Collectors (of live firing enfields) - A plea.

[Beerhunter]

Please guys and gals of this community, especially dealers, don't let any more Enfields be de-activated. Let the Enactors use plastic ones.

You need to understand that in the UK, the market for Section One Firearms is tiny. Especially compared to the Deactivated market - 60 million - that is to say everyone.

The dealers are not in business for the fun of it - well actually lots of them are - but they need to make living to or there won't be any more dealers. So dealers need to sell stuff.

BTW, re-enactors don't need to use deacts. They can get Section Ones on the basis of re-enactment being a "Good Reason" and they can hire Section Fives. (Just like the Movie business.)

[Thunderbox]

Sadly, the de-act plague is spreading in UK. Because de-acts typically fetch up to 20-30% more than a "live" rifle, its no longer possible for a normal dealer to compete in auctions or other trade sources with the de-acters - they can pay full retail price for a rifle and then still make money by cutting it. At the last auction i attended, I only managed to secure one out of six SMLEs - the other five were bought to be cut.

[dman69]

A painful discussion. For a number of reasons, Australia has some pretty proscriptive laws in place compared to other parts of the world. (For you folks overseas who aren't aware, suggest you google the "Port Arthur Massacre")..

I am all in favour of sensible, safe and responsible gun ownership. I am also keenly interested in ensuring my kids have at least the same (if not better!) opportunities I had when I grew up. That includes using firearms sensibly, and enjoying the process to boot. I didn't grow up with milsurps - started with a .22, followed by a .270 when I was 19 or so - this is a relatively recent passion! However i do remember a keen interest in these pieces of history as I grew up.

I hope I'm able to do my bit to ensure a few examples remain for the next generation - probably means I need to pick up a couple more soon - any suggestions?

[Demo]

There's no threat of losing our collectible milsurps to deactivation in Australia.

[xa-coupe]

There's no threat of losing our collectible milsurps to deactivation in Australia.

no, just losing everything.

[jss]

Thanks to all of you for putting me straight. All arguments understood and accepted, but I just can't help feeling it's wrong!.
I hope no-one is going to tell me that the UK based collections at Warminster and I believe Shrivenham are de-activated.
Please tell me they are NOT!

[peregrinvs]

BTW, re-enactors don't need to use deacts. They can get Section Ones on the basis of re-enactment being a "Good Reason" and they can hire Section Fives. (Just like the Movie business.)

For battles; yes. But not for displays. Especially things like MGs, mortars, etc.

As far as the UK is concerned, deacts are simply the result of the laws of supply and demand operating within the context of UK firearms ownership legislation. You can argue with the latter, but there's no point arguing with the former.

[Fred G.]

I wish that all of you could and would come to live in my country near my town so that your passion for collecting and shooting firearms could be fully realized. There's plenty of land here for everyone. The wife and I would even give you each your choice of a horse just to lower the size of our herd that we have to feed each winter when we bring them up from the lower pastures by the creek! I'm sure you'd all make fine, fine neighbors!

[jss]

I wish that all of you could and would come to live in my country near my town so that your passion for collecting and shooting firearms could be fully realized. There's plenty of land here for everyone.

So do I Fred. Sounds a lovely spot. "Nebraska", even the name conjures up images of a life we can only imagine here. But I think your probably better off without English neighbours. They might start campainging!.
Thanks for your thoughtful responses and lovely pictures. Much appreciated. Nice rifles, nice horses and hopefully nice neighbours.
I have to draw the curtains before getting a gun out of the safe, just in case I'm spotted and we get a visit from an armed response team!.

Best wishes

jss


jss

[Bindi2]

Thanks to all of you for putting me straight. All arguments understood and accepted, but I just can't help feeling it's wrong!.
I hope no-one is going to tell me that the UK based collections at Warminster and I believe Shrivenham are de-activated.
Please tell me they are NOT!

I should leave this to Peter. Have been there and they were not de-acts. The national museum at Leeds is fully operational for military training purposes as required.