Survival air rifle, modified, sawn-off, easily packable

[lub0]

Just found these videos from a British guy and thought what a brilliant idea!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQu4...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4jXF...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EDK0CybJbg&feature=plcp

Question is, what air rifle would be best suited to do this modification on because the guy in the video uses a Chinese B2 which are notoriously crap and so I wouldn't want to rely on something like that in a survival situation. On the other hand the gun cannot be expensive because it's going to be chopped up, so I'm thinking of getting hold of a middle of the range air rifle, in second hand condition for around £50 and using that as the base. Question is what specific air rifle would fit this bill of being well made, but cheap?

[johnboy]

John Jay Rambo eh.....

Very good.....

[British Red]

I think I am going to take Thumpers advice........

[Samon]

hmm.. don't bother. get a full power pistol, a Weihrauch hw45 pistol at 10 metres can take out pigeons, rats etc just fine. A chopped up rifle like that will be so inaccurate that even with more power it'll be less capable. The B2 in the video will likely be putting out 5-7 ft/lb if your lucky, and is highly inaccurate, but something a little better might be more servicable. A budget weihrauch maybe, but generally any break barrel rifle you don't mind cutting up.

it may seem like a good idea.. but it isn't really, not when a pistol is smaller and far more accurate (unless you buy a very decent rifle and get it professionally cut and crowned..).

Get a pistol crossbow, in a real 'survival' sitiuation it's the best option.

[bushwacker bob]

Whats 'survival' about it? He just chopped up a perfectly good gun to make a shorter, less comfortable and less accurate version. If you going to be in a situation where you can use it as a 'survival gun' you have pre-planned and taken it with you. In which case you would be better off with the un modified version.

[johnboy]

Whats 'survival' about it?

Good question... I think it's inspired by 'proper" survival rifles like the AR-7 and the Ithica M6. They trade some aspects of conventional rifle design for compactness and easy stowage as part of an aircraft survival kit etc.

I made something similar to the YT video when I was a feckless youth of 13, out of an old BSA springer. I even gave it a Camo job with some Airfix paints I thought it was well ally...

BR's Thumpers Rule makes a lot of sense in this instance..

[Wook]

If it can fire with the stock off in all likelihood it is a illegal air pistol shooting >6ft/lbs.

[peaks]

Why not modify a Crosman 1377 - lots of info out there for mods meeting Brit legal requirements and non-Brit. They can be very useful tools if used within sensible and realistic scenarios for effectively taking small game at realistic distances. First mod is to fit shoulder stock to drastically improve accuracy- effectively making it a small carbine

[abominable_scouse_monster]

If it can fire with the stock off in all likelihood it is a illegal air pistol shooting >6ft/lbs.

I believe if it's under 14in it's considered a pistol, it's been a while since I looked at airgun law but that is from what I rember. Also the power from most cheep air rifles is far far from consistent one moment 10ftlbs the next 12ftlbs and then 6ftlbs.

[Samon]

If it can fire with the stock off in all likelihood it is a illegal air pistol shooting >6ft/lbs.

Not quite, a rifle that is serial numbered and sold in this country will remain a 'rifle', so the gunw ill need to conform to rifle standards. Folding or collapsable stocks are not forbidden in the law, removeable (for conversion to pistol form) is.

Still, it's a crap idea and your better off with either a purpose made carbine rifle with a real folding stock or a pistol.

[mentalnurse]

Did this a few years a go with an old springer, cut the barrel and the stock down. Could hit a barn door with it after that. Lives in the loft now.

[Everything Mac]

Don't bother.

This is the UK. A full size rifle will be better and lets face it your "Survival" air rifle will get used once for tin cans then shelved when the zombies don't arrive in december.

A full size/ carbine rifle will be of better use and will get more use.

If weight is the issue then skeletonize the stock. - maybe shorten the barrel a few inches if you so wish. A reasonable project in itself.

Andy

[rik_uk3]

As said, just buy a pistol, I really can't see what the tattooed genius was doing cutting up a perfectly serviceable rifle to be honest.

[hog]

IMHO I would opt for a .22 rim fire rifle infavour of an air rifle, cheap ammo, small and light and plenty big enough bark to get food for the table in a total survival situation that is, anything bigger will just shread things like Wabbit and Fowl.

[sandbender]

Whats 'survival' about it? He just chopped up a perfectly good gun to make a shorter, less comfortable and less accurate version. If you going to be in a situation where you can use it as a 'survival gun' you have pre-planned and taken it with you. In which case you would be better off with the un modified version.

Yep, pretty much. +1

[MartiniDave]

That is certainly illegal, he'll be lucky not to go away if he's caught.

[spandit]

I did something similar to my B2 years ago although I drilled out the barrel pivot pin & replaced with a bolt & butterfly nut so it can be removed. Gives me a longer barrel but I doubt it's that accurate anyway

[shaggystu]

.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQu4...feature=relmfu....

i stopped watching when he started telling lies at 0:58

[FGYT]

Nothing illegal in what hes done and his facts are wrong Air rifles are exempt the min barrel restrictions that Fire arms are ( ie the theoben Fenman has a barrel of only 17.3cm )
Best to use a rifle as it will always be a rifle so can be over 6ft lbs up to 12ft lbs over 12ft lbs its Section 1
if you start with a pistol it is always a pistol so cannot go over 6ft lbs without becoming a Section 5 Fire arm (same as machine guns and rocket launchers )

The only way to change its designation is have a gun maker theoretically destroy the gun and remake it with a New Serial number.
This is how you get a S1 FAC air gun to Non FAC as well ( you cant just De tune it )




In fact Air arms made a similar one with a removable barrel years ago was a called a TDR and based on one of their small springers years before the New TDR pcp based on the 410 now out. Was full power but still not particularly accurate due to the barrel slotting in and out and the stock a like the one here wasn't very comfy Cant seem to find it on the Inter web was a long time back

heres the AA current Take down rifle obviously not doable under £50





If your going to jsut put a folding stock on a springer you can use any one but get one with a ready short barrel and that's accurate already

[MartiniDave]

If it's over 6 ft/lb muzzle energy and has a removable or foldable stock it must not be able to fire with the stock removed or folded. The current air-arms tdr has an interlock to prevent it being fired with the stock removed. Cut the stock off an air rifle to make a pistol grip and it becomes a prohibited weapon.

Dave

[Dannytsg]

As has been said he hasn't broken the law as it will still be classified as an air rifle without it being re-designated by a RFD. Also the barrel length restrictions only apply to licensed firearms and not off the shelf, sub 12ft/lb air rifles.

If you were to do this though it really does defeat the purpose of the initial rifle. The barrel length provided on a standard rifle is normally optimised with the rifling to allow the best power curve over time. By shortening the barrel thus reducing the length and rifle it becomes even more inaccurate and ineffective. Just stick with a normal designed carbine or pistol (although I would not advocate using a pistol for any hunting or culling)

[FGYT]

If it's over 6 ft/lb muzzle energy and has a removable or foldable stock it must not be able to fire with the stock removed or folded. The current air-arms tdr has an interlock to prevent it being fired with the stock removed. Cut the stock off an air rifle to make a pistol grip and it becomes a prohibited weapon.

Dave

No not true ( Air weapons are Exempt the length restrictions ................)

tho the TDR does have its power reduced when stock off it will fire This i think is just AA being careful as The Law dons not state any such thing and is very clear that a weapongun remains the designation that it was manufactured as

you can fire any air rifle with the stock removed

[Beefy0978]

IMHO I would opt for a .22 rim fire rifle infavour of an air rifle, cheap ammo, small and light and plenty big enough bark to get food for the table in a total survival situation that is, anything bigger will just shread things like Wabbit and Fowl.

Would you grant John Jay Rambo a firearm certificate? I wouldn't trust him with a non locking pen knife! He can't even paint! Frankly I'm shocked. That's one point to the Anti-gun crowd.

[shaggystu]

If it's over 6 ft/lb muzzle energy and has a removable or foldable stock it must not be able to fire with the stock removed or folded......

can someone point me towards the relevant legislation for this please, i'm really quite curious to see what the law actually says on this issue

[shaggystu]

....you can fire any air rifle with the stock removed

my thoughts exactly

[Corso]

I'd recommend binning that idea and getting a FAC and buying a proper .22 survival rifle but maybe not to him.....

[FGYT]

I'd recommend binning that idea and getting a FAC and buying a proper .22 survival rifle but maybe not to him.....

in UK id recommend carrying a credit card and walking to the nearest Mc Ds or tesco

[bushwacker bob]

in UK id recommend carrying a credit card and walking to the nearest Mc Ds or tesco

Cash is more useful in a survival situation, The ATM or electrobanking gizmo may not work but tescos will still accept cash.

[Wildgoose]

Agreed. Carry some cash, a phone and a small rat pack. Where in the uk are you likely to be stranded long enough to need a dedicated survival rifle? If abroad carry a .22 or something more capable.
In the uk I am always a bit weary of people who refer to things as "survival". Surely a survival knife is just a knife?

[FGYT]

Cash is more useful in a survival situation, The ATM or electrobanking gizmo may not work but tescos will still accept cash.

yes but the apocalypse isnt here and plastic is waterproof and not to heavy tho a few Coins for mars bars and a pint in a local pub is always a good idea