New toy

[Nefarious]

Part of the license application is an inspection of my security arrangements at home for storage, and I properly geeked out on the preparation. The police guy warned me that he would be thoroughly testing my installation (i.e. trying to lever/prize it off the wall). So I went belt and braces. The safe itself is both PU bonded and bolted to the masonary (mix of concrete anchors and fisher bolts). I've built a frame into the existing joists in 2x4, added 3mm steel angle and bolted the safe in 4 directions with high tensile bolts. But I've also bonded and bolted 12mm ply all around, so there's no edge you can get a tool into.
But then the geekery really started. This is in a loft, accessed through a hatch. So I've used an electromagnet designed for locking a driveway gate (600kg of holding force), and hidden a key operated switch behind a coat rack. I also had some bits lying around the workshop - a PIR sensor and some sirens that are so high pitched and intense, you can't be in the same room as them. So I've wired those up too. If someone gets round the magnetic lock, it triggers the sensor and the sirens go off. I considered using some of my vape kit to make a smoke machine that will fill the loft with thick foul smelling smoke too. But then figured that might be overkill

Unfortunately, in reality, I was a bit disappointed at how quickly the police guy was satisfied. He saw it, gave it a hefty shove and said "yeah, that's not going anywhere". I was like "but but but, don't you want to see how I've protected the bolts, and the grade of PU bonding I've used, and.....". I was tempted to offer him a crowbar and tell him to try his worst!

He called me an anorak, so, I guess, job done

[Jobbo]

Neil, that level of detail does not surprise me at all Nice work.

Do you also have a spot in the loft to sit and view holes in the ceilings like Christopher Eccleston in Shallow Grave?

[Nefarious]

.
Do you also have a spot in the loft to sit and view holes in the ceilings like Christopher Eccleston in Shallow Grave?

No, but it has crossed my mind that, from my loft I have line of sight to another one of my properties that happens to be approximately 50m away...

That would probably be a bit naughty

[Ascender]

Sounds like a nice setup!

How long did your license take to come through then, just about to file the paperwork for mine.

[Nefarious]

How long did your license take to come through then, just about to file the paperwork for mine.

Expect 4 months if there are no cock-ups.

Get your own GP to do the medical rather than one of the mail order places. Yes, they're cheaper, but if they make a mistake it'll be all hell to put right, and you will have pissed off your own surgery.

If you've ever been a naughty boy (and I mean for *anything* - cautions, speeding etc etc), get your subject access request in nice and early - they say they turn it round in a month, but they just don't and may send you on a wild goose chase.

Oh, and put in for as much as you can straight off the bat - firearms and shotgun (it's only an extra £3 for the shotgun as well), a separate rifle for every "use" (i.e. one for targets, one for vermin control, etc etc) and every mod you can reasonably justify for those uses (e.g. sound moderator).

Oh, and if you need the permission letter for using someone else's land, have that in hand before you start.

[Ascender]

Thanks for the tips, very handy stuff. Best get registered with a GP up here for starters!

[Nefarious]

I might have now bought myself one of these:


Most definitely not a traditional over and under. Gets some raised eyebrows from the Barbour jacket brigade One of the club officers called me a "yob" for buying a semi-auto!

Oh, and I'm rubbish at clays!

[Explosive Newt]

I seem to remember that pumps / semi autos were restricted to three shots if you had a shotgun licence but you could get a 6-shooter if you had a FAC, is that still the case? The underbarrel on that looks like a 3 tube.

[Nefarious]

Yep, that's still the case - one in th chamber, 2 in the tube. My tube would take 4 if I took out the little plastic spacer - a 2 minute job. Obviously I would *never* do that . Or buy the simple screw on extension tube to take it to 8.

[ZedLeg]

IMG_2409.jpeg (53.65 KiB) Viewed 1179 times

[Nefarious]

Thank you Zed. I've not seen the John Wick movies so that's a new one on me. I shall be stealing that

[Ascender]

@Nefarious - I need to get a rifle cabinet for the house. I reckon one which can take 3 rifles (a couple of which will be scoped) with a built-in ammo safe would be good. I’m guessing the ones which are designed for 3-5 are best option as there’s definitely at least two guns in the family which we may inherit at some point.

Are there any decent sites with reviews of safes or have you got any you’d recommend? At the moment I’m just googling and not finding much in the way of reviews which are helpful.

[dinny_g]

Erm… you buy a croft in the middle on no where…

Then Prepping…

And now a gun store…

Do you know something you’re not telling us ??

[Nefarious]

@Nefarious - I need to get a rifle cabinet for the house. I reckon one which can take 3 rifles (a couple of which will be scoped) with a built-in ammo safe would be good. I’m guessing the ones which are designed for 3-5 are best option as there’s definitely at least two guns in the family which we may inherit at some point.

Are there any decent sites with reviews of safes or have you got any you’d recommend? At the moment I’m just googling and not finding much in the way of reviews which are helpful.

Both of mine are Brattonsound, bought off ebay. Quite a few of the guys at the club have been getting the cheapo ones off Amazon. At the end of the day, unless you're going for a proper safe, they will all stand up equally poorly to an angle grinder, so just go with the cheapest one that keeps your FO happy.
Re. ammo/bolt safe - I went with one of the cheap digital ones out of Screwfix (Smith & Locke IIRC). I prefer this set-up as it leaves extra length in the main cabinet. My main competition Benelli now has an 11 round mag, so is quite long.
Also, if all your rifles are scoped, you will *not* fit 3 in a 3 gun cabinet. You might be better to go with one of the 6 gun designs that stack 3 and 3 on the sidewalls.
Oh, and always get at least double the capacity you *think* you need.

[Nefarious]

In the latest installment of "what became of the Strong Broo logo", here's my Benelli with it's shiny new 11 round magazine

[Rich B]

Looks like a Vileda supermop!

[Nefarious]

Looks like a Vileda supermop!

Brings a new meaning to the term "Cillit BANG"

[Beany]

Alright, calm down there, Derek Bum.

[jamcg]

Now I know what you’re thinking, did I fire 10 shells or 11……………

Somehow seems more threatening/menacing imagining it in a Scottish accent

[mik]

Do ya feel lucky….. ya dick….