You're absolutely correct! I'm impressed! It was Lieutenant Trollope on parade nights. I recall Seargent (George) Albrighton & Corporal (Charlie) Harlock, there was also Steve Mayor, John Atkins, ? Blenkinsop and many others. Happy days! (apologies to these people if I've spelt their names wrong)
Yes we certainly did use "real rifles"
We used .22 calibre single shot when at the Massey Ferguson rifle range - I got my "Marksman" badge using one of these. I could put 6 shots through a hole the size if a sixpence from 25 yards!
At Kinsgbury we mainly used Lee Enfield 303's - with a 5 shot magazine. I only managed a "1st Class" badge with these.
I also fired an officers revolver and a Thompson Sub-Machine gun. I cannot believe now that a 13 year old was trusted to handle these weapons with LIVE AMMO!