7.3 Heritage?

[Jim McArthur]

So then, 7.1 is for guns who's ammo is out of production: and 58 is for guns who's ammo is way-long-time-ago out of production. This makes sense.

I suppose the legal distinction then, and the reason for the more stringent 7.1 controls, is that, even though a 7.1 license doesn't allow you to buy ammo for the gun, nevertheless there's greater potential for the gun to be criminally abused.

Sell me your .32 rimfire, and it's not likely I can ever shoot anyone with it, even if I feel inclined to do so, since I'll never find ammo to fit it.

Sell me your .455 centerfire, and I can probably find ammo for it if I look around.


Jim

[majex45]

So then, 7.1 is for guns who's ammo is out of production: and 58 is for guns who's ammo is way-long-time-ago out of production. This makes sense.

I suppose the legal distinction then, and the reason for the more stringent 7.1 controls, is that, even though a 7.1 license doesn't allow you to buy ammo for the gun, nevertheless there's greater potential for the gun to be criminally abused.

Sell me your .32 rimfire, and it's not likely I can ever shoot anyone with it, even if I feel inclined to do so, since I'll never find ammo to fit it.

Sell me your .455 centerfire, and I can probably find ammo for it if I look around.


Jim

You're right Jim.
Section 58(2) is for firearms chambered for long obsolete calibres, ones that it unlikely that you will be able to find ammo for. It applies to rifles, shotguns and pistols although some rounds are considered obsolete in rifles but not pistols.
Section 7(1) is for pistols that fire ammunition that is probably no longer made but some may turn up. Therefore you have to have the pistols on your certificate, so they powers that be can vet who has them. We are trusted not to obtain the ammo and not to shoot them. The reason .455 and it's lookalikes (.450 etc) are included is that they were our service cartridges and the government don't trust themselves not to have mislaid some. The same for .303. However the big Henry cartridges are 58(2) as they are long obsolete. .38/200 (similar to 38 S&W but with a 200 grain bullet) is not allowed on 7(1).
Section 7(3) has no restriction on calibre (contrary to what some people say, you may have 9mm) and is for pistols only. There is no cut-off date either but it gets harder to justify owning the pistols the newer they are. The only restriction is that you may not have an aesthetic quality pistol made after 1998 as it could have been made especially to beat the ban.
There are modern revolvers and pistols in the collection, all because of technical merit, historical interest or rarity, depending on the pistol.
If your primary interest is in collecting then Section 7 is for you, if you just want to shoot pistols again, it is most definitely not.

[Jim McArthur]

Thanks, Majex. You know your stuff there!

Jim

[Smokeless Coal]

Um.... had a few sherbet waters but one thing is blatantly obvious.

Us UK shooters/collectors/enthusiasts have a shed load of laws/variations/exemptions that we have to follow/try to understand in order to own/jump through the hoops/try to explain to others in order to carry out a safe legal pastime......it really is a bad situation.

Well, I slap my thigh, this country is turning into a cess pit and the good folks in it are just bobbing about in it.

Can I rest my case with that observation? good night friends......

[tacfoley]

I guess that reading back/wading through all this stuff is the reason that I'm just too assed to bother. All that paperwork and expense just so you can look at somebody else's gun[s] and admire it/them from afar, whilst not sharing the most important part of it all.

Add to that the sheer embarrassment [for me, anyhow] of being overseen and perused while I shoot my own gun under supervision so that I don't inadvertently commit some kind of offence along the way.

I might as well watch a movie - I'd get much the same experience along with much greater savings.

For those that have gone down this road - good for you - I admire your determination, but I really don't envy you one bit.

tac

[Jim McArthur]

Yes, I'm pretty much the same way, Tac. If I lived in the UK, I'd probably content myself with shooting air guns, and collecting Section 58 obsolete caliber stuff.

Of course, if there was a club nearby, I can see how I'd want to start shooting .22 rimfire rifles. And maybe muzzleloading pistols.

And since I'd already have a FAC for them, and am already collecting Section 58's: why not go for Section 7.1's also?

And if it was a Heritage club, I can see how I might want to give shooting 7.3's a try.

Etc.

Jim

[majex45]

In my case it is sheer bloodymindedness - they shall not have them!
If they can play silly bu**ers, I can play sillier bu**ers.