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Taking the scenic route

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aradoAR234 View Drop Down
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    Posted: October 08 2015 at 1:51am
Hi everyone, just thought I would make my first post a condensed version of a long winded story...got my first .303 at age 16 , back in the 70's when gun laws in Australia were practically non -existent. It was an 1898 Long Lee Enfield with a really shot out barrel and broken sear, but it got me hooked on them for life.

Having a father who was a professional shooter, gunsmith and owning his own firearms dealership, made it easier for me than most, and by age 22, I had amassed about 32 rifles Lots of hunting, range shooting and many hours tinkering with .303's of all sorts. One favourite was a No1 Mk 3 SMLE in 7.7 x 54, a cartridge unique to Australia, which was designed to get around the restrictions placed on Military rifles back in the 60's. The case was shortened by about 2mm, but performance was identical to the standard round. With tailored hand loads it was more accurate than my other Mk 3 rifles, but that could have been coincidental as well.

Although I leant towards the No 5 Jungle Carbine, and did my best hunting with a No4 rifle, the P14 was the favourite for really long distance work, as well as being a great rifle to hand load for. When I sold off my collection, it was the last rifle to go, and the one that I Missed the most. My best shot was a Water Buffalo at nearly 600 metres ( paced out, could have been a little longer or shorter...)I did modify it a little with a speed lock firing pin and after market trigger, but kept it full wood and pretty much original apart from that.

That was nearly 30 years ago now, and the laws in Australia have changed dramatically. I've just started to get back into it again, but it has taken 5 months to get my license processed, and I still have to wait another 2 months to do the safety course. THEN I can apply to buy a rifle, after the police inspect my safe, and I have to go through a dealer and all the rest of the paranoid crap. Still, I found someone who will sell me a sporterised Lithgow No.1 Mk 3, plus a No 4 303-25, PLUS an original totally untouched or restored Remington P14 which I am really looking forward too, so I hope to become more active on this forum once the paper chase is out of the way. I Look forward to being part of the Enfield crowd once again






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Zed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 12:38pm
Welcome to the forum; and well done for taking the time and trouble to do the paperwork and get back into shooting. It's worth jumping through all the legal hoops, then you can enjoy your Enfield's, and restart that collection and get to the range.

I see so many deactivated rifles for sale these day's because people want to collect without doing the paperwork. To think they are just to lazy to invest the time and money to enjoy the rifles. It's like tearing the engine out of a classic car and just parking it on the drive!
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aradoAR234 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 2:35pm
Thanks Zed; I know what you mean about the deactivated rifle bit. They cost as much as the real thing, but it means you can hang it on the wall. I guess most people would not know if you were using a deactivated gun during a robbery, as has happened here a few times. The gun laws only disadvantage honest people.

Another six weeks to go before the safety course, but I've only just found out they have upped the storage laws, making a lot of gunsafes no longer valid. Even the best gunsafe is no defence against someone ripping it out of your house and cutting it open with an oxy, as has happened here recently.

I also ordered a couple of books from .303british.com, so maybe I can do some quiet reading while I wait........, cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Canuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 3:46pm
Welcome to the site!
Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 4:02pm
welcome post some photos when you can and jump right in where your comfotable 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paddyofurniture Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 5:37pm
Welcome to the board.
Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 5:43pm
Welcome to the site, I look forward to seeing you posting some pictures in the future. I also have a question for you. What are your laws regarding storage? I am always curious to learn more about the laws of other countries.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote maxwell smart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2015 at 8:03pm
Originally posted by Bear43 Bear43 wrote:

Welcome to the site, I look forward to seeing you posting some pictures in the future. I also have a question for you. What are your laws regarding storage? I am always curious to learn more about the laws of other countries.

It varies a little from state to state, and upon the type of firearm. Pistols and semi-autos have much stricter requirements compared to other types.

Where I am, "ordinary" firearms have to be in kept in a sturdy locked container, which is securely fixed to structure of building, or weigh more than 250kg if free-standing.

Bolts to be to be removed, or action "broken".

Ammunition stored locked away, not in same part of container as firearms.  


In practical terms, all quite reasonable. 
So far no real restriction on complete ammunition stock holding, although there is a limit for powder stocks.
Police inspections in my experience pre-arranged and very cordial. Staff at local station very helpful.
Dealing with main departmental office is a mixed experience - sometimes excellent, others most frustrating. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 09 2015 at 6:37am
One more question..... You said that bolts have to be removed. Do you have to keep then locked up in a separate area as well or can they be within the same container as the firearms?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 09 2015 at 7:56am
If they have the same rules as here in the UK you can lock the bolts in the top locking compartment of the cabinet with the ammunition. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 09 2015 at 8:52am
Welcome to the Forum
 
You should enjoy shooting that P-14
Have a Nice Day
If already having a nice day please disregard
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maxwell smart View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote maxwell smart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 09 2015 at 2:32pm
Originally posted by Bear43 Bear43 wrote:

One more question..... You said that bolts have to be removed. Do you have to keep then locked up in a separate area as well or can they be within the same container as the firearms?

Must NOT be in same section of container as firearms.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paddyofurniture Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 09 2015 at 4:23pm
I remove bolts and store the bolts
 in another area just to be safe.
Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.
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