Acquiring/Converting Prohibited .380 to Restricted

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tunabreath

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...specifically, a Sig P232.

Can anyone give me some advice on what would be the most straightforward/cost effective way to do this?
Because it's fixed barrel/blowback, it's not as simple as dropping in a longer aftermarket barrel. Additionally, the barrel wall thickness on .380 pocket pistols is quite thin, so is it possible to make a threaded adapter to be permanently attached (soldered or however), or is making a new restricted length barrel from a blank the only option? Does anyone have specific recommendations for custom shops/gunsmiths/barrel manufacturers? Can the barrel be adapted (if possible) or installed by myself? I have access to a reasonable suite of machine tools and training/experience (enough to make a non-pressure-bearing threaded adapter if that's all it will take).

Would it make more sense to have all the work done in the States and then imported into Canada as a restricted? If I can do the work myself, could I have someone/a business with prohibited acquisition capability purchase and hold the pistol until the work on the barrel is done? What is the registration/classification process like for an imported vs locally modified pistol?

I've seen some videos on youtube from several years back that featured a stainless P232 with a restricted length threaded barrel and comments referring to its restricted classification (presumably in Canada), so it has been done before, but I'd like some details as to the process so I can get started. Any help would be appreciated.
 
As far as I know, prohibs can't be imported except in rare cases where the holder of a business license can import them to sell to law enforcement, movie companies, etc.

I also am quite sure that the existing barrel can't be extended, a new one has to be fabricated and installed.

If you're looking at importing from the USA, you'll have to have a gunsmith fabricate and install a 106mm or longer barrel, ship to the importer you're going to use, and have them import it as a restricted firearm.

If it's already in the country and registered as a 12.6 pistol, you can have the buyer send it to a gunsmith for the work, call the CFC to change the classification to restricted after the barrel is installed, at which point it can be transferred to you.

I did it once with a Colt Police Positive, a friend with 12.6 bought the gun on my behalf, brought it to the local smith, who did the work, called the CFC, and once my friend received the new certificate stating restricted status, it was transferred to me like any other restricted firearm.

Adam
 
There's someone that has been converting some rimfire guns up to Restricted by boring out the original barrel and sleeving them with longer barrel liners. The original barrel ends up simply being the mount and fitting portion The resulting guns look like Pinnochio but it gets the (conversion) job done. Perhaps something like that would serve for this application?
 
I had a P230, similar design, Walther PP copy, and I was happy to sell it. I have seen lots of them on the EE as restricted, though people want primo bucks for them that way. And it IS as easy as installing a longer barrel, though there aren't any aftermarket ones I've seen in casual looking. There may be a suppressor barrel somewhere. You need 105mm+, which means about 10 mm will stick out of the slide. Simple blow-back design, barrel in a cowling just like the Walther PP, so the removal of the original barrel has to be done by someone who knows his business, and the replacement made to fit.

Easy enough job for a skilled guy. You would wind up with a pistol that costs at least double the new price though.
 
Thanks guys.
So I'll probably get a barrel made. I'm going to talk to some people I know to get a gauge on how much it would cost to get done in the States vs here.
 
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