coach gun
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:47 pm
Whats the legalities of cutting down a sxs to a coach gun (with oal of 24 inches ) obviously it will become section 1 but is it lrgal or another grey area ?
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coach gun
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Re: coach gun
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:23 pm
Wouldn't it be a sawn-off if the barrels were only 12inches and the stock was also only 12 inchs????
Re: coach gun
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:33 am
Re: coach gun
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 10:30 am
A double barrel shotgun meeting the 12/24 rule and under the 'shotgun length' is a Sec1 firearm and can be held like any other. Generally the only 'good reason' I've heard of for holding on is Cowboy Action Shooting but who knows if any other reason would be accepted - just give it a try.
Problem is due to (I believe) arcane proof laws it is illegal to cut a shotgun barrel whatever length it starts off or ends up unless sit is by a gunsmith to effect a repair on a damaged barrel.
So you can buy a coach gun that is manufactured to the 12/24 rule but you can't cut one down.
Problem is due to (I believe) arcane proof laws it is illegal to cut a shotgun barrel whatever length it starts off or ends up unless sit is by a gunsmith to effect a repair on a damaged barrel.
So you can buy a coach gun that is manufactured to the 12/24 rule but you can't cut one down.
Re: coach gun
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:02 pm
unless its cut by an rfd ? in which case no problem herewalesdave wrote: ↑Sun Mar 19, 2023 10:30 am A double barrel shotgun meeting the 12/24 rule and under the 'shotgun length' is a Sec1 firearm and can be held like any other. Generally the only 'good reason' I've heard of for holding on is Cowboy Action Shooting but who knows if any other reason would be accepted - just give it a try.
Problem is due to (I believe) arcane proof laws it is illegal to cut a shotgun barrel whatever length it starts off or ends up unless sit is by a gunsmith to effect a repair on a damaged barrel.
So you can buy a coach gun that is manufactured to the 12/24 rule but you can't cut one down.
Re: coach gun
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:23 pm
It's all academic though isn't it. Can you really envisage your firearms licencing dept' allowing you to have one of these. 
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Re: coach gun
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:35 pm
thats just a sec1 shotgun as far as licensing is concerned. I know a few ppl with them in the uk, but generally they have been imported like it.
Re: coach gun
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:19 am
Re: coach gun
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:30 am
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/4
(2)It is not an offence under subsection (1) above for a registered firearms dealer to shorten the barrel of a shot gun for the sole purpose of replacing a defective part of the barrel so as to produce a barrel not less than 24 inches in length.
Probably worth an email to your friendly FEO to see what they say.
Re: coach gun
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:04 pm
Yes, I think this is only referring to section 2 shotguns.walesdave wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:30 amhttps://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/4
(2)It is not an offence under subsection (1) above for a registered firearms dealer to shorten the barrel of a shot gun for the sole purpose of replacing a defective part of the barrel so as to produce a barrel not less than 24 inches in length.
Probably worth an email to your friendly FEO to see what they say.
Section 1 single/side-by-side shotguns can be shorter than s2, as well as other types of shotgun. I know of two on FACs, one is a pump-action trench gun (Mossberg?) used mainly for Viet Nam re-enactment and the other is a double barrelled coach gun used in CAS style events.