, said he couldn’t wait until he was 12 years of age so he could get a minors hunting licence. It looks like we have a future Australian Shooter writer in the making!

‘Too big to be feral’ response
I have read the article ‘Too Big to be Feral’ in the November Australian Shooter. The farmers in Victoria have the same problem with government departments as our farmers do here in WA. It will only be when someone takes them a big cat, alive I hope, and lets it loose in their ‘ivory towers’, that they will stop calling our farmers fools.
We have had the same problem in the west with the DPI and we have had big cat sightings since WWII, when my late uncle reported seeing big cats stalking the same ’roo he was after on the Wandoo Flats at Bowelling east of Collie.
I have a scrapbook full of cuttings, some photos taken by my father and a plaster cast of a cat spore about 50mm across.
There was a book written about the cat sighting in the south-west of WA called Savage Shadows. It was written by a reporter with a WA newspaper that spent time in the area.
KR Hamilton, WA

‘Nothing stings like a Hornet’ response
I excitedly turned to page 61 of December’s Australian Shooter to read about the mighty Hornet. But there was no mention of my pride and joy - the Sportco .22 centrefire Hornet. I bought this rifle with all I had as a young bank officer relieving on my first trip to the bush in Denman in 1959. It was, and still is, an accurate rifle for small game.
My, how attitudes have changed in recent years when I think back to what I used to do when relieving all over NSW in the 1960s. I had no car, caught a train everywhere with my port in one hand and my Sportco in a canvas cover over the shoulder, through Sydney’s Central Station out west or up to the Northern Tablelands and no-one blinked an eyelid. To me it was like a fisherman having a fishing rod. Could you imagine such a situation in today’s anti-gun climate?
Society is being engineered to hate guns and yet those same anti-gun lobbyists want men and women to suddenly have an affinity with guns, join the Australian Forces and Police and Security to protect them.
Ken Roper, NSW

Reprehensible behaviour
Once again our ‘unbiased’ newspapers display their true colors. The West Australian newspaper’s treatment of Adriana Talajic (December 2007 Australian Shooter) can only be described as child abuse. To denigrate a young person’s character like this is truly reprehensible. No-one would blame Adriana if she left the sport in disgust; instead, she chooses to fight on for the sport she loves, which is the best way of showing her true feelings for these people who try to use her for the sale of more papers. We are proud of you, Adriana; we need more people like you.
Ivan Vellnagel, Qld

April 2008

SSAA memories and help needed
My name is Colleen Dunk (nee Matthew). My father, Colin Matthew, was one of the founding members of SSAA South Australia. For many years, my dad was captain of the Shotgun section and always used to do clay pigeon shooting, as well as pistol shooting. I’m not sure if anyone would know these days, but Dad donated the original clubrooms, totally out of his own pocket, to set up the Golden Grove range. This was in about 1968 or 1969 when we moved from McHarg’s Creek up to Golden Grove and when the club had no money or assets.
Back then, in the late 1960s, ‘Uncle’ Les Tomkins looked after us kids who came to the range with our dad. He was captain of the Air Rifle section and was very strict in teaching all the kids the responsible use of firearms.
I can clearly remember too the thrill of being given my very own air rifle for my 12th birthday - I could finally use my own rifle at the club! It might not be a big deal to the young members now because of parents having more money than they did back then, but being given your own air rifle as a 12-year-old back in the 1960s was a very big honour and it meant you were a trusted and valued member of your dad’s club. Prior to the Golden Grove range opening, I spent many happy times as a child at our original range at McHarg’s Creek.
Unfortunately, my darling dad passed away a few years ago at the age of 85. I was very pleased to have honoured Dad’s wishes and to have his coffin carried out of the church with his shooting jacket on top of it. The jacket bore the club emblem on it. He loved the club so much and was so pleased that it was a very big part of his life for many years.
All of Dad’s closest mates from the range who I considered as uncles and who I would have normally asked questions of, have also passed on. As such, I have no-one else to ask these questions to and I know Dad would expect me to look to his old club for advice.
As far as I know, George Francis, Bill Hambly-Clark (Wild Bill, who owned the firearms shop in the East End of Rundle Street at the time), Uncle Les Tomkins, Gil Hartwig and Jarvis Langford, who were my dad’s best mates from the club from early days back in McHarg’s Creek and later at Golden Grove, have all passed on.
In Dad’s later years, he and a group of mates from the club used to go regularly to a certain property in the Flinders Ranges for goat shooting trips. Some of the prize possessions in my house these days are the goat-skin rugs that Dad preserved and tanned himself for me.
Now, getting to my actual question. Since Dad passed away, I have become a cat owner and unfortunately, our new kitten has had some waterworks accidents on these goat-skins rugs. I need ideas for cleaning them. I know Dad drummed into me that if the rugs ever got wet that there was a special way of cleaning them and making sure that they remained as soft and supple as when originally done, but I can’t remember what his exact instructions were.
I would sincerely appreciate if someone could contact me via the email address below with specific instructions as to how to clean the goat-skin rugs to get rid of the smell and also retain the soft and supple effect of the original tanning process.
By the way, if any of the old blokes from the late 1960s are still involved with the club, can remember me or Dad and would like to talk to me, please email me too. I expect anyone still left would be in their late 80s or early 90s by now though.
Colleen Dunk, SA
cdunk@ozemail.com.au
Editor’s note: We’re happy to report that Gil Hartwig is alive and well and was the recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in 2007.

Japanese guns
When I received the December 2007 copy of Australian Shooter, the first and most important thing to do for that morning was read! Something that caught my eye immediately on page 46 with the Kizlyar knife was the piece of machinery against which it was resting. If my old and semi-blind eyes do not deceive me, that slightly rusted but well-polished piece of machinery is the receiver of a 6.5 Type 96 or a 7.7mm Type 99 Japanese LMG; both were similar in most respects, with the Type 99 having a number of improvements regarding reliability.
The Type 96 had major problems with extraction due to a number of facts and once in a locked bolt positive, turned into a liability for a time - just as well for our side. Both models, however, were very accurate and well-made and it’s been many years since I have had the pleasure of seeing a photo of one.
Tony Smith, SA

March 2008

Support our ranges
Following the SSAA initiative by our National President Bob Green to sign up junior members, I have signed up my five grandchildren to do my bit. I did ask both the children and their parents beforehand and all were rather enthusiastic about it. I will be getting them a Juniors Permit as soon as they want one. I think, as soon as they receive their own Shooter magazine, they may well be on the road.
On a different note, SSAA Illawarra Branch, with in excess of 1000 members, has been battling on without a range for quite a number of years. With help from SSAA NSW, we are engaging in an ambitious program to construct an indoor rifle and pistol range, as there is simply no land available in the Illawarra for an open air range.
We have Wollongong City Council Development approval in place. The land is owned by Wollongong City Council. We hope to be able to negotiate a 50-year lease, which should be in place soon.
We have a forward-looking committee and believe that we will be pioneering a new concept to bring firearms ranges to the people rather than the other way around. We believe that many of the 8000-odd firearm licence holders in Illawarra not yet with the SSAA will become SSAA members once we are operational. It will take a lot of money to complete our facility.
Pardon for quoting the words of Dr Martin Luther King, but “I have a dream”. We have in excess of 100,000 members nationally. We are the premier shooting organisation in this wonderful country. Just think for a moment what we can achieve if we put our collective heart into it. If we can average only $2 per member, we’ll raise $200,000. Perhaps we could once or twice a year make such a collection for other range developments anywhere in the country. I would personally give $50 for any such development anywhere it could happen. I know many members would not be interested, but even if only half the members support such an initiative with $5, the result will be the same. Can we count on your support?
Alois ‘Ali’ Ambs, President SSAA Illawarra Branch, NSW
Editor’s note: Ranges and range development are the responsibility of individual state and territory SSAA organisations. Feel free to donate directly to your state SSAA and let them know you would like the money to be spent on ranges.

SSAA Merchandise
Being from the north-west of WA, I’m used to very warm weather, so recently my wife and I did a trip to Victoria and Tasmania. I made sure I packed and wore my SSAA outdoors vest. I bought it because it was very reasonably priced and was very warm and comfortable to wear.
The SSAA logo was also a great way to meet like-minded people just about everywhere we stopped. From the hotels we stayed in, to the airport explosives tester asking where we were from and what type of shooting I do (shotguns and loving it), to enjoying conversations with total strangers. We enjoyed our trip very much because of the warm and friendly greetings we got from people who were enthusiastic to talk about their shooting disciplines.
On a different subject, I get a great buzz showing people a pic I sent in to the magazine for the photo contest some months ago. That pic still shows up from time to time for different reasons.
Thanks for the fine read every month. I read from cover to cover then go back and reread anything on shotguns and all the disciplines.
Kevin Wollington, WA

SSAA Tilterweira Station
Having just returned from a hunting trip to Tilterweira Station I must say ‘job well done!’ Tilterweira is an asset to the SSAA and all its members, hunters and non-hunters alike. It gives guests a picture of what life is like ‘back of Bourke’, literally.
My brother travelled from Mackay in Queensland, my father from Wollongong and myself from Sydney to hunt on the property and we will be back next year. The lure of the big-sky country and the chance of seeing all forms of wildlife, from camels to fledgling wedgetails, and possibly the bonus of a trophy billy (I won’t tell you how big), is enough to inspire any hunter.
Thanks SSAA. If that is where my membership money is going, I say more of it!
Brian Herbert, SSAA Member for life, via email

February 2008

SSAA Silverdale Range
I regularly shoot centrefire rifles, revolver and shotgun at the SSAA Silverdale Range and it is my pleasure to state the following facts: I find all range staff very helpful, considerate and highly enthusiastic towards all range usage and their obvious hands-on experience is encouraging to all who seek their advice. The staff also display a highly observant nature and range safety regulations are applied diligently. They are an asset to the longevity of shooting and may they long prevail.
John Tate (former police-accredited firearms instructor 1997-2003)

Nominate a good firearms officer
I recently added a .22 handgun to my firearm collection. Nothing special there, I hear you say; well there was. I was sufficiently impressed with the professionalism, helpfulness and general cheerfulness of the firearms officer at my local police station in Joondalup that I nominated him for Police Officer of the Year Award here in WA. This is the fourth firearm he has assisted me with and he has been consistently excellent.
Why am I telling you this? Because I know folk at my gun club who have had terrible experiences. My hope is that if you, like me, have had a great experience, you will nominate your firearms officer too. I think we should recognise and celebrate our police who are helpful, professional and courteous. It will encourage them to stay that way, which is great for our sport. You can pick up a leaflet to nominate your local officer at their police station or go online to your state or territory police website. Go on, do us all a favour; nominate a good officer to encourage the rest.
Malcolm Jenkinson, WA

Martini rifles
As a Martini fan of some 45 years’ since I acquired my first Martini-Henry .450 made for the Orange Free State in 1895, any article on Martinis, be they .450 or .303, is guaranteed to catch my eye. I have some 17 rifles, almost all different in some way from others in my collection.
There was a lot more than put a .303 barrel and fiddle with the extractor done to the old .450 to make it work properly. The extractor had to be made newer and stronger, not just fiddled with. When they fired the .303 cartridge with the original block, the higher pressure generated by the .303 cartridge blew the primers out of the case, as the Martini .450 firing pin and the firing pin hole were thick enough to allow this to happen.
At first, the ordnance people in England fitted the conversions with a totally new breech block with a finer firing pin and smaller hole in the face of the block. These are easily identified, as they have a narrow cartridge guide on the top of the block. These are usually found on rifles converted around 1895. All the later conversions 1899/1900 have used the old block, but have cut a dovetail in the face of the .450 block and fitted a new firing pin hole into the dovetail and secured it with a lock screw. You will have to remove the block to see what they have done. They then refitted the firing pin ground down to fire the cartridge through the smaller hole in the face of the block. This meant that the old block could be used again and the cartridge guide was not critical anyway.
Our Western Australian Martini-Metfords had a completely new block, as they were new-made arms. But my South Australian Martini-Metford has the modified .450 block. I also have a Martini-Metford Artillery Carbine, which was a new-made arm. It has the .303 block with the narrow cartridge guide. A Victorian .303 has the modified block and my Western Australian Martini-Enfield has the modified block and the Lee-Metford’s nose cap to take the Pattern 1888 bayonet - the same as our WA and SA Martini-Metfords had.
All my 303s fire very well and with my loaded-down reloads give excellent accuracy out to 200 yards. I wouldn’t guarantee their accuracy beyond this range due to bullet drop over the longer range. Many of our Martini-Enfields went to South Africa with our WA Mounted Infantry, but the British Army issued Lee-Enfields to them and issued our Martinis to wagon drivers and second-line troops. They have occasionally turned up there. One of our Martini-Metford rifles was issued to a black wagon driver, who retained it for many years until bought by a white South African, who now lives in Sydney.
I don’t have an Afghan copy of the .303, but I have seen one with the Lee-Enfield fore-end in the Police Armoury here. I have a Martini-Henry .450 made in Afghanistan; its barrel is 0.9mm smaller than the .450, but it chambers the cartridge okay. The barrel is so small you can’t get a .450 cleaning rod down the barrel. It would have been pretty lively to shoot with .450 ammo.
It was a great article by Royce Wilson [in the August Australian Shooter] and we should have a few more to make our collecting friends more aware.
Malcolm Higham, WA