Deactivated FAC Air Rifle - Advice Wanted

[ReBreatherSteve]

Hi,

This may sound strange or even a little weird but as anyone bought a deactivated FAC air rifle?

Let me try and explain why I'm asking this question...

A good friend of mine has a very nice looking air rifle, the stock is immaculate and the action is better than anything I've ever seen before, however it's on his ticket, ie FAC. When I showed an interest in it he said he could deactivate it and then take it off ticket, I guess like any other firearm or pistol/gun, then add it to my collection. I believe the stock and barrel would cost more than £300 each therefore I'm very interested in what the options are in taking it off ticket and deactivating it.

I've never heard of anyone buying a deactivated air rifle or anyone taking an air rifle off ticket by deactivating - is this possible? Do you know of anyone who has done this?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[Vincente]

Hi,

This may sound strange or even a little weird but as anyone bought a deactivated FAC air rifle?

Let me try and explain why I'm asking this question...

A good friend of mine has a very nice looking air rifle, the stock is immaculate and the action is better than anything I've ever seen before, however it's on his ticket, ie FAC. When I showed an interest in it he said he could deactivate it and then take it off ticket, I guess like any other firearm or pistol/gun, then add it to my collection. I believe the stock and barrel would cost more than £300 each therefore I'm very interested in what the options are in taking it off ticket and deactivating it.

I've never heard of anyone buying a deactivated air rifle or anyone taking an air rifle off ticket by deactivating - is this possible? Do you know of anyone who has done this?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

My understanding has always been that FAC airguns could not, in fact, be 'de-activated' but I could be wrong, as I have never been in a situation where I needed or wanted to remove a rifle from my certificate.

If I were you and to be absolutely certain, I would contact West Yorkshire Police Firearms Department at Wakefield.

[air-tech]

I believe the stock and barrel would cost more than £300 each...

What gun would that be?

The answers you will typically get on here as to whether you can de-fac an FAC airgun will be:

No, never, impossible.
Yes, can be done.
Yes, I have done it.
Yes or No depending on where you live/Police force. <this one

But really what gun is this that is worth going to all this effort for?

[18 Wheeler]

For it to be considered lawfully deactivated you'll need a Proof House mark and deactivation certificate. You can't just remove a couple of parts and take it "off ticket", the process must be irreversible and documented.

Doing this will probably remove most of the item's value.

[Uncle Albert]

It all depends on whether you want to fire the rifle after "de-activation." Strictly speaking, de-activating a rifle means that it cannot be used again. This defeats the point in my opinion. All you would be buying is a lump of metal and wood/plastic. Being able to fire it again is a different matter.

As far as I understand it, if it is on ticket then it has to stay on ticket. What's to stop you buying the parts removed by your mate and re-installing them? Would it be financially worth while either? Even if sent back to the manufacturer then the cost of the work and certification of such, it would seriously approach the cost of a new rifle.

[capt hindsight]

Why not apply for a FAC and use it?

[PriceEddie]

To deactivate any rifle, I would just drill the barrel, and remove the firing valve/pin Don't know about the legislative side of doing so however.

Eddie.