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Maximum Power of Rifles and Pistols
Sub 12ft-lb Air Rifles & Sub 6ft-lb Pistols
Sub 12 refers to the maximum legal power limit of an air rifle that you can possess without a Firearms Certificate in the United Kingdom.
Air rifle power in the United Kingdom must be under 12ft lbs of energy (under 16 Joules).
Similarly air pistols must be under 6ft lbs of energy.
Luckily the equipment to test airgun power output is easy to use and relatively inexpensive, it can also be used as a tool to indicate if your airgun is operating correctly.
FAC Air Rifles
Firearms Certificate Required
FAC Air rifles have a power output over 12ft-lbs (over 16 joules).
In the United Kingdom you are required to be in posession of a valid Firearms Certificate
in your name for that particlar gun.
Guns you are allowed to own and shoot must be listed on your certificate along with their relevant serial numbers.
Please note Shotgun Certificates will not cover you for Firearms Rifle ownership.
PCP Air Rifles & Pistols
Pre-Charged Pneumatic - Compressed Air Powered
PCP rifles and pistols have an air reservoir that you fill prior to shooting with dry, clean, compressed air (supplied by us,) generally to around 200 bar pressure (about 2900 psi).
As the shooter uses the rifle, the reservoir slowly depletes of air and requires a refill. The quantity of shots can range from 50 to over 500, dependent on the size of the reservoir and brand of rifle.
FAC air rifles obviously use far more air than Sub 12ft lb rifles.
CO2 powered rifles and pistols operate in a very similar way, except that the reservoir of CO2 is depleted, then it is exchanged for a new one, and the old one is discarded. :
