pistol for dispatch

I had a 1911 single stack that was lovely to shoot, a .40 likewise, but a club member had a small colt pocket sized 9mm and it was a horrid little thing to shoot.
 
Hi all what i would like to know is which police forces will allow semi-auto pistols for dispatch in the uk as i know wiltshire and northumbria do.

regards
chris

I know of one glock in 45 cal with a 2 shot restricted mag capacity being issued early this year . South Wales police issued it after a court challenge which they lost.
 
No valid argument for a revolver being better. A semi auto is easier to carry, and can be sound moderated. A sound moderator on a revolver won't work due to the air gap between the cylinder and barrel.
It will though on an old Mosin revolver as the cylinder moves forward on cocking to close the gap. I saw it on a pals one in Germany.
Oops I just saw the previous post.
 
Iv'e got about 20 or so handguns from .22 to .45 ACP, never thought about taking one of them with me for a dispatch gun. The extra weight and burden of carrying 2 guns, no thanks. What about carrying an extra couple of shells in FMJ or a down loaded round or two? Very seldom do I see another hunter in the field packing a pistol, and we need no kind of permit in order to do so. Given UK laws, it seem like more trouble than it's worth.
 
In terms of humane dispatch pistol "conditions of use" here in the UK, does such allow for practice on either your so-called permission/s and/or MOD ranges?

Clearly such a consideration is pivotal to meaningful deployment unless you're happy take 5 or more shots to connect with a vital organ.

K
 
Iv'e got about 20 or so handguns from .22 to .45 ACP, never thought about taking one of them with me for a dispatch gun. The extra weight and burden of carrying 2 guns, no thanks. What about carrying an extra couple of shells in FMJ or a down loaded round or two? Very seldom do I see another hunter in the field packing a pistol, and we need no kind of permit in order to do so. Given UK laws, it seem like more trouble than it's worth.
Sounds about right to me. If i get asked to go out a 12g is handy. Minimal mess and very certain.
 
In terms of humane dispatch pistol "conditions of use" here in the UK, does such allow for practice on either your so-called permission/s and/or MOD ranges?

Clearly such a consideration is pivotal to meaningful deployment unless you're happy take 5 or more shots to connect with a vital organ.

K

Probably depends on your FAC condition(s).

Here in the Wild, Wild West, it’s common to have an all encompassing condition covering all firearms and ammunition on a certificate as per the first paragraph in appendix 3 of HOG i.e. “The firearms and ammunition shall be used for..…” So should not present a problem.
 
I thought handguns were 100% banned unless they had that ridiculous barrel and forearm attachment, don't suppose any of this in in the home office guidance then if those police forces allow it for certain situations?
 
They didn't ban handguns, as there was never really a specific description of what a hundgun was. What they did was to move firearms of less than 60cm overall length, and 30cm min barrel length, to section 5. The exemptions were made for, muzzle loading guns. And some collectors pieces/war trophies etc.
But it's always possible to get permission fro section 5 guns, if you have a good reason. And if you need one for humane dispatch, you may get permission. But most police forces just don't want you to have them, so add all sort of extra conditions.

The long barrel/wrist support guns, were a work around. To bring them over the size restriction.
Also you can buy modern revolvers, with a muzzle loading cylinder, that you load with nitro powders and use shotgun primers. Gives you the modern balistics and grin, but must then be reloaded slow time.
 
That's interesting, but for dispatch I can't see what much use it would be over a good knife. If you can't use it for self-defence then it seems a little bit too much hassle to get one
 
That's interesting, but for dispatch I can't see what much use it would be over a good knife. If you can't use it for self-defence then it seems a little bit too much hassle to get one
Injured red stag? Or any buck/stag for that matter if it's still slightly mobile. I wouldn't want to tangle with a 200kg+ beast that's thrashing it's head around, much prefer a bullet or shot be it from a pistol, rifle or shotgun
 
Wouldn't the rifle that shot it in the first place be suitable should you not be able to approach the animal? I see the merit of shooting an animal again in that situation, but still seems like too many hoops for a niche use
 
I have a 2 shot .357mag in revolver format but I know Sussex don't like semi-auto, although I know also that it is not impossible, they simply say that a particular good reason is needed for semi-auto over a revolver. Although personally I don't see why the action type should have anything to do with acquiring the calibre slot personally... for example you don't ask for a bolt action rifle or a semi-auto rifle etc etc on an FAC grant or variation, you simply say ''rifle''. The same as there is nothing in law anywhere to state you need better reason for a semi-automatic handgun compared to a revolver.....the law states they are section 5 and can only be used in conjunction with humane dispatch of animals. The same as there is no law that states handguns being used for humane dispatch must be restricted to one or two shot only... it all comes down to Home office guidelines...but even then, some counties don't listen to those...which is in it'self interesting as the college of police state, in writing, that all forces must align themselves with the latest Home Office guidelines or provide rational as to reasoning why not.

Sussex do not allow in any way, shape or form the test firing of handguns. They say they are to be used on animals only at point blank range and nothing else. So you cannot check that your handgun functions. You cannot make sure your sights line-up...and apparently you don't need to make sure your sights line-up, as it's use is ''point blank to the head''. Now personally I can see they clearly don't want people taking advantage of the law just to target shoot like alot target shot pre- 1997...fair enough, the law is the law.. but, at the same time, there are scenario's we can think of when it comes to using a handgun to dispatch an animal, where it may not be as simple as point blank and it would be good to know your sights actually work...just as you wouldn't dream of going stalking without knowing for sure that said stalking rifle is zeroed.

I actually spoke to BASC about test firing to ensure functionality and if Sussex's policy on this was legitimate and was basically told by BASCS firearms dept to pipe down about it because I could make my police force think that I want the handgun for target shooting and they may revoke it....not exactly the advice/response you would like to hear from a shooting service you pay £200 odd a year for as a trade member. Basc really seemed to have backed off on many firearms related enquiries since losing a battle in court regarding a handgun application but that is another conversion.

I would like to add that I do like Sussex Police's firearms dept and find they are very fair, as well as efficient and reasonable. I had no problem getting the .357, infact the variation took 3 days total. I just find that particular policy to be an odd one.
 
Iv'e got about 20 or so handguns from .22 to .45 ACP, never thought about taking one of them with me for a dispatch gun. The extra weight and burden of carrying 2 guns, no thanks

I guess some folks see a need? Prior to the 1997 ban in UK I had a S & W pre-Model 27 .357 Magnum licensed, the full six shot capacity, for shooting feral goats in Scotland. Now as you'll know GUY OUT WEST these things...and this with its factory 5" barrel even...were never exactly lightweight. And, like you, I never ever considered taking it out nor even asking for it to listed for use as a dispatch gun if deer were the intended quarry.

I also had, amongst other handguns a 2" Model 12 Smith & Wesson. Licensed for target shooting. Now as you'll know they don't weigh much at all. But, again, I would never have considered asking for it to be licensed for dispatch. But again I suppose some folks see a need? So the bottom line is, for some police authorities, what I write below:

What I was told by my former FEO was that if you had rifles licensed to hunt deer before 1997 yet had not contemporaneously requested a handgun for dispatch there would be natural scepticism in the licensing department. Basically that X or Y had held a licence to shoot deer...in my case since the 1980...but if they had in all that time never expressed a need for a handgun for dispatch. So why now?
 
That's interesting, but for dispatch I can't see what much use it would be over a good knife. If you can't use it for self-defence then it seems a little bit too much hassle to get one



I assume you’re not seen the impact of 243 hitting ground after it’s passed through the injured beast?
 
I assume you’re not seen the impact of 243 hitting ground after it’s passed through the injured beast?
Exactly, or a 270 my favoured rifle, above a 243, or my 7x57. I do have a 2 shot 357 mag which is far better than a knife on ALL deer, I've found the use of a knife does not always kill a beast as quickly as possible. And I've watched other stalkers sawing away on a wet muddy throat of struggling red deer, so I want a quick and dignified death for any deer be it RTA, or botched shot by someone. I applied for a pistol and was granted one, as I reload all my calibres, I can download the 357 to 38 spl or whatever load I want to build up too. 357 mag can be a ball breaker, so I use 38 spl which is far better than than some of the calibres the older hunt guns etc used. deerwarden
 
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