r/Ausguns

Looking to buy a lever action for a laugh. No real need for one or needs to fit a purpose at the moment, but possibly later on when life settles down. I've gone against 30-30 and 45-70 because of ammo costs and I don't reload.

My questions:

1. what's your take on 357 vs 44? I've only shot 44mag handguns, no experience with 357 - I'm sure either handles fine out of a rifle. The Model 29 44mag was a handful for me

2. Henry vs Marlin vs Browning? Leaning more towards a Henry, then Marlin. Anything I need to know or understand? In not sure that my LGS stocks them, but will make an effort to try and see them in the skin. People seem to dislike the modern Marlins and the tactical variants - I think they're alright. Same for the Henry X

As part of the "buyback" in NSW, dealers are being offered a pathetic $25,000 in compensation... which apparently only applies to their stocks of anything bought before December 24, 2025 which is now recategorised to Cat C.

The fact PTAs are taking six months to process and business at nearly every NSW gun shop has completely fallen off a cliff? Tough shit, apparently.

Just a FYI regarding the NSW gun "buyback", the NSW election occurs in March 2027. This means you are under no obligation to hand over any guns to the NSW government before the election as it runs until November 2027.

Importantly, this means it's paramount that we try to avoid handing over guns to the NSW government before the election so they can't try to sell it as some victory or political win, and instead the scheme is really shown as the waste of money and incompetence it really is. This can then hopefully damage their prospects of an election win. Additionally, although its not guaranteed, there is a possibility that a friendlier government could replace the current government at the election, possibly leading to some revisions to the rushed laws or the steal back.

However if you still want to transfer your firearms some alternative options include upgrading your license, changing genuine reasons, transferring to another firearms owner, transferring interstate, selling to a dealer, etc. So there is many options to transfer firearms that don't involve the steal back, and you'll likely be in a better financial position as well.

But if you have to transfer them to the government, honestly just give them the worst condition guns possible or items like cheap air rifles and single shot .22's. Additionally if possible try to strip any guns being given to the government of any valuable parts or accessories as possible.

Anyway's just wanted to put this out there in case it helps anyone.

In South Australia, possessing or controlling digital blueprints or computer files for 3D-printing firearms, major parts, or sound moderators without an official licence is illegal. Enacted under the Firearms (Digital Blueprints for 3D Printing) Amendment Act 2025, the offence carries severe penalties of up to 15 years in prison and $75,000 fines.

What is Banned: Any electronic code, CAD file, technical drawing, or digital reproduction that allows the 3D-printing manufacture of a regulated firearm item.

Scope of Possession: "Possession" includes having files stored locally on a device or remotely via cloud access that you can control.

What I find interesting: no where are traditional, physically printed blueprints or technical drawings specified as being illegal. And you can (for now at least) buy certain books like the Firearm Anatomy volumes by David S. Findlay on Amazon Australia - and they're being sold by Amazon Australia itself!

So... does anyone know if printed blueprints are also illegal? There HAS to be some sort of restriction on this information even if it's in a printed book, right? I tried calling SAPOL's firearms branch but they haven't gotten back to me yet. :/

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 see a lot of comments and posts from people who I’m sure are in this group. Which is great and I’m one of them.

What is the general public’s view though. Is it really going down as a lead balloon as much as we all hope?

When I look at the legislation I cant see anything precluding me from setting up a bit of a range for personal use on my thickly wooded 20 acre property.....

By that I mean an area in a gully with a natural earth berm backstop facing national park at the rear..and a number of steel targets, dueling tree, plate rack, animal siloheutes, paper targets etc just for plinking fun, speedshooting and practice for matchs... I often go through 100-200 rounds in a session mostly alone sometimes with my son or a neighbor....

Just so as not to potentially annoy neighbors with noise I just use various .22 rifles and have called into most of them just to let them know what i am up to and to call me if they ever have an issue with excessive noise.....so far so good on that

While I know there is no issue with me shooting safely and legally on my property , Is there any possible illegality with this setup or any limits on what scale of personal "range" can be created...?.

Hey Lads, sorry if this has already been answered. Currently overseas with a terrible signal. I've seen that NSW is starting the buy-back (steal) scheme. I've got only 2 questions.

1. I currently have a Bushmaster BA-X12; I don't hold a CAT C licence. I only hold 3 guns at the moment. Will my shotgun have to go with the above-stated

2. I am unsure that I will be back in Australia by the time this Buy (Steal) Back scheme happens. What's the time limit on this thing?

So if this has already been answered but as stated the signal is really shotty and im finding it really hard to load the pages.

Cheers

I’ve gone in for my photo wednesday the 5th, 12 days later i’m yet to see anything in the mail, is this typical? How long has everyone else had to wait for their card in the mail?

I thought this article from Sporting Shooter was really well put together and clearly laid out how people in NSW can prove what their guns are worth (and it's not saying "Well me mate said he'd give me $3000 for it...")

Also keep in mind there's no announced end date on this "buyback" and still a lot of questions about how it's going to work etc, so personally I'd be waiting for that information to become available before I started making significant decisions.

Argh sold my 223 a couple years back and just kept my shotgun

Now I have access to 3000 acres close to home I figured I'd pick up a 223 again

Now I hear there is months of waiting for a PTA? 😂

Guess the shotgun will be the choice.

I’ve been looking at getting a clip-on to move between rifles, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about them

Hey, I’m starting to look into hunting deer. Sticking point is not being able to keep the gun at home. Are there options to store them elsewhere?