Need help getting started on my RPAL in New Brunswick

BladeTheThrower

BladeTheThrower

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Hey guys and gals, I'm a gun nut from NB who's wanting to get into handgun target shooting. I've never bothered even starting on it because I've always heard from others that it was a big 5 year process costing thousands and that it was almost impossible to own a pistol/revolver in Canada.

I recently read some info online suggesting that it's not the case at all. But as with that, and everything else I'm finding online, it's all very outdated also. Almost all articles have broken links that re-direct you to http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ and not the original article they were speaking of. This is making it impossible to find answers for my questions.

Basically I just want to know where do I go to get started (in central NB area), how much is it going to cost me, and what's the general time-frame between me starting this process and ending up with the ability to buy a handgun for target shooting. No rush, but I'd be pretty sad if it REALLY IS as bad as having to wait YEARS...

From what I understand, there's a required course, then a test, then a physical test, then a waiting game? That's literally all I know, pretty clueless since I can't find much info online.

Thanks for your time.
 
In AB, cost me $50.00 for challenge course. Thats all.

$1200 in handguns after the course.....:redface:

And probly another $2000 in more restricted once tax returm comes.....:redface::redface:

Took a good long month, Christmas and New Years thrown in there.
 
Out on the west coast you'd be looking at around $100 for a restricted PAL course, and given the costs in other provinces I'd say you probably will pay no more then $100 for the course and everything it involves. The test is a simple multiple guess... er... 'choice', and if you pass that OK you'll do a practical test, which will most likely involve you demonstrating you know how to properly handle a firearm (which, of course, will be covered in the course)
Waiting time varies from province to province, I'd guesstimate around a few months. Which gives you time to stock up on reloading equipment :D
There is a sticky somewhere in this bit of the forum telling you things you can do to speed up the process.
The wait is antagonizing but it will be sooo worth it!
Good luck :)

On an unrelated note, what sort of handgun you looking into buying?
 
To start off I'm looking into getting a cheap .22, something around the $200-$300 range. Cheap ammo means I can plink all day with it. haha Then after that maybe a higher grade .22 or a .45 1911 or something. Not sure which company though.

Also, does the RPAL automatically grant me everything the PAL does? Can I also own shotguns/rifles with this?
 
I could be wrong but I was under the impression you needed a PAL to get an RPAL.
But ya, could be wrong. Someone will come along and correct me if I am.
If I was you I'd look at a Ruger SP-101 .22 if you want a .22 revolver, or a ruger/browning .22 if you're looking for a semi-auto. All of those are built like tanks and not plagued by the problems that some other semi-auto .22s have (sig mosquito being the one I'm thinking of, although some people claim they work great)
However if it turns out you do need a PAL to get your RPAL the courses can be taken simultaneously, so it won't take any longer. In fact, you might be approved for a PAL before the RPAL goes thru, in which case you can get a rifle/shotgun to shoot with while you wait for your RPAL. Hell, by then the LGR may even be gone.
 
angrysoldier said:
call the cfo's office here in freddy. they are nice. next course is in april. hurry up the one after that is in sept!
Click to expand...

Like angrysoldier said, a call to the NB CFO's office is a must - they can tell you where and when the closest course to you would be, and will tell you how to pay for the course. I did my restricted back in '08, and in order to get into the course (the closest one for me was in Saint John), I had to send payment to the CFO's office in the form of a money order to reserve a spot, and to obtain the course book. IIRC, the course fee was around $75 or so.
 
I think I may just challenge the test. Is there anything on there that's not common gun-sense? For both the PAL and RPAL?

I've handled guns plenty and as far as I know, I'm knowledgeable in what not to do and to do. I'd rather skip the courses if possible because I'm already jumping into an expensive hobby in the first place. lol I'd rather save that $160 and the time I'd have to take off work to put towards my first gun.
 
I took my course in NB at NBCC in Dieppe in Nov and just got my RPAL a few weeks ago. So that being over the Holidays not even 2mths. I would recommend taking the course. For $75 I thought the material was good and you had plenty of hands on with the handguns you'll do your practical with. Our instructors mentioned that for the folks that challenge, the written is not the issue. Folks that challenge fail the practical cause they have not handled the handguns. To each their own, but I thought it was worth the $ and time. I challenged for my PAL the following week cause my POL was expired and I wanted to bring everything up to date. So in all I think I have $75 for the RPAL course, $60 for the PAL challenge and didn't cost me anything for the licensing fee's since I had an expired POL... Next is the Bow and Trapping course for me...

Good luck and have fun ;o)
 
BladeTheThrower said:
Hey guys and gals, I'm a gun nut from NB who's wanting to get into handgun target shooting. I've never bothered even starting on it because I've always heard from others that it was a big 5 year process costing thousands and that it was almost impossible to own a pistol/revolver in Canada.

I recently read some info online suggesting that it's not the case at all. But as with that, and everything else I'm finding online, it's all very outdated also. Almost all articles have broken links that re-direct you to http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ and not the original article they were speaking of. This is making it impossible to find answers for my questions.

Basically I just want to know where do I go to get started (in central NB area), how much is it going to cost me, and what's the general time-frame between me starting this process and ending up with the ability to buy a handgun for target shooting. No rush, but I'd be pretty sad if it REALLY IS as bad as having to wait YEARS...

From what I understand, there's a required course, then a test, then a physical test, then a waiting game? That's literally all I know, pretty clueless since I can't find much info online.

Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

RPAL Help?
<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=702905>

Do you have to be a club member to own a restricted firearm?
<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=697638>

Question about applying for RPAL
<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=681009>

I want to get my rPAL but I don't want to join a gun range...
<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675255>

BladeTheThrower said:
To start off I'm looking into getting a cheap .22, something around the $200-$300 range. Cheap ammo means I can plink all day with it. haha Then after that maybe a higher grade .22 or a .45 1911 or something. Not sure which company though.

Also, does the RPAL automatically grant me everything the PAL does? Can I also own shotguns/rifles with this?
Click to expand...
Some younger people just say "RPAL" to express - in a shorter form - a PAL that has a restricted endorsement. "RPAL" is a misnomer. There is no such thing as a "RPAL." When people refer to an "RPAL", they actually refer to a PAL that has a restricted endorsement.

BladeTheThrower said:
I think I may just challenge the test. Is there anything on there that's not common gun-sense? For both the PAL and RPAL?

I've handled guns plenty and as far as I know, I'm knowledgeable in what not to do and to do. I'd rather skip the courses if possible because I'm already jumping into an expensive hobby in the first place. lol I'd rather save that $160 and the time I'd have to take off work to put towards my first gun.
Click to expand...
You may be surprised to learn that there may be no cost savings associated with a course challenge rather that taking the course(s).

Fact Sheets concerning the Firearms Act
<http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/index-eng.htm>
 
I called the CFO like you guys said, it's $40 to challenge the RPAL and $65 to take the course here. I think I'm going to challenge the test. Thanks.
 
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