Extra magazines
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If you buy, or already have, a Walther, Beretta, Colt or similar you probably have just the two magazines that came with the gun. You’ll need more and I’d suggest at the least a pack of three, giving a total of 5. Each magazine holds 8 rounds, so 5 give 40 shots. Around £13 a pack of 3 from mail order advertisers in the magazines, perhaps a bit less if you buy them from Bob Ruggles at a shoot. Revolvers (Smith & Wesson for example) use 10 round magazines and, usually, only one comes with the gun, so you’ll need at least another 3. More or less the same price as Walther/Beretta/Colt mags, maybe a little more. For Brocock shooters, reckon on at least 60 cartridges (and a visit to the bank manager). Check the ads in the magazines for prices. Remember too that you’ll need to recharge the cartridges after every stage so you’ll need to invest in something better than the basic “Slim Jim” pump that comes with the gun kit - OK for occasional use but far too tiring to use repeatedly.
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Why so many magazines./cartridges? Some of the PP courses of fire require around 30 rounds and you have to allow for misses and even lost mags (on outdoor sections).
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Holster & belt
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You’ll need a holster suitable for your pistol and a decent belt to mount it on (and your magazine pouch/dispenser). A basic but perfectly serviceable holster is around £20 - £25, the fancier leather competition type around £50.
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It should be a hip holster, not shoulder (unless you’re a serving member in the armed forces, police etc.) and the standard hip type - no “western” or tie-down “gunslinger” rigs.
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The belt needs to be stout enough (obviously) to support the weight of your pistol and should also fit in the normal “belt loop” position - see the full PP rules for details.
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I have used up to now an old leather belt but it’s not ideal and the next time I see Bob Ruggles (again, see further info section) I’m going to invest in one of his Cordura belts. Around £12.
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Magazine pouch/clip
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All (or some) of those magazines (pre-loaded with pellets) are going to be needed on each stage you shoot in a PP competition. As you’ll see later, speed is the name of the game when it comes to reloads - you need to be able to get to a fresh magazine quickly. I bought a belt pouch (spare mags have to be carried on your gun belt - it’s the rules) but that was a mistake - too fiddly and the Velcro flap is a nuisance. I’m now experimenting with pound coin holders for my CP88 mags, attached to my belt with some sort of custom made “clip”.
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Safety glasses
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These are mandatory - no glasses, no shooting! I was actually on the way to my first shoot when I remembered this. A quick stop at B&Q, parted with around £3.50 - sorted. Not the last word in optical efficiency but got me started.
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Pellets & CO2 capsules
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No steel or plastic BB,s and no steel pellets allowed. The majority use lightweight (“match”) wadcutters (flat heads). Some use the new Dynamic “air bullets” which are made of some sort of tin alloy. My personal choice for my CP88 is H&N Match wadcutters. All pistols (even the same make/model) vary in the “best” pellet for them, so try various brands in your own gun and decide which you think is the best performer.
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I use the standard CO2 capsules (as opposed to Crossman, which are more expensive). Expect to get around 50/60 shots per capsule. Capsules cost around £5 for a box of ten - less if you buy in bulk.
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