Guntrader Experience

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Greg105

Greg105

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I’m aware there are existing threads about Guntrader but thought creating a new one may give a better idea of my experience and your thoughts on if I did the right thing

Bought a Stoeger X1M Bullpup - seller seemed to be jack the lad - first red flag - should have stopped at here

However after being assured the gun accurate and used for hunting
Paid £300 and gun arrived - condition was ok - not brilliant

Took it to my local range on Sunday and used my chronograph
Horror - 15.4 foot pounds

Now I know the majority of you would be ok tinkering with it to get it legal - but I’m not that technical when it comes to pcp’s

I thought I would do the right thing and report it to the police based on I believed the seller had sold an illegal weapon
He had bragged about using it to kill fox’s from his bedroom window

Having took a number of calls first from Staffordshire police then Northumbria

Another call 21:20 last night from Northumbria saying they were sending officers round to “collect” the gun

They arrived within 20 mins - were very pleasant asking if I was going to apply for fac licence which I said no

I explained the issue & they took the gun away

They had information on the seller from my initial contact

Waiting for the next steps but I stated it would be my intention to take it to a gunsmith to be made legal
I think they are going to test it to confirm it’s well over 12 foot pound

Thing is have I done the right thing?
 
Handing it over to the police was an honorable thing to do but, to be honest, you are unlikely to get the gun back.

With all second hand purchases, it has to be "buyer beware" .... and only buy on a face-to-face basis after trying and checking a potential new toy, especially if it was advertised on Guntrader.
 
If it is proven to be over 12 ftlb then I wouldn't expect the police to return it to you.
You could ask them if it would be ok if a known (to them) FAC holder, ideally a gun smith in a gun shop could collect it on your behalf for power reduction and testing. The police still might see a need for further testing at their forensics lab and you may have to foot the bill for this and it won't be cheap.
The cheapest option is to bite the bullet and let it go.
 
Wing Commander said:
Handing it over to the police was an honorable thing to do but, to be honest, you are unlikely to get the gun back.

With all second hand purchases, it has to be "buyer beware" .... and only buy on a face-to-face basis after trying and checking a potential new toy, especially if it was advertised on Guntrader.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree - expensive lesson
 
Greg105 said:
I’m aware there are existing threads about Guntrader but thought creating a new one may give a better idea of my experience and your thoughts on if I did the right thing

Bought a Stoeger X1M Bullpup - seller seemed to be jack the lad - first red flag - should have stopped at here

However after being assured the gun accurate and used for hunting
Paid £300 and gun arrived - condition was ok - not brilliant

Took it to my local range on Sunday and used my chronograph
Horror - 15.4 foot pounds

Now I know the majority of you would be ok tinkering with it to get it legal - but I’m not that technical when it comes to pcp’s

I thought I would do the right thing and report it to the police based on I believed the seller had sold an illegal weapon
He had bragged about using it to kill fox’s from his bedroom window

Having took a number of calls first from Staffordshire police then Northumbria

Another call 21:20 last night from Northumbria saying they were sending officers round to “collect” the gun

They arrived within 20 mins - were very pleasant asking if I was going to apply for fac licence which I said no

I explained the issue & they took the gun away

They had information on the seller from my initial contact

Waiting for the next steps but I stated it would be my intention to take it to a gunsmith to be made legal
I think they are going to test it to confirm it’s well over 12 foot pound

Thing is have I done the right thing?
Click to expand...
You MIGHT get it back but I'm going to go with its gone .
John Pembroke said:
If it is proven to be over 12 ftlb then I wouldn't expect the police to return it to you.
You could ask them if it would be ok if a known (to them) FAC holder, ideally a gun smith in a gun shop could collect it on your behalf for power reduction and testing. The police still might see a need for further testing at their forensics lab and you may have to foot the bill for this and it won't be cheap.
The cheapest option is to bite the bullet and let it go.
Click to expand...

It would have to be an RFD or their servant. To the best of my knowledge an FAC holder would need a section 7 to be able to collect it and take it to the RFD who could turn it down. . If its not on their FAC then its still a unlicensed firearm in their possession.

Not sure if they would issue the OP a section 7 so he could pick it up and hand it to an RFD to turn it down.

@Sarge will know.
 
I think thats the last you will see of that rifle, if confirmed to be overpowered then they can not legally return it to you, I would, hindsight I know but if you rendered it un-operable untill such time I could get someone to fettle it, then no law broken
 
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That’s why I always ask for a chrono result or test it myself. Especially with purchasing online here, many sales and guns in the post, it’s a real possibility for anyone.

I think you did the right thing but. First port of call would have been your local RFD for me though. If you can avoid the police first, do. They will rarely do anything to help you these days. And all it would take is the loss of some records and the guy to say you’d tried to sell it to him or provide some unknown chrono result before he sold it to say it was under and they may be looking in your direction. Unlikely but possible. Not to mention all the hassle that comes with it as you likely won’t see your gun back. Not without some cost I’d have thought anyway.
 
Neil54 said:
A lot of legal stuff spring to mind.

I would have dry fired it empty, asked for help on here for a service and then pm to say it's over power.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wouldn't have involved the police and exposed myself to how they chose to react to a strict liability offence. That said, I'm someone who now has zero trust or faith in the UK police over anything, at any time.

If you find yourself with something hot, as you say, empty it and do some basic disassembly. I doubt there's an airgun in existence that doesn't have a few YouTubes that would give even the most clueless and hamfisted (looking at you, Randomone 🤣) the means to temporarily legalise the gun by rendering it inoperable.
 
Mmmmmmmm 🤔 you were hasty my friend you may not get the rifle back now.... should have asked for advice here first but its done now so let's see what the old Bill do about it....then we will all know for certain what actually happens in a case like this 👍. One love ❤️ Ali
 
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