GSG MP40 9mm PAK

I see GSG now offer a semi-automatic MP40 9mm blank firer. I'm assuming this would be illegal in the UK as it's front venting?? Even so, it looks very nice, though I'd have to say as it's semi-automatic I reckon I would still prefer the upcoming GBB Airsoft version from KWC. That's just me I guess..

not illegal as restricted fv

I know of one bought straight from Germany to UK

philb wrote:

not illegal as restricted fv

I know of one bought straight from Germany to UK

That's interesting - I might have a look at one a little closer. The SA function only really puts me off though and I would be a little concerned about importing one via the postal system, even of course with the appropriate VCRA defences.

philb wrote:

not illegal as restricted fv

I know of one bought straight from Germany to UK

Hi Phil,

This document as an amendment to the 2006 Act is interesting when it comes to restricted front venters and is the reason why I'll be waiting for the UK versions of these to materialise over the next couple of months, as opposed to buying direct from Germany :

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1754/pdfs/uksi_20111754_en.pdf

Section 7 (Exemptions) looks to be a little confusing or ambiguous. It appears to say bringing in a 'non-wholly blocked' blank firer, for re-enactment, TV or film use is ok and won't incure the penalties specified under separate sections of the VCRA. This isn't something I'd like to put to the test though.

Either way, I've decided I'll get this over the KWA Airsoft when the 'UK legal' versions appear.

There is now also a StG 44 available:

http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2F61431412%2FProducts%2F20307

Of course the 9 mm P.A.K. is not the right calibre, and it is semi only.

Anyway the MP40 is now available for a good price:

http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2F61431412%2FProducts%2F20289

I have not yet seen or handled one myself.

Finally! there has been talk of this 44 for years. A UK leagal version of the Mp40 was supposed to of been released by now but still no sign of it, i really really hope that if a legal version of the Mp40 does happen then a legal version of the STg44 will will also make it over to these shores as i want one!

yes....but ///zb wont send them here

claymore wrote:

Finally! there has been talk of this 44 for years. A UK leagal version of the Mp40 was supposed to of been released by now but still no sign of it, i really really hope that if a legal version of the Mp40 does happen then a legal version of the STg44 will will also make it over to these shores as i want one!

Hi Claymore - I can't comment on the 44, but the UK versions of the 40 have been delayed due to ongoing testing of the hardness of the barrel insert material. Whether that translates to the original guns submitted to the Home Office for testing as not being satisfactory is anyone's guess, but they are as I understand it, still very much planned for release...

It's all very odd really, given that a few examples of the UK versions were given to merchandisers and re-enactor groups in the Summer as a taster to get people interested - so you'd have thought they'd have gone through the requisite testing and approvals process by then!?! Perhaps on the bright side, once GSG get the barrel insert material right, Edgar Brothers (the importers) might be tempted by the 44 for here too (fingers crossed etc).

cheers for the update, i can understand they wanted to get an idea of numbers they might sell before doing a UK model but you would think they would have the right material and plans to put it through its tests. That said i doubt the home office really wants to put the stamp of approval on these and will make things awkward.
lets just hope they do make it through and sell enough for the 44 to be made UK legal.

claymore wrote:

cheers for the update, i can understand they wanted to get an idea of numbers they might sell before doing a UK model but you would think they would have the right material and plans to put it through its tests. That said i doubt the home office really wants to put the stamp of approval on these and will make things awkward.
lets just hope they do make it through and sell enough for the 44 to be made UK legal.

I think the way I would look at it; is from the fact that the Home Office approve the Bruni blank firers, then there's surely no reason why these can't be constructed in a similar way as Bruni's 2012 Home Office approved versions. It's just buerocracy and red tape and as you no doubt meant, the fact that they just don't wish to grant this freedom. We shall see....

Just a quick not to say the Home office has no input on the "approval" of any of the Bruni blank firers. They do not offer an approval service of any kind, simply put the government only becomes involved now during a prosecution/court case. The Brunis are simple inspected by the royal armories in a private funded report and their guidance / opinion is that they meet current specification... No Home office approval. The new MP40s are proving quite a problem for Edgar brothers . Also regarding F/v blank firers they are illegal to be sold new in the UK, the defence in the new legislation only says "made available" NOT the sale of .... the wording was chosen very carefully...

JohnnyV wrote:

Just a quick not to say the Home office has no input on the "approval" of any of the Bruni blank firers. They do not offer an approval service of any kind, simply put the government only becomes involved now during a prosecution/court case. The Brunis are simple inspected by the royal armories in a private funded report and their guidance / opinion is that they meet current specification... No Home office approval. The new MP40s are proving quite a problem for Edgar brothers . Also regarding F/v blank firers they are illegal to be sold new in the UK, the defence in the new legislation only says "made available" NOT the sale of .... the wording was chosen very carefully...

I had assumed it was government and not privately funded (no surprises really). Though I have to say that still kind of corroborates my point somewhat - that if the Brunis can get through, then these should too, once the requisite hardness of material has been met/approved. In light of that, it raises the question why Edgar Brothers are having a problem. I'm assuming they are not using the Royal Armouries (I'm just flicking through the reports I found on the web re the Brunis)

I am sure the Edgar MP40 story will come out soon enough .....
Cannot say more at this stage... sorry

JohnnyV wrote:

I am sure the Edgar MP40 story will come out soon enough .....
Cannot say more at this stage... sorry

I had heard similar(ish). We shall see...

Almost 2 months on and Edgar's are far from confident. 'Still being tested by Government bodies' is the email I got after enquiry 3 weeks ago. . I still remain in the camp of the Bruni models as being a good template to work from... You'd like to think GSG and Bruni are sharing info if the hardness of the barrel blocking material is seriously any stumbling point....Though I doubt they are of course?? Buerocracy over practicality is as such I guess....

I contacted Edgars last week again and they just left me a message to say these are now fully uk compliant and approved. Now its just a case of manufacture and delivery dates I guess....

Great  -  lets hope they do the AK47 next !!

Having said that ......

[  not expecting these will ever show in UK  ]

I mean , apart from the wonderful Bruni,s    - what other blank guns do anyway .......

Carl

phobus wrote:

Great  -  lets hope they do the AK47 next !!

Having said that ......

[  not expecting these will ever show in UK  ]

I mean , apart from the wonderful Bruni,s    - what other blank guns do anyway .......

Carl

Yap, I guess it largely depends on whether Edgars and the like see a market for the AK's here!? Obviously the MP's are aimed at Re-enacters, with the peripheral market being collectors like us. Is the GSG AK47 available as a BF elsewhere then, as I thought it was only available in 22LR!?!

Not sure if the AK47 GSG .22 lr has ever been made as blank firer ?

I just thought that there would be plenty of interest if they did ?

The conversion seems do able ? Ditto the MP5 ?

I just can,t see the powers that be would ever countenance their open sale in the UK

Can you ?

Carl

phobus wrote:

Not sure if the AK47 GSG .22 lr has ever been made as blank firer ?

I just thought that there would be plenty of interest if they did ?

The conversion seems do able ? Ditto the MP5 ?

I just can,t see the powers that be would ever countenance their open sale in the UK

Can you ?

Carl

Nope, can't ever see it myself, purely because neither have any platform on the re-enactment scene and this would appear to be the only justification for bigger BF's in the eyes of the law (apparently)....

soldier of fortune were selling these at military Odyssey for £500

Were SOF selling them this year Claymore?

Yes this August

Dammit . We want an MP5 !!

MP5 would be nice but i would like to see their mp44 blank firer now made uk legal, if they can do it for the 40 i dont see why they cant do it for the 44, be a lot of sales for that in the reenacting world.