Hunting pistol!

[Sausagedog 7,381]

I have always wanted to hunt with a good revolver, 357 or larger.

Now I know that ain't gonna happen and when in the past I have used air pistols so many folk got their panties all knotted up I was worried for about five seconds I seem to recall that someone may castrate themselves over it but......

Am I right in my understanding of the law that I could have a 24" barreled smoothbore single or double barreled, break action or muzzleloader, pistol gripped?

So much of my hunting is close range and carrying something so short appeals some how, maybe I am just weirded but hey....

SD.

[Gav 1,708]

Your opening a can of worms here pal. I looked into pistols a while back, the extended ones you see are usually used for range target shooting, and are very hard to get a license for, 200 years member of a reputable gun club etc. Not sure at all on the front stuffer? The other alternative I came across were the black powder, percussion cap variety, which come under antiquities. Failing that move to NI where they're still legal and in abundance, funny that

[Sausagedog 7,381]

What do you make of this (everyone) taken from the guidance to the police document;

When considering the classification of smooth-bore guns, special attention must be paid to 
the length of the barrel and the overall length. With the exception of those chambered for .22 
rimfire cartridges, section 1(2) of the 1988 Act raised to the prohibited category (see Chapter 
3) all self-loading and pump-action models which are either short-barrelled (under 24 inches)
or short in overall length (under 40 inches). For the purpose of calculating overall length any
detachable, retractable or other movable butt-stock should be disregarded. References to
‘shotguns’ in the 1968 Act may be taken generally to mean section 2 shotguns, rather than
those subject to sections 1 and 5 of the 1968 Act, unless otherwise stated.
2.9 While overall length is not a relevant factor in regard to the classification of traditional single 
and double-barrelled smooth-bore guns and repeating shotguns with a bolt or lever-action, 
any such guns with barrels under 24 inches in length are subject to control under section 
1 of the 1968 Act. Also controlled under section 1 is any repeating shotgun, not otherwise 
prohibited by virtue of its barrel length or overall length, with a magazine capacity in excess 
of two cartridges.

[Sausagedog 7,381]

That went down like lead balloon!

Just be clear, I'm not after a pistol. I would if it was legal but it ain't.

I would however consider a 24" barrelled shotgun minus stock, pistol gripped if legal. It looks as though a non auto or pump action has no overall length requirements held on a shotgun cert.

Is that how others understand the law?

Just after factual help, not wanting to cause trouble.

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

4 hours ago, Sausagedog said:

That went down like lead balloon!

Just be clear, I'm not after a pistol. I would if it was legal but it ain't.

I would however consider a 24" barrelled shotgun minus stock, pistol gripped if legal. It looks as though a non auto or pump action has no overall length requirements held on a shotgun cert.

Is that how others understand the law?

Just after factual help, not wanting to cause trouble.

Yes SD, so long as it’s not semi auto or pump action and the barrel is 24 inches or more, regardless of overall length it remains section 2. If the barrel is less than 24 inches but not less than 12 inches it is section 1 but the overall length must still remain 24 inches or more. Nothing less than 24 inches overall or it will be section 5.

[Sausagedog 7,381]

1 hour ago, Rimfireboy! said:

Yes SD, so long as it’s not semi auto or pump action and the barrel is 24 inches or more, regardless of overall length it remains section 2. If the barrel is less than 24 inches but not less than 12 inches it is section 1 but the overall length must still remain 24 inches or more. Nothing less than 24 inches overall or it will be section 5.

Thanks buddy, that's how I understood it.