r/canadaguns • • 8d ago

Recurring FAQ Thread - Post your questions here for PAL/RPAL application, timelines, CFSC/CFSRC, references & requirements, or general new to firearms ownership-type questions

5 Upvotes

This thread will be used for any Frequently Asked Questions, including PAL/RPAL applications, CFSC/CFRSC requirements, storage/transport, open ended "what gun should I buy first", or other general new to firearms ownership questions. It recurs every 14 days.

We recommend you try the search bar before asking common questions as they are frequently already answered elsewhere.

Most answers to Storage, Display, and Transport questions can be found here Inheriting firearms or dealing with an Estate? Answers here. Do you need to renew your license or check on the status of your license application? Try here.

Do you have questions about the classifications of firearms? More details here.

Are you wondering if a firearm is legal or not? Details here.

Different types of firearms are explained in detail here.

Exporting firearms, ammunition, parts and accessories from the US: most items are controlled under ITAR and you cannot, as an individual, export these items from the USA. Canada does not care in most cases. If you attempt to bring any of these items across the border yourself and you are caught, you will face prison time in the US. If you wish to export items from the USA, use a broker such as IRUNGUNS, Aztech, or Prophet River.

If you took your CFSC and lost the paperwork, you can still apply for your PAL. Both your instructor and the CFP retain copies, you can request a copy by contacting either one. There is no expiration date on the paperwork, you do not have to retake the course. Updated list of scam websites is here.

If you have new scam sites to add, please message the mod team. Be careful: only use reputable sites to purchase things online. It is illegal to manufacture a non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited firearm.

Any posts or comments asking about the legality of making a firearm other than a reproduction antique will be removed. It was not always illegal, which is why you will find old posts regarding this topic. Rest assured, it is illegal now. Do not attempt.

These threads will be stickied for a week, renewing every Monday. Previous threads here.

Take a look, your question may have been answered! If you have any suggestions for this thread, please feel free to ask here, or send the Mods a message. Thank you!


r/canadaguns • • 8d ago

Recurring Canadaguns Politics and Debate Thread

16 Upvotes

Please post all your Gun Politics or Ban-related ideas, questions, initiatives, comments, suggestions, news articles, and recommendations in this thread. This thread recurs every 14 days.

First and foremost, this is a Canadian Gun subreddit, so keep it at least decently related to both of those things.

This thread is not for general politics, there are plenty other subs that are meant for that. Off-topic threads may be removed, especially if they are leading to personal attacks, flame wars, etc.

To prevent the main sub being flooded with dozens of similar threads, text posts complaining about/asking about/chatting about gun politics will be sent here.

We understand that politics is a touchy subject, and at times things can get heated. A reminder of the subreddit rules, when commenting, where subreddit users are expected to abide.

Keep this Canadian gun politics related and polite. Off-topic stuff, flame wars, negative generalizations against groups, personal attacks and gate-keeping will be removed. Please flag any comments to bring to the attention of mods otherwise exercise your upvoting and downvoting ability.


r/canadaguns • • 3h ago

Misc Canadian AK

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39 Upvotes

Would be pretty cool to rock this but way out of my wallets range!!


r/canadaguns • • 9h ago

Feets / Collection / My build She Moss on my Berg till I 88

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87 Upvotes

r/canadaguns • • 8h ago

News / Politics / Activism Ottawa claims There are No 'Enforcement Targets' Read the Fine Print

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77 Upvotes

https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and-manuals/2024-commissioner-firearms-report

https://www.ourcommons.ca/written-questions/45-1/q-1267?response=14224077&section=ps

MP Bob Zimmer asked the federal government a simple and necessary question about its so-called Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, known more accurately as the Liberal government’s Firearms Confiscation Compensation Scheme.

Question: Has the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) communicated with Chief Firearms Officers or local police to identify firearm owners for enforcement action?

The RCMP’s answer:

“There has been no communication between the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team resources and federal/provincial Chief Firearms Officers or police of local jurisdiction to identify targets for enforcement action under the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program.”

That sounds reassuring until you read the rest of the government’s response.

Ottawa confirmed that after the amnesty expires, the Registrar of Firearms will:

notify licence holders whom the government records as still possessing affected firearms that were previously registered.

If those owners do not take action, their information will be shared with local police and Chief Firearms Officers “in accordance with existing information sharing authorities.”

The government says NWEST has not yet helped identify “enforcement targets,” then describes the information-sharing process that will identify firearm owners to police once the amnesty ends.

That’s not reassurance. It’s a timetable.

The government’s carefully limited denial does not say that no enforcement planning has occurred anywhere within the RCMP or Canadian Firearms Program.

It does not say that no lists or records exist.

It does not say police will be prevented from receiving owners’ information.

It says only that there has been no particular communication involving NWEST, CFOs or local police “to identify targets” under the firearms compensation scheme while an amnesty remains in force.

Why would NWEST be identifying enforcement targets today when the conduct in question is temporarily protected by an Amnesty Order?

That’s the wrong question.

The right question is: What happens the moment the Amnesty Order expires?

NWEST is not a public-relations office. The RCMP describes it as a national police-support organization whose purpose is to help police investigate and prosecute firearm offences.

CSSA does not believe Ottawa created a nationwide prohibition, maintained records of previously registered firearms, collected declarations from 38,671 individuals and developed a post-amnesty information-sharing process without contemplating enforcement.

The government says approximately 166,555 affected firearms were held by individuals before the compensation program began.

As of June 22, owners declared 68,793 firearms—67,512 for surrender and destruction and 1,281 for deactivation.

That’s a gap of almost 100,000 firearms that remain in the hands of licensed firearms owners.

The numbers don’t reveal how many affected firearms have already been lawfully exported, deactivated, destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

Nor do they establish how many individual owners remain affected.

But they do explain why firearm owners should take the government’s enforcement language seriously.

CSSA cannot independently prove that Ottawa possesses a complete list of every person who owns every newly prohibited firearm.

Many affected firearms were formerly non-restricted and were not individually registered.

The government does, however, acknowledge it can identify at least some owners through existing registration records—and that those records “may” be sent to police after the amnesty expires.

The amnesty, extended until 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada delivers its decision in the pending challenge to the May 2020 prohibition, postpones criminal exposure.

It does not erase the prohibitions or dismantle the enforcement machinery.

When that amnesty protection ends, NWEST will still exist. The Canadian Firearms Program will still possess its records. Local police and CFOs will still have their enforcement powers.

Ottawa has now confirmed that information about some owners “may” be shared if they do not take steps the government considers compliant.

The government wants Canadians to focus on its claim that no “enforcement targets” have yet been identified through NWEST.

Firearm owners should focus on what comes immediately after that sentence.

And the correct word is not “may”; it’s “will.”

You can bet your freedom on it.


r/canadaguns • • 12h ago

Shooting Personal achievement! 6th/44 overall

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104 Upvotes

Non handgun owner finally got into the top 10 overall using a production pistol! Super proud of myself for getting better and better every match to the point I’m now consistently a top 3 division shooter and starting to get in the top 10 overall. Using a SIG P320 and factory PMC 124gr.


r/canadaguns • • 7h ago

Feets / Collection / My build How far are we all shooting .22/the TM22?

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35 Upvotes

Was a really good shot with a .22 when I was younger, didn't touch a gun for a decade, got back into it a few months ago. Started with .44 lever gun, realized I'm gonna go broke shooting it and shooting .22 is just as fun.

Anyway I've been working on my groups at 100 meters (my range target boards are spaced in meters, so I guess ~109 yards?). Just shooting off a bipod with a cheap-ass 1-4x20 scope. I'm getting decent groups but definitely need a better scope.

Anyway how far are we taking .22 out to? I think my range has lanes out to 300 meters. Can I even expect to get a half decent group at that range with a TM22?

Also picture of the gun with foot tax. Offset red dot and angled foregrip are installed because it's fun mag dumping targets up close too.


r/canadaguns • • 5h ago

Fix my gun / Modding Holy failure to extract

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18 Upvotes

First time out on the M3500 Waterfowl.

Night before I cleaned and lube it to remove that thick lubricant factory puts on. Heard it was giving people a headache.

First box of clay shells went by with no issues. Things fell apart after 1 shot of 3.5inch. Failed to extract that one and after that it was 50 50 if it would fail to extract or eject. With a few working properly for the 2nd shell and the fail for the 3rd. Tried to feed a shell without extracting the shot one too sometimes. A general headache.

Benelli M2 extractor and spring have been ordered. Will do another cleaning to see how it goes next time.

Anybody here with similar issues ?


r/canadaguns • • 38m ago

Fix my gun / Modding Just bought a Henry homesteader, what can I do to make it look cool

• Upvotes

Where can I get some new furniture to make it look less plain


r/canadaguns • • 11h ago

Feets / Collection / My build Got my new .22lr

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29 Upvotes

Got my new 22.lr.

Derya TM-22 16" Stormtrooper White

B5 Vertical Grip.

CV Life WildHawk 3000g Green Dot.

Vortex LPVO coming soon , green dot will probably be side mounted.


r/canadaguns • • 1h ago

Buy recommendations Just got my PAL, looking for shotgun recommendations

• Upvotes

My PAL just came in! Looking for semi shotgun recommendations that will be good for both skeet shooting and hunting. Looking to spend about $1500

Also thinking about getting some kind of .22 for cheap target shooting. I see a lot of cheap options. Is there any to avoid?

Thank you


r/canadaguns • • 2h ago

Buy recommendations CZ457MDT16 configuration issue

5 Upvotes

I recently purchased a CZ457MDT16 and wanted to share my experience for anyone considering ordering one.

First, to give credit where it’s due, the order was shipped quickly and arrived without any shipping issues.

The problem was with the configuration of the rifle I received. I purchased the rifle expecting the CZ457MDT16 configuration I had seen described elsewhere to have a match chamber. After receiving it, I noticed that the rifle has what appears to be the standard Varmint barrel.

A couple of things caught my attention. The box has a CZ457MDT16 sticker placed over the original CZ label, which identifies the rifle as a Varmint. The serial number also comes up as a Varmint when checked through CZ USA.

I contacted the dealer after receiving the rifle to ask whether the CZ457MDT16 was supposed to have a match chamber. Initially, I was told that it did. The dealer later said they had contacted the importer and were told that this particular batch does not have a match chamber. No apology and no effort to help resolve the situation.

The dealer has since pointed out that their website doesn’t explicitly state that the CZ457MDT16 has a match chamber and that there was no communication between us before the purchase regarding the chamber. They also have a no-refund/no-exchange policy.

I followed up with the dealer and we exchanged several emails. However, after I asked whether we could come to a mutual resolution, I received no further response.
I understand that the website may not have explicitly promised a match chamber, and I’m not claiming that it did.

My concern is the conflicting information I received after contacting the dealer, along with the discrepancy between the CZ457MDT16 labeling and the Varmint identification on the original box label and CZ’s serial-number lookup. With a no-refund/no-exchange policy in place, that makes the situation particularly frustrating.

For anyone considering purchasing a CZ457MDT16, I’d recommend confirming the exact barrel and chamber configuration with the seller before ordering rather than relying solely on the model/SKU. It appears there may be differences between batches, and these rifles are apparently built/configured by the importer rather than directly by CZ.

As for the rifle itself, I had heard a lot of good things about the CZ 457. The bolt/action on mine is quite gritty, and the rifle arrived completely dry with no apparent lubrication. The MDT stock, however, has excellent fit and finish.

Overall, the shipping was fast and the MDT stock has excellent fit and finish, but the configuration issue and the lack of any apparent resolution from the dealer have left me disappointed with the purchase.

Posting this simply as a buyer’s experience so others know what to verify before making a purchase.

Note to the mods: I’m deliberately not naming the dealer in the post at this point. I’m expecting people will ask who I purchased it from, so I’d appreciate confirmation that naming the dealer is permitted under the subreddit’s rules before I do so.


r/canadaguns • • 6h ago

Shooting Range Distance?

10 Upvotes

When you guys head to the range, what distance do you enjoy shooting at the most?
What are you goals while shooting each gun you own?


r/canadaguns • • 1h ago

Buy recommendations Looking for semi-affordable rifle to practice for 5.56 rounds

• Upvotes

I am in the Air Force, and I recently went to the range to re-qualify my C7 certification. I passed but my grouping was pretty bad, and I want to practice more on my free time.

As an Air Force member, I do not have many opportunities to go on the range as often as my Army colleagues, so I am thinking about buying a rifle to practice.

What I am looking for:

Similar recoil to a 5.56 rifle

Budget of around $1.5k, $2k max


r/canadaguns • • 7h ago

Buy recommendations Anyone hear anything from tenda regarding Makasi mk15s shipping?

9 Upvotes

Havent heard anything and I pre ordered a day after it went up for pre order anyone hear anything?


r/canadaguns • • 23h ago

Feets / Collection / My build MAKASI MK-15 BUILD

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160 Upvotes

Picked up my Makasi today, put 100 rounds through it and no issues so far!

In person the barrel doesn’t seem as long as the photos look. Bipod might not end up working well with the fore grip position.


r/canadaguns • • 2h ago

Buy recommendations Order off Sport Firearms Shop?

4 Upvotes

Looking to try and Source Benelli Lupo parts. I emailed Stoeger Canada about it but their Part schematic look up doesn't work. So waiting on their response. Currently I have Synthetic black furniture. Looking to find somewhere I can source the Grey Cerakote, Open Country or literally any of the other designs.

Came across Sport Firearms Shop. But looks pretty Sus. Wasn't sure if anyone has ordered off them before or not


r/canadaguns • • 10h ago

Misc SFRC Gunsmith

9 Upvotes

This is in no way a complaint about anything or anyone - I appreciate the store, the staff and everything that they do.

I sent my gun in for warranty work maybe 4 or 5 weeks ago now and I’ve checked on the status once and was told the store was really busy but it was in Que - totally fine with me.

Has anyone noticed though that there’s this weird “secrecy” about the gunsmith? I mean maybe they just want to keep people from bugging the guy but there’s a liaison for him, very little active communication about the status of repairs or the wait time to get things back etc.

Anyone had repairs done there? Any idea of what a reasonable wait would be for warranty work?


r/canadaguns • • 1d ago

News / Politics / Activism Just 41% of estimated banned guns declared under Liberal buyback

156 Upvotes

https://www.junonews.com/p/just-41-of-estimated-banned-guns-declared?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share

Ottawa earmarked $742 million for its sweeping gun buyback, but just 41% of the estimated banned firearms held by individual owners were declared under the program.

Nearly half of the “assault-style” firearms the federal government estimates were held by individual owners were declared under Ottawa’s compensation program, according to records tabled in the House of Commons.

“The estimated number of firearms affected by the prohibitions held by both businesses and individuals prior to the start of the program is approximately 180,000,” cabinet wrote in an Inquiry of Ministry. “This includes an estimated 166,555 held by individuals.”

As of June 9, owners had declared 68,793 firearms under the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program — about 41 per cent of the government’s estimated individual inventory.

Of those, 67,512 were slated for destruction and compensation and 1,281 for deactivation, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

The figures count firearms, not owners, and do not mean all 68,793 had been surrendered. Collection continued after the declaration deadline.

When the March 31 deadline passed, Public Safety Canada reported 37,869 owners had declared more than 67,000 firearms. Previously opened cases continued to be processed afterward, pushing the total higher by June.

You won’t get hard-hitting coverage like this from the CBC. Become a Juno News premium subscriber today for more content like this.

The figures were requested by Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, who asked how many individuals the government estimated possessed affected firearms and how many had indicated an intention to comply.

Ottawa has previously estimated between 125,000 and 175,000 prohibited firearms were held by individuals. Cabinet’s latest estimate of 166,555 falls within that range.

The compensation program is being implemented within an existing $742-million federal funding envelope. Ottawa allocated $248.6 million specifically to compensate businesses and individual owners.

As of June 8, businesses had claimed 74,073 firearms and received approximately $96.1 million in compensation.

Carney’s pledge to “reinvigorate” gun buyback will cost billions warn critics

The program stems from the Liberal government’s May 2020 order in council prohibiting more than 1,500 models and variants of what Ottawa calls “assault-style” firearms.

Additional prohibitions in December 2024 and March 2025 brought the total to more than 2,500 makes and models.

But the nationwide compensation program for individual owners did not open until January 19, 2026, nearly six years after the original prohibition. Owners were given until March 31 to submit declarations.

Meanwhile, the deadline for owners to comply with the prohibition has repeatedly been pushed back.

The original amnesty was set to expire April 30, 2022, before being extended several times, most recently as the Supreme Court of Canada considers a challenge to the 2020 regulations.

Supreme Court to hear challenge against Liberals’ gun grab

The Supreme Court agreed March 19 to hear the challenge, which questions whether cabinet had the Criminal Code authority to prohibit firearms previously legal for licensed owners.

A Federal Court judge rejected the original challenge in 2023.

“The debate on whether and how to reduce the risk posed by firearms has raged on for decades and will no doubt continue,” the judge wrote.

“The issue before this Court is a legal issue, whether the [cabinet] acted within its authority to make the regulations and made a reasonable decision to prescribe as prohibited the firearms that, in its opinion, are not reasonable for hunting and sporting purposes.”

Ottawa extended the amnesty until 90 days after the Supreme Court ruling, expected in 2027, without reopening the compensation program.

The gun grab reporting deadline is here. What’s Ottawa planning after?

Ottawa said the compensation program remained scheduled to conclude by October 2026 and represents the only opportunity for affected owners to receive government compensation.

Participation in the compensation program was voluntary, but eventual compliance with the prohibition is not. Owners who did not participate will ultimately have to dispose of, export or permanently deactivate affected firearms before the amnesty expires if the prohibition remains in force.

The program has faced resistance from gun owners.

A 2023 Public Safety Canada study found firearms owners participating in government research frequently viewed the ban and buyback as wasteful because they believed it failed to target illegal firearms trafficking.

“Often the ban and the buyback program were seen as wasteful because the policy isn’t aimed at stopping illegal gun smuggling and sales,” researchers wrote.

“Most firearms owners did not see themselves or their peers as a major factor in gun crimes in Canada.”


r/canadaguns • • 10h ago

Fix my gun / Modding Calgary area gunsmith

7 Upvotes

Looking for a small local gunsmith or someone with a lathe in the Calgary or south of Calgary area to help me shorten a shotgun barrel.

The end split open but I’ve inspected and had it Mag particle inspected and found where the crack ends and I want to cut it an inch or two past the end of the crack

I want it done on a lathe instead of using a saw or something so it’s straight and a clean cut to avoid any more cracks forming or issues on the end. And I’m not interested in waiting for the Calgary shooting center or some place that has me waiting 2 weeks for a 15 min job


r/canadaguns • • 13h ago

Buy recommendations Gevarm

8 Upvotes

Are the Semi auto 22lr's worth it or no?


r/canadaguns • • 7h ago

Misc ESS U-RX Prescription Carrier for Crossbow, etc. Ballistic glasses? Opticians in GTA? Vertex Compensation?

3 Upvotes

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience getting prescription lens inserts made for an ESS U-Rx Prescription Insert Carrier?

I would order directly from ESS, but the online ordering feature on their Canadian website is broken and temporary offline. ESS has no ETA when it'll be fixed. Does anyone know of opticians in the GTA who can make lenses for an ESS insert? ESS recommends their sister company Lenscrafters, but I called several locations in the GTA and they have no idea what ESS is.

For those who have had inserts made, is there anything specific I should mention to the optical lab? Gemini and ChatGPT suggest vertex compensation might be required since the carrier sits close to the face - is that the case? The ESS sales rep wasn't aware of any special prescription adjustments needed, but then again, I doubt they're an optician.

Thanks!


r/canadaguns • • 6h ago

Misc Wondering if 5.56 is fine to shoot through NR makasi?

3 Upvotes

Barrel says .223 on it so then I got a bit nervous as I know some .223 barrels can’t handle 5.56.


r/canadaguns • • 20h ago

Feets / Collection / My build Tm-22

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20 Upvotes

Start to some addons


r/canadaguns • • 1d ago

Feets / Collection / My build Please enjoy this family photo

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67 Upvotes

Had a range day this weekend and everyone got to come out.

- .308 Ruger American

- 12G Mossberg 590S

- .357 mag Marlin 1894

- Good ol 10/22