r/canadaguns 2d ago

Shooting Exempted Ruger MK4 22/45 pistol (BC), first firing and thoughts (ask any questions too!)

After acquiring my first exemption for a Ruger MK4 22/45 and posting about it the other day, figured I’d do a follow up showing it in action and providing thoughts for anyone else looking to purchase one with their exemption! Feel free to ask any more questions not answered on the last post about either the gun or the exemption process or anything in between!

First thoughts, came with a lockable hard case, two magazines, one cable lock, and a couple other accessories, so good value out of the gate. As far as shooting, given it’s brand new, there’s bound to be a couple issues that will smooth out with firing over time. Had a couple stovepipes, but that was remedied after sending a few mags down range. The biggest issue was failure to extract (except it reset the firing pin weirdly enough). In the 100 odd rounds I shot, probably every 4th or 5th magazine had one of these. Interestingly, it only ever happened on the 10th round feeding into the 9th, so truthfully, I suspect it’s less the gun’s fault and more the pinned magazine having reliability issues cycling the final couple rounds (which are a squeeze to get in with the round limiting block pinned at the bottom).

Overall, I’m super happy with the purchase, personally. If you were only going to file for one exemption, maybe you’d get something 2000$+. But I figured I’d play it safe and try a cheaper yet reliable pistol as my first exemption, in case it didn’t work out. Needless to say, this is kind of the maverick 88 of rimfire pistols. No nonsense, rugged, dependable, and a small handful of little features to customize.

Next exemption has been requested so I’ll make a post when that happens as well! Thank you to everyone for the attention last post, and to everyone who DM’d, I hope I answered your questions, and feel free to ask any more if you need! And to the few 1 hour old bot accounts that begged for exemptions in my DM’s with exactly the same wording between all of you, better luck next time (poly) ;)

87 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

30

u/Educational-Ear-3136 2d ago

Congratulations future Olympian

47

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

Canada’s Olympic handgun team will be thousands strong

9

u/theservman on 2d ago

It's how you get the few with the skills and tenacity to go the distance. Gotta keep the pipeline primed.

When we also need are stronger junior programs at all clubs.

1

u/CanadianBacon2-0 1d ago

We have a decent pathway for juniors “especially air” in Alberta, we lack northern competitions due to competitors. I hope more people who are serious get on this exemption so events become more exciting.

1

u/theservman on 1d ago

If you're in Calgary, look at Calgary Rifle and Pistol Club.

-1

u/Otherwise_Rub_9515 2d ago edited 1d ago

You put your finger in the trigger guard early... You were still racking it and adjusting your arms.

That's rookie trigger finger discipline

Down voted for calling out an Olympians poor finger trigger discipline 😂 

9

u/BrotherLefthand 2d ago

If only we could get 9mm exemptions...

8

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

With specific coach sign off you can. There’s been a couple people on here who were successful, haven’t gone that route myself… yet

4

u/BrotherLefthand 2d ago

I don't want to pay for a coach so I can have a 9mm range toy. Unless that coach is exceptionally cheap.

1

u/Critical-Raccoon-473 2d ago

Where else would you play with a 9mm legally?? “Range toy” lol

3

u/AdditionalLoss7274 2d ago

Ideally, the woods, but that would require a country that isn't a dictatorship.

5

u/ghostops117 2d ago

Bahahahaha dictatorship oh man you’re funny.

0

u/567432Gains 2h ago

I mean, once you get a exemption you can buy as many 9mm as you want from my understanding. Anyone able to either correct or concur with me in that statement?

u/BrotherLefthand 46m ago

It doesn't work like that. The exemption is specific to Olympic shooting training. Of which, the CFO is only approving .22lr transfers. You could get a 9mm exemption, but it would require having a registered coach sign your exemption. (there are only 3 approved in the BCTSA) which means you need to be coached and training semi-regularly.

2

u/conanap 2d ago

What do I search on this sub?

2

u/CanadianBacon2-0 1d ago

You can! A legal work around is present but not without an exemption. Don’t need to shoot Olympic competitions to get an exemption. Just go to a league and get results, plus 5 months then compete in rapid fire competitions… 9mm baby!!

2

u/Jonuluk96 2d ago

I’m so jealous living in New Brunswick

2

u/starw24-ps4 2d ago

These look like a fun toy for a while, but it’s a bit hard to justify it in my mind for the price tag of importing these, plus all the work it takes to get these exemptions in the east provinces. Definitely need to work for it

14

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

Personally, and this is just me, I wouldn’t even call this a range toy, I feel it has a lot of practicality and purpose and I look forward to really becoming proficient with it. And with the import the total was around 700$, which is cheaper than any of my OIC banned firearms that got lost in a boating accident, so at least I can still use this one.

I am sorry though that the maritimes and central Canada are stiffed on their exemption process (well, really I feel sorry for everyone, including myself, who have to put up with these emotional based laws in recent years)

2

u/Acc4Wtf 2d ago

Besides the usual laws that apply to Restricted firearms, is there anything extra for these handguns? Be specific please, usage, transport, etc.

. EDIT: I'm not asking anything to do with the process to get one, I mean after all that, are there any extra rules/laws?

1

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

Here in BC after the transfer, they’re treated the same as restricteds before the bans when it comes to storage, usage, transport, ATT’s etc

Now there is SOME DISCUSSION of needing to provide a letter annually stating why you need that pistol, but no one I know in BC has had to do that, mostly other provinces from what I hear

1

u/Whispersfine 1d ago edited 1d ago

Ontario CFO MIGHT ask for a new exemption letter from time to time. So… keep records while you are out there shooting. SFC told me you don’t really need to shoot competitions, even if you are just practicing. I mean, not all us are Olympic standard athletes but we can be horrible ones.

1

u/Whispersfine 2d ago

Onterrible is…. Let’s say, not ridiculously hard to get. It takes time and effort for sure.

1

u/Nilotaus 2d ago edited 1d ago

I've seen a pic posted elsewhere here on this site of a retired SEAL/DEVGRU operator volunteering with the YPG using this very model of Mk.IV in a suppressed config with a red dot sight as a sentry elimination tool against DAESH. Calling it a toy really understates the pedigree it has imo, but I'm the kind of guy that wants machine guns for fun so 🤷‍♂️️

1

u/TescoValueSoup 2d ago

I don't believe that is the approved stance for Olympic shooting

6

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

I was in the approved attire off camera à la Turkish silver medalist at least

2

u/TescoValueSoup 2d ago

Well in that case don't let me interrupt you

1

u/Desperate_Finance_91 2d ago

I feel fucked tbh, I paid 1200+tax for mk iv lite in canada, couldve imported it for cheap

New magazines are really tight
I'd suggest putting a little gun oil in them & clean them after a thousand rounds.

3

u/Ok_Competition6823 2d ago

Nope you would have paid the same or more to import. Ask me how I know lol

1

u/GreenCactus223 2d ago

Do you have to remain a member in good standing with the SFC to keep your firearm? Can you get the expemtion then cancel the membership?

2

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

I’m not even a member of the SFC, the provincial body here in BC gave me the exemption (BCTSA). As far as requirements, remaining a member was not a requirement

1

u/LGzJethro66 1d ago

Of course that's why you get it in the first place

-2

u/conanap 2d ago

No but according to law, you need to be continuously able to provide the exemption letter every year (in effect, you must be in good standing). This, however, doesn’t seem to be enforced yet.

2

u/mwmwmwmwmmdw 2d ago

theres no mechanism to take a restricted firearm back from a person unless its like a scenario where they are charged criminally for something and have their whole collection siezed. the requirements both new and old for what the CFO wants to see for you to buy a handgun had to do with buying but not continual ownership.

even before 2022 you needed to show proof of range membership in most provinces to buy a handgun but you didnt need to maintain the membership to keep owning them.

1

u/conanap 1d ago

Oh that’s what you meant, yeah fair enough. We’ll see how this goes though, I’ve been told CFOs will start asking for proof yearly, but I’m interested to see how they choose to enforce this.

1

u/Bambam4040 1d ago

Just put my papers in for a second one thanks for the help

1

u/moonpie_888 2d ago

after you sent in the form to the bctsa how long did it take for the exemption to come? also what other steps are there after you send the form to the bctsa? i filled mine out and sent it in 4 days ago

5

u/Vintage_Pieces_10 2d ago

It took me two weeks to the day to get my letter back. If it would help, I could DM you the process that I did afterwards?