Disabling Firearms for Training Courses in Canada.

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Hi everyone,

I am a FSESO Firearms Instructor and starting to build a few extra sets of training firearms. So I need to have my training firearms disabled; rendered inoperable, but the Action must function normally & be able to cycle Dummy Ammunition. I am a tinkerer, and would like to do this myself, however, I don't want to turn otherwise valuable firearms in to paperweights, or need an expensive "save" by my local gunsmith. So I would like to start reading, learning, and pursuing a career as an amateur "smith." I just disabled an Uberti 1873 El Patron in .45 LC; tap-tap-tap, pin fell out, and done! Nice when so easy.

Then there's the Winchester 94 30-30 Pre-64. Followed the Youtube Video and written instructions to a tee; however, after reassembled, and I cycle the lever action, the bolt jams half-way open! Some jiggling frees it up, a few more good cycles, then it jams again. Dry? Jagged edge? I took the firing pin right out and reassembled without it. Seemed OK!

If there are great books out there to start with, I'd appreciate the recommendations! If there are the MUST HAVE special tool, that's what I'm looking for! And in return, I'll share my experiences, hopefully create a Youtube video or two, and give y'all a few laughs in the process. This Firearms Safety Training is not just a retirement gig, but a Passion! And now I get to pursue it full time (well, soon...). Thanks in advance for all your help, and I hope to give back, at least when I start to get good at it!

Next disabling; Colt New Service DA Revolver in .455 Eley/.45 LC. How do I get the firing pin out of the hammer? It appears to be held in by a single pin, but I cannot see the circular shape of the roll pin in the side of the hammer! This is the perfect trainer as large frame, large calibre, easy to manipulate! Thank you.
 
I don't know about Ontario but in BC there has to be a lot more done to a firearm to disable it for instruction than to remove a firing pin. BC at one time supplied disabled firearms (done from the inventory of seized firearms). Possibly BC authorities were concerned these firearms would be made whole again so they had to be drastically altered. Milling cuts through into chambers and actions, bolt faces drilled deep, firing pins ground down. A bolt action would end up being able to cycle dummy ammo, but no things of beauty were left.

We still had to use trigger locks to comply with the little hitlers in charge.
 
In Ontario we must supply training firearms ourselves. The Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO) defines in the FSESO Member Policies & Procedures Guidelines, what constitutes a disabled firearms, and removed or ground firing pin is it; "Disabled Firearm - A firearm that has been modified in such a way that it is not capable of discharging any live ammunition." Also says, "If a firearm action is dependent on the presence of a firing pin to properly operate the firearm’s action, then the firing pin must be sufficiently shortened so that the firing pin cannot, under any circumstance, pass the bolt’s face. This may require the firing pin hole to be welded or securely plugged."

I fixed my Winchester 94! When I disassembled again, the hammer spring was not screwed down completely flush to the Lower-Tang. There was a very small space between them, even though the screw did screw in OK. So I took it off, held it firmly flush with a small locking pliers, then re-screwed it in; tightly flush this time! And now cycles as designed with no jams. Just goes to show you the smallest thing can cause problems! There was no way I could press it tightly flush with just my fingers like in the Youtube video. Now to reassemble my SKS now that the firing pin is out, then do a Remington 870 Pump!

Thanks.
 
You can get the FSESO approved training set for the restricted course straight from FSESO for way less than it will cost you to buy and disable them yourself. All of the guns you've mentioned are pretty easy to disable. FSESO will also want you to remove the bayonet from the SKS if it's still on. You'll be surprised how hard the students can be on the equipment . Some of them think that "stop" means "press harder" !
 
I believe it is currently illegal for the government to transfer any firearms belonging to them, to anyone other than another government agency

cheers mooncoon

You paid BC a low price for them (to cover the deactivation costs) but they kept a record of each one and you had to turn them back if you stopped instructing. You did not own them. They were not yours to do as you pleased.
 
I bought a set on here for $400. It was a really good deal. I did end up buying a Remington 597 to get deactivated. The Cooey 64 (IIRC) didn't function perfectly.

To deactivate you must mill 0.25 wide out of the chamber and drill out the firing pin hole.
 
It is a great thing you are doing. There are not enough people offering training courses.

You wouldn’t believe how much demand there is for classes. I can put classes on all over Sask and fill an entire weekend in less than 3 days. If I didn’t want to burn up all my weekends, I could easily put a class on every weekend.
 
  1. Message CFO to become instructor. In some provinces there is an instructor freeze.
  2. Fill out paperwork
  3. Get a background check
  4. Find a master instructor to take instructor class
  5. buy materials

I believe in Ontario that you also had to pass your PAL/RPAL courses with 90% or better.
 
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