Start to Gun
From Your First Shot to Your First Shotgun
Beginner clay pigeon shooting should be about learning properly from your very first shot. Start to Gun is a structured one-to-one programme in Cambridgeshire designed to take you from your first shooting lesson through development and improvement tuition, CPSA Shotgun Skills, shotgun certificate guidance and eventually independent help choosing your first shotgun.
Everything You Need to Start Clay Shooting Properly
One package. From complete beginner to confident shotgun owner.
Then a short paragraph explaining that this isn’t simply a bundle of lessons: it follows the person through learning safe gun handling, developing their shooting, understanding the certificate process, and getting help choosing their first shotgun.
Your First Lesson
Start from the beginning with safe gun handling, stance, gun mount and your first clays.
Develop Your Shooting
Build confidence and consistency with structured one-to-one tuition and professional instruction.
Certificate & Safety
Guidance through the shotgun certificate process and the practical responsibilities of safe shotgun ownership.
Choose Your First Gun
Independent help choosing a suitable first shotgun, including assistance when visiting a gun shop.
Support While You Wait
Keep developing while your certificate is processed, with 15% off additional tuition.
Your Start to Gun Journey
Start to Gun is a structured one-to-one beginner clay pigeon shooting programme in Cambridgeshire. It is designed for someone who wants to learn properly and progress beyond a single shooting experience. We take you from your first shooting lesson through development and improvement tuition, CPSA Shotgun Skills, shotgun certificate guidance and eventually independent help when choosing your first shotgun.
First-Time Shooting Lesson
We start from the beginning. Your first clay pigeon shooting lesson covers safe shotgun handling, stance, gun mount, eye dominance and the basic technique needed to start breaking clay targets.
The objective is to establish good shooting habits from your very first shot.
Development Lesson
Once the fundamentals are established, we start developing your shooting technique. We work on movement, timing, consistency and different clay presentations.
Importantly, you'll start learning to understand why you hit or miss a target rather than simply counting how many clays you break.
Improvement Tuition – Two Lessons
Your programme includes two dedicated improvement lessons. These become increasingly individual as your shooting develops.
We'll identify weaknesses, correct developing bad habits and work towards a consistent and repeatable shooting technique.
You can also read about our one-to-one clay pigeon shooting tuition in Cambridgeshire.
CPSA Shotgun Skills
The next stage introduces CPSA Shotgun Skills training, helping you develop the practical knowledge and understanding associated with safe and competent shotgun use.
Rather than measuring your development simply by the number of targets you break, this stage develops your wider knowledge as a shotgun shooter.
Read more about our CPSA Shotgun Skills training or visit the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association.
Shotgun Certificate Support
When you're ready to apply for a shotgun certificate, we can help you understand the application process, security considerations and the responsibilities associated with shotgun ownership.
Official information about shotgun certificate applications is available from GOV.UK.
Choosing Your First Shotgun
When your certificate arrives and you're ready to buy, the programme includes up to 3 hours of independent first-shotgun purchase assistance.
We can help you consider gun fit, handling, intended use and budget and, where arranged, accompany you when looking at suitable shotguns.
Waiting for Your Shotgun Certificate?
Shotgun certificate applications can take time. If you've completed the shooting tuition included in Start to Gun but your certificate has not yet arrived, you can continue taking improvement lessons.
Guns & Clays is also independently tracking shotgun certificate processing delays across UK police forces.
Buying Your First Shotgun
What Should You Buy?
Buying your first shotgun can be confusing. By this point in the Start to Gun programme you should have considerably more knowledge and shooting experience than when you fired your first shot.
- Consider gun fit and handling
- Compare new and used shotguns
- Think about your intended type of shooting
- Understand which features actually matter to you
- Set a sensible budget before entering a gun shop
Technical information about UK proof and proof marks is available from the Birmingham Proof House.
Someone Independent on Your Side
Start to Gun includes up to 3 hours of personal first-shotgun purchase assistance.
If required, Richard can accompany you to a gun shop and help you assess the available options.
Guns & Clays has no commercial interest in which manufacturer, brand or dealer you choose.
The purpose is simply to help you make an informed decision and avoid being rushed into buying a shotgun that may not be right for you.
You can also read more about our Assisted Shotgun Purchase service.
Start to Gun – Price & Payment
Start to Gun is a complete one-to-one shooting development programme. You don't need to pay the full cost upfront. Your initial payment starts the programme and the remaining balance is spread across four stage payments as you progress.
The £95 initial payment forms part of the total £895 programme price. It is not an additional charge.
Book your first lesson with £95. The remaining £800 is then paid in four £200 stage payments as you progress through the programme.
You do not need to pay the remaining £800 upfront.
Your programme includes your First-Time Shooting Lesson, Development Lesson, two Improvement Lessons, CPSA Shotgun Skills training, shotgun certificate guidance and up to three hours of independent assistance when choosing your first shotgun.
All clays and cartridges required for the included shooting lessons are included in the £895 programme price.
What's Not Included?
The £895 Start to Gun price includes the programme, your included tuition and the clays and cartridges required for those shooting lessons. There are, however, some personal and third-party costs that remain your responsibility.
Any fee charged by the police for your shotgun certificate application is not included and is paid separately as part of your application.
Any charge made by your GP or medical provider for information required as part of your shotgun certificate application is not included.
The cost of the shotgun you eventually decide to purchase is not included. Our role is to provide independent assistance when you make that decision.
Your gun cabinet, clothing and any other personal shooting equipment you decide to purchase are not included.
Any improvement tuition beyond the lessons included within Start to Gun is charged separately. Start to Gun customers receive 15% off additional improvement tuition while waiting for their shotgun certificate.
Clays and cartridges are included for all shooting lessons forming part of Start to Gun. Clays and cartridges used during additional lessons outside the programme are charged separately where applicable.
The programme includes up to three hours of first-shotgun purchase assistance. Any additional time or future buying assistance is not included.
Your own travel, accommodation, refreshments and other personal expenses are not included in the programme price.
Ready to Start?
From your first clay pigeon shooting lesson through development, improvement, CPSA Shotgun Skills and eventually choosing your first shotgun, Start to Gun gives you a structured route into shotgun shooting with personal one-to-one support along the way.
Complete Start to Gun Programme — £895
Book your first lesson with a £95 initial payment, followed by
four £200 stage payments as you progress.
All clays and cartridges required for the included shooting lessons are included in the programme price.
Book Your First Lesson NowYour £95 initial payment forms part of the total £895 programme price. It is not an additional charge.
Guns & Clays provides shooting tuition and practical guidance. Shotgun certificate applications and licensing decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant police firearms licensing authority.
