Walther Target Pistol in NYC

[OGL]

Hello everyone,

My first post here! I participate in NRA Bullseye competitions and plan to get myself a new rimfire pistol. Since I live in NYC, majority of high-end target pistols are outlawed by SAFE Act, because of the magazine located outside of the pistol grip. I narrowed my choice to a few handguns including Walther SSP.
Walther SSP uses 5 round magazines, inserted into the grip from top; with the slide locked back shooter inserts magazine from an open breech into the gun's grip (see attached picture). So my question is this gun legal for NYC, will it be classified as an "Assault Weapon" by SAFE Act?
I appreciate all advices and suggestions!

 

[Tinman]

Why not a Smith Mdl. 41. It has the mag in the grip.

 

[OGL]

I like S&W 41, shot that gun on several ocassions. Decisive factor for me is the weight, Model 41 tips the scale at 45 oz, with addition of scope, mount, and rings it will be over 50 oz. After my car accident and back injury, I am having troubles sometimes holding a gun with one hand for extended period of time. Walther utilizes lightweight alloys and SSP weighs only 34 oz.

 

[Tinman]

They are a little heavy. I know I use one.

 

[QuidNYC]

Hello everyone,

My first post here! I participate in NRA Bullseye competitions and plan to get myself a new rimfire pistol. Since I live in NYC, majority of high-end target pistols are outlawed by SAFE Act, because of the magazine located outside of the pistol grip. I narrowed my choice to a few handguns including Walther SSP.
Walther SSP uses 5 round magazines, inserted into the grip from top; with the slide locked back shooter inserts magazine from an open breech into the gun's grip (see attached picture). So my question is this gun legal for NYC, will it be classified as an "Assault Weapon" by SAFE Act?
I appreciate all advices and suggestions!

Perhaps the better question is, how do you intend to get the new pistol *out* of NYC in order to participate in these NRA rimfire competitions?

Unless you are a celebrity or ex-NYPD, the only kind of pistol license you're going to get in NYC is a premises permit. This allows you to keep the gun in your home, and to transport it (unloaded and secured) directly to and from a range within the 5 boroughs. Beyond this, the most you can do is get a hunting authorization card, which allows you to transport it directly to and from a DEC designated hunting area in NYS (and to carry while actively hunting in a manner consistent with DEC regulations).

Conspicuously missing from the equation is any provision for target shooters who wish to engage in shooting activities or competitions outside the 5 boroughs (where of course essentially all of them are). Unfortunately there was a court case on precisely this question (Beach v. Kelly) and it was not decided favorably.

So in short, anything you do along these lines will risk revocation of your permit and confiscation of the pistol(s)...