One of the reviews I have always thought needed doing here in Englandshire as well as the rest of the country is a gun shop or field sports shop review in each area. Well there maybe more than one in an area so I will do my best to cover them all or get some of you to send in your reviews of your local gun shop’s. This should benefit us all and allow your fellow hunting/fishing shooting or field sports enthusiasts to see what is around and go visit them there selves.
Now you may say if they are local then they will know the gun shops , but what about people who have newly move to an area or maybe visiting family, friends or on holiday and need some supplies?
Well where better to start than one of my own local gun shops here in my beloved North Somerset and a shop I have been associated with my entire life. The shop in question is of course Newavon Arms (The Bristol Gun Shop as they call themselves) a shop steeped in tradition for us North Somerset field sports folk.
Now you may say if they are local then they will know the gun shops , but what about people who have newly move to an area or maybe visiting family, friends or on holiday and need some supplies?
Well where better to start than one of my own local gun shops here in my beloved North Somerset and a shop I have been associated with my entire life. The shop in question is of course Newavon Arms (The Bristol Gun Shop as they call themselves) a shop steeped in tradition for us North Somerset field sports folk.
I just don’t know where to start? I first went into this wonderful gun shop with my Pappy(granddad) Dad and my uncle Dave (a local farmer/gamekeeper) when I was just a small boy. The shop first opened in a part of South Bristol called Bedminster and the shop back then is not all that different to today. However in recent years the new owner Richard has moved the shop to the sleepy Village of Pill set just off of the banks of the majestic River Avon just outside of the city Bristol.
Back in those early days I used to look forward to my trip to the gun shop as it meant we would be going shooting the following weekend. I remember the smell of pipe smoke from Old John god rest his soul who always used to give me a minto from his pocket if he saw me coming in. I remember the smell of wood leather guns .cartridges and a Christmas list I could only wish for as Young Hedge Creeper at the time. My Pappy always said one day son you can have that gun when your big enough. He was referring to an 8 bore hammer gun that I fell in love with that was mounted in a lovely glass fronted cabinet. It was to me a cannon that I could go after those magical ghost riders the wild geese I always dreamed of as a boy and well still dream of today when I hear that ghostly echo in my sleep especially just before wildfowling season starts.
Well the new and modern Newavon Arms although in a new location still has these old time memories for me. As soon as I walk into the shop I am transported back all those years to a young boy again. You see that shop has always been an Aladdin’s cave for the field sports enthusiast it matters not whether you are a ferreting man, a deer stalker a wildfowler, a pigeon shooter or a driven game man there is something for everyone in this shop. I just found a friend a Damascus side by side twelve bore tucked away in there. The gun almost jumped out at me it’s a sweet little gun of British craftsmanship that is simply stunning and in pristine condition for a gun well over a 100 years old. That’s the sort of thing you just don’t find anywhere else but at Newavon Arms. Like I say it’s an Aladdin’s cave and indeed I have found so many rare gems in there over the years whether it be guns or something else field sports related.
Back in those early days I used to look forward to my trip to the gun shop as it meant we would be going shooting the following weekend. I remember the smell of pipe smoke from Old John god rest his soul who always used to give me a minto from his pocket if he saw me coming in. I remember the smell of wood leather guns .cartridges and a Christmas list I could only wish for as Young Hedge Creeper at the time. My Pappy always said one day son you can have that gun when your big enough. He was referring to an 8 bore hammer gun that I fell in love with that was mounted in a lovely glass fronted cabinet. It was to me a cannon that I could go after those magical ghost riders the wild geese I always dreamed of as a boy and well still dream of today when I hear that ghostly echo in my sleep especially just before wildfowling season starts.
Well the new and modern Newavon Arms although in a new location still has these old time memories for me. As soon as I walk into the shop I am transported back all those years to a young boy again. You see that shop has always been an Aladdin’s cave for the field sports enthusiast it matters not whether you are a ferreting man, a deer stalker a wildfowler, a pigeon shooter or a driven game man there is something for everyone in this shop. I just found a friend a Damascus side by side twelve bore tucked away in there. The gun almost jumped out at me it’s a sweet little gun of British craftsmanship that is simply stunning and in pristine condition for a gun well over a 100 years old. That’s the sort of thing you just don’t find anywhere else but at Newavon Arms. Like I say it’s an Aladdin’s cave and indeed I have found so many rare gems in there over the years whether it be guns or something else field sports related.
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The shop itself is now vastly bigger than the original shop in Bristol but still has that small back street gun shop feel with a modern twist. I think this has been balanced out by Richard and his team very well indeed. I could write all day about this shop but you must experience it for yourself. The vast shelves fully stocked with all a country boy could want or need and all at a very reasonable price too. Richard or Matt are always at hand to advise demonstrate or just have a chin Wagg with and you will always be made to feel welcome here with our famous West Country hospitality.
The racks of air rifles from Springer’s to PCPs (pre charged pneumatics) are always well stocked with new and second hand air guns and indeed air pistols too. The big bore rifle section is a hunters or target man’s dream again with new and used guns all in amazing condition and with prices to fit any budget. Boasting a vast scope section to choose from with both new and quality second hand scopes to go with the rifles or air rifles. Then there is the shot gun section with everything from fine quality game guns to clay shooting guns to the budget range and everything in between. You will always find something to fit any taste or budget and you will always know you are getting quality.
The racks of air rifles from Springer’s to PCPs (pre charged pneumatics) are always well stocked with new and second hand air guns and indeed air pistols too. The big bore rifle section is a hunters or target man’s dream again with new and used guns all in amazing condition and with prices to fit any budget. Boasting a vast scope section to choose from with both new and quality second hand scopes to go with the rifles or air rifles. Then there is the shot gun section with everything from fine quality game guns to clay shooting guns to the budget range and everything in between. You will always find something to fit any taste or budget and you will always know you are getting quality.
As for ammo, weather you are a re loader or a black powder man this shop has it all as well as a vast off the shelf stock of everything. You can get anything from air gun pellets right up to big bore bullets. The cartridge selection is vast and you will find it very hard to choose. In addition to the equipment there is a great selection of clothing and is all countryman, woman or young country folk could ask for.
There is also another string to the bow of Newavon Arms. They also have in the shop a hardware store with all you could think of so you can kill two birds with one stone as it were. As I did just the other day I snapped off the key to the gate to one of my conservation areas and did not have a spare for the lock. I had to go to the gun shop to buy some steel cartridges for that very evening’s wildfowling. I was cussing as that key snapping really put me behind but Bowl me over I got a new key cut whilst I was there. So as you can see this really is a handy shop to know.
What I will say if you are a local, here on holiday, visiting friends or just here for the day don’t go away without paying a visit to Newavon Arms what I consider to be The Aladdin’s Cave for all field sports enthusiasts. If you want to find them click on their website: www.newavonarms.co.uk and go in and see for yourself what so many of us West Country Boys and Girls already know. They also have ample parking and good access for right outside the shop.
This review is just my humble opinion and I have not been paid to say any of this. I have written it from the heart. If any other gun shops would like me to come along and write about your shop please drop me line and would only be too happy to pay you a visit.
Please keep the amazing and positive emails and letters coming as we do try to answer you all personally.
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
Aka: Rob Collins
There is also another string to the bow of Newavon Arms. They also have in the shop a hardware store with all you could think of so you can kill two birds with one stone as it were. As I did just the other day I snapped off the key to the gate to one of my conservation areas and did not have a spare for the lock. I had to go to the gun shop to buy some steel cartridges for that very evening’s wildfowling. I was cussing as that key snapping really put me behind but Bowl me over I got a new key cut whilst I was there. So as you can see this really is a handy shop to know.
What I will say if you are a local, here on holiday, visiting friends or just here for the day don’t go away without paying a visit to Newavon Arms what I consider to be The Aladdin’s Cave for all field sports enthusiasts. If you want to find them click on their website: www.newavonarms.co.uk and go in and see for yourself what so many of us West Country Boys and Girls already know. They also have ample parking and good access for right outside the shop.
This review is just my humble opinion and I have not been paid to say any of this. I have written it from the heart. If any other gun shops would like me to come along and write about your shop please drop me line and would only be too happy to pay you a visit.
Please keep the amazing and positive emails and letters coming as we do try to answer you all personally.
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
Aka: Rob Collins
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