There is confusion about the Adler 110 series because the five-shot version is allowed to be imported, whereas the seven-shot gun, reportedly able to fire eight shots in as many seconds, is banned.

Heated debate ensued in Parliament this week about the ban on the seven-shot weapon.

More than 7000 of the five-shot, lever-action shotguns, classified as a category A weapon, have been imported into Australia.

Gun control lobbyists have warned of the "do-it-yourself" modifications of the five-shot gun that can increase its capacity to fire 11 rounds without need for reloading.

An ACT Police spokesperson confirmed such modifications were illegal under the Firearms Act 1996 and stated there had been no known cases of modification to the Adler A110s currently registered in the ACT.

Dave, who requested anonymity, is a former ACT Police officer and Yass River farmer. He holds three category A and four category B gun licences.

Two of his rimfire category A rifles have 10-shot magazines. "They are a much more effective for use on the farm, and are good for 200 metres or so," he said.

His view was that the Adler lever action shotguns were poorly designed and built weapons marketed to people who didn't know a lot about guns, and was not as effective as other similar but more expensive firearms on the market.