flintlock laws Alberta, no pal

W

westwest

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Hi, I would like to know the laws of shooting a flintlock rifle using pyrodex or black powder in alberta. I do not have a pal license "yet" but understand that you do not need one to own a flintlock reproduction. Question is can one still fire a flintlock on crown land without a pal or such ? Would the police hassle me? I would like to shoot it ASAP. Also do gun ranges let people with no PALS use the range to shoot flintslocks ?

Thanks in Advance

cheers
 
Look up and bring a copy of the regulations that relate to flintlocks with you when shooting. I have heard of a few cases of the officer on the spot taking a very hard line until forced to concede that the rules truly do not require you to have a PAL for a Flinter rifle.

I suppose a few indoor ranges might not really like the black but can't imagine that any outdoor ranges would have a problem. Where are you located? I'm sure that someone can point you in the right direction for places to shoot.
 
1. No PAL is required to possess an antique firearm.
2. A modern made flintlock rifle is deemed to be an antique firearm, as far as licencing is concerned.
3. A modern flintlock rifle is treated as a firearm when it comes to discharging it. It must be in a place where it is legal to discharge a firearm.
4. To shoot at a range, you must have access to the range - as a member, guest, etc.
5. Pyrodex might not work in a flintlock.
6. Are you the subject of a prohibition order, or is there any other reason you should not be in possession of any firearm?
 
Alot of indoor ranges will not allow you to shoot black powder anything.

Just FYI


If you want a long arm flint lock, dixiegunworks has them and they will ship to canada. Just google it and you'll find their address.
Customs will not sieze the merchandise and there are no export restrictions on blackpowder in the states.

Great way to get into shooting if you ask me, is with an old fashioned gun. Makes you really appreciate whats available today :D
 
Wow, thanks for all the info very helpfull and lots to read up on.

I already have a thompson hawken flintlock and want to shoot it but dont know of any ranges that would let a non PAL shooter use their range. Is it a must have at all ranges ? Also, where is some crown land that I will be able to shoot targets at ? Or is that a well kept secret? :D

I live in Edmonton and am going to take the PAL course next month at phoenix gun range. Ive read the book and been studying for the last 3 weeks. Im pretty confident ill do just fine.

Thanks again for the info and hope to meet some of you.

Cheers
 
I forgot to ask a question of powder for the flinter.

I have ffffg goex black powder for the pan and dont have any goex ffg black powder for the barrel, but I am told that pyrodex ffg would be ok for the flinter as long as I use goex ffffg for the primer "pan" because pyrodex need a good flash :confused: I know using pyrodex ffffg for the pan probably wont ignite very good on the flinter "needs a strong spark"

Anyone know 100% ?


thanks
 
I normally use 3F powder for both priming and main charge. I keep some 4F around in case I dry ball or have a hard time igniting the main charge. I strongly suggest that you get a copy of Lyman's Black Powder Manual and read the beginning of that where it describes loading and shooting muzzle loaders. Also strongly suggest that you find someone in the local fish and game club that shoots with a muzzle loader and can teach you the basics.

cheers mooncoon
 
mooncoon said:
I normally use 3F powder for both priming and main charge. I keep some 4F around in case I dry ball or have a hard time igniting the main charge. I strongly suggest that you get a copy of Lyman's Black Powder Manual and read the beginning of that where it describes loading and shooting muzzle loaders. Also strongly suggest that you find someone in the local fish and game club that shoots with a muzzle loader and can teach you the basics.

cheers mooncoon
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Hi, I have lymans black powder manual and have read it twice , lots of good information. Do you use ffg and ffffg pyrodex or goex blackpowder ?

:)
 
westwest said:
Do you use ffg and ffffg pyrodex or goex blackpowder ?
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2F and 4 F are granulation sizes of black powder regardless of maker. I use Goex because that is what is common locally. I don't use Pyrodex because I don't see the need for it plus I primarily shoot a flinter. I do use 2F but primarily in shotguns and large bore rifles (say 75 cal and up). I rarely use 4F but keep some to trickle through the flash hole if I have ignition problems

all modern made muzzle loading handguns are considered to be modern pistols and require an ATT to take to the range, and must be stored and transported in accordance with handgun laws.

cheers mooncoon
 
"...Do flintlock pistols require RPAL..." Yep. Has nothing to do with the length though. Reproduction BP handguns are treated just like any other handgun. Antiques, any muzzle loader made before 1898, require neither an RPAL or registration. That doesn't mean you can carry one.
"newer handguns, including matchlock, wheel lock and flintlock handguns made after 1898, are classified as restricted if their barrel length is over 105 mm (about 4 inches), or prohibited if their barrel length is 105 mm or less."
 
I am told that pyrodex ffg would be ok for the flinter as long as I use goex ffffg for the primer "pan" because pyrodex need a good flash
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Whoever told you this doesn't know #### about flintlocks and you should promptly ignor anything else they tell you and stop asking them for advice on flinters.

Pyrodex does not work well at all in a flinter. I know this 100% because I tried it and it scared the #### out of me the first time I did it.

You don't seem to be well versed in muzzle loaders. I'd highly suggest you find someone who is experienced with a muzzle loader and hopefully a flinter to take to the range for a couple of times. These guns tend to be finicky and there are loads of potential pitfalls and mistakes you can make if you don't know what you are doing. Reading a book about it is not good enough.

I know this cause I made loads of newby mistakes with my first muzzle loader. Luckily it was a very strong modern caplock and I didn't do it or myself any damage. Flinters are a whole nother level of difficulty above the caplock.
 
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