Cadet .22 conversion of No4 rifle

[newcastle]

In the cadets in teh early 1980s we had No. 2 rifles in .22 LR caliber. no fancy schmancy No.8s with aperture sights for us.

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[Peter Laidler]

The No8 replacement programme has been running since the Cadets got the L98A1......... then the old original sub calibre kits.......... then the L98A2........ and the modified sub cal kit. So 'soon' won't be anytime 'soon' as you and I understand the term I feel!

The BEST way to prod the disposal authority is through the NSRA or the NRA, both QUANGO's (oh yes they are......) or a well established dealership like Fultons who have all the necessary credentials behind them. But always worth bearing in mind that what the Army and Armourers call perfectly serviceable, the proof house doesn't*. AND there is no crown immunity now and the rifles really at the end of their lives.

*We allow 3 bulges on condition that it doesn't affect accuracy (and m/v?) while the PH won't accept any

[Beerhunter]

there is no crown immunity now

But the Government is still exempt from the Gun Barrel Proof Acts.

[Patrick Chadwick]

... and the rifles really at the end of their lives...

What! A rifle that is younger than I am at the end of its life! Surely not. I am prepared to admit that my 1804 musket is not quite mint, but a No.8 is only 60 odd years old. I would term that "nicely matured".

But it probably depends on how you treat them:

[Peter Laidler]

Yes, that puzzled me too but as they don't have their own proof regeime they send them off for commercial proof at great and totally unnecessary expense......... I was doing a trial on a bit of US kit and............ anyway!

[Flying10uk]

The thing about the MOD being concerned about if they were to sell weapons to reputable U.K. dealers they may get sold onto criminals to use for unlawful purposes doesn't really make sense to me. U.K. dealers are purchasing weapons all the time from other sources other than the MOD and a criminal who decides to purchase a weapon for unlawful purposes is not likely, in my opinion, to be too bothered on where the dealer sources it from. No reputable U.K. dealer that I know of would ever supply a weapon to anyone who they believed may use it for any unlawful purposes. All the reputable, well known U.K. dealers that I have ever dealt with over the years have always been as straight as a Die and conducted their business in a very straight-forward business like and lawful manner. One very well known dealer told me that he believed the reason was that if the press got hold of the story that the MOD were selling weapons to U.K. dealers they would have a field-day.

[Beerhunter]

The thing about the MOD being concerned about if they were to sell weapons to reputable U.K. dealers they may get sold onto criminals to use for unlawful purposes doesn't really make sense to me.

It doesn't make sense to anyone else. (It has been their excuse in the past, BTW. e.g all those Argentine captures.) What criminal in his/her right mind would want a No.8!

[Peter Laidler]

It's nothing to do with that Flying 10! It's the UN stranglehold over government weapons sales.

I know this UN thing (and the UN in general if you ask me...) is all a bit silly and stupid and all that - but I'm sure a quick read through the local news might prick your little balloon regarding weapons that have been 'diverted' by one or two rascals in the past

[Flying10uk]

Has the U.N. banned the sale of surplus weapons by governments into the civilian market, then Peter? U.K. dealers are still importing weapons from over-seas into the U.K. for sale into the U.K. collectors market.

[Peter Laidler]

I don't know the ins and outs of how the UN works. It is a bit like the EU or off street parking I suppose where there are sets of rules, regulations and red tape by the bucket-load but, alas, non enforceable except by those who wish to abide by the rules, regs and red tape. India, China and one or two others are members of the UN club and they seem quite happy to sell on. So is Britain and we don't unless it's govt to govt or off-shore.

I do know first hand that the UN imposed an Arms embargo into Bosnia H/G et al and..............