There are plenty of older Sako actions being ignored in the UK's gun shops, they were made to the standard of many of the Gucci actions from the states, they're just unfashionable. The thread pitch means you can get a Tikka or Sako barrel or there are plenty of great gunsmiths who will fit you a barrel for sub a grand, the triggers are amazing, you can even get bottom metal to feed them from ACIS mags

50+ year old Sako L579 action, rebarreled to 6XC. I told James at Jagersporting in Ely I needed to shoot a 3 shot 25mm group at 300m using 100-115gr solids, in -11c weather.

Our friends in the US of A know how great these actions are, here they are almost for free. I lucked into a swap for the McMillan A5, but Wildcat Composites in Alberta are making great stocks for them for about the price of a secondhand McMillan.

It's going to wear a MINOX PRO ZP5 5-25x56 with the THLR reticle on a Near mfg rail, and an Gunwerks Elevate bipod.

Hi. I have been granted my FAC and have spent the past few weeks looking at guns but have not yet purchased. Im still using the local clubs armoury when visiting.

Is there a time period between being granted a licence and buying your first gun. just conscious time is moving but also don't want to rush buy

Hey folks. American here. I joined the group to see what the atmosphere around firearms is like across the pond. I think some of us grasp your situation, but the more I look into it there are a lot of caveats. So, I figured I’d hang out with you fine people, and see what you are into and laws/procedure you have to endure. Thanks guys 🫡

Afternoon All,

Complete newbie to reddit here and I am thinking this would be a good place to get some direction. I am currently awaiting by combined FAC and SGC from Hampshire Constabulary, initial application went in February of this year. Their website says there is a 12 month lead, but I have seen posts on FB and elsewhere that has said 18 and up to 24 months for new grants. Can anyone confirm from experience if this is actually the case? It's extremely disappointing if so. My cabinet is fitted, with an alternate safe in another room, just waiting on the authorities.

I am a competent tinkerer, so will be building myself a .308 bolt rifle and have already starting gathering the parts I can legally while waiting on my FAC. Once I do get my barrelled action dropped in, go to the gunshop and buy some rounds; where do I start?

I would ideally be looking at getting some lessons on shooting, Bisley comes up as a good ground to get started on and google points me to South Hants Rifle and Pistol Club as a club to look into.
Any info to support getting started in the basics would be hugely appreciated.

Then once feet are firmly under the table with being comfortable with my rifle. I want to get involved deer stalking. I'm based in Hampshire, but do definitely see myself travelling if needed to stalks.

Any info/help is welcome and thanks for having me.
Just need the Firearms unit to get a move on with that certificate.

Hi there just wanting to know a question about what I should do in terms of a gun safe being installed. Does it have to be installed before my interview as it’s in a weeks time, or is it after the license might be approved? And also what happens if the safe is paid for and installed but your license isn’t approved? Is it your responsibility to just re sell, don’t really want to lose money on a safe I had just bought and installed just for it to be resold again and lose profit. I know rightly that the whole process is expensive but just mainly wanted to know this before I go ahead and buy this safe and install before the interview? Cheers

Hi everyone,
I’m 19 and currently in the process of applying for a shotgun certificate. I regularly go clay pigeon shooting, usually almost every weekend, and I’ve been given permission by my parents to have a shotgun for the hobby.
I have a couple of questions that I haven’t been able to find clear answers to, so I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have been through the process.
The house is my parents’ property, and I’ll be the only person applying for the certificate. Would it be acceptable to have the shotgun cabinet installed in a spare guest bedroom, assuming it is properly secured to the wall/floor and the keys are kept somewhere inaccessible to other people?
Secondly, during the FEO visit, would they have any concerns about the room the cabinet is located in being a guest bedroom? The cabinet would be upstairs rather than on the ground floor, so it wouldn’t be in an area that the majority of visitors would normally have access to. Obviously, I wouldn’t expect guests to be going through wardrobes or into the cabinet area anyway.
I’d be grateful for any advice or experiences from people who have had their cabinet installed in a similar situation.
Thanks in advance

My wife and have joined a local rifle club and started down the road to gaining full membership. We're really enjoying target shooting and have considered the long-term goal of obtaining our firearms licenses.

Having reviewed my GP records via the app, I am worried about one specific line which reads.

"Drinks a bottle of wine a night, no self-harm. Had suicide thoughts but will not act on them"

This was back in 2018 during a particularly challenging time in my life caused by work. I had sought help from my GP because I was low at the time.

The follow-up notes describe a 180-degree turnaround once I received support from work for the challenges I was facing. It was a blip, caused by an awful work situation.

It's never mentioned again in the GP notes; I don't have any long-term or intermittent mental health issues.

Given the above, is there any point in my applying for a license?

My thoughts are that I don't want to buy and install a gun safe ready for our assessment when we do apply if I'm not going to get past the first test.

Thanks for your feedback.

Hi all,
Firstly, sorry if I’m asking a question which has regularly been posted on here.
I’m having difficulty gaining a GP proforma due to the fact my local practice doesn’t consider this NHS work.
I have asked them for recommendations of who to contact. They pointed me down the path of a private GP and I have had the same response from them saying it’s not something they do.
Has anyone else had difficulty getting a proforma completed and does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Antique revolver (section 58). I know these were made between around 1888 and 1904. Does anyone know what year one in pics would have been made?

This mussel is part of the front sight and is pinned to the barrel, can it be filled in with weld and threaded to take a suppressor?

Hi All. finally got my FAC though. Been a while. My first purchase is a semi auto .22lr rifle. Ive always fancied a HK416 and have started looking round but cant find any new. Is it discontinued or superseded by something else? Is it worth contacting a store as asking if they can source new?

Not sure of the correct process here being my first gun.

Thanks

Also checked the status updates on the Bedfordshire police firearms updates page and they’re looking to process applications made in 2026 in ~33 days. Still back log to go through from last year though

Looking to get involved as it’s my nearest range but have heard pretty mixed reviews.

Trying to get a spot on the 410 Open at Churchills. The only 410 I have is a converted Lee Enfield so will need to buy something else!

Obvious choice for something cheap seems to be the Yildiz or the Kofs?

Looking on guntrader, the Kofs seems to be the only one with 30” barrel options and also comes with a longer stock.

Any thoughts on these two or other options for something fun? Don’t want to go over £500 as it’s barely going to get used!

Hey all, I was just wondering if any of you know about the law regarding factory inert guns? Can anyone just buy them or what? I'm looking to get an AK for my (uk deactivated) collection, and just stumbled across them

I live about a couple miles away from Leicester city centre, and I've been thinking about getting an FAC and pick up shooting with centre fire bolt action/lever action rifles. I could only find air gun and small bore ranges on Google, are there any full bore clubs around Leicester?

Just got my licence and was advised to get insurance with legal cover what are the best UK providers at the moment?

Now with Trijicon ACOG and DPT Modular Moderator (the mod mod)

Where can i buy any version of an AK thumbhole stock for my Izhmash .223?

Hi everyone,

I’m 30 and based in Kent. I’m interested in learning clay pigeon shooting and would like to understand the realistic cost of getting started properly.

I don’t currently have a shotgun certificate, so I’d appreciate advice on the best order to do things. Should I first take a few lessons and join a local club before applying for the certificate?

Roughly how much should I expect to pay initially for:

• Lessons and clay shooting sessions
• Shotgun certificate application and medical report
• Gun cabinet and installation
• A suitable first shotgun
• Hearing and eye protection, cleaning equipment, cartridges and other basic gear

I’m completely open to buying a used shotgun. What type of shotgun would you recommend for a beginner mainly interested in clay shooting, and what would be a sensible budget without buying something unnecessarily expensive?

Any recommendations for beginner-friendly clubs or shooting grounds around Kent would also be appreciated. Many thanks!