Converting 12(6) Prohibs to Restricted

Calahan

Calahan

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Location
SW Ont.
I was chatting with a friend of mine the other day, and he was lamenting the fact that, unlike me, he did not have 12(6) classification on his PAL (he was too young). He's always wanted a Walther PPK, but they are forbidden fruit to him (other than the occasional one that pops up that has been modified/re-classified as restricted).

I suggested that he could legally get himself a PPK; it would just be a bit convoluted:

1. He picks out a PPK that is for sale, gives me the money, and I buy it. *Note that it would have to be 380
2. I take the PPK (legally mine) to a gunsmith, and have the barrel lengthened to over 105mm.
3. I get the PPK reclassified as restricted with the RCMP.
4. I transfer the registration to him.

A totally legit way for him to acquire/own something that would otherwise be prohibited to him. Purists would consider it sacrilege to mutilate a beautiful PPK with a "Pinocchio barrel" in this manner. I would tend to agree, but that's easy for me to say, since I have 12(6) status. This is the only way that most people could ever own a gun like this, and eventually, the only way that most prohibs will be able to stay in Canada.

So... does anyone have any advice? Anyone know what's involved in getting it reclassified?

Thanks!
 
I'd love to have a PPK. But when I did the artwork on an image of it and looked at it I sighed in resignation. There's just no way I could do that to the poor thing. It didn't just look like Pinocchio after the first lie. It looked like Pinocchio after popping a "nose ######" pill. It was too ugly for me to consider as much as I'd like to have a PPK. The picture was on my last 'puter that smoked. But before you and he go down this path do up a bit of an artwork and see if you and he can live with the results before going to all that work.

On the other hand the slightly larger PP with the extended barrel isn't too hard on the eyes at all. But it's not the PPK.
 
Good luck finding a ppk in .380. They come and go instantly. You could also get a .32, and have it converted to a .30 cal wildcat. Epp's does those, but it is a reloading proposition only
 
BCRider said:
On the other hand the slightly larger PP with the extended barrel isn't too hard on the eyes at all. But it's not the PPK.
Click to expand...

I suggested the PP to him for the same reason. He's thinking PPK with a threaded extension and maybe even a fake suppressor.

dogzilla said:
Good luck finding a ppk in .380. They come and go instantly. You could also get a .32, and have it converted to a .30 cal wildcat. Epp's does those, but it is a reloading proposition only
Click to expand...

380's are available, but as you suggest, they're rarer and go quickly. And cost more, too. But they're not impossible to find.

Thanks for the input, guys.

Anyone know anything about the process with the RCMP getting a gun reclassified?
 
dogzilla said:
Good luck finding a ppk in .380. They come and go instantly. You could also get a .32, and have it converted to a .30 cal wildcat. Epp's does those, but it is a reloading proposition only
Click to expand...

Yup, Epps makes .30 Reid conversions.

He could always do what I did... Marry a gal with a Dad who has 12.6... Buy a pre-46 and get it as a 12.7!
 
I'll be honest, I'll take my PP over my PPK any day. The PPK is notorious for biting, and in .380 they have a rather unpleasant snap to them being blowback. Even my PP has more recoil to it than any of my nines and by shot 4 or 5 you have to re adjust your grip or you get bitten. That said my PP in .380 is absolutely dead on and has never ever had a ftf. and is on my never sell list
 
Calahan said:
So... does anyone have any advice? Anyone know what's involved in getting it reclassified?
Click to expand...

It goes pretty much as you described, except you missed the months of waiting for the gestapo bureaucrats to rubber stamp the paperwork on the reclassification. I had an S&W Model 34 (I think it is) redone by Bits of Pieces and we waited something like 9 months for the paperwork to go through after Barry submitted it. It did all happen in the end, though. Just be prepared to wait... This was 4 or 5 years ago now so things may have changed some since then.

I will identify myself as a heretic and say that I have shot the PPK in .22LR, .32 and .380 and the .22LR was my favorite. I do like rimfires in general, though. If I was to do a PPK, I would do the same as your buddy is thinking with a threaded barrel and fake suppressor to hide the Lib induced nastiness.


Mark
 
I did that for a guy several years ago, from this site. He paid me to buy several 12(6) pieces, and in one lot I sent them to Barry at Bits n Pieces in BC to convert to restricted. Took forever, like I had those in my name for a couple years. When completed, I transferred them to the CGN member.
To be honest, it was such an incredible drag, I would not do it again.
I agree, PP is better btw!
 
I've had a couple converted to sell. As stated a PP looks better with a "legal" barrel than a PPK but all in all the PPK still looks cool.

I was told by the smith we couldn't thread the barrel because the end result would be a weakened barrel....too thin.

Someone will correct me but all conversions other than Epps 30 Reid become 380....32 is prohib. Converting a 32 to 380 creates issues....tight tolerances I believe.

I think you have to reload 30 Reid ammo.....as far as I know they are not commercially loaded.

I followed up with the CFC when the smith told me they were holding up the program. He hadn't submitten the paper work.....he was the hold up
 
I used to have a ppk in 30 Reid. Really wish I never sold it. She was a real beauty.
IMG_0878.jpg

Ya, the barrel sticks out but beats not having a ppk...
 
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dogzilla said:
Get a PP instead and the barrel only stick out !/4" or so. That looks like an abortion
Click to expand...
For purists and us 12(6) people, yes the Pinocchio barrels look terrible. But for the majority of Canadians, that is their only option. It's a shame that it has to be that way, but I think it's better to have non-prohib conversions accessible to younger shooters, rather than us 12(6) guys hoarding all of them.

I do agree with everyone that a PP is a better choice, due to the factory barrel length being a lot closer to 105mm. For my buddy, it will likely come down to what comes up for sale in 380. In saying that, the stories of how long the re-classification takes are a little discouraging (but not a deal-breaker).

So... anyone who's done a conversion and reclassification:

Roughly how much did it cost for the conversion?

What is the procedure with the RCMP?
 
Calahan said:
So... anyone who's done a conversion and reclassification:

Roughly how much did it cost for the conversion?

What is the procedure with the RCMP?
Click to expand...

My S&W was ~$300 IIRC. The procedure was dead simple:

1) Buy revolver with prohib barrel. Do not transfer yet.
2) Have current owner send the gun to Barry at Bits of Pieces and have Barry make up a legal length barrel and install it.
3) Barry fills out the appropriate forms to reclassify it to restricted and sends them to the CFC.
4) Wait.
5) Wait some more.
6) Eventually Barry gets confirmation that the gun has been reclassified to restricted.
7) Once the gun is classified as restricted the original owner does the transfer like any other restricted firearm and Barry sends the gun to me.


Mark
 
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