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I'm in the Thames Valley Police area, and am contemplating changing my Steyr .308 for something suitable for CSR. I've been casting an interested eye on the SMLE in it's many flavours, although a Schmidt Rubin K31 also looks to be an interesting option.

Aside from the 7.62 version of the SMLE (if that's what was being talked about on another thread) either of those options would require a change of calibre and an additional ammunition ration.

I know that I can replace one rifle with another of the same calibre on a one-to-one variation of no cost, but does Thames Valley accept replacement with a different calibre under these free arrangements?

We're hoping Warwickshire do, we have just sent them a letter asking to swap 3 unused slots for entirely different calibres...

if you sell the 308, then fill in a variation form within seven days stipulating that you have sold the 308 and you wish to have calibre ??? then it should normally be a free 1 for 1.

If want to keep a slot for 308 and add another calibre it'll cost you £26

HTH

Alan

As far as I'm aware, they should. You're not increasing the number of firearms you possess - just changing one for another.

In any case, that's how it works up here.

Edit: What 20series says, but up here they like the variation to go in first!

This is what the Guidance has to say about it:

“One for one” variation refers to firearms that are authorised to be acquired at the same time as one is being disposed of. For practical purposes this is normally taken to be within seven days. The use of authorities which can be kept open indefinitely should be discouraged. Applications for “one for one” variations should be made by the certificate holder submitting their firearm certificate together with a completed form 101 to the police firearms licensing department. Such variations are processed free of charge. In most cases, it will not be necessary to re-examine the applicant’s circumstances. Further inquiries will be necessary, however, if for example the application is for a change of use or for a full-bore firearm when the holder’s shooting club only has facilities for small-bore shooting.

I infer from the content of the last sentence that change of type of firearm, including change of calibre, is acceptable in the course of a one-for-one. That's reinforced by the lack of any descriptors in the first sentence - all it talks about is "firearms" - no mention of "replacement" or "same type" or any such.

So what's been suggested should, it seems to me, be OK

Iain

I recently sent a 597 to that great gunsmith in the sky. As a one to one Derbyshire were happy to do the variation free within 7 days as someone has stated. I am having the Spikes built so have to wait for that. I did ask this question because I looked at the .223 straight pull and was told its a chargeable variation due to the change of calibre. I just stuck in a variation, paid and added two more guns to the list while about it!

Looks like your best bet is a quick call to your FEO, here in Wilts, a one-for-one is taken literally as swapping one slot (taken or not) for another, regardless of calibre change or not. I swapped out an empty .243 for another .308 without problem and a stalker friend of mine swapped out a .223 for a .357 handgun for humane despatch..........

shugie wrote:I'm in the Thames Valley Police area, and am contemplating changing my Steyr .308 for something suitable for CSR. I've been casting an interested eye on the SMLE in it's many flavours, although a Schmidt Rubin K31 also looks to be an interesting option.

Aside from the 7.62 version of the SMLE (if that's what was being talked about on another thread) either of those options would require a change of calibre and an additional ammunition ration.

I know that I can replace one rifle with another of the same calibre on a one-to-one variation of no cost, but does Thames Valley accept replacement with a different calibre under these free arrangements?

yes they do, if I remember correctly, my K31 slot was originally a .223 moderator slot. for CSR the site suggests you will need a 10 round capacity, although I am sure they would let you use a K31 (with a stripper clip maybe?) drop them a line.

Thames Valley are very helpful always ready to answer questions, but 1 for 1 change of calibre is not a problem I have done it several times, they are normally genuinely interested in what you are buying if it is different.

kennyc wrote:

shugie wrote:I'm in the Thames Valley Police area, and am contemplating changing my Steyr .308 for something suitable for CSR. I've been casting an interested eye on the SMLE in it's many flavours, although a Schmidt Rubin K31 also looks to be an interesting option.

Aside from the 7.62 version of the SMLE (if that's what was being talked about on another thread) either of those options would require a change of calibre and an additional ammunition ration.

I know that I can replace one rifle with another of the same calibre on a one-to-one variation of no cost, but does Thames Valley accept replacement with a different calibre under these free arrangements?

yes they do, if I remember correctly, my K31 slot was originally a .223 moderator slot. for CSR the site suggests you will need a 10 round capacity, although I am sure they would let you use a K31 (with a stripper clip maybe?) drop them a line.

Isn't the K31 is a six round box mag?
If so that will be a severe disadvantage even with a stripper clip, you would have to be mighty quick with it.
10 exposures of 3 seconds with 3 seconds between exposures would be somewhat challenging.

Would have thought your Steyr would be a better bet? Can't a 10 round mag be had for one?