Beowulf mags??? what's the scoop 2016

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katazone

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Sorry if this was asked already, but I was at the range and someone dropped a bomb on me by saying that beowulf mags are now prohib.
Is this for all the .50 mags or just the imports. What's the deal on the Press check venture?

Legal to own if you load 5, and prohib if you load 14?

Confused? I thought we were good!!!

Again an RCMP opinion that can get you charged and see your guns confiscated....never stops does it. :mad:
 
You did the smart thing by investigating for yourself. As far as I'm aware there is nothing official in regards to Beowulf mags, still legal to own still legal to shoot. Don't believe everything you hear at the range.
 
If you can legally put 13 rounds of 9mm into a .40 mag, what's the difference putting more than 5 rounds in a .50 beo?

Example:
Heckler and Koch P7 pistol chambered for 9mm Luger caliber:
The magazine designed for the 40 S&W calibre variant of the pistol will hold 13 cartridges of 9mm Luger calibre and function in the 9mm Luger calibre P7 pistol. This is permissible as the maximum permitted capacity of the 40 S&W calibre magazine must be measured by the number of 40 S&W calibre cartridges it is capable of holding, which is 10 such cartridges in the case of the HK P7 pistol magazine.
Source: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/bulletins/bus-ent/20110323-72-eng.htm
 
There was ONE batch turned away for ONE importer awhile back. Apparently those mags started life as 5.56mm mags and were not "purpose built" as .50 Beowulf mags, so they were deemed illegal.

Any of the CPD or IMI mags you're seeing in the stores were built as .50 Beowulf mags, so they're ok... Can't make this stuff up... f:P:
 
An importer was denied by foreign affairs whom asked them to consult RCMP.
The result was grim, least to say. Here a few links:

http://calibremag.ca/rcmp-prohibit-50-beowulf-magazines/

I can't post the link from the forum but here is an extract:
".50 Beowulf Magazine Classification Update
As some of you know we were declined an IIC for the Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf magazines earlier this year. Foreign Affair Canada said they would not issue the IIC due to the controversy surrounding these magazines and asked that we get clarification on the matter from the RCMP. I then wrote to the RCMP asking for said clarification back in May and just now received their response. The following is a direct quote for the letter we received.

The 50 Beowulf Magazine
In the case of AR platform rifles chambered for 50 Beowulf calibre, the magazine is adapted from the original 5.56x45 NATO version of the magazine, generally by one or more of the following: widening the space between the magazine lips, changing the angle of the magazine lips and changing the feed angle of the magazine follower. The adaptations more efficiently feed the much larger diameter 50 Beowulf calibre cartridge. However, the original ability to contain and feed 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges has not been deleted and the magazines remain serviceable for that purpose.
The 50 Beowulf cartridge is centrefire and the AR platform rifles which use that calibre are semiautomatic. Thus, cartridge magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre firearms are prohibited if more than five 50 Beowulf cartridges can be contained in the magazine (subparagraph ii, as above).
Magazines for the AR platform which contain four or five 50 Beowulf calibre cartridges present a more complicated situation. Such magazines will generally contain 11 and 14 cartridges respectively of 5.56x45 mm NATO (or 223 Remington) calibre. Since the 50 Beowulf calibre magazines are adapted from the original 5.56x45 mm NATO design and the ability of the magazine to perform as originally designed has not been compromised by the adaptation, such magazines are prohibited if they contain more than five 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges. The magazines are in effect dual calibre magazines and will be prohibited if they exceed five shots capacity of either calibre.
Magazines have recently been manufactured in, or imported into Canada bearing markings suggesting they are exclusively designed for 50 Beowulf ammunition, and at four or five shot capacity, are non-prohibited magazines. This is simply not the case. All magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre AR platform firearms presently on the Canadian market are prohibited devices.
AR Platform Upper Receivers
You had also asked about 50 Beowulf calibre AR upper receivers. Your understanding is correct that they are not prohibited.

Yours Sincerely,
Manager,
Specialized Firearms Support Services
Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Support Services Directorate
Canadian Firearms Program
Specialized Policing Services


I hate to be the bearer of such bad news, but with that said, it is clear that many Canadian shooters and dealers are in possession of prohibited devices and are being lead to believe that such is not the case, so be aware."


To find the link, copy and paste this in your google search: Beowulf-Magazine-Classification-Update
It will be the top item that pops up in your search.


I would make 100% sure guys.....this is the kind of bs that gets us all in trouble!
Perhaps I am miss understanding it all, but if they have changed Bulletin #72, then it would be a good deed to let this info out and let shooters decide or take the risk or themselves.

Here is what one guy is saying on another forum:
"Nope. They are saying that the magazine is designed for two calibres, so as per the rule the bulletin attempts to explain, if it is designed for two calibres, it will be limited to 5 rounds of the smaller calibre.
They are claiming that the dual feeding capability isn't a happy random occurrence, and that the mags were designed to feed both calibres. Hence why they say it is limited to 5 rounds of 223/556."


Proper interpretation is welcomed to clarify some more.
 
My friend was charged for beowulf mags back when this debacle started kicking off, the charges against him were dropped and the mags were returned to him. Also stores are still selling them, and if they really were prohibited, the RCMP would be raiding shops left and right.
 
I sincerely doubt that the RCMP want anyone to get charged over Beowulf mags and go to court over it, because that would lead to a court case that will not end well for their "opinion" on the matter.

The law is straightforward and settled. Clearly marked .50 Beowulf mags are good to go.
 
There was ONE batch turned away for ONE importer awhile back. Apparently those mags started life as 5.56mm mags and were not "purpose built" as .50 Beowulf mags, so they were deemed illegal.

Any of the CPD or IMI mags you're seeing in the stores were built as .50 Beowulf mags, so they're ok... Can't make this stuff up... f:P:

This is what I thought, and your probably right! never the less read the link.
Some of the mags we are seeing now in retailers say: 5 round capacity on them
See below.

http://lanzshootingsupplies.com/shop/index.php/c-products-defence-50-beowulf-magazine-1353.html

Not trying to start anything, just hard to get the bottom line with all the social media out there!!! :confused:
 
Spoke to few retailers and they are not a prohibited device.

So my bad, hope I didn't stir the pot.
I thought it best to get some opinions here from seasoned guys.

So apologies.

Use at your discretion!!! :)


Mods feel free to delete this post in order to avoid any ordeal.
 
There was a batch of magazines made by disassembling AR magazines, pressing detents, marking them and gluing them back together. Wouldn't touch one of those with someone else's 10 foot pole.
 
An importer was denied by foreign affairs whom asked them to consult RCMP.
The result was grim, least to say. Here a few links:

http://calibremag.ca/rcmp-prohibit-50-beowulf-magazines/

I can't post the link from the forum but here is an extract:
".50 Beowulf Magazine Classification Update
As some of you know we were declined an IIC for the Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf magazines earlier this year. Foreign Affair Canada said they would not issue the IIC due to the controversy surrounding these magazines and asked that we get clarification on the matter from the RCMP. I then wrote to the RCMP asking for said clarification back in May and just now received their response. The following is a direct quote for the letter we received.

The 50 Beowulf Magazine
In the case of AR platform rifles chambered for 50 Beowulf calibre, the magazine is adapted from the original 5.56x45 NATO version of the magazine, generally by one or more of the following: widening the space between the magazine lips, changing the angle of the magazine lips and changing the feed angle of the magazine follower. The adaptations more efficiently feed the much larger diameter 50 Beowulf calibre cartridge. However, the original ability to contain and feed 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges has not been deleted and the magazines remain serviceable for that purpose.
The 50 Beowulf cartridge is centrefire and the AR platform rifles which use that calibre are semiautomatic. Thus, cartridge magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre firearms are prohibited if more than five 50 Beowulf cartridges can be contained in the magazine (subparagraph ii, as above).
Magazines for the AR platform which contain four or five 50 Beowulf calibre cartridges present a more complicated situation. Such magazines will generally contain 11 and 14 cartridges respectively of 5.56x45 mm NATO (or 223 Remington) calibre. Since the 50 Beowulf calibre magazines are adapted from the original 5.56x45 mm NATO design and the ability of the magazine to perform as originally designed has not been compromised by the adaptation, such magazines are prohibited if they contain more than five 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges. The magazines are in effect dual calibre magazines and will be prohibited if they exceed five shots capacity of either calibre.
Magazines have recently been manufactured in, or imported into Canada bearing markings suggesting they are exclusively designed for 50 Beowulf ammunition, and at four or five shot capacity, are non-prohibited magazines. This is simply not the case. All magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre AR platform firearms presently on the Canadian market are prohibited devices.
AR Platform Upper Receivers
You had also asked about 50 Beowulf calibre AR upper receivers. Your understanding is correct that they are not prohibited.

Yours Sincerely,
Manager,
Specialized Firearms Support Services
Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Support Services Directorate
Canadian Firearms Program
Specialized Policing Services


I hate to be the bearer of such bad news, but with that said, it is clear that many Canadian shooters and dealers are in possession of prohibited devices and are being lead to believe that such is not the case, so be aware."


To find the link, copy and paste this in your google search: Beowulf-Magazine-Classification-Update
It will be the top item that pops up in your search.


I would make 100% sure guys.....this is the kind of bs that gets us all in trouble!
Perhaps I am miss understanding it all, but if they have changed Bulletin #72, then it would be a good deed to let this info out and let shooters decide or take the risk or themselves.

Here is what one guy is saying on another forum:
"Nope. They are saying that the magazine is designed for two calibres, so as per the rule the bulletin attempts to explain, if it is designed for two calibres, it will be limited to 5 rounds of the smaller calibre.
They are claiming that the dual feeding capability isn't a happy random occurrence, and that the mags were designed to feed both calibres. Hence why they say it is limited to 5 rounds of 223/556."


Proper interpretation is welcomed to clarify some more.

A few years ago, before these mags became very popular and saught after on the Canadian market. The importer for Alexander arms (Armtac) had new purpose built 50 beowulf mags manufactured in another country. Before attempting import, samples were sent to the RCMP SFSS and the result was the SFSS making their opinion known in writing that all mags of such a type that they had ever seen would be considered Prohibited. This warning was enough for the business to pull the plug on the project as I am sure the legal ramifications attached to this letter were not very kind if they proceeded.

Since then, many more magazines marked 50 beo have come on the market from various entities. The shipment that was stopped was I believe Cproducts and at the time I contacted them to find out what follower they used in the 50 beowulf magazines and was told that they do not make such a magazine as it requires a licensing agreement for Alexander arms as the name is a trademark of theirs.

The RCMP SFSS opinion is still that all magazines of this type are prohibited and have put this in writing a number of times since Armtac posted it here on this very Forum. I have offered to give generously to anyone who actually is successful in getting a case regarding the legality of these magazines into the courtroom so we can have a ruling once and for all rather than just an opinion that can cost anyone time and money who has a 50 beowulf magazine in their posession
 
Here is all you need to know...

- As per the wording of the law, we believe that they are not prohibited.
- As per the "RCMP"'s interpretation of the law, they believe that they are prohibited.

There is nothing left to discuss about the issue. If you want to take the chance and use them, go for it. BUT, if by some sort of circumstances, an officer inspects them, you're going to have some stuff to sort out when they get the RCMP's decision. Maybe it will work out in your favour, maybe it won't. There is NO correct answer until a judge makes a ruling. End of discussion.

There is no clearer way to put it.
 
Bulletin 72 means nothing I regards to the other paper the RCMP SFSS has written multiple times on their opinion where they specifically name all beowulf mags fyi
 
Sorry if this was asked already, but I was at the range and someone dropped a bomb on me by saying that beowulf mags are now prohib.
Is this for all the .50 mags or just the imports. What's the deal on the Press check venture?

Legal to own if you load 5, and prohib if you load 14?

Confused? I thought we were good!!!

Again an RCMP opinion that can get you charged and see your guns confiscated....never stops does it. :mad:

No, all all the above is false.

Heres a bit of Mike advice, I give it for free for now

1 Buy authentic AA beowulf mags,
2 Load them to your heart's content,
3 shoot,
4 Ignore know it alls at the range (and on this site, including myself sometimes but not this time)
5 Enjoy your life
 
No, all all the above is false.

Heres a bit of Mike advice, I give it for free for now

1 Buy authentic AA beowulf mags,
2 Load them to your heart's content,
3 shoot,
4 Ignore know it alls at the range (and on this site, including myself sometimes but not this time)
5 Enjoy your life

Lol
 
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