Author Topic: Brocock ME38 Magnum (Read 1969 times)

mickroberts · « **on:** June 22, 2003, 03:09:56 PM »

I have a Brocock ME38 Magnum and i noticed recently that some new law is being introduced in the uk banning the sale of them and requiring owners to obtain a licence for them. This is because it is claimed that they are easy to convert ro fire live ammo. I am going to write to my MP to try and get him to put forward a case for stopping this law going through but i'm not totally sure of the facts. Does anyone know how these guns are converted to fire live ammo and how difficult it actually is? I would imagine it would be pretty difficult for anyone other than a gunsmith and surely this particular model can't be significantly harder than any other model to convert.

bfoster · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2003, 04:12:41 PM »

Mick,

Unfortunately this conversion has also been noted on this side of the Atlantic. It was written up in the winter 2001 issue of the AFTE (Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners) Journal.

Anyone with access to a lathe could muddle through making the requisite chamber inserts. A firing pin could be made with tools no more complex than files. Ditto the requisite fitting to the frame. Hypethetically speaking, as the owner of a well equipped tool and die shop, I'd think that anyone with similar equipment and some degree of skill in working on arms could do a workmanlike conversion in a few hours. An amateur would take a bit more time, but the results wouldn't necessarily be a poor quality job.

I'm truly sorry that I can't have provided a less pessimistic answer for you.

Bob

mickroberts · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2003, 05:29:40 AM »

Thanks Bob,

Unfortunately it does sound like it's a fairly easily convertible gun. Do you know of any way i could get hold of this article without subscribing to the journal?

Mick

bfoster · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2003, 04:36:01 AM »

You might try a large library, perhaps at a university that offers some classes in forensic science. I have a friend who is a subscriber, but he dosn't usually retain back copies. I'll check anyway.

Bob

bfoster · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2003, 03:51:17 PM »

Mick,

I ddi check with my friend who subscribes to the JAFTE. He has not retained his copy of this issue.

Bob