New members uptake of BBS

[oldskoolzzz]

I think it’s more a forum thing when it comes to youngsters in the hobby.

For eg my eldest son now in his early 20’s still has a passing interest in the hobby and owns a few air pistols and even a 1931 Diana 25 which he loves.

Yes his interests are the other usual routes and obviously being a console and tech generation that will always be his realm but I’ve never heard him mention any forums not even gaming or other interest related so perhaps that generation just aren’t interested with chewing the fat with grumpy old gits on ancient bulletin boards

Quite rare perhaps that my eldest prefers older stuff especially rocking a 1931 break barrel and he’s very much into his history and that does give me a raised smile and Hope that certain airguns are of interest.

I did the usual stuff when he was in his early teens eg introduced him to my club and taught him safe handling etc other club members were very good with him and one chap even kindly gave him a shooting jacket (casual jacket) and although he did a few visits I could see the club environment wasn’t really his cuppa but he still likes a garden/garage session on occasion.

He’s always interested when I get another new to me rifle or pistol through the door but usually takes the pee as he knows that dad has a revolving door

[gsxrman]

I think it’s more a forum thing when it comes to youngsters in the hobby.

For eg my eldest son now in his early 20’s still has a passing interest in the hobby and owns a few air pistols and even a 1931 Diana 25 which he loves.

Yes his interests are the other usual routes and obviously being a console and tech generation that will always be his realm but I’ve never heard him mention any forums not even gaming or other interest related so perhaps that generation just aren’t interested with chewing the fat with grumpy old gits on ancient bulletin boards

Quite rare perhaps that my eldest prefers older stuff especially rocking a 1931 break barrel and he’s very much into his history and that does give me a raised smile and Hope that certain airguns are of interest.

I did the usual stuff when he was in his early teens eg introduced him to my club and taught him safe handling etc other club members were very good with him and one chap even kindly gave him a shooting jacket (casual jacket) and although he did a few visits I could see the club environment wasn’t really his cuppa but he still likes a garden/garage session on occasion.

He’s always interested when I get another new to me rifle or pistol through the door but usually takes the pee as he knows that dad has a revolving door

I agree with this, I believe it is a format thing.
I am happy, for instance to reply to a thread or generate a new one and wait..... or check responses later.
kids now want instant info, and they get it through most social media, but a forum is slow.
My son (14) and his mate both love shooting when we take them and he is itching for his own rifle.

[MartynB]

"While of course there are a huge number of competing interests for kids these days"



More like Faceache, TikTok and video games; anything that requires minimal conscious thought

It was a different time back then, tech didn't exist like that, we were using BBC and Acorn PC's

[BigDuncs]

I saw 4 teenagers yesterday come into the cafe where I was and were pleased to see each other after school. After the pleasantries, they ordered their coffees, whipped out their phones and spent the next 45 minutes staring at the screens. I don't think one word was said between all 4 of them in that time!

Judging by my kids, now young adults, they don't watch news on TV, they don't chat on the phone (much), they spend little time on laptops/forums, less time on Facebook, and no time reading magazines or newspapers. They don't organise evenings out until they're about to leave the house when they then decide a venue and seem to have a very 'mobile' social life in both senses of the word (ie fluid and their use of mobile phones). And yet they're well informed of current affairs and things that are of importance to them.

Works well for them but trying to organise family get-togethers are a nightmare, trying to pin them down to specific times and dates!

[Dave2345678]

Hence my signature you can't even have a laugh on here without some snowflake or 2 calling you a sexist or misogynist

Your damn right buddy.
I think in the end everyone got sick and tired of it. Even the snowflakes deep down. Some of em at least. I hope. So tired of it and found somewhere else to go play.

[derekm]

It was a different time back then, tech didn't exist like that, we were using BBC and Acorn PC's

Sure the tech didn't exist then, but attitudes were different too. Today it's headlines, soundbites and instant amusement/gratification. In days gone by youngsters were more in depth with their hobbies. Do many kids have real hobbies at all nowadays? People even take their pushbikes to be serviced FFS!

[Barryg]

Even if individuals don't think it deep down, they will still voice a woke PC opinion as it fits in with the general trend and looking a goody two shoes with the rest of the clan.

I can remember this old experiment; do you think that it explains what you are saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA

It's a bit scary the way some people conform

[robs5230]

I've discussed this very subject, with a long term shooting friend, of around 40 years

We are "of an age" now.
We've seen the heyday of airgun development and also the stagnation, in terms of springers

At some point we dinosaurs, will fall off our perches and the younger generations, will see little value in our treasures

I reckon the forum demographic, will accurately represent this.

[gsxrman]

Some good points but newer or younger shooters should be taught that the weakest link in the chain is the shooter.
The vast majority of quality rifles will out shoot the shooter. Good kit is good enough. A standard TX200 is capable of accuracy good enough to clear any HFT/FT course.
I remember watching Paul Wilson (Stock Guru) turn up at our FT club in Bilsdale North Yorkshire (NEFTA) with a standard AA400 with a 10x Mag scope and cleared all 30 targets on a fully challenging FT course.
"He" beat ex world and European champions including the current World Champ at the time and you can imagine what rigs they had.
Generally we miss because we do something wrong, like explained in other replies, with trigger tech etc. Most FT/HFT misses are down to mis judgement and not the kit. Miss judgement of range or wind drift etc.
A rig that can produce a 2mm smaller group than yours is pointless in the hands of someone with less ability.
How many golfers buy expensive clubs and balls yet still have a handicap in double figures?
Proper technique is key, and it is amazing fun to kick the arse of people who spend thousands but cant shoot when it counts.

[derekm]

I can remember this old experiment; do you think that it explains what you are saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA

It's a bit scary the way some people conform

That's more than scary!

[keith66]

I grew up in Benfleet, we lived on the edge of what is now Hadleigh country park. At that time it was part of the local farm & as kids most of us would help out up the farm, herding cattle, helping with the harvest etc. In return my Dad & i were allowed to shoot there. Pigeon & rabbits by the hundreds & wildfowliing on the marshes in the winter. Most of my friends had air rifles. I look back now & realise i had a really enviable upbringing.
I joined a local wildfowling club for some years then the other which im still in. At last weeks club meeting the youngest bloke there was 50 with most much older.
Kids are not coming into clubs, Its not just shooting its clubs in general.
I am a member of a local yacht club & its the same we get cadets in at 8 years old, they discover boys & girls go to college then uni, 90% dont come back.
Retention is dreadful.
Old people running clubs dont like change & often sit on committee way past their sell by date, obstinately crushing any new ideas because A They didnt think of them, & B It will upset their cosy little world!

Forums are no different, Fb groups killed many off because they are geared to instant gratification via mobile phone, Forums are now old fashioned, Gaming has an impact too, but they will be socialising with others while they are gaming. It often fills their lives until there simply isnt time for anything else.

[Dornfelderliebe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA
Well well well Wokeism explained.

[vestlenning]

Glad I was young back when ...

[MartynB]

Glad I was young back when ...

I think those of us of a certain age...

[gsxrman]

Glad I was young back when ...

Isn't that just every generation thinking theirs was/is the best!!!