The issue is it would be cheaper to keep it than replace it and that cost has already been deemed too much.
Any replacement would end up on the same contract style terms as the L81 anyway and likely be more expensive when you factor in procurement and fielding costs.
Does this mean that the MoD will stop using .22RF indoor ranges or at least the maintaining them?
This could lead to a lot of rifle clubs loosing their ranges.
Probably try and use them as air rifle ranges instead.
Unfortunately, i know of some squadrons with tube ranges, so unsuitable for air rifle.
Is there also scope for every RAC to get a locker and an air rifle range?
No details on an uplift project yet.
Does this mean that the MoD will stop using .22RF indoor ranges or at least the maintaining them?
This could lead to a lot of rifle clubs losing their ranges.
This opens a can of worms.
First of all, it appears clear that RAFC intends to end provision and support for smallbore and fullbore shooting that would be covered under Section 1 (S1) of the Firearms Act (The Act) whilst continuing to provide shooting with S5 firearms. Access to S5 is more strictly controlled than S1 and hence opportunities to shoot will be more limited.
In addition, as there is no “sport” element of S5 outwith the confines of military control this raises (yet again) the issue of training child soldiers. I don’t believe it’s the case, but it will have to be addressed.
Now, onto the specific points raised. If there are no issued firearms suitable for use on a .22RF indoor range then there is no requirement for the facility. I have little doubt an accountant somewhere looked at the Annual Range Maintenance Costs figure and promptly added it to the savings made by disestablishing smallbore shooting. I wonder whether the cost of dismantling and cleaning was considered? Full lead decontamination would have to be carried out before it could be released without restrictions. Given the construction of most ranges, the ventilation system would still have to be provided and maintained. Those savings are getting a bit smaller.
As far as rifle clubs users are concerned, they fall into 2 categories:
There aren’t many clubs that only use a MoD indoor range, whether they be at cadet centres or the former TA centres. They tend to be one night per week and with fairly small membership. The most likely outcome is that they would close with at least some members joining neighbouring clubs.
School ranges are more complicated, they are built on land owned by the school and the building belongs to the land owner. If MoD withdraws support, it will fall upon the school to replace the funding to keep the facility in operation. Given the financial pressures private schools are coming under, they will be reluctant to support anything that does not pay its way. Therefore clubs using these ranges could be asked to pay considerably more for the privilege in future.
Next to be considered is the status of Locally Purchased Weapons Firearms (LPWF). This is what the Home Office Guidance has to say:
17.47 Cadets are regarded as Crown Servants for the purposes of the Firearms Acts and are exempt from the requirement to possess a firearm certificate when shooting as a member of the corps. Furthermore, firearms may be acquired for the corps by a responsible officer duly authorised in writing by the unit’s commanding officer without the need for a firearm certificate (section 54(2)(a) of the 1968 Act).
It would appear that this provision is intended to allow acquisition of firearms to augment or fulfil a service requirement and thus provides “lawful authority”. If there is no longer MoD support for smallbore shooting; or for that matter fullbore TR; then the application of S54(2)(a) of The Act needs to be re-examined. The service authority no longer provides any of the wherewithal or the approved facility. The Cadet Forces would now seem to be in the same category as the Scouts with regard to the provision of shooting. The Scout Association has up to now relied upon S11(4) of The Act; miniature rifle ranges; to carry out their activities. However recent legislation will make it a requirement for S11(4) operators to hold a Firearm Certificate although the details of how will be applied have not been published. It would not surprise me in the least were the scouts to demand to be treated similarly to cadet units as the conduct and availability of smallbore shooting would in many ways be analogous.
To utilise any S1 firearms held and retained or acquired would still require a suitable range on which to use them. With MoD ranges disestablished; school ranges may still operate; where would the facilities be found. Conceivably units could take responsibility upon themselves to operate existing facilities but I fear that the bureaucracy involved would be immense. There are local rifle clubs, but this sector has been subject to consolidation over the years and many smaller clubs have amalgamated with larger clubs to form more sustainable bodies. Clubs with suitable facilities and spare capacity for a “lodger” might be hard to find. In my own area, the 3 largest clubs; 8-10 point ranges separate airgun range; are already hosting university clubs and would have limited range space. They would also charge commercial rates as these days running a rifle club is an expensive business.
Given that only air and L98 (S5) seems likely to remain one of the suggestions for use of redundant facilities seems pretty good:
Probably try and use them as air rifle ranges instead.
But only worth doing if they were properly equipped and by that I mean Electronic Scored Targets (EST) at 10m with adjustable height for 3P. Not as expensive as you might think, £10-12K for a 4 lane system is achievable. Teenagers are now used to a completely digital environment, this is the kind of thing they expect and it greatly increases the level of engagement. Visit a rifle club with EST and you’ll find the live screen in the club room getting attention.
FWIW As a cadet I learned to shoot, made the Cadet 100 at Bisley at 15, went solo in a glider at 16, gained a PPL via a Flying Scholarship at 17, went on IACE and had a 40 year RAF and civil flying career. Along the way won the RAF Smallbore Championship, was Captain of the RAF Smallbore Team, shot for Combined Services and won a few county and regional championships. Most of what I gained from being a cadet seems to have been lost.
exmpa
Where do places like Jersey and Guernsey fit in as their firearms laws are different to mainland UK. People there can hold a more diverse weapons range and talking to a local last year, even Barret light 50s can held.
The days of an SLR with the .22 H&K conversion kit are sadly long gone, fantastic on a small bore range.
We’ve just posted an update on shooting as an MSBN, will be something in the weekly news release as well.
Just had a read though. As much as I don’t like the direction of travel, it’s nice to have a proper comms bit more to explain it all. I syill disagree with this disjointed IBN vs MSBN vs LBN etc etc, but that’s a seperate fight.
Also, very good to hear there is a proper buisiness case to go with this to increase access to AR shooting. That buy in if it is phased well should help ease those annoyed at the loss of small bore.
What’s an MSBN and where do they get posted?
What capacity with DCCTs are we talking?
Using ones at locations, or “issuing” ones out to regional/wing centres?
So disappointing to read this, and it really screams lack of ambition and acceptance of managed decline.
What news for people with LPWs? What about Shotguns?
Yep, it certainly is. No effective target rifle shooting with live ammo at all. How on earth can CCRS can pull a rescue plan out of the hat, I do not know. No good having a pool of rifles, as ongoing practice is essential _ & cost involved too. If I could find them, I’d burn my 3 (or was it 4?) Cadet Hundred badges in disgust. 
In practical terms, higher level / elite cadet team selection & onward moves to GB teams / Athelings will be next to impossible & / or require significant logistics efforts.
The overall future of target rifle shooting in the UK very much relies on cadet throughput, then some of them taking up the sport in higher education such as university & then continuing on in adult life.
Increase of air rifle-equipped sqns from 290 to 700… Thats’ 310 more.
Yeah right. How are all the RCOs (on sqns without existing ranges) going to get qualified? Whilst some sqns will have existing ranges (associated admin load), the Wg Shoot Os will be swamped with RSDs / SME event approvals.
Costs? BSA Price matrix
Two rifles + pump + backstop + delivery = just under £1.5K = £465K overall.
Let’s go the Scout route for AR shooting then. Simple learning / trg for “RCOs” (one day or less) - & bin RSDs!!
Military Skills Briefing Note
Found on the Shooting Portal
I dont follow.
If RCOs are going to another range, its the same RSD approval process and the same SMS process… or are you saying they are currently running AR ranges, without them being on SMS and approved?
Great having ARs and even TS25 ranges, but people have to use them.
I know of at least one skillie who won’t use the quals on an AR, they will only do full bore stuff. That is not acceptable, oh yes, they rarely get involved at Wing shoots.
So what is the point of getting weapons of any calibre if staff only do what they want to do, not for the benefit of the cadets 
Reduction in DPs. Why?
A lot of worn stock and we can’t get parts as they were A1s convered to DP. Also not a need for as much stock now they aren’t out on units.
If the offering is to equip many more sqns with AR, I suspect that a lot of them won’t have a range / RCO. That will require a lot of trg. Also, even if some of the sqns have an existing range (& file RSDs / approval as per normal), inevitably, there will be a huge increase in the number of RSDs / approvals for those sqns “newly equipped.” That will be a significant approval burden for Wg Shoot Os.
The next elephant in the room will be the proposed OOS date for the L98A2…