I have been advised by OPTIMA that I can bring my Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh through SA if it has a scope on it. So a scope and mount will be ordered.

I also assume that your Invitation Letter from your outfitter and your Motivation Letter will be required to include the pistol.

Regards,

Terry

If you mean bring it in into South Africa I think you'll find they're wrong. The new legislation states a maximum handgun calibre of .45. I gather this wasn't enforced at first but it is now and believe me, you don't want to take any chances on getting it wrong.... a while ago a guy found himself in big doo-doo's for bringing in a .454 casull. I appreciate the .454 uses .45 bullets but the guy at the airport saw the .454 stamp and interpreted it as in excess on .45.

Might I suggest you call Insp Conroy who is the top cop at JIA in charge of firearms import and ask him...... you can call him on +27827872906 or +27828095558 or alternatively call the Central Firearms Register on +27123536311.... but don't forget the time difference!

My undestanding of the law is this: A handgun must be "custom made for hunting" As to what that means, is anyone's guess. Like I said in the other thread, no semi autos or no double actions. Talk to Gary Reeder @ www.reedercustomguns.com He takes a group of handgunners over to SA every year. I took 2 hunting handguns there in 04 after the new regs. and had no problems. I had Air2000 secure my permits before I got there. The only hitch was the SAPS turned down a permit for my Ruger Redhawk 454. I don't think it was the caliber, but the fact it is a double action that caused the problem.

Another factor you need to consider is that the latest PHASA newsletter that I received a week or so ago said that handguns are no longer allowed in on a temporary import...... I actually think it's a mistake and have queried it with them and have posted about it elsewhere on the forum........ as soon as I get a proper answer I'll post it on the African hunting forum.

Thanks for the info.
Tembo, I called Gary Reeder. He told me it was illegal for an American to HUNT anywhere in Zimbabwe, and that the American Government was not going to allow ANY trophies from Zimbabwe in the USA.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Thanks for the info.
Tembo, I called Gary Reeder. He told me it was illegal for an American to HUNT anywhere in Zimbabwe, and that the American Government was not going to allow ANY trophies from Zimbabwe in the USA.

That would sure surprise a lot of people!

I hope you can get the real scoop on the revolver. Do you have to enter SA or can you check your guns all the way through to Zim?

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Thanks for the info.
Tembo, I called Gary Reeder. He told me it was illegal for an American to HUNT anywhere in Zimbabwe, and that the American Government was not going to allow ANY trophies from Zimbabwe in the USA.

I think he's confused about the Zim. situation!

I will overnight 2 nights in SA.

Tembo
He was pretty enthused about it!!!

I am making some calls and e mails and will let everyone know what I find out.

Terry, my hunting handgun is listed in my "invitation letter".

A friend just went through Jberg with his 475 FA with no problems. He used Air2000 as he had a difficult time getting Optima answering his emails. He had all his paper work and went right through. Also my PH put me in contact with this gentleman who is an area head of Firearm and Liquor Control. He took care of my 375JDJ pistol as my headstamp was 444 marlin and the gun stamped 375. Captain G J Bezuidenhout cell number 082 565 7955 email Lim.Vhembe.dpo@Saps.org.za Hope this helps.

The meetings between the US F&W and the Zim parks authority went well and the US government has updated it's list of banned individuals... But hunting is full speed ahead this year.

Basically you may not hunt on an occupied farm... but that's less than 5% of Zim's hunting.

As for a revolver to zim- why not book your gun case straight through to Zim, either Harare or Bulawayo and have one of the meet and greet guys collect it and hold it pending your arrival?

Or, get your operator here to get your temp import permit from Zim issued before you arrive ( we usually issue the permit at the airport but it can be issued earlier) and then just leave your gun case in customs holding in South Africa?

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I will overnight 2 nights in SA.

I would skip this part and fly direct through to Zim with my guns to avoid RSA gun troubles.

I know nothing of the latest Zim/SA gun issues...it seems they change so fast I seriously doubt anyone can give you a 100% correct answer to your question.
I do know about Namibia and NO handguns are allowed for hunting.

We have gone thru SA twice with handguns, spending the night at Afton Guest House before going on to Zambia. Most recently in'04, after the new rules went into effect, and this year we are flying straight through, solely because of the regs. The inspecting official told me in '04 that he would O.K. my permit (Ruger Bisleys in .45LC and .475 Linebaugh, 5 1/2 in. barrels and iron sights) since I had all my paperwork, but that he really wanted to see scopes on pistols to make sure they were not for "self defense". I am sure that the local facilitators can tell you the rules today and get you through if you have to go to SA. We have opted to forego the hassle (a shame since the Afton is nice and broke the trip up).

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the replies.
I tried to book straight through. Couldnot, so I opted for 2 days vs one to get rid of Jet lag and give any late baggage time to be found.

Here is what I have discovered so far.
From Optima:
No problem getting a hunting handgun into SA if it is scoped.
The NEW regulations say "A hunting handgun will be allowed into SA. NO reference is made to calibre.
Other hunters have had no trouble getting "hunting" handguns into SA reciently.
An e mail from a SA resident confirmes the above info.

So my plan is to mount a scope on my FA hunting handgun. It is listed on my invitation letter from the PH. I will list it on my intent letter.
I will get a new custom form with the 3 guns I am taking, and only those 3 guns to lessen the confusion on the ground in SA.

I am still happy to entertain any other suggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I tried to book straight through. Couldnot,

I would double check this with your travel agent. The Atlanta -> JoBerg flight arrives in JoBerg at 9 or 10 in the morning. Then there is a flight to Harare at about 7 or 8 p.m. So although the layover is a long one, it is certainly possible to go straight through.

Or are you flying JoBerg -> Vic Falls?

Vic Falls

450- who are you hunting with? If you need a pre issued handgun permit at this end it is no problem, just send me a PM.

Vaguely reasonable firearms regs, especially for visitors is one of the reasons Zim remains such a popular destination.

I do not know about two days in SA but in Sept 05 I went to Zim. I had my rfle and other check bag checked to Vic Falls from Atlanta. I overnighted in Joberg my baggage stayed in the airport. The airlines kept it in storage and I met up with it again at Vic Falls. Best of luck with your trip.

Further to my previous post, I've now had a reply from PHASA (copied below) and I've also have posted it elsewhere on this forum.

As many of you will remember I queried the news on handgun import with PHASA and have just received the following e-mail from them:-

"Steve,

I got some answers for your query:

1. Revolver/pistol: NO handguns will be allowed to be temporarily imported for hunting into South Africa. We got confirmation on this from Central Firearm Registration who issues the permits.

Will keep you updated if this change."

The new act already states that handuns will not be allowed in for the purposes of self defense...... therefore, I'm sorry to say that it's no handguns in RSA..... sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

Tony:

Make sure you print out and bring with you copies of the regs that show no maximum caliber size.

Tony,

This sounds like it could get FUBAR pretty quickly.

Conflicting information regarding firearms and travel to Africa would make me err on the side of caution.

George

This is becoming more and more of a SNAFU.... I called Insp Conroy and was told he's now moved on and someone else is in charge. Then I spoke to him and was told a third and different story. So I went back to PHASA and told them they need to give me a definitive answer to what is and what isn't allowed........ As soon as they get back me with an answer I'll let you know......

There is a lot of information on the SAPS web site about importing firearms into SA. You should find all you need on the site. I have included the link to the web page for further reading

http://www.saps.gov.za/crime_prevention/firearms/import_info.htm

Ganyana
Thanks for the offer but Dale Des Fountian is taking care of the Zim Parks permit.
My only worry is SAPS.