Fx Crown fac barrel swap legality

[villaman]

You need to have a very close look at Section 57 of the Firearms Act and at the definition of Firearm.

Spartan Law sums this nicely and I quote

What is a ‘Firearm’?​

Possession of a firearm is defined in section 57 (1) of The Firearms Act 1968 as ‘a lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or another missile can be discharged. It includes any prohibited weapon, any component part of such a weapon and any accessory to such weapon designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon.

Possession of a Firearm​

It is an offence under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 to possess a firearm, certain air weapons and certain ammunition without a certificate. It is an absolute offence and this means that the prosecution only has to show that the defendant knew he has something in his possession. It is irrelevant what he knew or thought it was.


So as OP states he wants to acquire another barrel for a Firearm. Whilst it might be powered by air, it is not legally an “airweapon”. An “airweapon” is defined as having a muzzle energy of less than 12 ft / lbs.

Another barrel is a component part of a rifle and is thus treated effectively as another firearm.

The only way that the OP can change the barrel length without a variation is take the Firearm to an RFD and the RFD swaps over the barrels, and he surrenders the original barrel. Exact same procedure as having any firearm rebarreled in the same calibre.

Yes I now firearms law But your license for FAC air it states make , cal and serial number , doesn’t state length of barrel same with FAC air ammunition pellets are not stated like live ammunition
Don’t forget serial number on fx guns are on the block not on the barrel & like I said anyone can buy a airgun barrel or liner , even if guns aren’t your thing

Not in Scotland you cannot by an air rifle with out an air weapons certificate. Serial number or not on barrel is irrelevant. If you have a component part for a firearm without appropriate authority you are in breech of the Firearms Act.

In Englandshire you can buy an air rifle barrel for an air rifle as its not a component part of a Firearm. You can also buy a moderator for an air rifle. But as soon as you buy either with the intent of putting them onto a firearm they are classified as a component part of a firearm and this need authority. That is, as you will undoubtedly understand, is how the law is written.

yes you might be right but you can buy different liners

 

[Macloaded]

The awl is a bit of a farce as you can just buy the barrel from England.... I bought a 380mm barrel from England and regularly swap it with my 600mm depending on whether I'm shooting kings or heavies. Regulator set at 140 bar and at power 5 I get 870ftps with the heavies, swap out the barrels and I shoot kings at the same speed with a wee twiddle of the power wheel, don't even need to change my zero..... Fantastic bit of kit.

In terms of legalities I did ask Glasgow at the time what the legalities of this were and they said fine as long as it is the same calibre. Admittedly this wouldn't be a defence if the advice turns out wrong, however I'm comfortable with this approach.

 

[Squirrelbasher]

In England and Wales an air rifle barrel on its own that isn’t in use isn’t a firearm part, it isn’t chambered.