Meeting place for Newbies and Mentors - Quebec
- Thread starter esquif
- Start date
Fellows, I have a decision to make and I need some local help. I am getting back into the hobby. I have been away from it since 1998. I did pass my safety courses back in Aug. 1998, so my exams were good for both PAL and RPAL (confirmed with Dept. de Faune et Environnement). I put my paper work into the RCMP 3 weeks ago. Meantime I go with a couple of buddies to the CRAFM to practice.
Anyway, to start, I want something tactical, but non-restricted. The fellows at the CRAFM started showing me things like the Kriss Vector, a Tavor, etc, all very expensive and not what I want. One of my buddies has an AR, and I like the feel of it.
So, AR-style tactical rifles in non-restricted are not too many. THere is the Mossberg 715 in .22, the Ruger Sr-22, and the JR Carbine in 9mm. I am strongly leaning towards the JR in 9mm for many reasons, the 2 most important being the fun factor, and not too expensive to feed.
I've been going around to some of the local Montreal gun shops. Lets put the CRAFM on the side for now. Only one had the JR, which I got to hold in my hands, feel it, pull the trigger (unloaded), see the quality. I liked it. Price is right. Guys there are knowledgeable and did not knock other brands and tell me, the customer, that I am wrong in what I want. Next place I went, small shop, the fellow told me the 715 is a cheapy plastic toy, which I know, and the JR is also no good, to go with the Ruger Sr22 ($629 for a .22?) or he is trying to push a DPMS oracle 223 on me (restricted). Dont want an AR right now. Did he have the Ruger? No. Is he going to get some? Maybe. When? He tells me "I dunno". And walks away. TOo busy to help a new client. Another shop has the JR on special for Xmas, but they have no more. WHen will they get some? "I dunno". Will the price still hold if I put an order now? "No." They are 10% more than everyone else. Then he starts showing me rifles also in the 2000$ range, then yells at me that the JR is no good, and it shoots crooked, etc etc etc, all the while telling me that he doesnt work on commission to sell guns. It reminds me of buying my first used car.
So, I need some opinions out there. There are certain places like Lebaron and Sail which dont carry the tactical rifles, and a couple of other small shops where they don't want to know you unless your hand is full of cash, and then its here's your stuff, and get out.
Is there any place in the greater Montreal area (laval, south shore) that I have missed, and what would you do, as a new shooter to the hobby? Get a cheapy 22, an expensive 22 (Ruger) or the JR in 9mm? Reason also I like the JR is that it uses Glock 17 mags, so if I do decide to get a Handgun at some point, I would get a Glock, so all the mags are interchangeable and everything is in the same calibre, besides 9mm is cheap to shoot, and at 50-100 meters, in videos I;ve seen the JR is pretty accurate. One guy takes it out to 150 yards on youtube.
I'm not looking to knock any sellers out there. Just relating my own experience at the counters of these places.
Thanks
V.A.
Anyway, to start, I want something tactical, but non-restricted. The fellows at the CRAFM started showing me things like the Kriss Vector, a Tavor, etc, all very expensive and not what I want. One of my buddies has an AR, and I like the feel of it.
So, AR-style tactical rifles in non-restricted are not too many. THere is the Mossberg 715 in .22, the Ruger Sr-22, and the JR Carbine in 9mm. I am strongly leaning towards the JR in 9mm for many reasons, the 2 most important being the fun factor, and not too expensive to feed.
I've been going around to some of the local Montreal gun shops. Lets put the CRAFM on the side for now. Only one had the JR, which I got to hold in my hands, feel it, pull the trigger (unloaded), see the quality. I liked it. Price is right. Guys there are knowledgeable and did not knock other brands and tell me, the customer, that I am wrong in what I want. Next place I went, small shop, the fellow told me the 715 is a cheapy plastic toy, which I know, and the JR is also no good, to go with the Ruger Sr22 ($629 for a .22?) or he is trying to push a DPMS oracle 223 on me (restricted). Dont want an AR right now. Did he have the Ruger? No. Is he going to get some? Maybe. When? He tells me "I dunno". And walks away. TOo busy to help a new client. Another shop has the JR on special for Xmas, but they have no more. WHen will they get some? "I dunno". Will the price still hold if I put an order now? "No." They are 10% more than everyone else. Then he starts showing me rifles also in the 2000$ range, then yells at me that the JR is no good, and it shoots crooked, etc etc etc, all the while telling me that he doesnt work on commission to sell guns. It reminds me of buying my first used car.
So, I need some opinions out there. There are certain places like Lebaron and Sail which dont carry the tactical rifles, and a couple of other small shops where they don't want to know you unless your hand is full of cash, and then its here's your stuff, and get out.
Is there any place in the greater Montreal area (laval, south shore) that I have missed, and what would you do, as a new shooter to the hobby? Get a cheapy 22, an expensive 22 (Ruger) or the JR in 9mm? Reason also I like the JR is that it uses Glock 17 mags, so if I do decide to get a Handgun at some point, I would get a Glock, so all the mags are interchangeable and everything is in the same calibre, besides 9mm is cheap to shoot, and at 50-100 meters, in videos I;ve seen the JR is pretty accurate. One guy takes it out to 150 yards on youtube.
I'm not looking to knock any sellers out there. Just relating my own experience at the counters of these places.
Thanks
V.A.
if your looking for a place in Montreal that sells pretty much everything you can go to Dante sports, they a usually busy so you might have to wait if you go after work and Saturdays. They currently have a Ruger SR22 on sale for 549 or buy a 10/22 249 and in time build into a tactical by change out the stock for a ATI whichi is only $130. You can also go for a Keltec 200o in 9mm which uses Glock or beretta mags.
I from my experience if cash is factor, you better off saving and buy what you really want than buying something that you will loose interest in soon after buying it. If you know what you want you can buy online for other reseller across Canada or you may want to buy from another seller on this site. look at the exchange forum.
Why not get a VZ 58 or cz 858 looks like an Ak not very different and ou can shoot the surplus ammo at out door ranges. I find most gun sellers have little to no patience to newbie or people starting out.
I'm not sure if I answer most of your questions but feel free to ask.
Been there didn't feel like there was any sort of restriction about that
In Quebec you have to be a member of a shooting range. Plus you need to prove you have gone to the club and practice. As a member you usually need to sign in or scan in. To be a member of. Shooting club you have to take the bill 9 course. Plus most shooting clubs require you to take their clubs safety course as well.
Off subject but i checked them out and $400 for 9 months of shooting....It sucks when they close up shop for months. Summer is when peoples have vacation time usually and to shut the range from may till september is a bit ummm selfish i think. (like ok peoples, i made enough money this year i'm going to texas for 3 months bye bye) Not saying they're not all like that but still....
My two bits
Oh Btw guys, i thought it would be a good idea and it would help if everyone would put their age in their profiles, not that it matters much but some older folks would "maybe" feel more comfortable on their first visit to the range with someone their age than with a younger guy (more stuff to talk about etc.)Or vice versa for someone in their early 20's. Not to mention the OMG! face when you first meet LOL. And if it doesn't matter to some of you, good... it won't change anything 
I don't think your referring to the same club CTM on 52 ave in Lachine, as I have been a member there for 3 years now and they never closed for three months. I did happen last year that they had some water damage and a small fire that they had to close for a month and a half, but they credited all members when they renewed so they actually got 13.5 months for a 12 months membership.
That's what i used to come up with my post, it says September 1st to May 31st under business hours. But since you're there already... my bad
i'm giving them a free ad with this lol
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That's what i used to come up with my post, it says September 1st to May 31st under business hours. But since you're there already... my bad
i'm giving them a free ad with this lol
From Sept 1 to May 31 are winter hours and close at 9:30pm June 1 to August 31 are summer hours and they close at 8:00pm or 8:30pm, I think the misunderstanding was due to unclear message on thier web site. They used to mention the winter and summer hour difference.
The Point Claire range is really small. 2 or 3 standing and 2 prone. the club is only open on Thursday and Friday night and one morning during the weekend. I believe the cost is 180. This is really for people that do marksman shooting with .22's, no rapid fire or anything like that and only .22 caliber pistol or rifle. I looked at this years ago but it was not for me.
