FX Crown Barrels and the UK sub 12 ft lb law 

It turns out that this issue applies only to the FX Crown that does not have special Sub 12ft lb barrel options. The FX Impact has different barrels for the UK market, but the Crown does not. Therefore do not buy an FX Crown in sub 12 ft lb and expect to swap barrels out and still get close to sub 12 ft lb. It will not work.

FAN BL@@DY TASTIC!!!!! you have prodiced your best ever video, no major terminology screw ups and you've produced content a novice as well as a seasoned shooter/tweaker can grasp !! WELL DONE MATE!!!!

BSA used to sell a PCP rifle (I believe it was called the Firebird) with interchangeable barrels in .22 and .177 and the .177 barrel was longer which brought up the power of the less efficient smaller pellet. In a precharged air rifle barrel length plays a major part in the development of power the same as powder burners. In this case buy a .177 at sub 12 ft lbs and reduce the length of a .22 cal barrel until the power is reduced to sub 12 ft lbs. I remember reading that Webley and Scott found the difference in swapping barrels from .22 to .177 to be 18 percent drop in power.

Well done Steve, well explained. I have the FX impact and noticed the 177 is less powerful but still love the gun my FX is sub 12 although I do have FAC certificate and many rifles to go with it. the FX is good for my close permissions and is adequate for these . Love your videos

Well done with the explanation and for exposing the problem. I don't think however that problem is so much with the FX but is with the law itself. Here in Canada we are limited to muzzle velocity to determine license requirements. Any device designed to produce more than 500 feet per second, must require an FAC or firearms acquisition certificate to own. So be careful what you wish for because the UK may very well adopt the same law. Toss away foot pounds and substitute for FPS. Imagine being restricted to 500 FPS with an air gun! Your point was made clear however, thanks for the video.

Well done Steve, very good video, explained it well, it should make people think twice before buying one. Great channel by the way.

Nicely explained Steve... its a lovely gun but at end of the day like you say, its not really a gun for the UK market.

Thats exactly what you can do with a crown regulator. Very much is a alan key and twist job

Wow ...I said it was gonna be worth waiting for ( on the FB group ) ... personally id go JUST .177 get that up too about 11ftlb ...sod .22 .. theres plenty of power for hunting , hft , target shooting ect .. no point in FAC in this country unless yer doing some sort of professional pest control ect .. I think some folk apply just too say theve got a fire arms cert ... luckily for me , should I get the " urge " too hunt big game ( which Is very unlikely ) id go hunting with me son , hes got all the licences needed and permissions for foxing ect ect .. I'll stick too sub 12 in my back yard ..and maybe a spot of ratting now and again .. kinda makes the " crown " an overpriced " hey look what ive got " rifle ...probably no more accurate then my typhoon ...

very interesting , something to think about in the future , you just need 2 people with the same gun and a barrel swop and do a chrono test

Well explained, I've learnt a thing or two from this vid, thanks Steve.

Absolutely spot on. I’ve yet to see any power adjustable sub12 gun on the range that outshoots my fixed power sub12. You start at sub12 and the only way is down. I mean no disrespect (😐) but I’ve seen so many Impacts sold in bits because shooters buy one and overnight become an expert tuner, only to completely ruin the gun. One guy has had three in the past six months and all are, and this is the technical term, completely knackered. Not even a gunsmith has been able to fix the last one as it is. It basically needs a full rebuild with all new parts. (i.e. a new gun)

Hi Steve, I have a Crown 177

I've got the fx crown with 177 barrel and .22 barrel and there both running 11.5ftbs and 11.7 ftb so they work the hole in the 177 barrel is bigger so works more efficient if the .22 barrel had the same size hole it would be over the legal limit of 12ftbs

Brilliant explanation Steve keep up the great work you do.

Hi Steve forgot to say both my barrels are for sub 12ftbs fx crown

Good vid lovely rifle but I completely understand what your saying very true so unless you shoot .22 then stay away

Great video as always Steve, very informative, I think it will make people think twice before buying the FX air rifles now.

Uk is limiting airgun accident, or at least the fatal one..but what you said is true..business companies can't afford to make everyone happy..so my advice, buy a unit of an fx crown and enjoy it as it is..save money to buy that extra barrel to buy a beer, go for a massage or maybe go on a trip to Sweden

it's the surface area on the pellet base! the larger the base/piston takes less pressure to move it? Simple physics! 😉

Well constructed video, very infomative enjoyed it

Can i upgrade a sub 12lb fx crown to a FAC ? As my country has no power limit. Thank you.

The crown is a nice rifle but not worth the 2 grand, The impact isn’t worth it either, not in 12ft pound , I speak as someone who has owned both, Stick to one calibre per rifle for the U.K. ,sub12 The brocock bantam sniper hr is a bloody good value rifle

My sub 12lfb crown in .177 has just arrived at my local RFD. After ordering back in june So I'll find out soon what I get. I won't be doing any barrel swapping but I do love to tinker with my rifles. It's just as fun to me as shooting them. My reason to get it was for the tinkering ability plus it's just different to other rifles on the market. I also tend to strip and rebuild them my self so keeping warranties dosnt bother me I also have an BSA R10 SE with huma reg and shoots just aswell as my dad's daystate wolverine R minus the shot count. I was going to get a wolverine R but I can shoot my dad's rifle so ordered the crown just to be different if im disappointed ill just sell it on or send it back fingers crossed ill be happy with it

I own a Crown and Impact (unrestricted US Versions). Great rifles, but with all those gizmos things do go wrong. My Crown is in the shop If Iwere airgunning in the UK, I might opt for the HW100.

Excellent video - very informative

I just buy .22 , I’ve got big fingers so it’s easier to load , I’ve a few 177’s but I’ve never bothered getting new barrels etc I’ll just buy another different rifle to add to my collection

Hi Steve. I dreamed about this problem. The barrel on the .22 has to be shorter !!!!! Exempel : 17 inches in .22 and 22 inches in .177 This should equal the sprat between the calibers . Ma I should talk to the air gun producers to make some money . haha If my thoughts are worth something let me know. LOL

Well done Steve you have just saved me a heap of hard earned cash.

Good video and yet the FX Crown in FAC in their own advertising says, a .177 gets more shots per fill than a .22 which gets more than a .25 which gets more than the .303 ?

Nice one Steve. The efficiency difference is well known between the two calibres. It's a shame that there is not enough ability to bring the power up if you originally own one in .22 then drop down to .177. It would be best to buy the .177 first then make the adjustments to bring the .22 down from the .177 settings. After all it's the users responsibility to make sure that there air rifle is legal when used. The user can't blame the dealer for an overpowered rifle once purchased, as it would then be your responsibility to make sure it was within the 12 ft/lb limit. The laws really are crazy in the UK when it comes to airguns. We have a club member with the FX Impact in both calibres. I haven't seen him in a while, but I will ask him if he is having the same problems with his. I expect as long as the rifle is shooting within the law no matter which barrel is fitted at the time, you can't go wrong. If the .177 is tuned up to the legal limit, you are fine. You would obviously need to make all the adjustments before fitting the .22 barrel, then once fitted as long as it falls within the legal limit, then you are fine again. I am sure there are users out there that have managed to sort this one out. It would only be illegal if you fitted the .22 barrel with the .177 settings, so as long as you work out the settings with each barrel and make the adjustments afterwards before fitting either barrel, then that is the way around it.

Very good informative video 👍🏽

Well done mate, an honest comprehensive review. That’s why I subscribe.

Great topic; thank you.

They can do it piss easy makebthevlarger cal barrels shorter thus lowering the power each barrel change i.e 1000mm in 177 500mm in 22 and 350 in 25

Can't you just increase the regulator pressure when swapping caliber? If there's anti tamper then it's ridiculous. Thousands of people own Theoben Rapids which is the easiest regulator to adjust ever. Hopefully something will change regarding the anti tuning (tamper) plugs

Great clip. I knew this was going to be probably the case . but glad you tested it. some crono tests with the figures would have made it a lot better. The proof is in the pudding as they say! UK Sub 12ft lb law is a difficult subject. If I stick an h&n piledriver pellet in any of my sub 11.5ft 177 guns they go over the limit!! Also it is the responsibility of the owner not the gunshop to make sure the gun is legal. I know someone that bought a brand new gun and when he tested it it was around 14ft lb .What do you do ? Stick it in the boot and take it back! Get stopped & 5 years in Prison awaits you! Or ring the police to explain you have an unlicensed firearm at your property that wasn't your fault!

Hi you were right about the barrels it's the same barrel for fac or sub 12ftbs mine was bought as 177 sub 12ftbs and I've just chronograph the .22 barrel bloody 14fbs with 16 grain pellets so the only way I could use it is adjust the hammer spring so when the weel is on max it's sub 12ftbs f*****g crap

What’s the problem. If you want a more powerful rifle. Is it really that difficult to apply for a license

Why not buy a 177 , pop a 22 barell on it and drop the power level down on the dials use a chrome and get it just under 12ft lb's ??

Surely more air for the .177 would mean simply drilling out the entry port at the end of the barrel as long as the mod stays below 12 ft/lbs at the muzzle? Or have I read that all wrong? Anyway, great video and convinces me if going for an FX, then go for the Impact. Also, I had no idea just how long this rifle is when the shroud is pulled fully out. Nearly four feet long goes a little beyond a 'hunting' air rifle despite its incredible accuracy. Might just stick with my HW 100. Yup, you'll make a few enemies but outweighed by friends for daring to challenge the claims for this otherwise superb air weapon but certainly not, sub 12 lbs UK side. Thanks.

thats BS, if ive paid just under £2000 for a airgun and it was making 9 foot pounds i would send it back. you are paying for a gun that is not producing. should be making minimum 11.3, that still gives you a safe margin when using heavier pellets. It is not illegal to adjust the power yourself as long as it is under 12 foot pounds. but at the end of the day you dont want to void your warranty on a very very expensive air gun.

Is that why 10 women has a Michael Gorbachev mark on her head? 🙀 they blamed him? Aka hand wash

The port on that .22 barrel is wrong, sub 12 ftlb FX barrels have a 2mm diameter port, smaller than the .177.

What bar is your regulator set to on .22 sub12 pls

Steve the hole in the .22 brass sleeve is smaller than the full power US version, so FX is localising these for the UK market, but they just got the sizes wrong 😂still way too large for 16J setup. 55bar for .22 come on. That’s a German 7.5J setpoint. If they had got the TP sizes correct in the first place both the hammer spring and regulator could have been set a lot higher. Good for the tuners can milk the owners 😭 ...what about the barrels, was the FX smootwist so revolutionary good that it had to be updated/abruptly discontinued? 😜

Ummm... Steve? That word you like to use -castrate - you might want to find another word. Your making some of us guys sort of squirm a bit here. Yeah_ a different word would go well for us here. Or maybe a phrase - 'CUT DOWN THE POWER' maybe? ;-) Some of the gals listening have this funny smile on their faces, though. Just sayin' buddy.

Just by it in 177 and swap to 22 and you are unlegal too ! You have to crono ! Same if you change spring in a springer ! Always chrono your gun if you want to be legal

FX.....over priced....over rated.....too many gimmicks....too many fan boys promopting them at the moment too. Great video Steve !!

question if its leagle requirment to make it not east to adjust a rifle over 12 lb .. how come SMK put a screw at the back of their rifles that adjusts the hammer ans can be done without taking the rifle apart ... iv asked a few people this an their stumped

Hi

Cant you go 177 to 22 then?

Hello.model of scope?Discovery?buy to aliexpress?

Can l get more than 12 ft/d in uk?

If i could subscribe and click thumbs up a dozen times i would!!

"FX don't like the UK". I don't like FX - I buy local; AA, Daystate, BSA etc. FX will not earn my dosh.

I never heard so much crap in all my life , All people have to do is tune the regulator along with hammer spring on max and front valve adjuster on max if they have it those parts , easy! in each Caliber you tune to sub12 , any one changing barrels should own a chrono and be responsible, god 😔

Well........I'm still your friend, I still want a FX Crown though in .177 will wup the ass of any Cricket owners!!!!

So if they first sell you a .177 and then sell you a .22 the company is breaking the law? Maybe a lawsuit or reporting them will force them to sell a .22 tweaked barrel