Policy question regarding 'antique' status on firearms.

[u/Spread-Hour]

Why do antique models of firearms (m1861 springfield rifle and colt m1861 navy for example) made before 1898 qualify as 'antique', while the exact same models produced in 1899 or later qualify as non restricted and restricted firearms? Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I dont understand the logic here. I would understand if they weren't muzzleloaders, which load, shoot, and preform nearly the same as every other type (flint/wheel/match/serpentine-lock), but unlike the rest, cant be antique while being repros. why?

(P.S this is a repost of my post from r/canadianlaw)

[u/Fine-Tie2651]

There’s far less of those antique guns than there are produced after 1899. I would assume this has to do with the law being designed in a way to make things prohibitively rare or expensive for widespread ownership. Essentially the antique handguns are already prohibitively expensive or rare for widespread ownership. They cost upwards of 3-5k and the ammo is rare.

[u/Fine-Tie2651 → u/[deleted]]

Did you just get your pal within the last year? Because it sounds like it with that statement. Canadian firearms law although often nonsensical is sometimes still designed to restrict widespread ownership. For example the 18.5” minimum barrel length for semi autos was introduced for two reasons. 1.The m1 carbine was widely available and was - light semi auto and had a detachable magazine. But its barrel was 16” 2. The minimum barrel length in the US for rifles before becoming a SBR was 16”.

Making the minimum barrel length 18.5” puts most American semi autos out of reach for non restricteds. This law is no mistake and neither is the antique laws. Having said this, the antique laws are designed specifically to keep newly and mass manufactured concealable handguns out of the general populace.

[u/Fine-Tie2651 → u/[deleted]]

It’s in the reverse. The law exists to prevent newly produced antique firearms from being bought without a license or so I would assume. Gov’t wouldn’t want all sorts of people in the backcountry hiking with a cattleman revolver.

[u/Fine-Tie2651 → u/[deleted]]

I would suggest reading more on the history of this particular law as even I don’t quite understand it

[u/Natural_Comparison21 → u/[deleted]]

Before 1898 not 1892.

[u/Natural_Comparison21 → u/[deleted]]

Yep there are. I find it a little amusing that people are saying “Antique handguns are all 1,000s of dollars though and the ammo is impossible to find.” Yet going onto gun post right now I can find a 38 RF handgun going for 750 cad shipping including. There is even right now as of making this comment a Smith and Wesson No. 1 1/2 .32 rf for sale for 975 including shipping. Then people act like getting the ammo is impossible when there are reloading kits that exist for these two calibres I just mentioned.

[u/Natural_Comparison21 → u/[deleted]]

Yea depends on the calibre as well. Generally the best antique handguns you can get in Canada are .44 Russians that can handle smokeless powder.