r/canadaguns • u/AutoModerator • Jun 22 '26

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

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!

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1

u/The_SwagginWagon Jun 22 '26

New Ontario pal/rpal application in March, called once a month and keep getting told to call back a month later. Any suggestions on how to speed things up? Does emailing work better? I've also heard of people getting their MPP involved, but that was with much longer wait times, when would that be reasonable?

2

u/zipchuck1 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

I did just my PAL. May 22 (Friday) submitted it. May 25th (Monday) I called to confirm they got jt.

June 19 (28 days later) I called they said it’s still processing. The 28 days is not based off of when you apply. But instead after they have reviewed it.
June 22 (today, 28 days after review) I check online. I now have a license # and it’s been processed and sent for printing.

I had read getting your rpal makes it take longer. And based off of my experience(compared to yours), I am now inclined to believe that to be true

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '26

[deleted]

2

u/zipchuck1 Jun 24 '26

Ont

The website updated Monday stating it was sent for printing. Then I called to get my # and also confirm as I was curious about a rough timeframe. They said about a week for printing/mailing it

1

u/zipchuck1 25d ago

Just updating. It was exactly 28 days after my application was CONFIRMED (I applied Friday and when I called Monday it was confirmed) that it was approved and sent for printing.

Then today (1 week plus a day later) I got it in the mail.

This was for my PAL. Not restricted. So I’d say almost certainly that’s the hold up.

1

u/CanadianAppleSauce Jun 23 '26

I did my application online in August of 2025 and I am still waiting. I've emailed, called, and got a hold of my local MP and I keep getting the same response. As far as I know it's cleared with the RCMP and its with the CFO of Nova Scotia and they say I needed additional checks. I have a clean record and was hoping to hunt this season. Not sure why it's taking so long, it's very disappointing.

1

u/The_SwagginWagon Jun 23 '26

did you do RPAL as well?

1

u/CanadianAppleSauce Jun 25 '26

I just did my non restricted.

1

u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Jun 23 '26

did you tell them you wanted to hunt? may help

2

u/CanadianAppleSauce Jun 25 '26

Yes I told them it was for hunting. I've been hunting with a friend and have my hunting license and habitat stamps.

1

u/AlexFinance 23d ago

Ontario PAL application in mid-January. I had nothing checked, my dad who applied the same day got it in 30 days while I'm at almost 6 months. I got my MPP involved and email CFO every month, and still nothing.

1

u/kookiemaster 20d ago

Applied in November 2025 and I got it in April 2026. I don't know if anything can be done to speed things up and it seems 5 or 6 months is not unusual.

1

u/King-Conn Jun 23 '26

Dumb question, but have any of you worn your kit out into the woods when target shooting?

I have weights that fit into my plate carrier, and I wanna use them to add some weight to myself while I hike to my spots. I have some Ranger green and MC pants/shirts that I usually wear too. Would that be too sketchy?

2

u/QwertyExe9 Jun 23 '26

Not a dumb question. I do it all the time, so do most people with kit, or else what’s the point in having it if you don’t train with it?

1

u/Upstairs_Growth_704 Jun 23 '26

I contacted the RCMP CFO through email and they haven't responded

Its been since January none of my references have been called

They said there was a 6 month backlog a few months ago im getting frustrated and worried especially because I had too check yes too mental health

I know people with really severe mental health issues who got there PAL

Its stupid how long im waiting

1

u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Jun 23 '26

the RCMP CFO

that's two different organizations

yes too mental health

a doctor's note may help here

2

u/Vikare_ 24d ago

Once op gets through to the CFO they will contact him and let him know exactly what information they need. Can't remember if it's forms or just a letter. It's been like 5-6 years since I did it myself.

1

u/No_Reveal_7886 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Anyone I've heard of that checked a box waited a year or more.  They're probably busier now too. 

1

u/Arbakos 29d ago

I had a box checked and only waited 4 months in NL. Then again it was for getting laid off not mental health, and it was issued the same day I called the CFO telling them I found a job.

1

u/Vikare_ 24d ago

You have to keep phoning every few weeks. Eventually you will make some progress. I promise you.

It took me a year and a half as someone with (at the time) depression and anxiety. Now I've kinda figured out it's also ADHD and autism (par for the course for a gun nerd).

1

u/RydNightwish Jun 24 '26

For anybody curious or caring, turn around in AB for online RPAL renewal was ~5 weeks. Submitted May 11. Got it last week.

2

u/GuestMediocre3161 Jun 25 '26

To add onto this for Ontario, my fiancé applied for renewal and had his renewed RPAL in the mail two weeks later.

1

u/_Connor 28d ago

I submitted my renewal last week and it got "approved" within a few days. We'll see how long it takes to print and mail.

1

u/N-0-M Jun 25 '26

Does anyone know of any single shot .338LM rifles? I want to get into shooting .338LM but dont want to spend $5000 on a rifle I may not shoot much. I was looking into a savage 110 but can't find them anywhere. Another option I was looking into was building a rifle myself. I own many gunsmithing tools already minus a proper head space gauge but that can be gotten easy enough.

Already got a reloading press I found at a garage/estate sale with some components for $300 (the brass alone would've been probably $500 on its own.

Main goal of the rifle will primarily be target shooting at 1km but I would eventually like to possibly try hunting grizzly bear next year in NWT. Weight will be of concern, preferably want to keep the rifle under 10lbs fully set up.

1

u/_Connor 28d ago

Have a nice bonus coming from work in the next couple weeks, want to buy a polymer "tactical" lever like a S&W Stealth Hunter in .357/.38.

This is going to be a firearm I'm going to want to build up (skeletonized stock, cartridge quiver, light, optic, etc).

Looking for options on a good base rifle to start with. The S&W is great obviously but I'm looking at $2k for just the rifle plus extras. Wondering what other rifles there are to consider with a good aftermarket support to implement the above noted mods.

1

u/conanap 28d ago

Are restricted firearms registered with the calibre? I realize it’s not on the certificate, but just wandering if it’s tracked somewhere, especially for guns with multiple calibres available.

5

u/chillyrabbit 24d ago

Yes,

Firearms act registration certificate regulations

(2) Subject to section 5, the Registrar shall attach to a registration certificate that is issued in respect of a firearm the condition that when the type, action, calibre or gauge of the firearm is modified, the holder of the certificate shall advise the Registrar of the modification,

(a) if the modification is intended to be permanent, within 30 days after the modification; and

(b) if the modification is not intended to be permanent but still exists 30 days after it is made, without delay after that period.

If you modify the calibre and keep it longer than 30 days you need to tell the Registrar.

2

u/conanap 24d ago

Thank you!

2

u/chillyrabbit 24d ago

To put into more detail the direct quote that it is tracked by the Registrar, (and not just that you need to notify the registrar of changes) as I read your question more closely.

Firearms act:

Serial number

14 A registration certificate may be issued only for a firearm

(a) that bears a serial number sufficient to distinguish it from other firearms; or

(b) that is described in the prescribed manner.

14(b)

Firearms Registration Certificates Regulations (SOR/98-201)

Describing Firearms 1.1 For the purposes of paragraph 14(b) of the Act, the manner of describing a firearm is by referring to its** make, class, type, action and calibre or gauge.**

Even though it isn't on the physical registration certificate, the Registrar will have the make, class, type, action and calibre of the registered firearm in their database.

2

u/conanap 24d ago

Awesome, thanks! I appreciate the details!

2

u/Vikare_ 24d ago

No. They are super basic on information.

Mine have:

Reg certificate # Issue date Make Class (restricted) Firearm ID # Type Action Serial Barrel length

1

u/GuestMediocre3161 26d ago

Are new applications actually taking 6 months? RCMP told me 4-6 weeks. CFO just said 6 months.

1

u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U 26d ago

some have reported over one year, some have reported 28 days

1

u/GuestMediocre3161 26d ago

That blows my mind! I don't get how they're doing it over there 😂

1

u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U 26d ago

it really depends on the province (CFO is provincial), checking yes to mental health, and I think how common your name is

1

u/GuestMediocre3161 25d ago

I'm in Ontario. No mental health issues, but I was terminated from a job almost two years ago, so I checked yes to that, and not a very common name at all.

1

u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U 25d ago

I would call cfo ontario after 30 days and offer to answer any questions they have

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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0

u/KadeB420 20d ago

How many Illegal non registered guns do you think criminals have handed in since the gun grab. I would love to see those numbers.