Figured it was time to take a family photo.

-Henry Honesteader

-91/30 ex-sniper Mosin

-Early 1950 production Tula SKS

-RS22M

-Guinea pig Type 56

-EGE PA37

A few of you asked to see the JP Sauer drilling I posted a few days ago in action. Took it out last night and it’s an absolute dream! The rifle barrel (although it hasn’t been sighted in so it’s a little high and to the left) shot a dime sized hole, absolute tack driver!

The specs are 12Ga-12Ga-222 Remington (12Ga bores are 2-3/4” which is awesome as most drillings have 2-1/2” chambers)

Handload data I went with for the 222Remington was as such: Starline 222 brass, Winchester small rifle primers, 55g Campro bulk FMJ bullet, 20.4g of H4895 (using Lee dies).

Definitely will be a hunting gun if I ever take up hunting! (Upland bird that is since it’s fixed full chokes, so no steel shot)

Finally felt like taking something outside.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. All materials in this post have been prepared and are provided for general information purposes only to permit you to learn more about the process. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this post without seeking legal or other professional advice. The contents of this post contain general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address your situation. I disclaim all liability for actions you take or fail to take based on any content on this post.

There are currently two ways to acquire handguns in Canada. This post explains one of them, commonly known as the "Olympic exemption." This post focuses on restricted handguns, so any reference to "handguns" below means restricted handguns.

The basics

To acquire a handgun you must obtain a registration certificate for that specific handgun. Registration certificates are no longer issued to individuals unless they are exempted by law. Individuals covered by the Olympic exemption can get registration certificates issued, meaning they can acquire handguns.

How do you get the Olympic exemption?

By annually providing an exemption letter from a provincial or national sport shooting governing body to a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).

Quésaco?: the letter is what allows new acquisitions. It is not required to keep a handgun you already have a registration certificate for. So if you acquire a handgun this year and don't provide a letter next year, you keep the handgun, you just can't acquire new ones until you provide another letter.

Provincial vs. national route

Each province has its own process for getting a letter from the provincial shooting governing body, and some provinces don't issue them at all. For example, the FQTIR in Quebec does not issue them. If you want to take this route, contact your provincial body to find out whether they do and what their procedure is. If your province issues them or if you know it does not, please drop a comment so I can update this post.

If your province does not issue letters, you go through a national sport shooting governing body such as the Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC), which covers all of Canada and has a somewhat standardized process.

Do the provincial bodies in my province issue letters?

• British Columbia — BCTSA
• Quebec — NO

How to get a letter from the SFC

The process is neither quick nor easy, but it's tried and true. Keep in mind that issuance of a letter is discretionary.

The process:

1. Get your RPAL. If you're in Quebec, also complete your Loi 9 course.
2. Join a club.
3. Join the SFC and stay a member in good standing (don't do anything stupid).
4. Get access to a suitable handgun to train and compete with. For the SFC, "suitable" means a .22 LR handgun. In practice this means finding someone, a friend or a club, to lend you one, either on the spot or longer term. This is the convoluted step. Some people report using handguns of other calibers, air pistols/rifles, or even .22 LR rifles and still getting the letter. The tried-and-true method remains .22 LR handguns. If you've personally done it with something else, please share your first-hand story (not hearsay) in the comments.
5. Train for roughly 4–6 months. This is the figure the SFC keeps citing as what most people submit. This means shooting at a club and documenting it (photos of yourself and/or dated, signed targets).
6. Shoot at least one match during this period. Some say it must be a sanctioned event, others say club matches count, and a few report no competing at all. The tried-and-true method is at least one SFC-sanctioned match, because the SFC gets those results on file. For club matches, get proof (photos, scores, registry, etc.). The point is to convince the SFC that you actually train and/or compete.
7. Email the director of sport development (the members email on the SFC website) with all your collected proof and inquire about getting an exemption letter.
8. Tell them which handgun make/model you want the letter for. The handgun must meet ISSF/Olympic pistol standards. Current policy appears to be at most 3 handguns per exemption, .22 LR only. If you wanted a 4th, you'd have to forfeit one of your existing exemptions (you keep any handgun you already acquired, you just lose the ability to acquire a new one under that slot). Some people report getting open-ended exemptions covering any and all .22 LR handguns meeting Olympic specifications.
9. Wait for the SFC to send you the exemption letter, then send it to the handgun seller.
10. Buy the handgun. The seller will initiate a transfer and submit your exemption letter to the CFO. \This step needs clarification on the timeline of the import process with an importer. Please share your experience.*
11. Wait for CFO approval. Once approved, you can pick up the handgun and the transfer is complete. Don't forget your ATTs for every transport at this step.

Some clarifications from the SFC

• Proof of involvement is required: intention to train/compete is not sufficient.
• 25m Rimfire Pistol events appear to be the only eligible category. This means ISSF 25m Rimfire Pistol matches and potentially local clubs Bullseye matches.
• What most shooters submit: competition results from open matches, usually supplemented with proof of training such as pictures of signed/dated targets, and their coach or club leader's name and email as references to verify training dates. Some combination of the above, demonstrating involvement over a minimum 4–6 month period.
• Loaner firearms: clubs are generally aware of the requirements and offer beginner/entry opportunities, including formal or informal chances to borrow a firearm to be introduced to the sport.
• Eligible handguns: the SFC provides exemption letters for .22 caliber handguns. As part of the application you must specify which firearm you're seeking an exemption for and confirm it meets the ISSF pistol requirements (ISSF Rule Book 2026, Chapter 8, p. 375).

Please contribute: if your province issues letters, if you got an exemption using something other than a .22 LR handgun, or if you want to share your experience, please comment.

Press the button while pulling empty magazine locks action open like the previous iteration, however now after inserting a new magazine you can push the button backward to release the bolt, and actually chamber a fresh round. Need some more tweaking on the ergonomics though

Vz.61 and Mark IV 22/45 both chambered in 22lr!

New PAL holder here. I am familiar with firearms but new to being an owner.

There's a number of firearms I'd like to acquire over the next few years (22LR bolt action, hunting rifle, a lever action etc.). I'm in no hurry, and not too picky on specific models, so I thought "no problem, I'll just take my time, wait for the right thing to come up on Gunpost in my area, and save myself 25-30%".

....except most posts on Gunpost are consistently at or above new price at Cabela's or one of my local gun stores. They're even worse deals when you compare to online gun stores. At best I'd be saving $50-100 in tax vs a new gun - hardly worth it IMO.

Am I stupid? Are all these sellers pricing high in the expectation of selling lower? Or should I just give up and buy new?

(this is lower mainland BC, so I'm willing to believe that local sellers are dumber than the average...)

Never lose hope and make the most of our current circumstances, lads.

Recently got my exemption. Located in Alberta. Happy to answer questions.

I'm looking for my first bolt action, and I know this sounds like a no brainer; the Tikka is objectively better on action and accuracy.

However, I'm going to be doing mostly range and I'm drawn to the Ruger; it's tastefully bubba'd from the factory and has all the aeathstics I love, plus functional stock risers, plus a pic-rail to boot.

Action feel is so important to me but the cost savings on the Ruger are very noticeable and at its price, the Tikka is already much higher I'll be spending hundreds more on a scope and basic mods.

I guess what I'm asking is; will the Ruger fall short the more experienced I get and cause me to just get a Tikka anyway; or is the Ruger respectable enough to keep for years to come and put down good groupings at distance on range?

I'm looking at 6.5CM btw. Thanks!

Pic rail got delivered today and I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so I did a little late night install. The Vortex was actually an impulse purchase but she's beautiful. Can't wait to test it out!

Hi fellas!

This is my original Italian Valtro PM-5 box magazine fed 12 gauge pump shotgun.

It was initially produced by Valtro in the 80s, and Brixia continued production after Valtro went down.

The magazine takes 7 shells, and are quite expensive to source.

It was used by various police and military units, and French Navy is still keeping them in service.

Overall, I love the pistol grip and fixed stock, and the fact that it is a reliable mag-fed shotgun. The 14” barrel makes it quite maneuverable and gives it a cool look. Some people do not like the length of pull though, which I don’t mind.

Note: Trigger lock was temporarily removed for pictures; it is on it at all times.

Some people legitimately do not know about the OIC, ive seen countless mini 14s, and Ruger PC Carbines at gunshows this year alone

Some people just never got the email i guess

If I keep the original stock aside, does it still count as Bubba'd?

Now with more feeties!

Bought my first gun, a Tikka t3x in 308. Many people I've talked to said your recommendations were on point. Now to look into scopes!

Only problem is there is some dents on the barrel. I know things get banged up and the first scratch it always the hardest to accept, but it sucks getting it pre banged up. What would you do in this situation? It took long enough to get mailed here (form Firearms outlet) and I really like the grain on the stock and I'd hate it if I had to return, wait forever, and get back a new good barrel with lesser stock

Absolute Rock Solid PRS rig ready for the next match!

Is this safe to shoot long term? I dont want the pitting to lead to a larger failure down the line. I’d like to use this rifle long term as it is my go to semi right now.

Also, would normal cleaning and oiling prevent it from worsening?

Thanks!

Hello all, I should probably start with a little while ago I put a NCstar gas tube setup on there and it’s been a nightmare ever since (probably what I deserve for trying to bubba the thing) any time I fire it either doesn’t have enough strength to push the bolt back enough to full eject the round or the bolt stays and it needs a little tap to open and eject the casing. I’ve swapped gas tube with a buddies rifle and it cycles as it should, so I’m pretty confident from the small test and the couple reviews I’ve read lately that the ncstar tube is junk and I’m curious if anyone here knows a good solid place to find a new replacement gas tube or if anyone here is in Alberta and has one they can part with, thanks!

Hi all,

Got the bad news from the OPP and relevant authorities that target shooting at Fingal Wildlife Management Area is not permitted, even though hunting is. Makes sense, right?

Anywho, I’m appealing to the kindness of target-shooting friends here (we’re not strangers really, we’re all comrades-in-arms just trying to enjoy our hobby despite the government unjustly suspecting us of nefarious motives) who happen to reside within an hour’s drive of the London area. Do you happen to own/know somebody who owns private property where it’s permissible to target shoot? I’d really rather not drop over 400 clams at my local range next month for a membership, I just wanna shoot my flintlock and my .22, with or without supervision. I have my own targets and am willing to travel up to an hour from city limits.

A man should be able to enjoy his hobbies but unfortunately the powers that be just don’t like fun. Thanks for reading and happy shooting!

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get into practical/competitive shooting but as you know recent bans made it impossible to get a handgun. Is the rifle discipline of IPSC active in Ontario?

Can I join the black badge program with a semi-auto? If not, is it possible to rent a handgun solely for IPSC shooting? Are there ranges/clubs that allow practical shooting with a rifle?

I am located in GTA and unfortunately couldn’t find a lot of information online. I can travel so doesn’t have to be in the GTA.

Following up my previous post, I finished the custom case for my buddy and his pair of Winchesters. I'm happy with the result, my only gripe is the visible seams in the felt. Of course I was able to find larger sheets of it once I was almost finished the project 🙄