The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Evening all,

Well it's that time, time to apply for my FAC. I've finished my probation and feel it's only right to apply for it now.

A little about myself, I've been shooting on and off for about 30 years but more for fun and food then as a sport. Mostly in Ireland where
we have a farm and also the USA where I've spent quite a lot of time over the past 20 years due to work. When I think back most of my
shooting has been either air rifle, rimfire and shotguns on the farm or hand guns in the USA, actually shooting as a target sport is new to
me.

But I'm loving it.

So as I've been lurking around these forums since late last year, learning a lot, I thought it only correct to give everybody a chance to voice
their opinion to whether I'm asking for too much or not enough.

Here is my request list.

2x .22LR RIFLE + MODERATOR TARGET SHOOTING
1x .22LR LONG BARREL PISTOL TARGET/PRATICAL SHOOTING
1x .223/5.56 RIFLE TARGET/PRATICAL SHOOTING
1x .308/7.62 RIFLE TARGET SHOOTING
1x .303 RIFLE TARGET SHOOTING

To buy,
.22LR x1000
.223/5.56 x500
.308/7.62 x500
.303 x500

To hold,
.22LR x1200
.223/5.56 x600
.308/7.62 x600
.303 x600

The only guns I haven't put on my request list are the three black powder guns I'd love to have;

1. Traditions™ Vortek™ Ultra Light .50 Calibre rifle
2. Traditions™ 1858 Remington® .44 New Army Revolver
3. Traditions™ Vortek™ .50 Calibre Break-Action Pistol

I'll hold on a while before I ask for these, I'm in no hurry. All suggestions and criticisms happily received.

BTW what safe make does everybody advise, I've whittled it down to DJS or Brattonsound. I'm going to start with 7 to 9 gun capacity with a separate ammo/key safe and get a second safe later if required.

Thanks everybody.

Hi.

I can't answer your questions about your application but many on here will tell you to get the biggest cabinet you can. We have Brattonsound, seem fine, shop around for prices.

Hello!

Looks like you know what you're asking for... Just a couple of comments having only just jumped through the FAC hoop myself, you haven't mentioned moderators for the .223/5.56 or the .308/7.62, you may as well ask for them IMO. Also just so you're aware, when you list 7.62 in certain counties it seems to implicitly relate to 7.62x51 NATO and not 7.62x39 for instance.

Everyone seems to rate Brattonsound including my FEO, although there's nothing wrong with DJS AFAIK.

Do you know how quickly Surrey constabulary are turning around first time FAC applications?

Cheers,

Craig.

HALODIN wrote:Hello!

Looks like you know what you're asking for... Just a couple of comments having only just jumped through the FAC hoop myself, you haven't mentioned moderators for the .223/5.56 or the .308/7.62, you may as well ask for them IMO. Also just so you're aware, when you list 7.62 in certain counties it seems to implicitly relate to 7.62x51 NATO and not 7.62x39 for instance.

Everyone seems to rate Brattonsound including my FEO, although there's nothing wrong with DJS AFAIK.

Do you know how quickly Surrey constabulary are turning around first time FAC applications?

Cheers,

Craig.

I don't know how quick Surrey are with new applications, but I (twice) had seven day turnaround with a variation and one return of post with a typo correction.

Don't forget space for your section 1 shotgun

Good luck and good shooting

HALODIN wrote:
Looks like you know what you're asking for... Just a couple of comments having only just jumped through the FAC hoop myself, you haven't mentioned moderators for the .223/5.56 or the .308/7.62, you may as well ask for them IMO. Also just so you're aware, when you list 7.62 in certain counties it seems to implicitly relate to 7.62x51 NATO and not 7.62x39 for instance.

Halodin

Thanks for the advise, hadn't thought of asking for the extra moderators, there's no harm i doing so. Also I'll add the query about the 7.62 to my every expanding list of questions for the FLO.

BTW if you look at http://forums.shootinguk.co.uk/showthre ... ates/page8 it gives you a list of waiting times, obviously it's not perfect
but supposedly Surrey is quiet quick at aprox 3 weeks. Hope so I've already got my first rifle on order

Cheers,
Mark

My FEO wasn't bothered about the moderators, he issued 5 without even blinking.

3 weeks, bloody hell, that's fast.

What rifle have you ordered?

That is a good list to start with and welcome to the forum

Hiya HALODIN,

I've ordered a .22 Savage Arms Model II BTVS



It's going to look good in my safe and even better on the range, they are super accurate out of the box and the accutrigger is superb. All I need now
is a good scope to go it and lots and lots of practice.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Looks nice, looks really nice... I would definitely recommend the RWS Special match .22 ammo, it's faultless as far as I can tell. I bought 100 rounds to try last week and once I zeroed the scope, it was pin-point accuracy. I'll buy 500 next time I'm in.

So have you submitted you application yet? Has the 3 week countdown begun?

Cheers,

Craig.

Hi,

I'm nearly there. I'm meeting up with my second referee this weekend to hand over the paperwork and get his signature on my form, so if all goes well it will
be in the post Monday. I've already spoken to the FLO about my application and positioning of the safe so hopefully that will pave the way for a successful
visit. I was going to put together a little shooting CV for him, out lining my skills , experience and plans going forward, I think it's a good idea it will give him
a better idea of me and it's something he can take away and refer to if need be.

So if that forum is right and nothing crops up I should be looking at somewhere around the middle of April for my fun ticket to turn up.

I can see this year getting expensive.

BTW how are you enjoying your SMLE? its on my wish list.

Mark