Hello!

[Dougan]

Obtaining a FAC is a serious business and such things weigh heavily on me.

It's really no bigger responsibility than owning a car....

...with guns, just follow the rules at home, the range and while transporting; it soon becomes very normal and routine...though obviously there's no room for complacency....

Getting a center-fire gallery rifle is a good idea...they're great fun for plinking or competing, and you can shoot it indoors all year

[ovenpaa]

Welcome to F-B(UK) RD. An interest in firearms is all that is needed at this stage...

Have you looked up the SMLE yet? It was the first full bore rifle that caught my eye.

[rocket-dog]

Obtaining a FAC is a serious business and such things weigh heavily on me.

It's really no bigger responsibility than owning a car....

...with guns, just follow the rules at home, the range and while transporting; it soon becomes very normal and routine...though obviously there's no room for complacency....

Getting a center-fire gallery rifle is a good idea...they're great fun for plinking or competing, and you can shoot it indoors all year

Cabinets are no problem. My father lives with us and his guns live in a wonderful cabinet whose location and construction attracted plaudits from my our local firearms officers. And I have already selected an equally wonderful spot for my cabinet.

As for complacency that is what I fear the most. Doing everything right 999 times out of 1000 and then dropping a real clanger. I can and do die of embarrassment

And as for gallery rifles yes they are wonderful but I won't be competing. I am thinking of a Marlin; I hope to avoid the Remlin problems. I like Henry's but they are a bit too pretty and probably more an aspirational secondary rifle. Why not Rossi? Not having the best eye sight I will be looking at some red dot or low power scope. On Marlins and Henrys these can be mounted on the receiver, the Rossi scope mount is barrel mounted, and I fear it will be too far away to be comfortable as I had similar problems as a teen with pistol scope on one of my air rifles. Just add to the complications I am left eye dominant but right handed and I am not sure whether I will be shooting left handed, right handed, or as I used to do as teen both.

[rocket-dog]

Have you looked up the SMLE yet?

I also have an interest in military matters so I have deepest respect for all Enfields. But I have no desire to own one, well one of the British Mk's in .303 Also they remind me of doing drill at cadets which I hated with a passion. I can see me now forgetting myself on the firing line and suddenly going through drill movements!! And there is only one thing worse than an SLR vs SA80 discussion, and that is .303 vs everything discussion. Saying that I am fond of the Ishapore 2A/2A1, which I find aesthetically more pleasing. If I do actually get a full bore action it will be something boring modern in .223 like a Howa 1500; basically I am after an easy jump from .22lr rifles. Can I confess that I do find this Mosin Nagant business quite fun? But I do not consider it a viable option as a first rifle. But they are wonderful things and especially useful this time of the year if you have a winter palace or two to storm.