r/canadaguns • u/Butchi3_To3 • May 18 '26

Application / Regulation advice Handgun ownership of deceased

Hello all,

I have a family member who recently passed away who owns some handguns I was wondering if there is anyway to have the passed down to me? The guns themselves are older cowboy style guns and I recently have been interested in Cowboy Action Shooting but obviously cant buy a revolver for the sport and this would be a great opportunity to not only get one but also keep the collectible in the family.

With the laws in place is this even possible anymore?

Thanks in advance

44 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

99 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Junckopolo May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Just for information for anyone reading this, handgun replicas/reproductions are not considered antiques as per the law.

"Newer handguns, including matchlock, wheel lock and flintlock handguns made after 1898 are classified as restricted if their barrel length is over 105 mm (about 4 inches), or prohibited if their barrel length is 105 mm or less."

"Black powder reproductions: Reproductions of flintlock, wheel-lock or matchlock firearms, other than handguns, manufactured after 1897."

The only handguns considered antiques are those made before 1898. So an original is an antique, a replica/reproduction is not. OP needs to verify if his guns were built before that if he thinks they are old enough to be antiques, serial numbers can be used for that.

2

u/mwmwmwmwmmdw May 19 '26

theres not many .22s made before 1898 and also i believe "common caliber" guns dont count as antique regardless of when they where made

2

u/Junckopolo May 19 '26

The list does indeed specifically exclude .22 calibers and other common calibers.