But Wollongong Magistrate Michael Stoddart was far from convinced at the claim yesterday after he heard allegations the Winchester rifle had a live round in the chamber and another 15 rounds in the magazine, the butt had been modified into a pistol grip and the tip of the barrel was designed to take a silencer.

Police allege that a further search of the ute uncovered two knives and a gym bag containing 22 blue heart-shaped pills and 211 pink pentagon-shaped tablets, which police believe are steroids and which will be tested, with further charges likely.

It is also alleged a plastic resealable bag containing .34g of methylamphetamine was seized along with $800 cash found inside Hiroki's right pocket.

Police pulled over Hiroki's ute about 4.40pm on Tuesday as he drove west along Mt Keira Rd.

Hiroki entered no pleas to two counts of possessing a shortened firearm, one count each of possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, possessing ammunition, custody of a knife in a public place, and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Opposing bail, police prosecutor Anna Comer said Hiroki had arrived in Australia 18 months ago and despite having no job had a significant amount of cash in his possession and had purchased a Commodore SS ute using a $42,000 car loan from a finance company.

Police facts before the court showed Hiroki was receiving Newstart benefits of $450 a fortnight, and paid $380 a fortnight rent for a unit in Keiraville.

Legal Aid solicitor Elizabeth Parkes said Hiroki was prepared to surrender his New Zealand passport and was able to offer up to $5000 surety for bail.

Mr Stoddart said: "When one looks at the charges before the court, the fact of a fully loaded firearm being involved and the strength of the prosecution case, bail has to be refused for the protection of the community."

He remanded Hiroki in custody to appear in Wollongong Local Court on March 24, for mention.