Advice Advice ,non FAC FX Wildcat convert back to FAC

[nemo2965]

I am buying a FX Wildcat 2 in .22. It was previously FAC but has had a limited fitted to convert it to non FAC. I am applying for FAC and want to know is it a straightforward and inexpensive process to convert it back to FAC if my application is successful which it should be? 

[Dave-G]

Just a point to note: Its my understanding FAC air guns are not allowed to be de-registered so it will almost certainly need a ticket to obtain it.

[wymberley]

All things being equal, I think Dave has a point. Before parting with any dosh I’d be inclined to look into the history of the rifle and the calibre of the seller.

 

[nemo2965]

I am told it has been converted to non FAC by having a limiter fitted.I don’t know anything about these so wondered if it can be changed back to FAC ?

[scarecrow243]

if it was converted to 12f1lbs it would have had to have a permanent way of stopping it from being able to turn the power back up so i would not touch it wait till you get your f.a.c.  and buy one they usually  are cheaper in f.a.c.  versions  than 12ft 1lbs

[nemo2965]

If I was just to use it permanently as non FAC are the limiters an issue? Do they cause any problems?

[Dave-G]

7 minutes ago, nemo2965 said:

If I was just to use it permanently as non FAC are the limiters an issue? Do they cause any problems?

Does the seller have very good personally known credibility? Does the rifle have anti tamper measures/screws in place. I see a can of worms here unless you wait for a certificate to acquire an FAC air rifle.

EDIT: Consider the word 'capable' If it is capable of being made over 12ftlb it is defined as FAC and that puts you potentially in jail or get a very heavy fine and criminal conviction of firearms offence(s)

Edited October 23, 2022 by Dave-G

[nemo2965]

I’ve spoken with him and he seems a genuine guy. He bought it like it is. Do the limiters present any issues in day to day use? Seems to me it’s another potential place to have to change seals etc on servicing and perhaps have them fail causing leaks. I am happy to permanently use it as non FAC with the limiter in place but when he mentioned it had this I wondered if I could have it converted back at the gun shop if the FAC is granted . Right now I’d be happy with non Fac version. 

If the limiter makes it permanently incapable of being converted. Are they an issue in any way? Leaks etc?

[scarecrow243]

ok do it this way have it tested for the power output  get him to show you the way it was converted if it looks like you can remove the anti tamper screws forget it as it could be a stolen  f.a.c. gun  if he is willing to take it with you to a gun shop to have it checked out then do that to keep your self safe

[nemo2965]

He has sent this. 

[Dave-G]

20 minutes ago, nemo2965 said:

I’ve spoken with him and he seems a genuine guy. He bought it like it is. Do the limiters present any issues in day to day use? Seems to me it’s another potential place to have to change seals etc on servicing and perhaps have them fail causing leaks. I am happy to permanently use it as non FAC with the limiter in place but when he mentioned it had this I wondered if I could have it converted back at the gun shop if the FAC is granted . Right now I’d be happy with non Fac version. 

If the limiter makes it permanently incapable of being converted. Are they an issue in any way? Leaks etc?

Don't touch it with a barge pole in my opinion its really really not worth the issues that could come at a later date. 

[snow white]

I would not touch it with a barge pole if at anytime something goes tit’s up you will be help responsible ignorance in the law is now excuse.

[scarecrow243]

leave it you will be in a lot of bother with the police if they check it not just for power level but also serial number 

[Ultrastu]

So there are more than just the hammer spring adjuster (that brass cap is covering it) that makes the fx wildcat a fac .you have reg pressure, plenum volume  etc etc . If these were originally fac spec and are still in the gun then it won't shoot well at sub 12 at all .(shot count will be terrible and consistency  rubbish .all leading to poor accuracy  )

I wouldn't touch it .irrespective  of the potential  legal  back hole you may find yourself in .

There is a reason he is selling it .

Don't be the sucker who buys these problems off him .

I see he has installed a reg gauge in the side of the stock and a mag carrier in the stock .this is a gun that has seen a lot of tinkering and messing about with 

In my experience  wildcats and impacts don't take well to being messed with loads .  AVOID  

[Ultrastu]

Adjustable rubber but pad too .

[nemo2965]

Thanks guys. I will leave it . 👍

Just now, nemo2965 said:

Thanks guys. I will leave it . 👍

He was selling it as he is giving up shooting .

[bruno22rf]

First of all I wouldn't touch a Wildcat with a barge pole, been there and never again. Ring your FEO first thing Monday and give them the serial number, they will tell you if the gun is registered as FAC or not.

[wymberley]

51 minutes ago, nemo2965 said:

Thanks guys. I will leave it . 👍

He was selling it as he is giving up shooting .

And is doing so voluntarily: buy that and you may well be forced into doing so.

[old'un]

As is the case with the OP, it does make you wonder just how many people are unknowingly in the possession of such guns.

[Mice!]

3 hours ago, Dave-G said:

Does the seller have very good personally known credibility? Does the rifle have anti tamper measures/screws in place. I see a can of worms here unless you wait for a certificate to acquire an FAC air rifle.

EDIT: Consider the word 'capable' If it is capable of being made over 12ftlb it is defined as FAC and that puts you potentially in jail or get a very heavy fine and criminal conviction of firearms offence(s)

Any gun has the potential of being made over the 12, what I've read in the past is if it can be done in the field without tools you can get in trouble, when tools are needed and the stock has to come off then its not straightforward so you're OK 

[bruno22rf]

4 hours ago, Mice! said:

Any gun has the potential of being made over the 12, what I've read in the past is if it can be done in the field without tools you can get in trouble, when tools are needed and the stock has to come off then its not straightforward so you're OK 

My Gun, and I wont name it, can be sent way over with a 5p coin but it's sold by the factory like it?

[Mice!]

1 hour ago, bruno22rf said:

My Gun, and I wont name it, can be sent way over with a 5p coin but it's sold by the factory like it?

Factory original condition has to mean you can't be touched, they could just look at others and find them in the same position. 

At least you would hope that's the case!!

But I've still never known anyone have a rifle tested.

[Ultrastu]

Thing is it only needs a concerted effort  by the police to start testing (usually after a tragic event ) I suppose they would turn up to big airgun comps first - like the world's   and start testing for easily adjustable  airguns . And how that is defined would be up to them on the day . Obviously  a knob or screw on the side of the gun  turned by hand would be easy adjustable  .

One Alan key to remove the stock and an Alan key  to turn the hammer spring screw - I wouldn't like to bet against that also being easily adjustable  .

More than that . Requiring multiple  tools and a bench to strip it down I'd say your OK . But again I speculate . 

I've rejected and sold guns that in my opinion  were just too easy to turn over 12 fpe  and they were like that from factory  (the Chinese pcps are the worst offenders in my experience  .) 

Good luck getting an answer from a Chinese company or getting them to take responsibility for the laws of a different country half a planet away  .

[old'un]

38 minutes ago, Ultrastu said:

Thing is it only needs a concerted effort  by the police to start testing (usually after a tragic event ) I suppose they would turn up to big airgun comps first - like the world's   and start testing for easily adjustable  airguns . And how that is defined would be up to them on the day . Obviously  a knob or screw on the side of the gun  turned by hand would be easy adjustable  .

One Alan key to remove the stock and an Alan key  to turn the hammer spring screw - I wouldn't like to bet against that also being easily adjustable  .

More than that . Requiring multiple  tools and a bench to strip it down I'd say your OK . But again I speculate . 

I've rejected and sold guns that in my opinion  were just too easy to turn over 12 fpe  and they were like that from factory  (the Chinese pcps are the worst offenders in my experience  .) 

Good luck getting an answer from a Chinese company or getting them to take responsibility for the laws of a different country half a planet away  .

 

Without looking at every gun in the UK I would think that a very high, if not all, are capable of being altered to take them over the legal limit with varying degrees of ease or difficulty, surly its the deliberate intention and not how easy or difficult it is.

As bruno said, his gun is perfectly legal but he can take it over the limit with a 5p coin, so its possible there are thousands of gun owners out there with potential illegal guns.

I think it would be a minefield for the police to prove you had the intention to alter the guns power in the field or at home.

[Mice!]

13 hours ago, Ultrastu said:

Thing is it only needs a concerted effort  by the police to start testing (usually after a tragic event

These things have unfortunately happened,  with unlicensed fac air rifles cranked up by individuals without any action by the police (on the wider air gun users) thankfully they have better things to do and it seems only people attracting police attention have their guns checked.

12 hours ago, old'un said:

As bruno said, his gun is perfectly legal but he can take it over the limit with a 5p coin, so its possible there are thousands of gun owners out there with potential illegal guns

You can bet there are many thousands of guns out there that have never been chrono'd.