It would appear that Rude Fat Dog are marketing, and by all accounts selling modified S&W pistols, as Long Barrelled Pistols.
According to their Facebook:
According to their website:The Europa is an LBR (Long Barrelled Revolver) based on the Smith & Wesson 686 frame. It is .38/.357 calibre and has been modified by Ballistic Arms in Louisville, Kentucky to conform with the UK Section 1 firearm requirements. Ballistic Arms is an ATF registered firearms manufacturer which is owned and run by Darren Digby who used to shoot for the UK Gallery Rifle squad. The Europa is serial numbered by Ballistic Arms. UK shooters have been long awaiting such a high class LBR as the Europa and they are available to order now from Rude Fat Dog at Email Removed
The Europa Style
Built around a Smith & Wesson 686 L frame revolver in .38/.357" calibre.
The Europa LBR can be supplied 'out of the box' or we can Match Tune this for you to give you the ultimate experience in revolver competition shooting. The barrel sleeve and underlug is available in various Cerakote colours.
A number of The Europa's are currently being used in National competitions on the Gallery rifle circuit.
I looked briefly into 3rd party S&W Frame copies, but they appear to be non-existent - presumably because of patents S&W hold over the designs of their frames, which would indicate 2 things to me, these are most likely being made from existing S&W Frames, or they are being made from frame copies that are being made under license. I would wager the former, since licensing fees to S&W are likely to be astronomical, if at all even possible.The Carbon Fibre barrel style
Built around a Smith & Wesson K, L or N frame style revolver in various calibres.
As standard, the Carbon Fibre models are always supplied ready Match Tuned. Our Match Tuning of Smith & Wesson revolvers is second to none - our expertise has been gained over the years during countless trips into Europe to 'Tune' PPC and similar styles of Smiths.
As standard we supply our LBR's as 6 shot models, however, for IPSC style competitions we can also supply 7 and 8 shot versions.
With this in mind, since S&W do not, to my knowledge, make any UK Section 1 Revolvers, is it not the case that these would be, at factory, considered Section 5, and if that the case, although the conversion is taking place over in the states, if looking up that frame at the factory, would it not become clear that it was made for something section 5?
The only other thing that pops into my mind at present is that I seem to recall another RFD a while back buying lots of M1 Garands, separating the parts and building new - straight pull converted rifles from the parts - could this be how these are considered legal?
Not looking to throw anyone under the bus, or remove legal firearms - simply looking to better understand why one RFD considers that he can do something that the rest of the shooting community believes to be out of the realms of possibility.
Quite often it's the case that RFD's find ways around things and don't actually let anyone else know so they can hold a monopoly - which sounds like it would be great for business, but the shooting community as a whole suffers. Wouldn't it be better if we know and can fight the corner united, instead of as a 1 man band?
Any thoughts?