Hunting_Bunnies Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 (edited) Hi all After a very impressive service with Northamptonshire Police, who are most of the way through issuing a FAC in less than two weeks (or it should be), I'm now on the lookout for a decent gas operated, wooden stock 5 or more shot semi. Having read through lots of very useful opinions on this site I want to opt for a new Winchester SX3 Field (wooden stock). Having looked at the Instruction Manual on the Winchester international website this gun is designed to be 5 shot, with a 'round capacity reducer' taking it down to two shots in the magazine for e.g the UK SGC market. According to the manual, this reducer can be very easily removed by stripping the gun. However, I cannot find a dealer locally (Oxfordshire/ North Bucks) with a new SX3 which is FAC spec. Furthermore, they say that the SX3 is in short supply and I am unlikely to find a FAC SX3 as they are all converted new to 3 shot for the mass market. The only suggestion from 4 dealers is to see if they can get a specially import order and try to stop one SX3 that comes in the UK being converted to SGC spec. One dealer even suggested I should contact the Browning/ Miroku/ Winchester main company and try and arrange this myself. (By the way - all dealers have been very helpful ) Questions, does anyone know: 1. Is there are shortage of SX3 Fields coming into the UK? 2. Do they come in to the country as 5 shot or are they already 3 shot when they get here (if they are 5 shot then I would be saving the importer or dealer the work required in restricting the gun) 3. Ideally, does anyone know where there is a new 5 (or more) shot SX3 - preferably for sensible money, in the Northants, Bucks, Warks, Oxon area (or an hour of Banbury). Nothing on Guntrader, etc. Out of interest, spoke to the helpful guys at Adenbourne Field Sports, Witney who have a 3 shot for £794. They have suggested investigating the special order idea - but this could take months to arrive. Thanks for the help and sorry for all the questions from a newbie HB Edited April 25, 2009 by Hunting_Bunnies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil smith Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Try Peter Starley an RFD from Warwick, he has SX3 in stock for the practical shotgun crowd, last time I was there he had the flanigun versions too, they will be FAC 5 shots you just screw on a magazine extension to give you the number of extra shots you want, Pete usually has those in stock too. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunting_Bunnies Posted April 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Thanks Neil - will give him a call and see if he has a wooden stock Field version (think the Practical Shotgun crowd go for the plastic version). B) By the way - was thinking 5 shots would be enough. Whats the major down side in adding a mag extension - apart from the cost. I assume there's that bit more weight of cartridges and metalwork to swing? HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil smith Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Thanks Neil - will give him a call and see if he has a wooden stock Field version (think the Practical Shotgun crowd go for the plastic version). B) By the way - was thinking 5 shots would be enough. Whats the major down side in adding a mag extension - apart from the cost. I assume there's that bit more weight of cartridges and metalwork to swing? HB Cost is the only down side to my mind & for PSG you need the extra rounds, the tubes made by Nordic Components that Pete sells are the best in the world & are made from very lightweight but strong aluminium, you will hardly notice they are there, until you fully load it, even then its not hard to get used to but 5 shots may be enough for you depending on what you plan to use it for. I prefer the Benelli M2 with a nordic tube but the SX3 would be my next choice if I didn't have the Benelli. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 do you guys have to get the mag extensions on your fac? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil smith Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 (edited) do you guys have to get the mag extensions on your fac? NO, as long as the gun is on FAC you can add any length extension you require. N Edited April 25, 2009 by neil smith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 does that mean you can walk in and buy an extension tube over the counter? B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil smith Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 does that mean you can walk in and buy an extension tube over the counter? B) Thats correct, the extention tube is not a licenced part. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 would anyone be a nice guy and post me one over. there will be a few quid in it for you? pm me please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisecobandit Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Just order one from midway guns uk mate?They should post it to you ok. As far as im aware if you buy a 3 shot version and have it modified to shoot more then it would need to be reproofed?This was what i was told by the importers of the winchester sx3 BWM arms last friday when i enquired.Its best to get an fac from the start and cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 they are n`t strictly legal over here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisecobandit Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 they are n`t strictly legal over here They arent over here without an fac either. Because they only screw on the end of your magazine tube tho and the magazine tube would/should be restricted to 3 (unless fac) they can be sold to basically anyone and no sg/fac needs to be shown etc. Its not just a case of screwing it on and you having extra firepower, your gun would need your existing magazine tube unrestricted to allow full use in which case you would have a 5 shot and an fac anyway if that makes sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 My Winchester SX3 is in non FAC format-superb shotgun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisecobandit Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 I know "The Sportsman" here in Exeter have got sx3's on the shelf.Not sure if they have any fac versions tho? Definetly worth a ring tho as they would probably transfer 1 to ur nearest RFD as they deal with most of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Northampton Gun or R&K Stockcraft? they should be able to sort you out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunting_Bunnies Posted April 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Hi guys After some very good advice on here contacted the main importers BWM Arms. In their sales department a Jeff was very helpful. He informs me that they do not import the SX3 Field (wooden stock version) in FAC spec, and it's not even possible to special order one. This is why I couldn't find one then! Most of the dealers I spoke to obviously didn't realise this and it doesn't say in the price list/ guide issued by BWM. However ...... a very well know and respected dealer has informed me that he has sold two FAC SX3 Fields and may know where he can get a second hand one. Does he know something that BWM don't?! Dealer is going to get back to me over the next couple of weeks. My problem now is if the dealer can't find what I want then what FAC (at least 5 shot) 12 magnum semi-auto I can buy with a wooden stock that is new or not very old and in the region of £5-800. Preferrably gas operated. Darn! Suggestions HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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