The terms  “Old Spec” and “New Spec” only applies to Sub Machine Guns , Semi Automatic Rifle and Assault Rifles.  Every other type of weapon should have full moving parts and can be stripped down (Strip able) . 

In the UK, there are two main types of deactivation standards – Pre 95 and Post 95. Simply, after October 1995 the way in which deactivation was carried out was changed by law. Below we will run through the different weapon types and the different specifications for deactivation requirements. Please note, these are guidelines only, but hold true for most deactivated weapons.

Pre 95 (Old Spec) Revolvers: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the cylinder end. Inside chamber walls milled away for two-thirds of the cylinder length from the loading end. Firing pin removed or cut down. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, action and cylinder. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Post 95 Revolvers: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the cylinder end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Inside chamber walls milled away for two-thirds of the cylinder length from the loading end. A steel ring inserted into the cylinder to prevent the loading of rounds. Firing pin removed or cut down. Area around firing pin/ firing pin hole milled away. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, action and cylinder. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Pre 95 (Old Spec) Semi Auto Pistols: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. Sometimes the loading ramp is partially milled out. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, frame and slide. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Post 95 Semi Auto Pistols: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Any locking lugs milled away. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. Frame rails partially milled away. Loading ramp partially milled out. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, frame and slide. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Pre 95 (Old Spec) Sub Machine Guns: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel sometimes has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. For some models which fire from a closed bolt, sometimes the bolt head is removed. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Post 95 Sub Machine Guns: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Bolt is welded to breach and cut. Trigger mechanism is welded A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Non working actions and can only be partially stripped. Sometimes the trigger, safety and rear portion of the bolt can move. This differs from gun to gun.

Pre 95 (Old Spec) Assault Rifles: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. Sometimes the bolt is removed from the bolt carrier. Loading ramp sometimes partially milled out. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Post 95 Assault Rifles: Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Bolt is welded to breach and cut. Trigger mechanism is welded A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Non working actions and can only be partially stripped. Sometimes the trigger, safety and cocking lever can move. This differs from gun to gun.

Bolt Action Rifles: These are the same for pre and post 95. Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. Loading ramp partially milled out. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Full working actions and can be stripped.

Machine guns: These are the same for pre and post 95. Rifling removed from the bore until approximately 15mm from the muzzle. A steel pin inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Sometimes a steel rod is inserted into the bore as well. Barrel has longditudinal cut along fifty percent of barrel length. Barrel pinned to action. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. Sometimes the bolt face is removed from the bolt carrier on magazine fed guns. Loading ramp sometimes partially milled out. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Full working actions and can be stripped, except barrel.  After March 2011 BARs and guns with part comminality with assault rifles, for example the RPK, will also be welded solid.  This will not affect guns like the RPD of Bren, as they are stand alone designs not adapted from assault rifles.

Shotguns – Pump Action: These are the same for pre and post 95. A steel pin inserted in the bore and through the magazine tube near the chamber end. Barrel has longditudinal cut along the underside for up to 40% of its length. Magazine follower removed and magazine tube ringed. Breach face cut away at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Firing pin cut down or removed. A deactivation stamp on the barrel, receiver and bolt. Full working actions and can be stripped, except barrel.

Shotguns – Single/ Double Barrel Action/ Grenade Launchers and Flare guns: A steel pin or metal plug is inserted in the bore near the chamber end. Barrel has longditudinal cut along the underside for up to 40% of its length. Area around firing pin/ firing pin hole milled away. Firing pin or nipples cut down. A deactivation stamp on the barrel and receiver. Full working actions and can be stripped.

NOTES:

Even post 95 .22 calibre semi automatic rifles can have full working actions and be stripped.

Submachine Guns, Assault Rifles and Machine Guns deactivated before 1990 are the same as pre 95 spec, but may have a removable barrel (very rare, but was passed by the proof house). They may also have only one deactivation stamp on the receiver. The earlier the guns were deactivated, the more irregular the rules become.

Anyone over the age of 18 can purchase and own deactivated guns.  We only sell to genuine collectors and enthusiasts.  We will report anyone we think is going to be a danger to themselves or the public.  All deactivated guns are issued with a deactivation certificate from either the London or Birmingham proof Houses. This certificate has the guns details on it and the serial number of that specific gun. It is not illegal to buy or sell guns without the certificate, but the burden of proof that the gun is legal to own is on you, the owner. All weapons should be stamped (see above) anyway, but the correct certificate helps with police inspection, etc. If you have mislaid your certificate then a new one can be issued by the relevant proof house for a small fee.