Author's note:
The following is an example of how to handle the current handgun freeze. The opinions expressed in this post are the opinions of an amateur. The information within this post is not backed by a professional and does not claim to be correct; nor is it, in any way, prescriptive of what the reader shall or shall not do.
Read at your own risk and always consult a gunsmith.
This post is very long.
[N# MEANS: NOTE. NOTES ARE AT THE END]
[P# MEANS PICTURE. AS SEEN IN THE PICTURE ORDER]
●What to buy and an introduction.
Hey buddy, are you feeling a little depressed about the handgun freeze?
Yeah, me too.
But wouldn't it be great to have a hundgun anyway? One that doesn't require an authorization to transport, an exemption or even an RPAL/PAL [N1]?
May I introduce you to antique status firearms.
Any handgun made prior to 1898 is an antique [N2].
The handgun freeze does not apply to them.
So are you doomed to use flintlock or cap and ball revolvers? No.
You can use cartridge revolvers that use reloading supplies commonly found today.
Want a semiautomatic pistol? Buy the Mauser c96 (pre 1898) for the low, low price of about 25,000 dollars (estimate). Once you've finished crying, we can go back to those revolvers.
Gunpost is a great source for revolvers and also a terrible place full of decrepit, overpriced paperweights that would convert your hand into lasagna if you were ever crazy enough to fire it.
So, what to look for?
Those 44 Russians sure do look promising.
Oh my, looks like 44 Russian ammunition is a little more scarce than the sellers would have you believe.
Let's move on to my personal favourite, made by the worst people on earth.
That's right dear reader, THE FRENCH.
The service revolver model 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne, also known as the MAS mle 1873 was produced from 1873 to 1887.
Rather conveniently for us, this beautiful black powder revolver can be easily converted from 11mm French to 45ACP smokeless.
The process is extremely easy, so easy that the French resistance converted these to 45ACP in their bicycle shops during WW2.
But we'll be using a gunsmith, or just buy one pre cut like I did.
Now you've got a revolver chambered in 45ACP.
All set?
Hahahahahha.
No.
You see, the MAS mle 1873 was designed for 11mm French, which is about 11,000 PSI.
45ACP is around 23,000 PSI on the low end. Meaning that shooting 45ACP out of these is a solid gamble of getting some more of that hand lasagna from earlier.
It was a risk the French resistance took in WW2.
We're not doing that.
Never buy one of these revolvers if it has ever fired a factory 45ACP round. It is completely unsafe.
●How to reload on a budget and what supplies I used.
You will need the following [P2]:
Lee's classic loader 45ACP [N3]
.454 speer soft lead balls [N4]
Some type of case lube (seriously, use whatever)
Large pistol primers [N5]
A smokeless powder compatible with the .5cc scoop [N6]
45ACP brass [N7]
A rubber mallet
Safety glasses and hearing protection[N8]
Boxcutter knife
1.
Ensure your brass fits in every cylinder of your revolver [P3,4].
2.
If there is a spent primer in your brass, remove it now [P5,6].
3.
Lube brass and place into resizing die until flush [P7,8].
4.
Prime the brass [P9,10].
5.
Use a boxcutter/utility knife to chamfer the inner edge of the brass [P11].
6.
Use a compatible smokeless powder [N6] with the .5cc scoop provided [P12,13].
7.
Drop a .454 ball down into the sizing die and seat with the tool provided in the Lee kit [P14,15].
8.
Flip the sizing die over to create a small crimp[P16][N9].
9.
You are finished, you are ready to bypass the handgun freeze [P17].
●Notes explained.
N1:
You do not need an RPAL or PAL to purchase an antique, however, you will need one to buy gunpowder or primers.
N2:
Certain calibers are not allowed to be antiques.
See:
Regulations Prescribing Antique Firearms (SOR/98-464) on the government of Canada website.
N3:
The Lee classic loader is very time consuming compared to an expensive press. But the classic loader is about 65 bucks. A press can be up to and over 650 bucks.
N4:
I recommend soft lead balls because these firearms were not designed for copper. Copper will ruin these guns. I chose a ball because this round only travels around 600-700 fps. Ball = less friction due to less contact. Also minimizes the initial pressure spike.
We use .454, (meant for .455 webley) it's slightly larger than the .452 ACP bullet. This ensures engagement with the rifling.
N5:
Any large pistol primer works.
I do not recommend federal as they are pretty sensitive. These revolvers do not strike lightly. A primer going off during insertion into the brass won't kill you but you'll shit your pants.
N6:
I'm using Vihtavuori N320.
Other compatible smokeless powders will be seen in the comment labeled [C1] below.
N7:
Did you know Starline sells rimmed 45ACP? I didn't. Don't buy rimmed 45ACP. If you do, you'll have to carefully mill it down on your table saw by slowly rotating it against the fence. Not fun.
N8:
A primer going off during priming of the brass can happen. It won't kill you but you could go blind if hit in the eye. The hearing protection is also for the repeating mallet blows.
N9:
In most cases, you don't crimp 45ACP. We're doing a very tiny one because this is a revolver and the ball makes minimal contact with the brass. This crimp is very, very slight.
●Rough idea of the specs using the methods above.
Estimated PSI: 8-9,500 (well below the 11k max).
Estimated FPS: 600-700 (still lethal due to bullet weight, remain cautious).
Estimated max range: 85 feet (common for a revolver of this era).
●Closing remarks.
Look, I get it.
We all wish the freeze would end.
But it's time to look at things pragmaticly.
There's so much groaning over what's been lost, justifiably so.
However, there's still some joy to be found.
Try to find that joy and hold onto it.
Also you don't have to register antique handguns nor is your PAL run when you buy one so the feds can go fuck themselves.
Get out and shoot.
Don't break the law or they'll close this loophole and I will be very disappointed in you.
Carry the antique status paperwork on you and a copy of the law.
Not all cops are experts.
These guns are old, they're never being made a second time.
Treat them with respect.
Treat them in a way which will guarantee their use by future generations.
Thanks for your time.
