r/canadaguns • u/AutoModerator • Aug 17 '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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u/DaddyThiccc 29d ago
This is probably a cope question but what is the possibility of the SKS being banned or having its sales frozen in the near future? Im set to take my CFSC on Oct 17th and im worried that by the time I have my license it'll be too late for me to be able to purchase one, sorry if this is a silly question
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u/DoYouGetSarcasm 27d ago
A prediction about that will have very little certainty. You'll just have to see what it's like at the time.
The sks isn't the only gun you'd ever buy, so keep moving forward with your pal and evaluate what to buy once you have a licence.
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u/Guardian2676 Aug 17 '26
New PAL holder here wondering about some suggestions for cleaning and maintenance kits/tools and range bag stock. Thanks in advance! Feet to follow once I finish my first setup.
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u/Western_Wish4280 Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
Best cleaning kit is the 54.99$ one from basspro. Cant link it or ill get banned. Its the universal one. For most cleaning stuff i use hoppes no9 "kit" as i got a deal on amazon. But if you want something ezpz go with g96/clp breakfree. You can use the remington bore cleaner spray( often on clearance at canadian tire where i live) and rem-oil. NEVER use wd40, shit will gum up and cold isnt good for it. You dont need elitist bullcrap, people have had guns and cleaned and taken care of them since ages. Clean after a range day, and before firing it for the first time. Dont oil your firing pins and dont lube any thing like diddy. A little oil goes a looong way. Excellent channel for me was ron sponer outdoors. If you can, buy a safe. If not, hard cases are my thing( fuck cheap plano), soft casesarent really my thing as i have scopes on. But they are absolutely serviceable. If you mount and sight your scopes yourself, get a laser boresighter or a tasco one, and having aorque screwdriver is a big qol. Dont dump too much money on unnecessary or elitist stuff. Most youtubers over complicate stuff, use common sense where needed. Welcome to the club!
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u/Guardian2676 Aug 17 '26
Thanks a ton for the detailed answer, definitely greatly appreciated. I will definitely have to follow up on that YouTube channel. Do you think it would be worthwhile to get a clamp and punch set on top of the torque screwdriver?
As for range bag, I've got a soft case that has targets, ear and eye pro, ammo and will probably throw in a cleaning kit. First aid kit already lives in the car. Anything else I should be thinking about adding? I'm planning on running irons for the first bit to get a true feel for what I'm shooting.
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u/chillyrabbit Aug 18 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/1iqavma/new_canadian_gun_owners_guide/
My one stop shop guide for new gun owners, I try to avoid product specific recommendations but it gives you an idea of what to look for.
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u/Western_Wish4280 Aug 18 '26
Hi yes, youre welcome. For cleaning the gun, i recommend a vise. Doesnt have to be super expensive. I have a tipton gun butler gun vise(70$ at cabelas) but if you plan on doung range sessions too, get a range vise with clamps and all. I prefer learning and shooting without a vise, so most of my rifles have bipods, and theres a 19$ gun rest with two cushions on amazon that you can use instead of getting a clamp vise. I prefer to use a hoodie underneath for the butt end. I am like this because i wanna be able to use the firearms in real world scenarios where using a vise is not really possible. If i went off to hunt a whitetail, id make sure way beforehand that my scope is zeroed in, firearm is squeaky clean(night before) and my bipod is on as i love going prone for easy control rather than rely on my shit marksman skills while standing xD(light rifle with a 308win isnt fun) but you do you. End of the day its your firearm, make it an extension of your very self, how you plan on doing that is totally upon you. Dont listen to naysayers and try to be someone else, you being yourself is awesome enough!
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u/s0viet_mini Aug 19 '26
Does anyone have word on how long a Restricted transfer from Business to individual takes? In BC, roughly two weeks elapsed with no word from CFO. This would be a first Restricted transfer to this licensee; should it take this long?
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u/MindYourOpSec Aug 19 '26
I’ve been waiting a month for mine, no updates from the CFO either. They seem to be purposely delaying pistol transfers (my guess is they’re trying to figure out how to legally deny transfers under the olympic exemption)
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u/Unknownuser010203 Aug 19 '26
I'm looking to sell a rifle on Gunpost but don't wa t to do it at my home becausemy familydoesn'tlike havingstrangers inside. Any recommendations on a goodbplace to meet budy to sell it?
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u/chillyrabbit Aug 19 '26
I typically use mall parking lots, and show it out the back of my trunk.
Reason why is because it's a large public-ish setting, with anonymity. But also has cameras monitoring the lot in case things go sideways.
Another possible venue includes ranges you both are members of.
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 20 '26
like /u/chillyrabbit suggested I have used my range,
plenty of camerassome police stations have exchange space in the parking lot, but call first
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u/genericreddituser26 29d ago
If the CCFR is the leading gun lobby org and the only one actively fighting for our rights (supreme court case, organizing events and protests, etc) what is the point of other gun groups like NFA and company and why would people give their money to them instead of CCFR? (I'm asking out of curiosity, not because there is something wrong with it)
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Aug 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/PM_me_ur_TT-33 Aug 17 '26
Unfolded/max OAL is a USA thing. Here the consequential measurement is the shortest OAL at which it can fire. The only definitive answers you'll get are to meet the minimum when folded; manufacturers have justified themselves more flexibility with interlocks etc but the situation is pretty ambiguous for the rest of us.
Tube extensions are a thing.
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u/Reighzy Aug 17 '26
I purchased a non-restricted firearm online from a reputable retailer in Ontario. They shipped it via UPS, which had an expected delivery of over one week and a half ago - but it never went out for delivery. I can see that the package is stuck in my local sorting facility, but any attempts to contact UPS support gets me nowhere. They basically are telling me that only the shipper can really request for any manual intervention, such as filing a claim or requesting that the package be manually investigated and moved.
However, the shipper is basically telling me that once the package leaves their store and is taken by UPS, it isn't their problem anymore and they won't do anything about it.
I don't even know what the serial number of the firearm is yet. Does anyone know what I should be doing? Also, is it my responsibility to report the firearm lost to RCMP/local police if lost in transit, or is it the shipper's responsibility, given I don't know the serial number? Plus, I still need to figure out how to refund myself if it hits the fan.
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u/DoYouGetSarcasm Aug 17 '26
Fyi, this is a general sort of issue, you can ask normal people for legal advice on this. It behind a firearm had no real barring.
Assuming you didn't arrange shipping or pay the shipper (ups), You have no relationship with the shipper, they have no obligation to do anything for you or give you any information. If the shipper lost or destroyed it that's an issue between them and the seller.
You paid the seller to get the item to the address you gave them. They are obligated to do so. If they fail to do so they don't fulfill the contract they made with you. Which means the money isn't their to keep. You could ask them for a refund. You could contact your credit card to dispute the transaction, on the grounds that it wasn't fulfilled. You could sue them in court.
I don't know that you're at the "contact is broken and I'm getting my credit company to do a charge back" time yet. Delays happen, but at some point you may get there. I'd have a few more back and forths, documented in email ideally) first. Check with your credit card company how long you have to dispute a transaction, what's the last day you have to dispute this one.
They are wrong about it not being their problem, it is still their problem until delivered.
Contact them, let them know ups won't do anything for you. Ask them to contact ups and get it moving/looked into. Document it for the dispute you may have to open with your CC (or court case when you sure then). If they say no or won't do anything you could remind them (via email) that their obligation is to deliver the item or refund your money, if they don't meet that obligation you'll have to ask your credit card company to reverse the charges. Then ask them to get back to you with news from ups that it's moving or a refund.
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u/Reighzy Aug 18 '26
This is honestly excellent advice from beginning to end. Thank you so much for giving me direction. You honestly get exhausted running into the same roadblocks and into resources that won't help you that you stop thinking straight. Appreciate it.
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u/QwertyExe9 Aug 17 '26
Is it legal to target shoot on crown land at night in BC? Assuming there are no noise bylaws
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u/Equivalent-Shoe-1652 Aug 18 '26
Technically no laws against it. You cant hunt though.
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u/Airplaneondvd Aug 18 '26
Without knowing where they live we can’t answer that question. I used to live in a county it was illegal to discharge a firearm on Sunday
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U Aug 18 '26
Can you see the target and what's behind it?
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u/QwertyExe9 Aug 18 '26
Yes. Big backstop, legal to shoot at this location in the daytime. Can see target and what’s behind it with white light and/or night vision
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u/mithrajr 21d ago edited 21d ago
How soon should I start my PAL renewal process prior to the expiry date? Also, is it worth upgrading to an RPAL? I haven't done the restricted course yet. Edit:typo
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u/DoYouGetSarcasm 21d ago
6 months.
Is there any restricteds you want to get? If not, Handguns won't be available for years at the earliest, I'd keep the money on hand and wait until there's some indication of a conservative government.
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u/mithrajr 21d ago
Thanks! Yeah no restricteds I want to get for now. And I saw there is long waiting list for the course. I think the renewal can be done online now, right? Do I need references again for it? It's my first one, never done it
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U 21d ago
you can take the restricted course at any time and not apply for an rPAL until you need one, but it's only about $5/year extra
you can renew up to six months before your birthday
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u/LankySearch 19d ago
Adding my Ontario data point for new PAL applicants curious about timelines
CFSC/CRFSC: 28JUN
Applied for PAL/RPAL online: 14JUL
PAL received in mail: 28AUG
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u/starw24-ps4 Aug 19 '26
Just spoke to the GoTenda rep in store in Ontario and he told me their Carmels and Makasi’s are coming next week. You guys think there’s any truth to that? I already heard the Makasi will take longer due to the QC fixes, but maybe the Carmel will be sooner
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u/Unknownuser010203 25d ago
Any word on makasi mk15s getting here soon?
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u/Mr_Nuclear1 24d ago
I believe they r getting delayed bc initial deliveries had QC issues… so they r prolly delaying them to deal with that
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u/LordRaizer 23d ago
Honestly, that makes me feel a bit relieved
Would rather have it later and fixed than early and broken
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25d ago
[deleted]
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u/DoYouGetSarcasm 25d ago
Some people in bc have. If you're asking to gage what might be coming your way for participation you'll need to include your province.
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