About Us

Shanklin Rifle and Pistol Club is the largest premier shooting club on the Isle of Wight. It was formed as a target shooting club in 1903.

The aim of the Club is to promote safe, responsible and legal use of firearms for target shooting. To bring together people with an interest in the many target shooting disciplines. Provide facilities for the individual to receive advice, coaching, shooting practice and to compete against others at all levels (Novice to International).

The Club has affiliation to a number of shooting organisations. Including National Small-bore Rifle Association, National Rifle Association, UKPSA and the Isle of Wight Target Shooting Association. These associations run shooting competitions, training and accreditation schemes for member clubs. The club has a number of Range Conducting Officers and Licensed Instructors who oversee the range conduct, coaching standards and competition shooting. The club has also adopted and abides by, the National Small-bore Rifle Association’s Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults in Target Shooting policy.

From 1903 many types of shooting have been part of its activities, including the following:

• Air rifle & air pistol precision target shooting
• Air pistol timed target shooting
• .22 Rifle & pistol precision target shooting
• Centre-fire rifle precision target shooting
• Centre-fire Pistol shooting disciplines
• .22 and Centre-fire Sporting rifle disciplines.
• Practical shotgun

Due to legislation the only Pistol shooting now allowed by civilians in the UK is Air pistol, Longarm pistol and Muzzle Loading pistol.

The Club has a purpose built indoor facility, with a standard distance of 25 yards for smallbore and a 10m air set up, incorporating Electronic target systems. The indoor range has a toilet and a reasonably well heated social area. We have a small kitchen with tea and coffee making facilities. There is plenty of parking.

We also have an outdoor range, which is on land rented to us for this purpose at a central location on the Island. It has a 10 lane 25m range with turning targets and a covered firing point. It also has a 12 lane 50yd, 50m and 100yd range with a covered firing point. Again parking on site and a toilet is available.

The Club is a registered charity, and completely owns the club premises. The administration of it is carried out by officers and a committee, who are elected annually at the AGM. The range is run on a day to day basis by voluntary Range Officers. The Club is not a commercial enterprise and is not run on a ‘for profit’ basis, all surplus left over after paying our bills is re-invested into the club.

When You First Visit The Range

There will be an initial tour of the ranges, a safety talk and then an introduction to shooting. Once the application form has been completed an initial training session will be given. When satisfactory standards are attained, other types of shooting can then be undertaken. Each type of shooting requires safety and handling checks by Coaches or Committee members.

In order for the club to comply with various laws (Firearms Act, Children’s Act etc.) If you are a Junior (under 18) you will have to be accompanied by one of your parents or another nominated responsible adult who is over 21, this is during your whole time on the range.

What does the Club do?

Precision .22, using single-shot rifle’s and carried out to both national and international rules, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 19:00 to 21:30 (winter season only), Tuesdays and Wednesdays (summer season only) from 15:00 to dusk at our outside range) and . We cover prone and also 3P for any members that wish to partake. You will be loaned a suitable .22 rifle equipped with aperture sights to begin with, but will be expected to get your FAC and your own rifle once you become a full member. No air guns or multi-shot guns can be used on these nights. You will eventually want to get your own gun, so you will need to apply for a Firearms Certificate and comply with the security requirements for storage specified by the local police.

Sporting Rifle shooting, using all calibres and types of gun, both rifle and pistol. Guns used range from airguns, to unlimited calibre muzzle loaders; these are shot on, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 19:30 to 21:30 (indoors) and Fridays (outdoors) 13:00 to 17:00 & Sundays (outdoors) from 09:00 to 13:00. As a visitor you will be loaned a club .22 rim fire, multi-shot carbine, which usually will be equipped with telescopic sights. You will eventually want to get your own gun, so you will need to apply for a Firearms Certificate and comply with the security requirements for storage specified by the local police.

Precision Airgun shooting, using 4.5 mm (.177) single-shot guns (both rifle and pistol), from 19:30 to 21:30 on Mondays and Saturday afternoon from 1-4pm. You will be loaned a suitable air rifle or air pistol but please note that only 4.5 mm (.177) airguns are allowed on the 10 metre & 6 metre airgun ranges. We only shoot at paper scoring target, this is a serious and precise discipline, not at all what many people imagine. Both air rifle and air pistol are Olympic Sports and they demand great skill and considerable practice to do well. Airguns used in this type of shooting do not require the possession of a Firearms Certificate and do not have any special storage conditions, or police involvement. However there still are some conditions on their storage. See our UK Gun Law page for more information.

Besides coaching and practice in the great range of target shooting disciplines, members take part in many competitions that range from Club competitions to National and International events. Have a look at the some of the shooting that can be done as a member of the Shanklin Rifle and Pistol Club:

Other Events

Some members shoot at many locations around the country and in other countries too.
The international events where some of our members were/will be shooting:

Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010 and Scotland 2014)

• .22 ISSF 50m 3p
• .177 Air rifle and air pistol

Island Games (Finland 2009, Isle of Wight 2011, Bermuda 2013, Jersey 2015, Gotland 2017, Gibraltar 2019)

• Air Pistol 10m
• Air Rifle 10m
• .22 ISSF Prone Rifle 50m
• .22 ISSF 3P Rifle 50m
• .22 Free Pistol
• CF Pistol
• Rapid Fire Pistol
• CF ISSF 300m Rifle

Click here for more information on the Island Games