Ok, we all know you can`t have live Uzi 9mm here in the UK, so how do we get our hands on the deactivated ones? Well, they are usually sourced from big arms fairs in Eastern Europe and Germany, purchased in bulk and then brough into the UK via a section 5 firearms dealer (there are not many of these chaps around...), they then go through the process of deactivating them in line with current UK specifications set out by the Home Office. This process varies form gun to gun - revolvers are deactivated differently from a semi-auto, bolt action rifles are done differently from shotguns etc. - you only really know from checking our descriptions. If we look at a WW1 Bristish SMLE bolt action rifle for example, the gun is stripped down to its component parts, the barrel and breach have a long 5mm wide cut made along the underside (covered by the woodwork so it can`t be seen) and a rod of steel is welded in place. The firing pin is removed and the bolt face is cut at angle of 45 degrees - again, you can`t see this unless its stripped down. The deactivated gun is now taken to either the London or Birmingham Proof Houses (only two in the UK) and are checked, stamped and issued with a certificate listing details such as serial number, make, model, barrel length etc. - its then official a deactivated gun and license is required in the UK to own it - as long as you are over 18. The parts are then carefully re-assembled and its shipped to us, ready to go. Now, one question that does come up from time to time is can it be reactivated? Could the rod be cut out, the cut welded up, a new bolt sourced, plus firing pin and ammo? Well if you did manage to do all that (and just don`t even think about it) the pressures created in the breach would cause the wleded breach and barrel to instantly rupture - blowing the gun up in your face and doing you a lot of damage - plus a serious section 5 firearms offence and spell in jail... So just enjoy the history, detail and stories these deactivated tell and keep collecting!
Mmm... let me look into my crystal ball... reality is that we just don`t know. Currently, all deactivated guns for sale within the EU must be deactivated to the latest EU specs (its fine to own an older deactivated gun, its only when you go to sell that you need to re-deactivate it). The million dollar question is that when we leave in March 2019 will we in the UK be able to sell the previous UK certed guns again? Fingers crossed - we`ll let you know when we know, looks like we might have to do another video on this one...
Yep, just as the dust settles over last years reg change the EU Technocrats are at it again with a revised set of regs for deactivated guns, which we all know arn`t needed and won`t make the world any safer. We are waiting to see the details of what the new deactivated guns regulations entail, but its never good - looks like pistols and bolt action rifles are in the firing line this time, and no, we still don`t have any clue as to whats happening after brexit...
Still no hard news on how Brexit will effect sales of Deactivated Guns in the UK, at the time of writing we can only sell EU certified deactivated guns within the EU but can sell old style UK certified deactivated guns if its shipped to a non EU member state... sounds like the UK post Brexit to me.... Will bring you more details when we have it - though we will be introducing as deactivated gun section for non-EU gun sales in the Spring, for sale as long as the deactivated gun is going to a non EU country.
Nothing concrete as yet, but there are strong rumours of new UK specific deactivated guns regs being drafted as we speak, no idea whats in them but we believe we might see bolt action rifles cocking and dry firing again and maybe the same on light machine guns... fingers crossed, you can never be certain in the rumour mill of deactivated guns but we`ll keep everyone posted as we find out.
In answer to a lot of queries we get as to the differences between deactivated guns and replica/blank firing guns in the eyes of UK regulations there is quite a difference. Because a deactivated gun has been deactivated and certified by either the London or Birmingham proof house on behalf of the Home Office as no licence required as long as you are over 18 and in the privacy of your own home. Unlike deactivated guns, replicas and blank firers are covered by the VCR act from 2007 - as long as they are black it applies, two tone bright anyone can own - so you need to be a member of a re-enactment group or something like the Military Vehicle Trust so we know you have a legitment reason to make a purchase, whereas witha deactivated gun the certification is with the gun not the owner... not confusing at all...
Here at real-gun.com we try to get things right first time - but, being a bit crap sometimes, we do screw things up - if in any doubt please contact us - if we get a price wrong or are out of stock we will contact you immediately - many thanks.
We list details of our current stock by batch - due to our high turnover of the most popular models - so the images and descriptions fit that model, though there may be slight variations in stock grain/colour and metal condition - please bare in mind that some of the de-ac guns are almost 100 years old!
Real-gun.com cannot sell deactivated guns to anyone under the age of 18. Though are not required to store this in a gun safe it is advised you store them in you dwelling, preferably in a locked cupboard. When transporting de-acs please keep them in out of site, preferably in a gun bag. Be sensible - don`t mount a .50 cal on the roof of your Jeep and take a drive - its fine on private land at shows but given the current climate please do not stress our Police any more than they currently are!