Kind of crazy (questions)

D

diomedesbc

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Calgary, AB
I have a restricted license and have owned (besides the core few rifles and shotgun that have been handed down to me from my grandfather and father) a variety of different firearms, from a Lyman hawken percussion, a SIG 226, a swedish mauser, valmet hunter, to a Swiss Classic Green.

I think I've been bit by the antique bug, whether its Snider-enfields and martini henrys to Webleys and Matchlocks.

When it comes to hand guns the reason I don't own one anymore is because I can't stand the regulations around it and that I can only fire it at an indoor range and can't take it outdoor like my shotgun and rifles for a nice day in the country.

I've just realized that maybe one way around this is to buy an antique pistol. Is this true? If so, any ideas on what I should look for? I started browsing the EE and its a little depressing, won't be cheap I guess.

How hard is it to buy an antique off gunbroker and import? Expensive?

Sorry for the long rant and questions, just had all these thoughts and figured might as well share. :)
 
You're usually better-off with the E & E :) , for a number of reasons....:yingyang:...

But ;) , rather than list those reasons :D , I'm just (for now) also going to advise you that for antique purchases, reloading is probably also going to be a "must".....:redface:

At the end of the day, though, it's a super-fantastic feeling being able to just shoot an antique wherever you can shoot a non-restricted !
 
diomedesbc said:
... any ideas on what I should look for? I started browsing the EE and its a little depressing, won't be cheap I guess.

How hard is it to buy an antique off gunbroker and import? Expensive?
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On what to look for, it really depends on what your interest is. Different fellows enjoy different types of antique pistols, so it is hard to give a broad brush recommendation. Often, there is an historical interest that determines the type of antiques (war of 1812, civil war, pioneer life, the old West, etc.)

It is not difficult to purchase an antique in the US and bring it into Canada. The difficult part is the $$ to purchase an antique in good, shooting condition.
 
Win 38-55 said:
On what to look for, it really depends on what your interest is. Different fellows enjoy different types of antique pistols, so it is hard to give a broad brush recommendation. Often, there is an historical interest that determines the type of antiques (war of 1812, civil war, pioneer life, the old West, etc.)

It is not difficult to purchase an antique in the US and bring it into Canada. The difficult part is the $$ to purchase an antique in good, shooting condition.
Click to expand...

I was always interested in the flintlock muskets of the 18th and early 19th centuries but have just started to get in to the transitions years from muzzle to breach loading. Its pretty fascinating and have been looking at interest at the wide variety of early revolvers of the later 19th century.

It almost seems like we pay double the price for an antique revolver up here? Looks like you have to pay around $1500 to get something that is shootable.
 
There are some deals on Gunbroker. You need to be confident that the "antique" pistol you're bidding on will also qualify as an antique in Canada so that you don't end up with a problem down the road. There is a learning curve involved but it is not rocket science if you take the time to learn.

I bought some good stuff there and also discovered the hard way that you need to pay attention to what is not in the description at least as much as what is included in the description. If a seller doesn't mention the bore condition then maybe he had a reason why he left that out. Don't assume they will describe every fault if you don't ask.

Spend time window shopping to get a general idea on pricing and demand. Confirm prior to bidding that the seller will ship to Canada and that he will accept your method of payment, and ask lots of questions about condition. Then make your bid. It's easy.
 
Yes you can buy antiques from gunbroker. You have to KNOW it meets Canadian antique standards. Their antique laws are a lot looser than ours. For example they have a lot of cheap(under 300 bucks) antique revolvers available, but 99% of them are in calibers that don't qualify as antiques in Canada. Also, their year cutoff for antique status is slightly earlier than ours. If you want to bring an antique revolver across the border yourself, I suggest transporting it just like you would a restricted and have your antique status letter from the CFC or else the border guards are going to cream themselves. If you have it shipped over, fax or email the seller a copy of the antique letter to throw in the box.
 
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