Advice on buying rifle in UK for export to Ireland

Damoeire33

Well-Known Member
Probably a strange 1 but I'm wondering if anyone can advise or help me. Long story but here I go.

I'm based in the Republic of Ireland & have found a rifle for sale by Countrymen of Derby that I really want. Market in Ireland is so small that this will 99% never be available here. Id like to buy it mainly for its stock to use on my existing stalking rifle

Here's where my problem lies, Countrymen of Derby aren't in a position to export the Rifle to Ireland or Northern Ireland(I live close to the boarder)

My local RFD will be in Wales in January & is willing to do the export paperwork to bring the rifle to Ireland for me where I'd swap stocks & re sell the rifle to recoup some costs

Countrymen of Derby are willing to sell the rifle & transfer within the UK only & it can then be collected in person by my RFD with the relevant paperwork for export

Countrymen of Derby require the rifle to be paid for by the UK purchaser in order to do the transfer
I presume this is a UK paperwork thing?

I have offered to pay in full for the rifle in advance & also asked a rfd in Wales if they could help out & id be happy to pay their fee.
Unfortunately they refused to help

Am I fighting a loosing battle here, it's starting to feel like I am.

Any advice would be appreciated

Damien
 
Why don’t you just buy the stock and import that, via Northern Ireland if necessary? It is not part of a firearm under UK law.
You could agree with the vendor to pay for the rifle, they split it up and retain the barreled action, and send you the bit you want?
 
Northern Ireland is the U.K. I have sold several rifles to NI and had them shipped over as per any other firearms transfer through my local dealer. Two of them ended up in the republic. I’m assuming a mechanism exists for a republic certificate holder to collect in NI.

It was no more hassle than sending to a RFD in the next town .
 
£1600 is an expensive stock, I've offered to buy the stock for 1k but they don't want to split it up.

Id pay the 1600 do a stock swap and sell on the rifle ideally to recoup the 600 & my rfd's fees
 
Northern Ireland is the U.K. I have sold several rifles to NI and had them shipped over as per any other firearms transfer through my local dealer. Two of them ended up in the republic. I’m assuming a mechanism exists for a republic certificate holder to collect in NI.

It was no more hassle than sending to a RFD in the next town .
Yes I hold a visitor pass for NI & can easily get the rifle to my rfd in the south but unfortunately The countrymen of Derby say they aren't in a position to send it to Northern Ireland...
 
What’s the rifle? Let’s see if there’s someone else out there got one who doesn’t think that Northern Ireland is outside of the UK…

I also have had firearms sent there and my mate bought one, each one going via the usual means!
 
What’s the rifle? Let’s see if there’s someone else out there got one who doesn’t think that Northern Ireland is outside of the UK…

I also have had firearms sent there and my mate bought one, each one going via the usual means!
Sako 85 Carbon wolf.. .308

I've a 85 carbon lite in 7mm08 so same action size

During covid I ordered a new carbon wolf through my rfd. It was a 1 year wait to get it.
After 11 months the order was cancelled & I picked up my carbonlite from the UK & through my rfd it was imported.
It's a stainless action which I like over the blued carbon wolf but stock wise the carbon wolf stock still attracts my attention. An itch I want to scratch🤣
 
Oddly enough a friend is looking to buy a rifle from a dealer in Coleraine and we were discussing if there was any difference in buying from there - which I was not under the impression there was.

I have bought a rifle (brand new Sako S20) from Countryman of Derby before and to be honest didn’t find them super helpful, they were mediocre to deal with as had to send my FAC to them and asked them to send it back recorded, they refused and put it in with the rifle which I did not like as I have seen the lack of tracking on firearms being parcel force sent in the past.

Sorry I can’t offer any helpful advice or solutions, there was a carbon wolf stock for sale on here but can’t seem to find the thread,
 
Oddly enough a friend is looking to buy a rifle from a dealer in Coleraine and we were discussing if there was any difference in buying from there - which I was not under the impression there was.

I have bought a rifle (brand new Sako S20) from Countryman of Derby before and to be honest didn’t find them super helpful, they were mediocre to deal with as had to send my FAC to them and asked them to send it back recorded, they refused and put it in with the rifle which I did not like as I have seen the lack of tracking on firearms being parcel force sent in the past.

Sorry I can’t offer any helpful advice or solutions, there was a carbon wolf stock for sale on here but can’t seem to find the thread,
There was a .270 1 for sale a while back but its a different action size.

I'm not here to bash but I do find it strange they won't ship to Northern Ireland
Immediately post brexit I believe there was extra paperwork but this is no longer the case.
Look if they want to do their business their way it is what it is.
£1600 quick sale just before Christmas but looks like there's no push to go the extra yard to make the sale
Pity really
 
As has been said above and last time I looked out the window NI was still an integral part of the UK - consequently the eejits in CoD would not be “exporting” to here so a simple transfer to an RFD over here is all that is required - exactly the same as transferring to one up the road in Derby.
Or find an RFD in England, Scotland or Wales willing to accept an RFD transfer from the well-named CoD and then they send it to RoI or your friendly RFD lifts it as outlined by you above.
🦊🦊
PS
Don’t take it personally - they wouldn’t send me reloading bullets because of the post-Brexit shenanigans even though every other dealer would, did and thank gawd still is…..
 
£1600 is an expensive stock, I've offered to buy the stock for 1k but they don't want to split it up.

Id pay the 1600 do a stock swap and sell on the rifle ideally to recoup the 600 & my rfd's fees I
I have a .308” slot coming up, if you wanted to come over, pay for the gun and collect the stock then I would be happy to help. I could post the stock to you but obviously it would be a risk for you. Something like this must be easier, you may have an existing UK contact with a free slot - that would be sensible.
 
I have a .308” slot coming up, if you wanted to come over, pay for the gun and collect the stock then I would be happy to help. I could post the stock to you but obviously it would be a risk for you. Something like this must be easier, you may have an existing UK contact with a free slot - that would be sensible.
That's an option I hadn't thought off.
The UK system is different to that in ireland where we have to apply for every firearm individually & can't swap like for like.

Down side to you plan is I'd still be stuck with the action in the UK & then a very very expensive stock.

If somebody wanted a sako 85 without the stock for £600 it could work but otherwise it wouldnt be cost effective for me.

I like your thinking though🤔👍
 
I would buy the action from you at that price if it is a new barrel. But I had assumed you would be swapping stocks rather than adding them. Thus you would have a full gun to sell on the UK market, via a helpful FAC owner or RFD. Any costs covered, rather than postage the offer of a stalk for the UK contact in Ireland as “payment” and that way your stock is brought over on the plane rather than posted. Sure there would be lots of people willing to help on those terms, I certainly would.
 
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I would buy the action from you at that price if it is a new barrel. But I had assumed you would be swapping stocks rather than adding them. Thus you would have a full gun to sell on the UK market, via a helpful FAC owner or RFD. Any costs covered, rather than postage the offer of a stalk for the UK contact in Ireland as “payment” and that way your stock is brought over on the plane rather than posted. Sure there would be lots of people willing to help on those terms, I certainly would.
Not new but used,

Stock swap with my existing might not work as the carbon wolf has a heavier barrel so I couldn't guarantee
Ideally if I could get it to my rfd then I could re stock it & sell on
Or
As a used barrelled action in the UK
 
Probably a strange 1 but I'm wondering if anyone can advise or help me. Long story but here I go.

I'm based in the Republic of Ireland & have found a rifle for sale by Countrymen of Derby that I really want. Market in Ireland is so small that this will 99% never be available here. Id like to buy it mainly for its stock to use on my existing stalking rifle

Here's where my problem lies, Countrymen of Derby aren't in a position to export the Rifle to Ireland or Northern Ireland(I live close to the boarder)
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, there should be no issues shipping it there, I’ve done it several times.
You will need an import licence to bring it into the Republic and an export cert to take it out of the province, but thats not a problem once you have your firearms certificate and a non resident cert for Nothern Ireland, just drive up, show the paperwork and collect it.
Maybe you can get Countrymen of Derby to ship it to a more customer focused dealer who will forward it to a dealer in Northern Ireland?
Be prepared to pay for the service, its an inconvenience for the dealer
 
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, there should be no issues shipping it there, I’ve done it several times.
You will need an import licence to bring it into the Republic and an export cert to take it out of the province, but thats not a problem once you have your firearms certificate and a non resident cert for Nothern Ireland, just drive up, show the paperwork and collect it.
Maybe you can get Countrymen of Derby to ship it to a more customer focused dealer who will forward it to a dealer in Northern Ireland?
Be prepared to pay for the service, its an inconvenience for the dealer
Yes no problem with payment provided its fair. Time is money, I understand that
 
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