I would like to take a 3" S&W .44mag with me on my next trip to Zimbabwe (obviously overnighting in RSA). Do any of you have FIRSTHAND knowledge of the requirements. I have tried to locate specific rules and descriptions for both countries but have come up short so any links to info would be greatly appreciated. If I needed to make it more "sporting" by adding a scope or red dot I could do that. I would really appreciate any solid info that you can provide.
P.S. Please don't turn this into a running battle about having a need for a handgun on safari, that is a conversation for another time/place.

I understand your not wanting to turn this into a pizzing match, but I really got to ask you, WHY? You are on foreign soil, under their rules, this isn't the US, so why take a chance? It's up to you, but you could spend your entire vacation in JHB just trying to sort it out. I hope you get an honest answer, but when traveling internationaly, why would you want to take the chance?


Mad Dog

PM sent

The point of my post is to determine what the rules are and to see if I can comply with them!

Regardless if Zim will allow it, RSA won't as any double action revolver is considered a "defensive" handgun and not a "hunting" handgun....which means in a nutshell, take a singe action hunting with you because RSA won't allow the DA in their country. I have hunted RSA with handguns. It is possible the ruling has changed in the past few years, but I highly doubt it.

Last hunted RSA with a revolver in 2003 - a Ruger Super Redhawk (DA) in .480Ruger, and Mozambique in 2005 with a S&W 500, also a DA revolver - transit via RSA.

Perhaps there have been changes to the laws in RSA since, but at the time having a DA revolver was not an issue. The only issue was that the firearm needed to be a "hunting handgun" Since both of those had barrels in excess of 6" and both had scopes mounted, there never was any question and no special paperwork.

I think your 3" bbl is a deal breaker, but in any event, this is not the place to get the correct answer. Begin with your PH/Outfitter.

As to Zim, it depends on where you will be hunting. $400 government fee if on government hunting concessions. I decided not to take a handgun last year.

BTW, in the old days I used to take my 3" 629 and the RSA permit was also a CCW. Carried in the bush and in town. Not possible any longer.

Good luck.

Just don't overnight in RSA on your way to Zim and your problem is solved. I never do anyway if at all possible.

465H&H

I have taken a handgun through Joberg overnighting for 2 days on 3 different Safaris to Zimbabwe.

Like Loin Hunter stated the first time I carried a 4" S&W 629 and recieved a carry permit for SA while I was there. Good thing to I had to display it while driving around once.

The next two times the rules had changed to a "hunting" handgun.
I took a scoped FA in 475. When I got to Zim I took the scope off. I put it back on for the return trip through SA.

I also has a letter if invitation fron the Zim safaro company with the rifles and handgun listed in the invitation. I also has a letter from a handgun hunting association, that stated I was a member and handgun hunter in good standing.

No Drama in Joberg.

I hunted RSA last in 2006 and was told by my PH not to bring any double action revolvers and to also make sure my SA revolvers were either already scoped or had the ability to be scope and have that scope for it along with the revolver. He was not wanting any issues with regulations....as sometimes they make them up to suit the situation....with the end game being a transition of some greenbacks from your wallet. Believe me, if any rules changed after 2006 they were not for the better.

I took a non-scoped Ruger Blackhawk 500 Linebaugh (single action) in 2006 to J'burg. Had a SAPs officer tell me no but Air 2000 got it smoothed out within a minute. Don't know anything about bringing one into Zim.

Might it be possible that your PH or outfitter provide you with a handgun for carry and protection if it turns out that you can't take one? Probably cheaper than losing yours or facing the penalties or fines.

quote:

Might it be possible that your PH or outfitter provide you with a handgun for carry and protection if it turns out that you can't take one?

The above is a guaranteed recipe to land you in jail.

Most operators will loan you a revolver if you want one when hunting cats...perfectly legal- we loan out rifles all the time and Zim makes no distinction.

If you want to hunt with a handgun that needs a special permit and if you are flying into vic falls, better get the operator to pre-process the permit since (tribal) customs up there don't seem to understand that zim has no restrictions on bringing in a handgun.

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
Most operators will loan you a revolver if you want one when hunting cats...perfectly legal- we loan out rifles all the time and Zim makes no distinction.

If you want to hunt with a handgun that needs a special permit and if you are flying into vic falls, better get the operator to pre-process the permit since (tribal) customs up there don't seem to understand that zim has no restrictions on bringing in a handgun.

So if I have my permit PRE processed then Zim should not be an issue. I guess the problem now is bypassing RSA customs and flying from USA to another country for the connection. I wonder about flying to Jberg but having my bags checked straight through (Delta to SAA or probably easier, SAA all the way) so that I don't have to check in/out of the airport during the 20hr layover. Sounds complicated, but its important so I'll keep researching. Any thoughts?

Suggestion: contact a source like Gracy Travel and see what regulations they comply with to bring handguns into Africa. Since they handle the expedite of firearms for safari's, then they would know for sure - and know it from a legal perspective.

I asked them about bringing a handgun in to ZIM as I was thinking it woudl be fun to do a little hunting with it and as I recall there was a 400 dollar fee and a permit to do so. but I'd check with them to be sure.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
I guess the problem now is bypassing RSA customs and flying from USA to another country for the connection. I wonder about flying to Jberg but having my bags checked straight through (Delta to SAA or probably easier, SAA all the way) so that I don't have to check in/out of the airport during the 20hr layover. Sounds complicated, but its important so I'll keep researching. Any thoughts?

A couple of years ago, you could check them straight through to final destination via Delta/SAA even if you overnighted in RSA (less than 24 hrs). Don't know the current situation. Problem was one set of checked through guns didn't make it to the final destination for 5 extra days ... There was no similar problem with those of us who pulled our bags and then rechecked in RSA (going through SAPS).

I'm trying the Delta/SA straight through to Harare in less than a couple of weeks and am hoping this works ok - I've heard good things recently about bags making it (not so good historically). May be worth considering for you.

Rob H- yes, a handgun hunting permit will cost you $400, but just because you are bringing a handgun doesn't mean you are going to hunt with it- most of us like a revolver of Glock 20 when hunting (big) cats.