Provided you don't chop it to less than the legal minimum it stays on Sec 2 (shotgun certificate), so no licencing agro at all.
Pistols for stalking HD
- Thread starter 25 Sharps
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sikamalc
Administrator
Funny how its the same few banging the same old drum about HD ownership, every time its brought up on here. More than likely they would never be granted one anyway 
The shooting fraternity are their own worse enemies at times, always judging others in their choice of equipment and rifle calibers. Let alone the ownership of an HD weapon, and their experience of using one or the need for one. Lot of jelousy in this game at times.
The shooting fraternity are their own worse enemies at times, always judging others in their choice of equipment and rifle calibers. Let alone the ownership of an HD weapon, and their experience of using one or the need for one. Lot of jelousy in this game at times.
If that’s aimed at me @sikamalc there’s genuinely no jealousy involved at all, I have no need for an HD pistol and no desire to own one. I do have a .357 LBR and .22 LR LBP which I do enjoy shooting so I’m not against pistol ownership.Funny how its the same few banging the same old drum about HD ownership, every time its brought up on here. More than likely they would never be granted one anyway
The shooting fraternity are their own worse enemies at times, always judging others in their choice of equipment and rifle calibers. Let alone the ownership of an HD weapon, and their experience of using one or the need for one. Lot of jelousy in this game at times.
I also see no issue for them being granted for those who have a genuine reason, I just don’t agree that everyone needs one or has good reason just because they stalk deer; apparently based on the above that is true!
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sikamalc
Administrator
No not at you. One only has to look through the posts on this thread and others to see the same old people with remarks or stupid photos. Gets a bit tiring and childish in my opinion.
Bit like the same old bunch picking on anything to do with the police all the time.
That sounds painful!
I can see the use for carrying one in addition to a rifle if used to dispatch a wounded animal at close quarters, especially in dense undergrowth where a scoped rifle would be difficult to accurately aim at an animal moving and thrashing around for a follow up shot. Over penetration and ricochets at very close range on hard stoney ground is much more likely with a centre fire rifle calibre bullet too.
A lot of police forces are in truth, very reluctant to issue you with the required permission to own a pistol / revolver for HD purposes whether you are legally entitled and can provide good reason or not. It pretty much depends on how your own force views it. The main reason actually appears to be the possibility of the pistol ending up in criminal hands through a burglary etc, although the evidence to back this up doesn’t really hold water and you could say that the same risk applies to any rifle or shotgun.
The recommended route would be a smallish 357magnum / 38 special calibre revolver. These are pretty much limited to a two shot capacity now for this purpose, so the rest of the chambers in the cylinder have to be professionally restricted to limit the capacity to two shots. This again is aimed at the possibility of the pistol getting into criminal hands. A semi auto pistol with a restricted magazine is unlikely to be granted due to the possibility of obtaining unrestricted magazines, which obviously hold far more ammunition.
I have extensive experience shooting my own revolvers and semi auto pistols from the pre 1997 ban pistol shooting days. This was at targets / steel plates etc. The red tape surrounding ownership, especially in my area prohibits me from applying for one though I did consider it at one time.
A thread like this usually ends up with the majority of replies stating that you don’t need one, a 410 single barrelled shotgun is better, pistol calibres are ineffective etc etc.
Many people replying, actually have zero experience with them and seem adverse to anyone owning one.
It is not clear if you are seriously looking to get one or not but if so and can provide a good reason for one, run it by your FEO to sound out the possibility of being granted permission for ownership. You will soon know if it is likely or not.
A lot of police forces are in truth, very reluctant to issue you with the required permission to own a pistol / revolver for HD purposes whether you are legally entitled and can provide good reason or not. It pretty much depends on how your own force views it. The main reason actually appears to be the possibility of the pistol ending up in criminal hands through a burglary etc, although the evidence to back this up doesn’t really hold water and you could say that the same risk applies to any rifle or shotgun.
The recommended route would be a smallish 357magnum / 38 special calibre revolver. These are pretty much limited to a two shot capacity now for this purpose, so the rest of the chambers in the cylinder have to be professionally restricted to limit the capacity to two shots. This again is aimed at the possibility of the pistol getting into criminal hands. A semi auto pistol with a restricted magazine is unlikely to be granted due to the possibility of obtaining unrestricted magazines, which obviously hold far more ammunition.
I have extensive experience shooting my own revolvers and semi auto pistols from the pre 1997 ban pistol shooting days. This was at targets / steel plates etc. The red tape surrounding ownership, especially in my area prohibits me from applying for one though I did consider it at one time.
A thread like this usually ends up with the majority of replies stating that you don’t need one, a 410 single barrelled shotgun is better, pistol calibres are ineffective etc etc.
Many people replying, actually have zero experience with them and seem adverse to anyone owning one.
It is not clear if you are seriously looking to get one or not but if so and can provide a good reason for one, run it by your FEO to sound out the possibility of being granted permission for ownership. You will soon know if it is likely or not.
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Rake Aboot
Well-Known Member
Struggling to understand why some stalkers are so against others having a pistol.
If you don’t need one that’s fine but you don’t get to dictate whether others need one.
That’s narcissistic.
If you don’t need one that’s fine but you don’t get to dictate whether others need one.
That’s narcissistic.
I had my five inch barrel Smith & Wesson pre-Model 27 ".357 Magnum" revolver with a condition on my FAC in the early to mid 1990s to allow for its use on feral goats in Scotland as well as for the usual use for target shooting. I never saw it at all necessary to have that condition opened up to allow its use, as was allowed was my .270 WCF (and other calibre rifles) to allow its use on deer as at that time all my stalking was "on the hill" so carrying such a large heavy frame revolver would have been an unwelcome encumbrance.
I believe that if you cut a .410 down to min 24" you will need to re-proof, I may be wrong.
I also believe there is a minimum overall length to class as a shotgun rather than pistol.
So folding .410 may or may not solve the issue.
Those on the site better informed than myself will no doubt enlighten us.
I also believe there is a minimum overall length to class as a shotgun rather than pistol.
So folding .410 may or may not solve the issue.
Those on the site better informed than myself will no doubt enlighten us.
The way various CF calibres are restricted by some forces. I think you've more chance of platting fog.Slightly off tack but if a person holding various calibers for deer stalking, vermin and boar with land deemed fit for use, Why in theory cannot a person have, hold, plink with, and enjoy Any hand gun, and if not explain why and what can be done to reverse situation which makes no sense, someone should ask liz or rishi? In these modern times think it could be discrimination. If basc get behind it might even join again
ChesterP
Well-Known Member
As long as you have HD on your cert it is good reason enough for applying for a pistol and I can't really see the issue making it a non starter for any stalker. The only fly in the ointment would be the perception of licensing teams based on the politics and public opinion surrounding the illegal use of (illegally held) pistols as this week so painfully reminds us. There has to be clearer separation between responsible and legit gun owners and the criminal element holders and users and the way that crime statistics are reported before we can get through the political quagmire surrounding gun ownership in the UK. I see no problem in anyone deemed fit and responsible enough to hold a S1 rifle also being granted a pistol for HD use. It's convincing the licensing team with established good reason that matters, not convincing each other.
I would imagine with what has happened this week you would need a watertight good reason to get one if your variation is in at the moment, though with some forces dept timeliness by the time they get to your paperwork it will be long forgotten. Which is a sad reflection on FLD's
I'm don't care or have any issues with anyone who can show what's required from having one, rural vets you would think would get one on asking especially those on agricultural practices.
I'm don't care or have any issues with anyone who can show what's required from having one, rural vets you would think would get one on asking especially those on agricultural practices.
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Been using a fold up for 410 to kill deer on the side of the road for donkeys years
I still would love to hunt UK deer with one of these in 7BR but must make do with the stutzen version:
K
K
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
My opinion, based on the fact that I did have a pistol ( .22) for humane dispatch but currently don’t, is that very few stalkers actually need one.
If you’re a commercial stalker taking clients out on a daily basis you have a case, especially if you don’t carry a rifle yourself.
Otherwise, the chances of you needing a pistol are vanishingly rare and even rarer if you are carrying any other firearm.
That’s probably not a popular view, but in 5 years of carrying a pistol I used it twice and on both occasions I could just as easily have used the rifle.
You definitely don’t need a centre fire unless your dealing with large livestock, .22LR is quite adequate for any deer species.
If you’re a commercial stalker taking clients out on a daily basis you have a case, especially if you don’t carry a rifle yourself.
Otherwise, the chances of you needing a pistol are vanishingly rare and even rarer if you are carrying any other firearm.
That’s probably not a popular view, but in 5 years of carrying a pistol I used it twice and on both occasions I could just as easily have used the rifle.
You definitely don’t need a centre fire unless your dealing with large livestock, .22LR is quite adequate for any deer species.
StephenToast
Well-Known Member
If you are a guide not carrying a rifle what is the client carrying?
Surely you'd just use their rifle if they were unable?
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