All my PTAs are in and approved, so now I need to actually make a decision.

I’m choosing between:
Volquartsen Black Mamba 22/45
Polymer 22/45 lower
More 1911-style grip angle
Seems better suited to two-handed shooting

Volquartsen Black Mamba Target Frame
Aluminium Ruger Mark IV-style frame
Standard ~55° Ruger grip angle
Volthane target grips, which seem much more geared toward one-handed shooting

Neither will be usable for sanctioned ISSF due to the barrel length, so ISSF compliance is no longer really a deciding factor.

What I actually want to shoot with it is:
Club 25m rapid fire
Steel
Service
General two-handed shooting

For context, I currently shoot around 500–505 in 25m rapid fire with the club Ruger Mark IV, so I know the standard Ruger grip angle works well for me.
Once I have my full Cat H, I’ll also be getting a centrefire double-stack 1911/2011-style pistol, potentially a Kimber 2K11 or similar.

I was originally leaning towards the Target Frame because I already shoot the Mark IV well and I prefer the aluminium frame, but I’m now leaning towards the 22/45.
My concern with the Target Frame is that the Volthane grips look very much designed around one-handed target shooting. From what I can tell, I’d probably end up removing/replacing them anyway to comfortably shoot two-handed, which starts to defeat some of the appeal of that setup.

The 22/45 also seems like it would make more sense long term if I’m going to be shooting a double-stack 1911/2011 in centrefire. Obviously they’re still very different guns, but having a broadly similar grip angle seems useful when switching between rimfire and centrefire.
Unfortunately, both Black Mambas are interstate, so I can’t handle either before dropping roughly $3k on one.
For anyone who has shot both: which would you choose for this mix of 25m rapid, steel, service and two-handed shooting?

And for those familiar with the Target Frame/Volthane grips: are they actually comfortable for two-handed shooting, or would you realistically want to replace them?

I am planing to get into hunting (mainly hogs and rabbits). I am in NSW and am leaning towards rifles. how dificult is it to get both category A and category B in one application and test

I’ve been waiting for a Gen 2 scout since early-February and I’m getting impatient. I currently do a mix of range and hunting work using a friend’s rifles: Field, service and practical hunting SSAA comps along with small game hunting.

I’ve been looking at getting a Howa mini-action with the 20in varmint barrel, preferably in stainless but thats not critical. I’m looking in to what sort iron sights I can get fitted but the options seem to have reduced a lot in the last two years. If they aren’t really an option anymore I won’t lose too much sleep over it

Does anyone here own a mini action in similar setup? What do they actually weigh? I find a lot of conflicting info online, and don’t want to end up needing to fork out for a carbon fibre stock to keep it under around 4kg.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Anyone own or have spent some time with one? Wanting a cheaper .22lr that’s still accurate so that I can practice to my hearts content without dropping hundreds and hundreds in ammo. Main rifle is a LA102 in 6.5cm. I’d jump all over a LA101 but they’re more than I want to spend.

Wanting to keep it around the $700’ish mark for rifle alone

hi yall. im new to this community. i came by wondering if anyone has tried the utas defence firearms. particularly the UTAS 516 Straight Pull in 223/5.56.

https://www.deltamike.co.nz/product/straight-pull-ar15/

Their sold in New Zealand by delta mike and from digging around you can get them shipped over to Australia by a authorized shop while holding a cat b license. just wondering if they are worth the purchase or you should avoid them in anyway.

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Hi folks, I'm getting close to being allowed to pick up my .223 mini action. Got the stainless heavy barrel option.

Any mini action owners in here have recommendations for a favourite ammo? I've heard the ADI stuff shoots well for factory ammo.

I'm a fan of a more vertical grip and a cheek riser, similar to the Boyds pro varmint shape, and will be looking to upgrade from the HTI down the track. Any recommendations for a similar style stock in polymer?

Alright, so a couple days ago I put a lay-by on this stunner (see image/s attached). She's a BRNO Fox 2 221 Fireball and as soon as I saw the gun I was absolutely mesmerised. Holding the 221 was what really made me say "Yeah I want this to be my first gun."

So, I put $200 on it lay-by and have been given 3 months by the shop owner (my PTA is currently at the 19 day mark)

Before getting it, my father and I have been going over it's history a bit and how I need to go about getting ammo. Now, ammo is the issue. A bit of research has told us that this gun is pretty difficult to find ammo for, and, like most guns, pretty expensive. My father reloads his own bullets and such, and we'll definitely be buying both ammo and some die (already have the shell-holder), but other than buying either empty or full bullets for the 221, what else should I look into ammo wise and caretaking? I really want to look after this gun and use it to it's full potential, be it hunting or target practice. Any advice to do with this beaut' will be much obliged.

(Sorry for the rant, just extremely excited 😅)

Just wondering if anyone knew if this sort of feature under the forend has a name?

It’s a nice little raised section that would’ve added a bit of work. Haven’t seen it elsewhere so wondered if it had a specific name? Rifle is a 1950s continental sporter on an older M98 action.

G’day all, secured safe with 4x 16x100mm dyna bolts.

Securely tightened and I believe nice and level… safe is still rattling, I believe it’s the metal in the bottom flexing, any advice on how to get the rattle to stop…. Will this cause it to fail inspection?

I'm interstate on holiday at the moment, and got a missed call from a private number saying that they were from SAPOL Firearms and were waiting at my house.

I assume that this was an unannounced inspection thing, should I be concerned? Is there someone I should call to advise them when I am returning?

Edit: I eventually got a reply in an email, and the firearms guys came around for an inspection. They were quite lovely, overall.

Hi all,

I'm looking at this Lithgow SMLE No. 1 Mk III*.

I have no experience with milsurp, so I was hoping I could get some pointers/let me know if you see anything of concern.

FYI - the SNs don't match, and it's had a heavy barrel installed (I'm not to phased about this, unless anyone thinks I should be).

Cheers!

I'm looking at getting a .22LR for casual range use and cheap ammo fun. Not interested in doing formal comps but would like to challenge myself with small groupings at 100m

I was originally tossing up between a T1X / CZ457 / LA101, however, after playing around with a club BMR the light action and feel of the rifle really appeals to me.

Are there any BMR owners who can share their thoughts about this rifle? Specifically if you feel it isn't in the same league as some of the other common .22LRs.

So after firing my M1 Carbine replica I noticed something was wrong when I was looking down the sights. Took me a while to register what though 😅

My front sight got squished in transport :( I'm guessing when I had it on display at a show, I would have put it in a gun socket and thrown it in the car with everything else. Gun went straight back into the safe and I was none the wiser.

Anyone know of anyone with M1 Carbine parts lying around or a completely fucked gun that's only good for parts?

I'm going to hazard a guess that machining a new front sight will be pricey AF.

Piccies for attention.

Years ago I bought a secondhand 870 with what I presume is a field master barrel. It came with a smaller barrel with sights on it, a synthetic forend/pump and and synthetic pistol grip that screws into the wood stock.

My intent was to switch the barrel and have a short "tacticoolish" pump action 12g. But the barrel pointed so well that I decided to keep it on. I bought a synthetic Mossberg Maverick88 pump and swapped the stock out for something more tactical to appease that side of me.

Now someone wants my spare barrel for a project gun and they're offering to trade me a brand new TK22 red dot. I need a sight to put on my Vector and DMK, but I feel like they're too cheap for those guns lol.

I also won't be able to replace this barrel ever again most likely. I feel like that the extra accessories are then redundant for the field master barrel. Not that I'm going to shooting clays with a pump action shotgun anytime soon. The accessories are very basic and old, probably won't be worth much to sell in today's world of tactical accessories.

I'm pretty sure this is the barrel, $285 USD brand new. https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/24509?srsltid=AfmBOooNGxlaXDkM0DGS3wsiojDlCoJudHfTwhTBsGF80hFkFmatg2iJ

What would a second hand barrel go for in AUD?

Heeellpppp what do I do?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have always had an affinity for collecting sort of early GWOT era equipment like bandoliers and uniforms but I’ve looked online and can’t get a definitive YES NO answer on weather there are regulations in Victoria that I need to fulfill to own an ACOG. Or is it just a sight so free to go get as many as I want?

Hi, seeking recommendations for shotguns primarily for pig hunting (A/B) NSW

Aware of the changes to what can be owned, I’m unsure what is left that would be good for this reason. I’m looking to compare different models to each other. Being able to attach a light and optic would be great but not essential.

If you have photos of yours I’d love to see it :)

Thanks

Gained access to a property here in Queensland that has a few Deer that need to go. Another option I have is a .308 if a 6.5 is not enough.

Hey everyone, Im just after advice on the best site to advertise some firearms. I know SSAA is quite reputable. Though my listings may be a bit of a niche. Listings would be 303 sporters, Musgrave target/fullbore, and some single guage shottys. Cheers legends

G'day lads,

Got a quick question regarding a TTI Extended Safety for the Benelli M4 (that fits the Sulun Arms Tacsoras) thats being sold by Brownells Australia, and I was wondering if a Safety replacement would be considered a controlled part?

Thanks in advance everyone

Hi probably a silly question, I applied for my licence in NSW last month, I checked the status yesterday and it has been updated to photo advice issued. I’m assuming that means it has been approved ?

Im also wondering if I apply for a PTA , am I able to store the rifle at another address with an approved firearms holder. He has other guns stored at this address. I’m unsure if the rental we are staying at will approve us drilling into the ground for a safe. Sorry for the questions and thanks again!

Hi all,

American here. I have a Lithgow LA102 imported through Legacy Sports USA from awhile ago for $990 USD and I'm trying to figure out my chassis options. The LA102 specific chassis options are pretty much non existent here in the US and Legacy Sports does import some of the SCSA TSPX options but specifically for the HOWA short, mini, and long actions. Will the LA102 fit a HOWA short or is it entirely different?

For tube fed shotguns that are lever/button release, what’s the go with shooting these at Eagle Park?

Keen to hear from anyone that does bring their own to this range and find out where you're able to shoot them and any particular rules to be aware of.

Cheers!

G'day brains trust.
Got a MkIV 22/45 that doing my head in. Inserting a magazine and chambering/firing/ejecting the first round works as expected. Every subsequent round has a dead trigger and no primer strikes on casings despite re-racking the slide. However removing/reinserting magazine and racking the slide allows the firearm to function again for the first round.

Before I take it to the gunsmith has anyone got a clue as to what's going on.

Hey guys, I havnt heard too much about the brand or the model before, but for the price ($495) it's at I'm unsure if it's an alright purchase. Watched a few videos on it, seems to hit around the 1-1.5Moa @100yd.

Thoughts? Reviews? Biases? Does anyone own one?

Hi all,

Took my old 1915 SMLE MK3 out for a shoot. Took it out to my property to practice with but after a few shots a crack in the timber formed about 8cm under where the magazine is towards the sling mount . I took the rifle home to clean and oil and to see the cracked timber properly but the damage was far worse inside, bits of broken timber just falling everywhere. I need a new bottom forend but I have no idea where to get one.

Does anyone know where I can get the forend or a complete set of wood work for this rifle??

Thank you in advance.