Wg Cdr Graham Dunn

The Royal Air Force Rifle Association was founded in 1921 with the object (as expressed at the time) of "promoting interest in small arms shooting for Service purposes by means of individual and collective competitions framed as far as I possible to induce practice in methods which will lead to increased efficiency in these arms"

By 1950, when His Majesty King George VI graciously consented to become patron of what had become the Royal Air Force Small Arms Association (RAFSAA), this object had been broadened to cover "service and sporting purposes". We carry out our activities under the auspices of the Royal Air Force Sports Board, who have always provided very strong support.

The association has been successful in maintaining these objects. Competitive target shooting has continued to make a significant contribution towards raising efficiency in weapon handling and marksmanship, and the sporting results are self-evident in impressive and varied individual and team successes in national and international events.

Webley Mk VI revolver
This was the first hand-gun used by the RAF in competitions and was of 0.455" caliber. It was a very reliable but large and heavy weapon, weighing 2.37 lbs. (1.08kg) with a 6" barrel. The muzzle velocity was 620fps and it used a rimmed cartridge. This was the standard RFC/RAF revolver although in those days officers were permitted to buy their own choice of a hand-gun, subject to it taking the RAF 0.455" cartridge.

Colt model 1911 pistol
The next weapon was the 0.455" colt semi-automatic which, having been withdrawn from RN use, was issued to the RAF in 1920. It used a rimless cartridge in a 7-round magazine, weighed 2.43 lbs (1.1 kg) and had a muzzle velocity of 830fps. It was, again, a heavy weapon but with the advantages of an extra round and increased muzzle velocity. From personal experience
However if a new magazine was used it was prone to giving a stoppage on the second round when the new spring pushed the nose of the second round above the chamber entrance. Both this and the Webley remained in service until the late 1930's.

Smith & Wesson revolver
RAF competition shooting stopped during World War II but started again in 1946 when the 0.380" S&W revolver was available, having been supplied to the British armed forces under the USA lease-lend scheme. This gun weighted 1.81 lbs (0.82kg), used a rimmed cartridge and had a muzzle velocity of 600fps. After W.W.II some of the long-barreled ones (2 lengths of barrel were supplied) were acquired for RAFSAA use. It was an accurate weapon but the ammunition then available left a lot to be desired. The writer has experienced bullets literally "falling out" of the barrel and landing at his feet. Additionally he has two ex-f1022 defect report barrels (sectioned) one of which has seven bullets in the barrel! He knows from whence the barrels came but silence is golden'.

Pistol L9A1
This weapon supplied by Belgium is, to all intents and purposes, the 9mm Browning hi-power semi-automatic pistol. The designation l9A1 derives from the army practice where 'l' means land service and 'A' means Mark. This is the standard hand-gun in service use today. The gun weighs 1.9lbs (0.86kg), uses a rimless cartridge has a 13 round magazine and a muzzle velocity of 1040 to 1500 fps, depending on the type and manufacture of ammunition. When first introduced to British service, problems were experienced with the barrel, which was in two parts. The brazing together of these had not been adequately effected. As far as it known this defect has now been cured. Read more about the L9A1

The RAFSAA mailing list is a web site dedicated to keeping the members of RAFSAA informed of all upcoming shooting events. You can only subscribe to the RAFSAA mailing list if you are already a member of the RAF and RAFSAA, Contact the RAFSAA Secretary for details.

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