About Us
The 49th Rifle and Pistol Club
We are a well-established shooting club with a rich history and a commitment to providing exceptional training and facilities for all target shooting enthusiasts.
The 49th actively encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, emphasising inclusivity and equal opportunity. Regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs, sex, or disability, the club welcomes responsible individuals who demonstrate a commitment to safety and respect for others.
Whether you are a newcomer seeking to develop your shooting skills or a seasoned marksman looking to refine your techniques, our club offers a supportive environment for all skill levels.
Our member-led training programs are designed to instill proper safety protocols, enhance marksmanship abilities, and foster a sense of camaraderie among members.
For an annual subscription fee upon completion of our mandatory training course, our club members can enjoy rifle shooting, with full-bore shooting days arranged at Bisley, and small-bore shooting available in both A and B Ranges. We also specialise in Black Powder pistols and rifles every other Saturday in B range.
We also welcome club members to bring their own air rifles.
The 49th Rifle and Pistol Club is affiliated with the National Rifle Association (NRA Ref: XXX).
www.nra.org.uk
These provide access for our members to national competitions (individual entry fees apply)
Home Office Registration: 000000000
The 49th Rifle and Pistol Club was established on May 1, 1945, as part of the 49th Warwickshire Home Guard Old Comrades Association, with an annual subscription fee of 5/- (25p). Initially, the club focused solely on rifle shooting, with full-bore shooting at Kingsbury (as it still does today) and small-bore shooting at the Thorpe Street Range.
In 1949, the club relocated its small-bore shooting activities from Thorpe Street to the range at King Edward High School, where it remained until moving to its current location in 1985. The new range, converted from an old public washing baths, is leased from Birmingham Council. At first, with only one range available, specific disciplines were allocated dedicated time slots each week. The completion of a second range in 1990 allowed more members to shoot simultaneously and facilitated coaching, competitions, and practice sessions without disrupting regular shooting activities.
During the 1990s, membership grew to over 170, with seven members competing internationally and three securing places for the Sydney Olympics. Unfortunately, no pistol shooters from Great Britain participated due to a ban on all pistols and the withdrawal of funding, attributed to political correctness.
Following the pistol ban, the club invested in black powder pistols and gallery rifles. Membership is gradually increasing as people become aware of these new disciplines. Time is still allocated for specific disciplines on ‘A’ range, while ‘B’ range is used for general shooting concurrently.
(Thanks to C. Lungmuss for the information on the early days.)