Air rifles Upgradable to FAC?

[weblyish]

Hi.

I've been offered to take some rats out at a farm where I've been doing pigeon previously
I'm planning on getting an air rifle for that

I don't have an FAC currently so would be getting a sub-12 one but are any of the PCP ones Upgradable easily later on?
I have FAC application in for deer calibre now but could add FAC air if this goes well

S510 comes in both FAC and non-FAC version so might be possible to upgrade

Obviously I assume it's not just change a part at home since it's restricted and would need to go to a smith and be done officially

but I'd feel dumb if I find out later I should have looked out for a certain type as the upgrade is easy rather than sell and rebuy once I have a slot

 

[Wsm]

You'd be far better looking at this from the other side and getting an FAC version initially and then purchasing one of the rifles capable of regulating the power like the FX impact M4 in my opinion.The price between FAC and sub isn't a lot and sending away to be upgraded would work out more expensive if it could be done

Have a look here

https://fxairguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FX_M4_manual.pdf

 

[weblyish]

You'd be far better looking at this from the other side and getting an FAC version initially and then purchasing one of the rifles capable of regulating the power like the FX impact M4 in my opinion

Have a look here

https://fxairguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FX_M4_manual.pdf

I have no idea when I'll get an FAC but the job needs doing now
so that's a no go

 

[Wsm]

A second hand sub 12 is the way to go for the time being then

 

[weblyish]

A second hand sub 12 is the way to go for the time being then

Not worth looking for something upgradable then?

getting a decent second hand one i might be able to sell on later at little/no loss was my backup plan just covering the bases

 

[andyk]

In theory yes, but if you look at a lot of the FAC variants there are differences in the design, e.g. the FAC Air Arms have longer barrels and air cylinders. If you can get it done, I think you may find you end up with a second rate FAC air rifle.

Also consider that the price of second hand FAC air guns is very poor, I’d wager you can get a decent second hand rifle for not much more than you’d pay to convert a sub-12.

Add that your first FAC will likely have conditions, such as where you can use the guns, I’d say having a sub-12 is worthwhile anyway. For rats around farm building, you don’t need 12ft/lbs, let alone FAC power.

 

[UnframedDave]

Do you need Fac for rats in a barn?

Sub 12 is more than capable at reasonable distances. I, personally would want to minimise the chances of doing damage in a barn as well.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Sub 12 ftlbs is fine for rats around buildings, get a .177.
Don't bother trying to change a sub 12 into an fac, not worth the hassle, fac air rifles 2nd hand are a pig to sell and you can get some very good rifles for not a lot of money.
I use an FX Crown VP in .22 FAC for ratting, awesome tool for the job, 160 shots from a full cylinder, accuracy like a laser, and tunable if you want to start fiddling, although I almost left mine as it arrived out of the box.

Enjoy your ratting.. I went last night and got 99 .. great fun.

 

[Wsm]

Im not sure in this day and age its feasible to upgrade.In the olden days when we were kids it was easy to buy cheap springs and upgrade kits that you could easily fit at home and I'm sure there were hundreds of air rifles unwittingly sent above the legal 12ft/lb
Nowadays manufacturers use things like tamperproof screws and the need for special tools to dismantle them so they've got to go back to them unless you've got the kit and know what you're doing
I'd stick by the cheap sub advice and then upgrade down the line if you need.I still use my lads sub Webley for barns which is ample.
A bit of advice I once had which has proved true was if you wanted to lose money buy a new FAC air rifle and then try and sell it.That was when there were not as many FAC air cert holders about but you'll still pick up excellent condition guns for half their new price

 

[co’den]

Pick up a second hand sub 12 for now. You’ll get a decent springer for £200 or less and it’ll hold its value till you get your FAC. Sell the sub 12 and buy what you want then.
My preference is bigger caliber for close range rats and barn pigeons and smaller caliber for 30/40 yard rabbits. However, for ease I generally stick with .22 for everything.
I sometimes find .177 will pass right through a rat at 10 yards but will not necessarily kill it.

 

[Bowland blades]

Hi.

I've been offered to take some rats out at a farm where I've been doing pigeon previously
I'm planning on getting an air rifle for that

I don't have an FAC currently so would be getting a sub-12 one but are any of the PCP ones Upgradable easily later on?
I have FAC application in for deer calibre now but could add FAC air if this goes well

S510 comes in both FAC and non-FAC version so might be possible to upgrade

Obviously I assume it's not just change a part at home since it's restricted and would need to go to a smith and be done officially

but I'd feel dumb if I find out later I should have looked out for a certain type as the upgrade is easy rather than sell and rebuy once I have a slot

To be deadly truthful , Rats / pigeons in Barns are at best peak in your use at about 14 ftlb ish in .22 cal , shooting std pellets . if you up the power of an airgun to FAC though second hand values plumet ! Buy an FAC airgun new its more than buying the same model 12ftlb , selling an FAC on again you will loose more regards depreciation sub 12 ftlb is perfectly workable and getting close is normally not a big problem and there is less chance of putting holes where holes aint desirable . That is before you get a bounce back pellet hit you ( yeah it can happen and it hurts or a lot worse )

 

[weblyish]

Ok fairly comprehensive that upgrading isn't really viable so I'll go sub-12 and see if I feel I need more later on.

Had not realised how poor FAC air held prices and how cheaply you could pickup second hand


Ta all

 

[Bo Diddley]

Had not realised how poor FAC air held prices and how cheaply you could pickup second hand

You only crystallise any loss if you sell... I purchased a new FX Crown for £1090 and don't plan on selling it ever. I've had 6 years of trouble free air gunning out of it. Don't worry about buying an FAC air rifle, just enjoy..

 

[Mr B]

Logun S16 / Edgar Brothers XVI can be quickly and easily modified from sub 12 to FAC. The mod is reasonably cheap. Nice rifles, early ones were plagued with issues but the S16 Evo or the XVI solved all these issues.

 

[Bo Diddley]

If you change a sub 12 to fac, it's bloody difficult to get it changed back to sub 12 ftlbs, the licensing system goes into meltdown... of course, some twits might be tempted to change it about and never tell anyone, if you do, you're an idiot.

 

[Greenmist]

Technically, most air rifles are able to be turned into fac, financially it makes little sense, 2nd hand fac air rifles are far cheaper than sub 12 ft/lbs versions of the same model.
In your situation as already suggested, get a 12 ft/lbs to get on with the job, as you are applying for your fac ask for an fac air rifle as well

 

[Tom270]

I got a .177 Gamo GX250 pcp new around £300 with scope and mod, made in uk and BSA barrel, rats hate it , using rws hollow point pellets. Sub 12 lbs,

 

[Bowland blades]

Consider carefully because there are a range of .22 RF ammo of lower than std energy ( like CCI Quiets etc) , yet you can also go through std velocity , subsonic standard velocity and High velocity .
I think every shooting person should own at least one 12ftlb type rifle . Even if its just plinking in the garden . Having one has got me more shooting of all kinds not just rats, pigeons , etc

 

[villaman]

I have FX crown 500 mm barrel .22 FAC
I can take that from sub 12 too 43 ftlbs with in seconds including altering scope
So not worth upgrading a sub 12 to FAC
For now buy a cheap pcp second hand and when you have FAC the sell it for roughly the same money . .177 is the one to go for in sub12

 

[Bowland blades]

Pick up a second hand sub 12 for now. You’ll get a decent springer for £200 or less and it’ll hold its value till you get your FAC. Sell the sub 12 and buy what you want then.
My preference is bigger caliber for close range rats and barn pigeons and smaller caliber for 30/40 yard rabbits. However, for ease I generally stick with .22 for everything.
I sometimes find .177 will pass right through a rat at 10 yards but will not necessarily kill it.

oh i think they will be dead a shortish period later a body shot but the .22 in sub 12 carries extra weight and makes a bigger hole meaning faster bleed out on a bad shot . Either will be equal on brain shots of course , they are tough critters but not that tough !