I'm fairly sure that there was a thread discussing this very topic not too long ago, but I can't find it so maybe that's worth a search. Before you get to invested in your idea, just be aware that full bore semi auto rifles are on the chopping block and licences issued after the 18th of September 2015 are set to be revoked so your idea mightn't get too far.

Regarding the idea itself, I'd say it would work however there may be some minimum rifle length in some obscure SI so that's worth asking about. According to the 2008 act “short firearms” means firearms either with a barrel not longer than 30 centimetres or whose overall length (including the length of any detachable component) does not exceed 60 centimetres. So you might be able to get away with having a detachable coat hanger, or hell even a detachable barrel.

At the end of the day, this depends on what the proposed legislation says and what it defines a centrefire semi auto rifles as and whether there's legal room for these long barreled pistols. For the best chance, get in contact with your local TD and TDs on the justice panel and voice your concerns about a potential centrefire semi auto rifle ban.

Just another thought, you might be able to license a single action long barrelled revolver in something like 357 or 44 magnum as that isn’t semi auto.

Oh yeah, 100%. I was just proposing this as an option for anyone interested and I like finding potential loopholes or work arounds, however impractical. I'd love a 357 under lever but it's a shame that it's a restricted rifle and I'm not in a position to pay for the extra security. It's senseless that a 30.06 is non restricted but a 357 is restricted.

That relates to pistol calibre as in .38/.357 being a centrefire pistol cartridge which is restricted but a 30/30 is a rifle cartridge is unrestricted.

They never put a lot of thought into much of this legislation, story of our lives

Ive got firearms in two of these Calibre's and know of a friend with a 30/30 underleaver who's rifle is unrestricted, yet the 38.357 calibre being a centrefire restricted pistol calibre makes the rifle restricted. Go figure. Ask the firearms section in the Phoenix Park?

.30-30 is .308 diameter

.357 is .357 diameter

its really that simple, one is above the limit, the other isn’t. Nothing to do with being a pistol caliber.

That’s restricted ammo. Not restricted firearms. No firearm is restricted by virtue of being a “pistol calibre”.

If a .25 ACP rifle it carbine existed. It would be a unrestricted by virtue of being under 30 cal.

If thats the case then why isnt .303 Restricted? Its above .308

Because the calibre is internationally recognised as .303. No need to rock the boat as some may have done with semi auto rifles 🙄 The calibre measurement is variable if you measure between the lands or the grooves in the rifling too 😉

The .303 is a British calibre. And under the British measurement system the bore a .303” diameter. So it in the unrestricted group - even though it’s a .312 bullet diameter.

Except the law doesn't refer to the diameter of the bullet.

And regardless, whether 308 is an anomaly or not. A .357 lever rifle is restricted due to its calibre dimension not due to being a pistol round.

My point was simply thay you were mistaken about the above. Straightforward

Multiple have explained that is incorrect. Cass kindly posted the actual law above, it's right there.

You claimed a 357 level rifle is restricted due to being a pistol cartridge. (No mention calibre btw). That is incorrect.

Restricted rifles are based on caliber only. A 357 treated the same as a 356 as far as rifles are concerned. There is no further restriction for rifles firing pistol calibers. If it were, you'd have been able to point to it.

There was no need restrict pistol caliber carbines as there are no 8mm or less PCCs- at least that I am aware of.

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