Legal or not?

[Chapuis]

Just thinking aloud - would the break down version of the mare's leg be classed as a section 1 firearm in the U.K.? Or would it be classed as section 5 because disasembly would reduce the length below 24" overall and thus make it more concealable although it could not be fired when broken down?

[saddler]

Just thinking aloud - would the break down version of the mare's leg be classed as a section 1 firearm in the U.K.? Or would it be classed as section 5 because disasembly would reduce the length below 24" overall and thus make it more concealable although it could not be fired when broken down?

er, almost ANY gun can be made shorter by being broken down - it's their length when assembled and in usable condition that dictates what they are classified as

[Chapuis]

I know that saddler but am aware of one or two where possible legal problems have arisen hence the inclusion of special fixed measures. I also have experience of trying to obtain a Thompson Centre Contender pistol with an extended barrel but the importer was unsure of the legality because of the possibility of fitting shorter barrels. In the end I gave up on the idea more because of price though.

[saddler]

If that WAS the case, then only a Section 5 RFD could swap buttstocks on some guns, as once the stock is removed some may fall below the 24" length

[ovenpaa]

.50BMG? As far as I am aware you can shoot one of these without special dispensation if you are dim enough to want to do so

Why would someone be considered dim for wanting to shoot a 50BMG?

They have no more felt recoil then the average 12 bore shotgun using a 3 inch mag slug load.
We shoot them quite often. My Nephew has one.

I think the perceived recoil is up slightly on 12b Mag loads but I agree it is not a lot. recoil is not the issue it is more the cost of brass, bullets, large powder load then add the difficulty in storing them due to length so you invariably need a taller cabinet and then over here we have problems finding a suitable range to shoot them on as the majority will not allow rifles with the Muzzle Energy of the .50BMG - The thing that always surprises me is the number of new shooters that instantly aspire to a .50cal rifle when they may only have access to a 600 yard range with it. I would much prefer to test myself at 1000/1200 yards with a .308 than at 600 with a .50

I still enjoy shooting them occasionally though

[Sim G]

I know that saddler but am aware of one or two where possible legal problems have arisen hence the inclusion of special fixed measures. I also have experience of trying to obtain a Thompson Centre Contender pistol with an extended barrel but the importer was unsure of the legality because of the possibility of fitting shorter barrels. In the end I gave up on the idea more because of price though.

I saw a T/C at the recent Phoenix! Another of the sort of things that pi$$es you off about the FAC system. There was something that I would have bought on impulse to play with for a couple of months, then pass on..... The fact is, in my county, variations are taking five months! That "impulse" tends to be become tempered in that sort of time!

[Chapuis]

If that WAS the case, then only a Section 5 RFD could swap buttstocks on some guns, as once the stock is removed some may fall below the 24" length

This is what the importer was afraid of in the case of the contender. Also there was a manufacturer displaying his wares at the Phoenix a couple of years ago. The name of the guy escapes me but it was basically a copy of the Ruger 10/22, he was explaining to one of the Surrey FEOs that he had incorporated a steel rod into the buttstock so that when the stock was removed the rod remained attached to the receiver and the overall length of the action wasn't overly short. Perhaps he was just being cautious but the FEO didn't seem to know at that time if this was necessary or not.

[Sandgroper]

I know that saddler but am aware of one or two where possible legal problems have arisen hence the inclusion of special fixed measures. I also have experience of trying to obtain a Thompson Centre Contender pistol with an extended barrel but the importer was unsure of the legality because of the possibility of fitting shorter barrels. In the end I gave up on the idea more because of price though.

The situation you describe about the length of a rifle could apply to any 'take-down' rifle. All a bit silly and the importer ( still Viking Arms ?) is taking the fear of the law a bit too far IMO. As long as it's legal at the point of sale, what you do with it afterwards is not his problem or concern - well shouldn't be! I suppose you would have been better buying a T/C rifle and chopping and changing it yourself, after all that's what they're designed for.

Regarding the T/C - I would love a T/C Contender or Encore but the prices are ridiculous here. I wasn't prepared to pay over £800 for a new T/C so I've picked up a second hand Rossi single shot for £140 - collect this Saturday :shakeshout: In theory I should be able to get extra barrels for it, but I'll deal with that later!