Hello. I would like to start off saying I am new to these forums. I have one question that is kind of bothering me. Is it really worth getting a pistol in Canada? I have my non-restricted license but I am going in to get my restricted license shortly. From what I understand you need a ATT every time you take your pistol from your residence and you can only take it to a certified range when you do. It was always an interest of mine to own a pistol some day but it seems like quite a hassle to even own one. Also finally what beginner pistol would you recommend? I am sure there are many questions like this on the forum so I apologize.
Is it worth getting a pistol?
- Thread starter Pistolet
- Start date
Welcome aboard! You can't even take it to the range unless your a member, and have a long term att. If you just want to hunt, or target shoot on crown land, or your own land if your allowed you don't need anything. They intentionally try to make you jump through a pile of hoops when you own restricted. If you just want to own some, you can get collector status, but then all you can do is look at them at home.
You get a long term ATT to and from your range that you join. There have been measures to reduce the paperwork, announced. I have a few shooter friends that don't have restricted's due to the added headache, but I think pistols and short barreled rifles are worth the extra work.
I like the CZ75 (or Shadow) and the Sig 226 platform as good starter pistols. I bought 22's and ended up getting rid of them as I got bored. Great thing about the Sig 226 is that you can buy the 22 then get a centerfire kit for it.
I like the CZ75 (or Shadow) and the Sig 226 platform as good starter pistols. I bought 22's and ended up getting rid of them as I got bored. Great thing about the Sig 226 is that you can buy the 22 then get a centerfire kit for it.
It's not just handguns you that you can only take to the range, but all restricted firearms in general so if you're getting a restricted license anything that falls under that criteria can only be taken to the range. As far as if it's worth it or not, that's for you to decide man, it's your money and your time and you should spend them both as you choose. I own five handguns (and counting) and I enjoy shooting them at the range every time I go.
Depends who you ask 
I can undoubtedly say that it is worth it to me as shooting handguns brings a whole new dimension to shooting and gives you a whole new set of skills to sharpen. Even if they aren't shot often - the more legal handguns in private hands the better.
For a first handgun I would recommend a 9mm handgun made by a reputable company. Can't go wrong with the Glock 17/19, Beretta 92fs, or S&W M&P9 range kit. Many find it easier to start off with a steel gun as opposed to polymer, but with persistence a person can become good with anything they'd like. The m&p is the most economical coming with a holster and 3 magazines out of the box. The most valuable information I can give is to not make a purchase until you find what feels best for you. If possible test the trigger and find one that breaks where and how you like.
Happy shooting!
I can undoubtedly say that it is worth it to me as shooting handguns brings a whole new dimension to shooting and gives you a whole new set of skills to sharpen. Even if they aren't shot often - the more legal handguns in private hands the better.
For a first handgun I would recommend a 9mm handgun made by a reputable company. Can't go wrong with the Glock 17/19, Beretta 92fs, or S&W M&P9 range kit. Many find it easier to start off with a steel gun as opposed to polymer, but with persistence a person can become good with anything they'd like. The m&p is the most economical coming with a holster and 3 magazines out of the box. The most valuable information I can give is to not make a purchase until you find what feels best for you. If possible test the trigger and find one that breaks where and how you like.
Happy shooting!
- Location
- West Quebec
As a beginner I would say a 22 pistol Ruger or Browning Buckmark to get going..
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Its worth it !
Yeah its a pain in the ass with all the hoops you have to go thru, but they are fun little firearms to shoot and its a cool crew of people to hang out with, I always have fun at the range talking with other gun enthousiasts.
Go for it man !!
As fore beginner pistol, if you've never touched a pistol, I would go with an inexpensive 22LR pistol, try it out, if you like it then upgrade. Can't go wrong with SIGs, Glocks can be discouraging for beginners but most important thing is : try them and see which one shoots better in your hands.
Yeah its a pain in the ass with all the hoops you have to go thru, but they are fun little firearms to shoot and its a cool crew of people to hang out with, I always have fun at the range talking with other gun enthousiasts.
Go for it man !!
As fore beginner pistol, if you've never touched a pistol, I would go with an inexpensive 22LR pistol, try it out, if you like it then upgrade. Can't go wrong with SIGs, Glocks can be discouraging for beginners but most important thing is : try them and see which one shoots better in your hands.
It is worth it, if only to get the numbers up. If they add hoops to convince me not to do something, I darn well want to do it. They want to make it hard for us in Ontario in particular and I won't relent just because I only shoot a pistol once in a year or once in two years.
Good news is that the ATT is going away. There are also drive up ranges popping up where you can pay and shoot for a day - one here in Toronto. If I didn't belong to a club already, I'd go there when I wanted to shoot a pistol but would still have one.
A .22 is a hoot. I've only had a 22 for a couple years and just added a 1911 45ACP. My recommendation, biased, is to do what I did and instead of buying something new from the store like a Ruger, get something like mine; High Standard Trophy. Fantastic pistol. Shoots standard velocity only so buy a big brick and shoot away. S&W 41 is another really nice one.
Good news is that the ATT is going away. There are also drive up ranges popping up where you can pay and shoot for a day - one here in Toronto. If I didn't belong to a club already, I'd go there when I wanted to shoot a pistol but would still have one.
A .22 is a hoot. I've only had a 22 for a couple years and just added a 1911 45ACP. My recommendation, biased, is to do what I did and instead of buying something new from the store like a Ruger, get something like mine; High Standard Trophy. Fantastic pistol. Shoots standard velocity only so buy a big brick and shoot away. S&W 41 is another really nice one.
It's a hobby. If you start to question it, I'm sure you'll find plenty of reasons to dissuade you. The cost, the paperwork, etc. If you enjoy it though you'll find those little annoyances don't really matter. I love my pistols and revolvers and really enjoy shooting them. Perhaps you should find someone to take you to the range. You'll know pretty quickly whether it's for you, probably within the first few shots.
It's worth it if you belong to, plan to belong to, or have access to, a range where you can use it.
Once you have the LTATT, there is no significant hassle.
And pistols are the most fun firearm, by far. I started out with shotgun, went through a brief rifle phase, but handguns have been my main interest for several years now, and there's no sign that will change.
Once you have the LTATT, there is no significant hassle.
And pistols are the most fun firearm, by far. I started out with shotgun, went through a brief rifle phase, but handguns have been my main interest for several years now, and there's no sign that will change.
My wife and I are active Cowboy Action shooters. In the last year my handguns have travelled all over Alberta and Saskatchewan, and to Wyoming, Montana and Arizona for competitions. Once you do the paperwork the first time, it just becomes a minor inconvienence. Yes it is worth it!
^ This. Totally worth it.
Every gun owner in Canada should consider it their duty to get the restricted licence and own at least one restricted firearm. Get an AR15 if you are not interested in pistols.
The Restricted category exists because these are the guns they would like to ban next, as footsteps along the path to supressing the "gun culture" to the point where they would eventually be able to ban virtually all firearms - as they have done in England and Australia. The only thing stopping them is the thought that they might lose the next election if they piss off enough gun owners.
An MP in a close riding may look at how many Restricted licence holders there are in that riding and compare that number to their margin of victory in the last election. If the numbers are wrong for them then banning handguns and black rifles is not a part of their platform in the next election, and if the numbers are right it is.
The Restricted category exists because these are the guns they would like to ban next, as footsteps along the path to supressing the "gun culture" to the point where they would eventually be able to ban virtually all firearms - as they have done in England and Australia. The only thing stopping them is the thought that they might lose the next election if they piss off enough gun owners.
An MP in a close riding may look at how many Restricted licence holders there are in that riding and compare that number to their margin of victory in the last election. If the numbers are wrong for them then banning handguns and black rifles is not a part of their platform in the next election, and if the numbers are right it is.
