Storing bolts and actions together

[AlphaGenesys]

Gday all.

I just saw a post in rifles, handgun and shotgun section about un-cocking your bolt for storage.

I was under the impression that your had to remove your action completely when storing and travel with the action removed.

Is this law or just extra safety?

Regards,
Zak

[Harts]

Legally it varies from state to state.

I'm pretty sure QLD and the ACT are the two states it's legally required.

Personally I always travel with mine out anyway, and store the bolts in a separate compartment of the safe anyway.

If you get stopped by the cops they'll appreciate the fact that you can clearly see everything is un-loaded and not in a ready-to-fire state.

Should the worst happen too and you have something stolen, better they get away with half a rifle instead of a whole rifle.

I've read a few instances of people having rifles stolen without the bolt and the cops are always happy to hear they can't use the rifle with what they got.

[subatom]

A bit of clarification here from the SA SSAA.

Recently, SSAA National has received a number of inquiries relating to the storage of firearms, particularly rifles, and whether the bolt needs to be removed and stored separately when not in use. To provide some clarification on the matter, SSAA National has explored the legislation applying to each region and has found that there are some states and territories that require this by law, and in others, it is not within the legislation.

The ACT and Queensland legislation requires that bolt-action rifles are to have the bolt removed for storage in a safe storage facility. The ACT legislation says that this bolt must then be stored separately from the rifle. In New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, there is no requirement within the legislation for individuals. There are variations under the law in most states when the owner holds a collector’s licence and also for when the firearm is being transported, and we advise you to become familiar with your region’s regulations.

There's your answer on storage, not sure about your transportation for you though.

[Vati]

Taken from Travelling with a weapon in Queensland on the QLD Police website.

Whilst not in the person's physical possession, weapons must be stored in a securely closed container with the bolt removed or a trigger lock fitted or in a locked container.

The container must be stored:

out of sight in a locked room; or
locked in the boot of a vehicle; or
if the vehicle does not have a boot, locked in the vehicle out of sight.
Weapons must be kept unloaded at all times unless the weapon is being used. For example, the weapon must be unloaded whilst the weapon is being transported to a range and whilst at a range when not involved in actual competition, for example, taking a lunch break.

So yep, for you QLD shooters - bolt out, action broken etc. always while storing and travelling.

Law or not, it's good practice anyway.

[Monty]

It pays to check Alpha.

This comes up a fair bit and people are quick to say "no" as may be the case in their state but not for all, including yourself, as outlined above.

On the flip side, I was told the story at my LGS of a pair of blokes travelling together who had a pair of rifles confiscated for travelling with the bolts in. This was done as the officer at the time believe it to be required, in the end they got them back without any penalty once things were cleared up, but who needs all that...

I take mine out also while travelling to avoid any potentially drama, required or not...

[Tindog]

Whats the go with Storage and transporting H class guns. i.e Beretta or glock. do you have to remove the slide and barrel etc.

[brett1868]

In NSW the least you need to do is is keep it in a locked box separate from ammunition. I bought some 3 packs of trigger locks and generally have them fitted at all times unless shooting and I keep rifle bolts locked separately. Best to err on the side of doing too much rather then too little.

What legislative requirements are there in relation to transportation of category C, D & H firearms?
Category C, D & H firearms must be conveyed unloaded, with the ammunition kept in a locked container separate
from the firearms. They must be rendered temporarily incapable of being fired (eg by removal of the bolt/firing
mechanism or the use of trigger locks) or must be kept in a locked container that is properly secured to, or is within
the vehicle.

[Rippah]

Putting your bolts in a separate case probably makes the rifle bag 10kg lighter too hey Brett

[Usurper]

Whats the go with Storage and transporting H class guns. i.e Beretta or glock. do you have to remove the slide and barrel etc.

This is just an observation from what I've seen other shooters doing as they unpack.

Slide open, magazine out when it's in it's locked container. Ammunition in a separate locked container.

Just about everyones got a trigger guard on or a cable lock through ejection port or revolver cylinder as well.

[inventurkey]

Should the worst happen too and you have something stolen, better they get away with half a rifle instead of a whole rifle.

Worth doing for that reason alone IMO. Requirement or not.

[Title_II]

They're not getting away.

[Wes]

Huh? Who's not getting away?

[Sockeye]

So in QLD as long as I remove the bolts from the actions I can keep them in the same safe without any additional locked boxes or compartments. Do I read this correctly?

[pomemax]

I always find this a bit of a weired law remove the bolt from a bolt action and the pump action/ lever next to it in the safe is ok same with transporting .
My take on it is in the fire arm is not in my hands it has a triger lock fitted or cable lock through the action and even in the safe they have them on you can buy packs of 24 keyed alike so only 2 keys 1 for trigger 1 for cables .
locks are only for show too, look on youtube how easy to remove them but they may slow some people down .

[North East]

Live in Victoria you don't need to do any of that crap.

[David Brown]

So in QLD as long as I remove the bolts from the actions I can keep them in the same safe without any additional locked boxes or compartments. Do I read this correctly?

Simply YES.

But just to be sure read the law. It says what it means and means what it says.

[bigfellascott]

No issues with storing rifles and bolts together in NSW, I don't do it personally (I keep bolts locked away separately) I don't uncock the bolts etc I just store em away, been doing it that way for 35yrs now and they still work like the day I bought the rifle.

[deye243]

Live in Victoria you don't need to do any of that crap.

[trekin]

So in QLD as long as I remove the bolts from the actions I can keep them in the same safe without any additional locked boxes or compartments. Do I read this correctly?

Yes mate, that is correct for QLD. I keep mine in a made to order draw string bag tied to the trigger guard, and have had no problems at inspections. Lever actions with the lever quarter to half cycled, and break actions broken just enough so that it can be seen to be broken. And to all the Mexicans, these are the laws in QLD, and wether they are sensible laws or not, we as QLD LAFO's have to abide by them.

[Sockeye]

Thank you for the clarification fellas.

[pomemax]

You dont in NSW either I just do for my peace of mind

[Harper]

You dont in NSW either I just do for my peace of mind

If you've got a thin carry case it's one less know sticking out to bump on stuff too

[Title_II]

Huh? Who's not getting away?

Someone who thinks they are going to run away with one of my firearms.