L1A1 gas block and system

[nzl1a1collector]

Brian, the rifle is one of 34 special 'Australian Bi-Centenary' L1A1 Rifles made in 1988.

[Peter Laidler]

Just as a matter of interest, would that 'rifle' still be regarded as a 'rifle as such in NZ, together with all the special paperwork and security stuff?

And what about such a beast in Australia?

I'd call it a work of art personally and a pleasure to see. I did an AK47 for a high ranking Officer based on that format a few years ago. Even higher legal opinion deemed it to be totally beyond the definition of a firearm. I was going to say innoxious but it keeps telling me the word is misspelled

[Lithy]

Just as a matter of interest, would that 'rifle' still be regarded as a 'rifle as such in NZ, together with all the special paperwork and security stuff?

And what about such a beast in Australia?

Oz regulations are very much like US in that they vary a great deal depending on which State you reside.

In NSW you can own a SLR on a suitably endorsed collectors licence but the sad part is it has to be welded solid (no moving parts at all) with all internals removed, breech cut and barrel plugged for it's entire length. It still has to be secured in the same manner as a live firer.

A sectionalised rifle is accorded the same regulation as a live firer as it hasn't been rendered innocuous in the prescribed manner. If you are one of the lucky few to have a Cat. D licence, it is still out of the question as there is a ban on all semis with a military heritage (incl. M1, M14, AK, AR etc). There are a few SLRs used on a Commissioner's permit by aerial shooters employed by National Parks & Wildlife Service. Private contractors are not afforded the same privilege and we have to make do with R25s and the like which are not as reliable as the SLR.

Queensland and the Northern Territory are a little more sensible and do allow them on a Cat. D.

[nzl1a1collector]

Sectioned and 'deactivated' weapons are still considered as 'Live' weapons as far as the police are concerned and in the case of 'Restricted' (MG, SMG, Pistols, AT, Mortar, Automatics etc) and 'Registered' (Pistols (for target shooting), Military Style Semi Automatics) weapons they must be be stored as if they were live weapons. As far as the Police are concerned the only 'deactivated weapon' is one that has been milled totally in half. Their argument is that if a part isn't cut in half you could repair it and build it into a working rifle.


Innocuous ;D

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks chaps for those answers.

Re the innocuous word...... Innoxious came out as wrong but noxious, (presumably the OPPOSITE of innoxious) comes out as acceptable! Think noxious gas and innocuous gas. Anyway......

Have a happy new year

[CINDERS]

That would probably go on a collector license but in W.A they are pretty harsh on Hi Powered semi autos as a collectible it would be interesting to see how the fire arms branch would classify it.
Our new changes have come in a .pdf and it is a sweeping document some changes include re verification of properties every few years and other changes pertaining to certain calibers changing classifications item its a huge document 198 pages and is very involved.

If any Western Australian members want a copy PM me with your e mail address and I will send you a copy I sent it to Ron Owen (Of the Owen SMG) and his call was to resist the changes which we are actively doing through the member of parliment, W.A is a very harsh state to try and own a fire arm.

[nzl1a1collector]

Here's some of the last L1A1 components to be made, these date from 1990 and were production components/stages of a Gas Block

Left to Right
Basic casting blank
The back of the gas block has been machined and the central hole has been bored through
Completed Gas Block, but in the white marked PHc 90

[Peter Laidler]

I bet that drilling the gas cylinder retaining pin hole was a bit of a pig, even in a boring fixing. They haven't bored the handguard screw hole yet either. I wonder if the c indicates a casting here? Refresh us Kev.. were the earlier Enf and BSA offerings machined from solid? I ask because you could always (?) see the milling marks through the foresight windows.

[nzl1a1collector]

Ahhh yes you're right Peter the Pin and Handguard screw holes haven't been done on this example I knew I had it down as a 'production stage' for some reason.

I think your right too about the C being an indicator of a cast part. 'C' is also found on known cast parts like the sight leafs, the foot on the bolt holding open device, Pommels, Cross-pieces, Selectors etc.

The new photo shows basically the same stage as the last PH Gas Block (3rd from the left), The far right is a production component from Lithgow and is fully machined.

I wonder how long the cast PH Gas Blocks would last before fracturing?

[mrclark303]

I can't remember who was selling them now, but a UK based dealer had a quantity of early stage PH gas blocks (basic castings) for sale last year, I wish I got my arse into gear and bought one now, its a part of the rifles history and an interesting curio.