SGC visit and rawl bolts...

[Porcupine]

I have my SGC visit next week (after almost 2 and a half months since my cheque was cashed!) so very excited at last. I've bought (what I believe to be, since it's not marked) a Cob Knoll gun clamp* and a set of 10mm rawl bolts. My most urgent question is: how exactly do I fit these? I am not exactly handy! And a related question: can these bolts be removed in the future? Or if not, at least filed down to be flush with the wall and painted over?

My second question is, what can I expect on my visit? I suppose it probably varies from force to force (Thames Valley for me) but it'd be nice to have an idea. Is he liable to want to check every single window and door in the building e.g. garage door? (if he is then I'm going to have to do some truly epic tidying as my garage contains several scrap yards worth of junk blocking access to the door...) What kind of questions can I expect to be asked? Is it worth giving BASC a call before hand for advice, or only afterwards if there are any issues that crop up?

Thanks!

*I originally planned to use a cable lock which my firearms officer seemed ok with, "It's up to you," was his opinion on precisely what security was needed. However I could only find a wall-mounted cable lock some distance away, where as I snagged a clamp just down the road. This seems like it is if anything even more secure than a cable lock so I assume he will be ok with it.

[Steve]

With regards to fitting the cabinet.

Using a felt tip pen,mark out where you want to drill the holes placing the cabinet on a brick to lift it above the skirting (saves having to chop it out and still remains flush to wall),then drill the holes with a suitable masonry bit to the correct depth.You then need to remove all the dust inside the holes so use a vacuum cleaner.Unscrew the rawl bolts and push the sleeve part into the hole.Place cabinet against wall then screw all four bolts back into the sleeves and finish off with a spanner/ratchet so they expand gripping the masonry.

With regards to what questions they'll ask-it wont be much.They've already cashed your cheque and special branch have already done their security checks on you plus looked at the crime reports in your area-the visit is just a formality to make sure you're not a nutter.Just be honest-tell him/her what you plan to use the shotguns for and any experience you might already have.

Oh and stick the kettle on. :lol:

[dodgyrog]

AND get doughnuts and nice biscuits.

[barney57]

Make sure your cabinet (you said Gun clamp??) is bolted to a main structural wall out of sight of any exterior Doors and windows,,(so that it cannot be seen should anyone look in) in a cupboard is good....make sure its all tightly fixed to the wall some FLO's like to try and swing off them...

They probably wont want to look at your door and window locks,,,but make sure YOU KNOW what type they are i.e. 3 or 5 lever locks dead locks or whatever,,,,if they are all double glazed (doors and windows, not obligalatry) you will have no worries...if you have a burgler alarm on your house make them aware of that aswell,,,it all helps, but if they have cashed your check,,,then I reckon you will be fine,,but make sure its all done before they get there,,,you never know the FLO may even have your new SGC with him...

Good luck..

[barney57]

With regards to fitting the cabinet.

Using a felt tip pen,mark out where you want to drill the holes placing the cabinet on a brick to lift it above the skirting (saves having to chop it out and still remains flush to wall),then drill the holes with a suitable masonry bit to the correct depth.You then need to remove all the dust inside the holes so use a vacuum cleaner.Unscrew the rawl bolts and push the sleeve part into the hole.Place cabinet against wall then screw all four bolts back into the sleeves and finish off with a spanner/ratchet so they expand gripping the masonry.

With regards to what questions they'll ask-it wont be much.They've already cashed your cheque and special branch have already done their security checks on you plus looked at the crime reports in your area-the visit is just a formality to make sure you're not a nutter.Just be honest-tell him/her what you plan to use the shotguns for and any experience you might already have.

Oh and stick the kettle on. :lol:

As stated here and you cant go wrong,,,,but be aware some forces FLO's like the cabinets to be bolted to the floor aswell by two bolts,, but I believe 4 bolts is the normal thing..

[Robin128]

RTFM

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=9

[Porcupine]

Thanks for the advice guys. Hobnobs have been requisitioned.

Make sure your cabinet (you said Gun clamp??)

Yes, not a cabinet. Looks like this:



It's a steel box with a locking lid that encloses the action, with holes at either end to allow the barrel and stock to protrude. Inside there is a steel peg which sits in the trigger guard behind the trigger - this prevents the gun being pulled out through the holes. I'll be mounting it vertically both to save space and for extra security (can't push it through the floor, can't pull it out the top because the stock is too big). A lot cheaper and more convenient than a cabinet for me.

[barney57]

Thanks for the advice guys. Hobnobs have been requisitioned.

Make sure your cabinet (you said Gun clamp??)

Yes, not a cabinet. Looks like this:



It's a steel box with a locking lid that encloses the action, with holes at either end to allow the barrel and stock to protrude. Inside there is a steel peg which sits in the trigger guard behind the trigger - this prevents the gun being pulled out through the holes. I'll be mounting it vertically both to save space and for extra security (can't push it through the floor, can't pull it out the top because the stock is too big). A lot cheaper and more convenient than a cabinet for me.

Interesting not seen one before personaly, can you get multi gun ones?? and is it British Standards Approved??? and how much do they cost??

[Porcupine]

I have not seen any multi-gun ones. You could of course mount multiple clamps side by side but at that point you'd be better off with a cabinet I should think. Mine has no markings on it to indicate any kind of standard, but they were made by Cab Knoll who I believe makes British standard gun cabinets so they are probably up to snuff. Mine was £35.

I have just finished installing it and the job went smoothly - although it was a pain to put the nuts on the bolts without them being pushed in and disappearing! I left 22" of clearance between the peg (where the trigger guard will go) and the floor. I believe the standard length of pull on shotguns is around 14" so that should be plenty?

[bobbob]

I had a clamp like that back in about 1985 for my black powder musket.
When I moved home I put it in a cupboard under the stairs. When the police officer came to do his check he literally hung from it . It moved a bit so it had to be repositioned. It served its purpose at the time.