Inert round

[Stevie/P]

Would an inert round need some kind of certification or can the possession of such an object be illegal.
What would the implications be of say making up a 223 fmj round with a spent primer in the case to be used as a key ring would such an object be considered unacceptable if seen in a public place on a bunch of keys your thoughts and advice please.

 

[stubear]

It’s not ammo that can be used so not an issue as far as I know - heck go look on eBay and you’ll see dozens of people making up and selling inert rounds for jewellery, decorations, key rings and all sorts.

Was talking to an RFD a few years back who has a regular customer who buys a good few thousand cases and bullet heads off him per year to make bullet belts and sell them.

 

[Sampo]

You can find loads on eBay and with no live primer or propellent in it, its just a piece of brass with a bit of copper stuffed with lead inserted hanging off a chain. Trying to take it through airport security might be a different experience.

 

[243ack]

I have some high caliber munitions and grenades - all have 'CFFE' documentation. (Certified Free From Explosives). Can't see this would apply to 'hunting/target' type cartridges.

 

[bogtrotter]

It's quite easy to push the dent back out of a primer should you so wish for the authentic
Look.

 

[palmer_mike]

If it’s an inert .223 with a standard bullet (not anything spicy like AP etc) then it’s not subject to any sort of controls

 

[bullet chucker]

I have bought 50 CAL off here as paper weight prezzies, and I also have Tornado ammunition on show with titanium heads?

BC.

 

[SpikeD]

So for most inert rounds it's not an issue, there was a problem when expanding ammunition was put onto Section 5 as this covered the projectile as well. After sense prevailed and this was relaxed it was no longer an issue except for expanding pistol rounds. This is a bit of a complex one as .357" magnum no problem as it can be a rifle round but an inert .50" Action express with a hollow point is still a section 5 prohibited item as it's only ever been a pistol round.

 

[shakey jake]

im sure ive seen this type of keyring banned by airlines, probably because its easier to ban all than teach staff whats dangerous or could be dangerous

 

[Stalker62]

im sure ive seen this type of keyring banned by airlines...

Trying to pass through an airport, carrying anything like an 'inert' round of ammunition, is akin to cracking a 'joke' with Customs Officers. that you are 'Carrying a kilo of coke".





Neither ends well...

 

[Laurie]

So for most inert rounds it's not an issue, there was a problem when expanding ammunition was put onto Section 5 as this covered the projectile as well. After sense prevailed and this was relaxed it was no longer an issue except for expanding pistol rounds. This is a bit of a complex one as .357" magnum no problem as it can be a rifle round but an inert .50" Action express with a hollow point is still a section 5 prohibited item as it's only ever been a pistol round.

Back when expanding rifle bullets were also controlled items, the Home Office issued guidance on this issue. They could be used in inert rounds providing a deep hole was drilled in the bullet base of at least half-calibre diameter. No doubt the same applies today to expanding pistol bullets.

 

[Miki]

It’s not ammo that can be used so not an issue as far as I know - <snip>
Was talking to an RFD a few years back who has a regular customer who buys a good few thousand cases and bullet heads off him per year to make bullet belts and sell them.

Bullets, not Bullet Heads @stubear

You are supposed to render the bullet unusable by drilling a hole as @Laurie indicated.
When I make up a keyring I drill a 4mm blind hole up through the base of the bullet, well into the bearing surface almost to ther shoulder before crimping it into the neck of the cartridge.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I have some US army inert drill rounds in .45ACP and they have some holes drilled on the sides of the case to prove their inertness.

 

[Stevie/P]

Back when expanding rifle bullets were also controlled items, the Home Office issued guidance on this issue. They could be used in inert rounds providing a deep hole was drilled in the bullet base of at least half-calibre diameter. No doubt the same applies today to expanding pistol bullets.

Thank you as always well informative reply.

 

[SpikeD]

I don't recall any section in the guidance relating to the treatment of any projectile to make it a non section 5 article. I've just had a scan through and there's nothing that prescriptive. This sounds like a locally made up rule without basis in law you can be in trouble as to purchase and possess expanding projectiles your FAC will be condition for specific purposes. I have heard of some forces insisting that all cases are drilled and a ball bearing put inside to identify the round as inert. Again there is nothing in the guidance prescribing this. There were specific exemptions for cartridge display boards and keyring items though. it's one of those situations where the law is complex but just ask yourself the question are you confident that when examined in court your defense will stand if your re charged with possession of a section 5 item without the appropriate authority. In reality the number of pure pistol rounds covered by the act is quite small. Even common rounds like 9mm, .45 ACP .44" Mag .38" are all available in carbines so are in effect rifle rounds so free from constraint.

 

[Laurie]

I don't recall any section in the guidance relating to the treatment of any projectile to make it a non section 5 article.

Not local. It was published in the gun magazines at the time.

The guidance also recommended that holes be drilled into the case-body (on all inert rounds, irrespective of bullet type) so that it was immediately apparent that it wasn't live. Although I've seen a few such, I doubt if that practice held much appeal to either collectors or purveyors of inert ammunition.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Trying to pass through an airport, carrying anything like an 'inert' round of ammunition, is akin to cracking a 'joke' with Customs Officers. that you are 'Carrying a kilo of coke".





Neither ends well...


View attachment 299680

Ahem! My friend recently carried his car keyring through security and on board a flight to Liverpool without any problems. Said keyring has had a 7.62x54R Mosin Nagant round attached to it which on the return trip caused quite a stir with the ultimately assembled security ladies and despite much explanation re inertness and assorted protests the senior manager ruled that it could not be taken on board and I he quotes:-
“Yea, I hear dat but yew could stab de pilot in de eoye wivvit”. For the same reason staff also snap off the little inch long nail file from your darling’s nail clippers.

 

[SpikeD]

So without wanting to labor the point, "gun magazines" are not articles of law, they can provide opinion but for legislative guidance there is the below: https://assets.publishing.service.g...file/1116230/Firearms_guide_November_2022.pdf

This is the current version and supersedes previous publications. This is what the Police will follow so that's my recommendation.

Expanding ammunition and projectiles (bullets) are covered in:
Chapter 3 section 3.3 xvii, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22 and also
Chapter 4

To go back to the OP's original point specifically we have in chapter 2

Display Boards and decorative purposes 2.59
In the absence of a court ruling, inert cartridges and ammunition mounted on display boards are not regarded as being subject to the Acts. Similarly, inert bullets mounted on key rings or cuff links are assumed to be exempt.

I take your point about drilled cases not being very collectible, some military drill rounds used holes, some flutes, painted or chromed but for sporting rounds not ideal.

It is possible to have a variation for the collection of ammunition, suitably conditioned you can collect expanding pistol rounds as well as rifle rounds typically with a limit of up to 19.2mm this can make collecting a lot easier.

 

[25 Sharps]

Would an inert round need some kind of certification or can the possession of such an object be illegal.
What would the implications be of say making up a 223 fmj round with a spent primer in the case to be used as a key ring would such an object be considered unacceptable if seen in a public place on a bunch of keys your thoughts and advice please.

No licence required.

Kranks so dummy primers if you want them to look more realistic

 

[Foxyboy43]

So without wanting to labor the point, "gun magazines" are not articles of law, they can provide opinion but for legislative guidance there is the below: https://assets.publishing.service.g...file/1116230/Firearms_guide_November_2022.pdf

This is the current version and supersedes previous publications. This is what the Police will follow so that's my recommendation.

Expanding ammunition and projectiles (bullets) are covered in:
Chapter 3 section 3.3 xvii, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22 and also
Chapter 4

To go back to the OP's original point specifically we have in chapter 2

Display Boards and decorative purposes 2.59
In the absence of a court ruling, inert cartridges and ammunition mounted on display boards are not regarded as being subject to the Acts. Similarly, inert bullets mounted on key rings or cuff links are assumed to be exempt.

I take your point about drilled cases not being very collectible, some military drill rounds used holes, some flutes, painted or chromed but for sporting rounds not ideal.

It is possible to have a variation for the collection of ammunition, suitably conditioned you can collect expanding pistol rounds as well as rifle rounds typically with a limit of up to 19.2mm this can make collecting a lot easier.

Steady the Buffs! As ever in this “United Kingdom” there are differences depending where one lives. In NI magazines were recently included as “licensable” by PSNI without consultation and causing much confusion. As late as last month a compromise has been reached whereby PSNI will pause their view that magazines are essentially component parts of a firearm so must be licensed until such times that a final decision is agreed. For those who may be affected this extract of minutes from last month’s meeting might be of interest - particularly item 4!

1. The EU Firearms Directive is not domestic NI law and not relevant to this magazines issue, other than clarity that even the EU agrees that magazines are not especially dangerous and not worthy of regard as component parts. It is simply an implementing directive; the BREXIT agreement in respect of NI doesn't include EU Firearms Directive implementation.
2. Given the EU Firearms Directive position, perhaps it is time for Northern Ireland to lose the line in its Firearms Order including magazines as component parts. This was discussed by the shooting representatives present and hopefully common sense will prevail in due course and bring NI in to line with the GB mainland position. We understand the legacy NI issue, but time has moved on.
3. SACS and its partner bodies put forward solutions to the current issue. These would involve no applications, variations, extra fees and far less work for PSNI. PSNI have taken these suggestions away and will come back to us shortly with a proposal, which we can then take to our members for approval.
4. Importantly, whilst we all work on a solution, PSNI have agreed to pause the current magazines registration and application scheme. It no longer operates; you do not need to make any applications for magazines.
   Soooo watch this space!