evertonpaul Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi, I am a UK citizen, but have been working in the USA (California) for the last 14 months. Whilst being quite experienced with firearms from being in the UK army cadets 25+ years ago (L1A1, SA80, No4, Bren, Sten, Brn 9mm) , I'd had limited experience with a shotgun (a few blasts on a 20 gauge). Anyway, whilst here in the US, (after gaining a hunting license) I treated myself to a Wetherby Vanguard 300 Winchester Magnum and a Mossberg 500 for trap shooting. I have grown to love trap shooting, and have blasted of thousands of shells here! I have just sold the rifle, and had no desire to attempt to bring it back to the UK. However, I really want to keep my Mossberg 500, and ultimately bring it back to the UK. I have a US friend who can look after the gun for me until such time as it is ready to ship, pending me aquiring a shotgun license in the UK. I don't yet have a shotgun certificate, but will acquire one on returning to the UK in April (I anticipate no problems with gaining a license) plus the necessary gun safe etc.. So I have a few questions I was wondering you long time UK shooters might be able to answer. My Mossberg 500 has an ATI tactical pistol grip extendible stock and short (14.5”) and long barrels (24”). I realise that the short barrel is a no-no in the UK, but the pistol grip with long barrel should be fine, right (see pic)? I believe UK law only allows a two shell tubular magazine on a pump action shotgun? My Mossberg 500 has a 6 shell mag, but came with a wooden dowel to restrict capacity to 3 shells (CA hunting law). However I hardly think a similar such dowel would be acceptable in the UK as it is too easily removed. So, are Mossberg 500 magazines in the UK restricted in some over way (i.e. permanently by a gunsmith?) or is a simple dowel good enough? After I have acquired my shotgun license, will my US friend be able to post the shotgun direct to me (from the US using FedEx) or will he have to ship it to a firearms dealer in the UK (actually that is how you must ship guns within the US). I understand I have to designate individual shotguns on my license, so will I have to wait until the shotgun arrives and have it marked on the license by the firearms dealer who received the shotgun? If the magazine has to be officially restricted to a two shell capacity, will a firearms dealer receiving the gun on my behalf be able to perform that service before releasing it to me? A lot of questions I know, but I really want to carry on clay pigeon shooting when I return, and I'd really like to keep my Mossberg. It's an awesome all round shotgun! Everything you see in the pic only cost me about 280UK pounds, so a hell of a lot less than what I'd probably have to pay in the UK, thus there's also a financial incentive to shipping over my current shotgun. I will probably seek to obtain a 'classier' dedicated trap shooting gun later, but the Mossie's just such fun! :-) Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 The gun will need to be proofed to start with on arrival in the UK you will want to have had the mag tube crimped to reduce it from a 6+1 to a 2+1. The proof house will then stamp it as a 3 shot shotgun to go on a SGC not FAC as it stands now. £200 at a guesstimate Then you need to import it, I expect not cheap with US export licenses may be need not sure of the law over there. RFD fees here to receive Holts have a guy who does this. All this for a Mossy 500 you could buy one here for under £200 bring you stock and forend over with you and still be in pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evertonpaul Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 The gun will need to be proofed to start with on arrival in the UK you will want to have had the mag tube crimped to reduce it from a 6+1 to a 2+1. The proof house will then stamp it as a 3 shot shotgun to go on a SGC not FAC as it stands now. £200 at a guesstimate Then you need to import it, I expect not cheap with US export licenses may be need not sure of the law over there. RFD fees here to receive Holts have a guy who does this. All this for a Mossy 500 you could buy one here for under £200 bring you stock and forend over with you and still be in pocket. Oh. I didn't realise they were that cheap in the UK too. I saw a few standard ones listed on the internet for 500 quid. Can you really get a new one for 200 quid in the UK? Is it legal for me to bring back my ATI stock and fore-end in my suitcase, or will I be arrested at the airport for bringing back gun parts (bearing in mind I won't yet have a shotgun certificate)? Cheers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 They aren't pressure bearing parts so you can bring them back they are just bits of plastic. £200 gets you a second hand one not sure on new prices but you'll loss 20% for taking it out of the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Much easier to just buy another one over here as Welshwarrior says. There would be a lot of paper work and a lot of messing about. I have brought am stock and other extras over from the USA before. As stated as long as its not barrels or pressure baring parts you are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Best sell the US ones and get an SGC and OU when your back in the UK ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 i have shot guns on the family farms in michigan usa,but there all 12 shots would love to bring them here, but the papper work and cost would be to much, so best left over there,you can buy cheap enough over here, if i were you thats what i would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 TO clarify: 1: 24" barrel and minimum overall length (collapsed IIRC) of 54" 2: for SGC yes magazine cannot hold more than 2 shells 3:NO needs a dealer with federal export licence to export outside of US, much time and paperwork and to be sent to a UK dealer with import licence 4:Dealer will write them onto your cert once they comply with UK law 5:This has to be done to proof house specs and inspected by proof house IMO better to sell them there and buy appropriate stuff in the UK when you get back (you may find you don't like UK shooting), If i lived in the US i wouldn't be buying shotguns....... far more interesting toys to had out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 If it were a special and expensive gun, then you should do it, but it's a common or garden Mossberg - Leave it in the US for when you go back on vacation and just get a second hand one when you're here and have your license Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tignme Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 You will be really welcome on the trap layouts with a pump Shotgun. (NOT) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChAoS Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I have grown to love trap shooting As someone else has hinted, trap shooters can be a bit "funny". Sporting shooters, however, seem to actively *like* seeing sommat different being used. (At least, in *my* experience, they do.) With that gun - and your background - I'd recommend that you try a bit of PSG. Regards, Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 The gun will need to be proofed to start with on arrival in the UK REALLY? How's that then? It'd ONLY need to be proofed IF the importer wanted to sell it on. Personal imports are exempt from the Proof rules while they remain in the possession of the original owner. As others have said though - for a Mossberg, not worth the costs/administrative headache. Sell it in the USA & buy a used one here. The stock MAY be ok, but you'd need to make sure that apart from the barrel length issue it also meets the minimum overall length criteria (which semi auto & pump actions also have to comply with) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hahahaha love to see the look on the old boys/ girls faces at my local clay club when that thing comes out its case! I think i would actually pay to see it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 REALLY? How's that then? It'd ONLY need to be proofed IF the importer wanted to sell it on. Personal imports are exempt from the Proof rules while they remain in the possession of the original owner. As others have said though - for a Mossberg, not worth the costs/administrative headache. Sell it in the USA & buy a used one here. The stock MAY be ok, but you'd need to make sure that apart from the barrel length issue it also meets the minimum overall length criteria (which semi auto & pump actions also have to comply with) Badly worded it will have to be inspected by the prove house to stamp it as a 3 shot not 6 shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evertonpaul Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Everyone, thanks for the replies. Yes, I see now it totally isn't worth trying to bring it back. I'll bring back the stock and foreend and declare it to customs when I land. If there are any issues, I'm sure they'll tell me. I also will have to declare the stock and foreend to the airline just to be safe, but I gather stocks are not subject to US export rules. Although scopes are? I am slightly nervous about the trap scene in the UK. Over here it is so open, nobody judges you or your type of gun. Sure, there are the serious guys with expensive trap guns, but loads of people just turn up with any kind of shotgun and blast away. It's really freindly. Anyway, people can laugh at my gun .. I don't care!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Don't think you will be laughed at mate. Scornful scowls, disgusted looks and under the breath comments is more likely! Especially from the old stuck up #######s at my club. I walked through to the club shop last weekend after pigeon shooting for some carts i was wearing camo trousers a green jumper and a camo hat and the looks i got...... it was as if Osama Bin Laden had turned up!!! Must've been because i had mud on my boots lol Edited January 7, 2014 by carpentermark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Clay clubs and pumps- really depends on where you go, have experience of both ends of the spectrum- suffice to say prefer a clubs where people are all there for a laugh and not judgement. Think that your description of "Trap" shooting conjures up images here in blighty of DTL type disciplines and not general Sprting Clays which a pump is always fun As to declaring the fore-end/stock, why would you? They're not prohibited so no need, only time you would get looks is if they were in your hand luggage as the local TSA dude would just love to pick you out at security just for kicks. I mean, would you declare your undies? Computer, socks or that condom in your wallet? Nope, didn't think so. So don't go looking for trouble You should have posted the pic up with the short barrel for those who like 'Pump Porn' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Most people in th US are far more relaxed about guns in general. Trap here means DTL/ABT/OT/UT/DT disciplines, rather than general clays.... Which is known as sporting there are things like FITAS which is between the 2. If your gonna come and shoot a pump a trap and straight it then fine......bit this side of the pond the OU is king...and your not allowed to have one for "home defence". Declaring stock etc to customs will result in a lot of confusion and faff at the airport!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evertonpaul Posted January 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 OK, so I'm going to have to learn about all these sub categories of shooting. Here trap shooting is 5 shots from 5 stations at (usually red) clays.. up to 5 shooters rotating in one session. I've done it with my Mossy with short barrel on and long barrel, and have seen every kind of shotgun imaginable (break/pump/semi auto/ and even a lever action) used in the same trap format. There are 14 trap ranges at my local club, and they have two 'Olympic standard' (whatever that is) Skeet ranges as well. The only issue I've had with the pump, is the action is so loud it sometimes triggers the next clay (if the mic's a wee bit sensitive). I don't agree about pumps being any less 'safe', the dodgiest incident I've witnessed was with a break action gun. Here are a few pics .. some 'pump porn' and my rifle.. :-) As for home defence. Yes sure, really don't need it in the UK, and I wouldn't even keep ammo at home. But there are some serious nut jobs over here in the US, and they all have guns :-/ I don't mind admitting I keep the house alarmed, locked, and the gun by the bed loaded with 3inch Mag buckshot.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 The gun will need to be proofed to start with on arrival in the UK you will want to have had the mag tube crimped to reduce it from a 6+1 to a 2+1. The proof house will then stamp it as a 3 shot shotgun to go on a SGC not FAC as it stands now. £200 at a guesstimate Then you need to import it, I expect not cheap with US export licenses may be need not sure of the law over there. RFD fees here to receive Holts have a guy who does this. All this for a Mossy 500 you could buy one here for under £200 bring you stock and forend over with you and still be in pocket. +1 leave it and by another in the uk no brainer imho different if it was worth a few thou?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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