FAC info .22 target shooting please

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello all,

I've been doing a fair amount of Air rifle shooting recently and I'm looking at the possibility of doing some target shooting with a .22 short or LR in the future can anyone advise on the process of doing this which type of guns to go for with the most chance of getting the FAC ? I already have a SGC . Whats the rules on Silencers ? This most likely will be a fair bit into the future as I need to give it a try /join a club.

 

Thanks all for your input

[Vince Green]

Step one find a club that you like

[1066]

I would suggest the first thing is to do some research in your local area to see what clubs are local to you, what their facilities are and if what they offer is the sort of thing you would be interested in.

However - Just at the moment  about every club is shut down and although some have a website many don't so it may be difficult to get much information.

Some clubs are exclusively smallbore (.22lr) and specialise in formal competition target shooting, others offer more of a mixed bag of shooting, maybe lightweight sporting rifle, long barrelled pistols etc.

Usual routine would be to join a club and sign up as a probationary member, attend regularly for 3-6 months, become a full member, then apply for your FAC stating what suitable firearms you require. - pay your fee, get a medical note  and wait several more weeks/months. One you have your FAC in the bag, spend your money,

[DUNKS]

My brother in law shot at a smallbore club for 20odd years without having a fac. He owned his own gun which was kept at the club.

Is this still possible?

[Danger-Mouse]

First step, join a club and jump through their probation hoops to become a member.

Apply for your FAC  and put down which guns and calibres you want. It used to be the case that you had to declare what kind of action you wanted on each gun but not anymore, at least not with my firearms dept.. You also need to apply for silencers/suppressors at the same time. So for instance I put down 3x.22 rifles and 3 suppressors. When my F.A.O came around he wasn't happy with the amount of space I had in my cabinet so he said I could only have 2 rifles. I asked if I could have a pistol instead then and he had no problem with that although I only ended up with 2 suppressors. 

Just remember you need a seperate safe for ammunition.

There's nothing stopping you switching your suppressors between guns but do be aware that the threads are not universal. The suppressor from my CZ does not fit on my S&W.

My F.A.O is very business like, he doesn't want a drink, he doesn't ask technical questions he just checks security, informs you of the rules, asks if you have any questions and then he's on his way. Already having an SGC you'll know what to expect of your guy.

[Vince Green]

4 hours ago, DUNKS said:

My brother in law shot at a smallbore club for 20odd years without having a fac. He owned his own gun which was kept at the club.

Is this still possible?

In simple terms no, there are some archaic exemptions which can still be applied but your chances today would be virtually zero 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated. Once this Covid thing is over I will look further into a local club I have one very close to me in Dudley and a couple of others that aren't too far away, I'm looking for an informal club rather than a competitive club as I have no interest in competitions so will have to see what exactly each club is like.