Figured it was time to take a family photo.

-Henry Honesteader

-91/30 ex-sniper Mosin

-Early 1950 production Tula SKS

-RS22M

-Guinea pig Type 56

-EGE PA37

I found this is a trunk while doing some organizing I forgot I even had it. If I remember correctly it was brought home by either my grandfather or great grandfather after the finished their service.

I'm just curious and not really looking for a debate. Thank you

A few of you asked to see the JP Sauer drilling I posted a few days ago in action. Took it out last night and it’s an absolute dream! The rifle barrel (although it hasn’t been sighted in so it’s a little high and to the left) shot a dime sized hole, absolute tack driver!

The specs are 12Ga-12Ga-222 Remington (12Ga bores are 2-3/4” which is awesome as most drillings have 2-1/2” chambers)

Handload data I went with for the 222Remington was as such: Starline 222 brass, Winchester small rifle primers, 55g Campro bulk FMJ bullet, 20.4g of H4895 (using Lee dies).

Definitely will be a hunting gun if I ever take up hunting! (Upland bird that is since it’s fixed full chokes, so no steel shot)

New PAL holder here. I am familiar with firearms but new to being an owner.

There's a number of firearms I'd like to acquire over the next few years (22LR bolt action, hunting rifle, a lever action etc.). I'm in no hurry, and not too picky on specific models, so I thought "no problem, I'll just take my time, wait for the right thing to come up on Gunpost in my area, and save myself 25-30%".

....except most posts on Gunpost are consistently at or above new price at Cabela's or one of my local gun stores. They're even worse deals when you compare to online gun stores. At best I'd be saving $50-100 in tax vs a new gun - hardly worth it IMO.

Am I stupid? Are all these sellers pricing high in the expectation of selling lower? Or should I just give up and buy new?

(this is lower mainland BC, so I'm willing to believe that local sellers are dumber than the average...)

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. All materials in this post have been prepared and are provided for general information purposes only to permit you to learn more about the process. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this post without seeking legal or other professional advice. The contents of this post contain general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address your situation. I disclaim all liability for actions you take or fail to take based on any content on this post.

The basics

There are currently two ways for individuals to acquire handguns in Canada. This post explains one of them, commonly known as the "Olympic exemption." This post focuses on restricted handguns, so any reference to "handguns" below means restricted handguns.

To acquire a handgun you must obtain a registration certificate for that specific handgun. Registration certificates for handguns are no longer issued to individuals unless they are exempted by law. Individuals covered by the Olympic exemption can get registration certificates for handguns issued, meaning they can acquire handguns.

How do you get the Olympic exemption?

By annually providing an exemption letter from a provincial or national sport shooting governing body to a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).

Quésaco?: the letter is what allows new acquisitions. It is NOT required TO KEEP a handgun you already have a registration certificate for. So if you acquire a handgun this year and don't provide a letter next year, you keep the handgun, you just can't acquire new ones until you provide another letter.

Provincial vs. national sport shooting governing body

Each province has its own process for getting a letter from the provincial shooting governing body, and some provinces don't issue them at all. For example, the FQTIR in Quebec does not issue them, but the BCTSA in British Columbia does.

If your province does not issue letters or if you live in a territory, you go through a national sport shooting governing body such as the Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC), which covers all of Canada and has a somewhat standardized process.

Do the provincial bodies in my province issue letters?

• Alberta — NO
• British Columbia — BCTSA
• Manitoba — NO
• New Brunswick — NO
• Newfoundland and Labrador — NO
• Nova Scotia — NO
• Ontario — NO
• Prince Edward Island — NO
• Quebec — NO
• Saskatchewan — NO

If there is a change in you province, please drop a comment or DM me so I can update this post.

How to get a letter from the SFC

The process is neither quick nor easy, but people have reported it working for them. It is not a recommended path, and not a guarantee that any given step is required or sufficient in your case. Adapt as needed for your situation and keep in mind that issuance of a letter is discretionary.

1. Get your RPAL. If you're in Quebec, also complete your Loi 9 course.
2. Join a shooting club.
3. Join the SFC by buying a membership and stay a member in good standing (don't do anything stupid).
4. Get access to a suitable handgun to train and compete with. For the SFC, "suitable" means a .22 LR handgun. In practice this means finding someone, a friend or a club, to lend you one, either on the spot or longer term. This is the convoluted step. Some people report using air pistols/rifles, or even .22 LR rifles and still getting the letter. The most commonly reported method remains .22 LR handguns. If you've personally done it with something else, please share your first-hand story (not hearsay) in the comments.
5. Train for roughly 4–6 months. This is the figure the SFC keeps citing as what most people submit. This means shooting at a club and documenting it (photos of yourself and/or dated, signed targets).
6. Shoot at least one match during this period. Some say it must be a sanctioned event, others say club matches count, and a few report no competing at all. The most commonly reported method is at least one SFC-sanctioned match, because the SFC gets those results on file. For club matches, get proof (photos, scores, registry, etc.). The point is to show the SFC that you actually train and/or compete.
7. Email the director of sport development (the members email on the SFC website) with all your collected proof and inquire about getting an exemption letter.
8. Tell them which handgun make/model you want the letter for. The handgun must meet ISSF/Olympic pistol standards. Current policy appears to be at most 3 handguns per exemption, .22 LR only. If you wanted a 4th, you'd have to forfeit one of your existing exemptions (you keep any handgun you already acquired, you just lose the ability to acquire a new one under that slot). Some people report getting open-ended exemptions covering any and all .22 LR handguns meeting Olympic specifications.
9. Wait for the SFC to send you the exemption letter. Once received, send it to the seller.
10. Buy the handgun. The seller will initiate a transfer and submit your exemption letter to the CFO. \This step needs clarification on the timeline of the import process with an importer. Please share your experience.*
11. Wait for CFO approval. Once approved, you can pick up the handgun and the transfer is complete. Don't forget your ATTs for every transport at this step.

None of this is a guaranteed formula. The SFC's decision is discretionary at every step, as is the approval of the transfer by the CFO. Other people have gotten letters with different paths (see the caveats above), and your circumstances may call for a different approach.

Some clarifications from the SFC

• Proof of involvement in the sport is REQUIRED. They are adamant that the intention to train/compete is not sufficient.
• 25m Rimfire Pistol events appear to be the only eligible category. This means ISSF 25m Rimfire Pistol matches and potentially local clubs Bullseye matches.
• What do I submit as proof of involvement? Most shooters submit competition results from open matches, usually supplemented with proof of training such as pictures of signed/dated targets, and their coach or club leader's name and email as references to verify training dates. Some combination of the above, demonstrating involvement over a minimum 4–6 month period.
• How can I borrow a handgun? Clubs are generally aware of the requirements and offer beginner/entry opportunities, including formal or informal chances to borrow a firearm to be introduced to the sport. The harder way involves finding someone who already owns a handgun and is willing to lend it to you. This can be done either by allowing you to use it in their presence or by lending it to you for an extended period, by contacting the CFO.
• Which calibers are eligible? The SFC provides exemption letters for .22 caliber handguns. As part of the application you must specify which firearm you're seeking an exemption for and confirm it meets the ISSF pistol requirements (ISSF Rule Book 2026, Chapter 8, p. 375).
• *UPDATE July 24, 2026* Which competitions count? Based on reports from an Ontario club, Olympic-style Rimfire Pistol Bullseye club competitions DO count toward the exemption letter. However, the SFC advised Rifle Bullseye DOES NOT. Reports suggest you'll need a minimum of 3 match results, spread across at least 2 different clubs.

Vz.61 and Mark IV 22/45 both chambered in 22lr!

Finally felt like taking something outside.

I bought a wood stock sks with a TNA max adapter installed. Guy added an ATI stock which he said he sanded so the gun and adapter would fit. But lo and behold it doesn’t fit at all. Any advice or tutorials on how much to sand and or dremel out to make it fit? Love the wood stock but the length of pull is too short for me.

Ok so found something kinda wild. They now have chassis kits for the 10/22 that turns it into a P90.

Now, we know bullpup conversions are illegal, but is the P90 a bullpup? It’s a genuine question I have as it’s really kinda a unique design on its own. Also, I thought maybe we got some kind of exception given we are talking rimfire and it already has other exemptions for it.

What do we think?

Press the button while pulling empty magazine locks action open like the previous iteration, however now after inserting a new magazine you can push the button backward to release the bolt, and actually chamber a fresh round. Need some more tweaking on the ergonomics though

Hey, would like to get into competitive shooting, most Practical/ dynamic/ action shooting in ontario is 3 gun or handgun only, can’t really do that with the current freeze.
Anyone have any info how practical rifle only shooting in ontario?
I know ORA runs events but looking for a club setting to practice

Anybody went through the US -> Canada import process? Curious who you went with and how it went, if anyone can share any firsthand experience. How did you arrange payment? From my understanding you can't pay the seller directly but have to go through an exporter and have them pay the seller instead?

I'm hoping the court case goes our way later this year, and if it does... There's going to be a sudden rush & huge backlog of orders getting placed.

I'd literally give my left testicle for a Ruger 9mm carbine, and would be happy to prepay or pay a deposit, to be able to pick it up immediately if (when... hopefully) the OIC's are struck down.

I haven't seen anything like this online - any of you fine people heard of any retailers doing this?

Looking for advice/input on what to get or build.

I want a hybrid rifle chambered in .308. One that is good for backpacking/hunting/target shooting. I don’t want it to be only a bench rifle, for that I will get a Tikka T3X Ace Target or TAC A1 most likely in 6.5 Creedmor.

So far I’m trying to choose between

Sig Cross 16”
MRA Maverick 12.5” or 16”
Tikka CTR w/ MDT HNT26 Chassis
Tikka CTR w/ MDT The Tactical-LSS Gen3 Kit
Tikka CTR w/ MDT The Worker-LSS Gen3 Kit
Tikka components

They all have their pros/cons and tradeoffs.

Preferably I would like a shorter barrel.

I’d really appreciate your input/advice and thank you in advance for your responses!

Never lose hope and make the most of our current circumstances, lads.

Recently got my exemption. Located in Alberta. Happy to answer questions.

Hey everyone,
I’m looking into getting into ORA Service Rifle and I’m curious about what the competitive side looks like.
For those who have competed in ORA Service Rifle matches, what do winners actually receive for placing (especially provincial-level events)?
Do they give out:
medals?
certificates?
anything else?
I’m not expecting cash prizes or anything, I’m just curious what the recognition/reward system is like compared to other shooting competitions.
Also, if anyone has competed in Service Rifle before, I’d appreciate any advice

also if there’s any other clubs or something i should look into to get into competitive shooting let me know

I'm looking for my first bolt action, and I know this sounds like a no brainer; the Tikka is objectively better on action and accuracy.

However, I'm going to be doing mostly range and I'm drawn to the Ruger; it's tastefully bubba'd from the factory and has all the aeathstics I love, plus functional stock risers, plus a pic-rail to boot.

Action feel is so important to me but the cost savings on the Ruger are very noticeable and at its price, the Tikka is already much higher I'll be spending hundreds more on a scope and basic mods.

I guess what I'm asking is; will the Ruger fall short the more experienced I get and cause me to just get a Tikka anyway; or is the Ruger respectable enough to keep for years to come and put down good groupings at distance on range?

I'm looking at 6.5CM btw. Thanks!

Some people legitimately do not know about the OIC, ive seen countless mini 14s, and Ruger PC Carbines at gunshows this year alone

Some people just never got the email i guess

Pic rail got delivered today and I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so I did a little late night install. The Vortex was actually an impulse purchase but she's beautiful. Can't wait to test it out!

Hi fellas!

This is my original Italian Valtro PM-5 box magazine fed 12 gauge pump shotgun.

It was initially produced by Valtro in the 80s, and Brixia continued production after Valtro went down.

The magazine takes 7 shells, and are quite expensive to source.

It was used by various police and military units, and French Navy is still keeping them in service.

Overall, I love the pistol grip and fixed stock, and the fact that it is a reliable mag-fed shotgun. The 14” barrel makes it quite maneuverable and gives it a cool look. Some people do not like the length of pull though, which I don’t mind.

Note: Trigger lock was temporarily removed for pictures; it is on it at all times.

If I keep the original stock aside, does it still count as Bubba'd?