Newbie wants a SIG

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I live in Ontario and I’m about to start the process of getting my PAL. I’ve always been a big fan of Sig Sauer rifles and I want to buy a SIG 516 Precision Marksman Rifle [R516G2-H18B-PRM].

So, I sent an e-mail to the CFP @ the RCMP and they told me the rifle is restricted in Canada. Really, so the HK SL8 and CZ 858 are non-restricted but the SIG 516 is? Why is that? What am I missing here? Or is this just one of those nonsensical Canadian gun laws? Do I have no choice but to get a RPAL as well if I ever want to own the SIG?

Are all variants of the SIG 516 restricted or can it be modified to become non-restricted? I was told by the RCMP that “the SIG 516 with no modifications is restricted” and modifications could only be applied by a licensed gunsmith following the guidelines for re-classification. Does this mean a gunsmith can put on an 18” or 20” barrel and pin the magazine to 5 rounds thus making the SIG 516 non-restricted?

I assume the SG 516 is restricted because of barrel length and/or magazine capacity but then I read in the Criminal Code that all semi-auto firearms that use centre-fire ammunition are to be classified restricted firearms. If this were true how can the HK SL8 and CZ 858 be non-restricted??

O’Canada your gun laws are confusing and contradictory. Not to mention the officials are slow to respond and vague in their answers. Help me find the truth gun nuts! I hope there is a non-restricted solution as getting a RPAL and STATT or LTATT seems like a lot more hassle.
 
The SIG-516 is built on the AR operating system. All AR variants are classified restricted by name, regardless of caliber. No amount of modification will change this.
 
Thanks for the response CPitre.

That clears things up a lot but, it does raise another question. How do the HK SL8 and CZ 858 bypass this and get non-restricted status? I mean they are both based on AR designs right? It is my understanding that they are based on the G36 and AK47 respectively, much the same way the SIG 516 is based on the SIG 550 series.
 
858 has nothing to do with the ar platform its closer to the sks

If were you id spend some time reading up in the different sections here particulary the "red rifle" and the "black and green rifle"
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You'll have to study the AR operating system a bit. AR is not a general term, it refers to a specific system in this case. Google AR-15 and see what makes them unique. Separate upper and lower receiver, the gas system, the physical operation of the rifle, all things that make up the identity of the AR type rifle. Look at the HK SL8, the charging handle is on the side, AR is on top at the rear. The 858 looks like an AK, but it's not, they have no interchangeable parts.

Some rifles are just banned by name, period. Sometimes the reason is obvious, sometimes it's not. But if it's not a prohibited firearm on the list, and it's not an AR platform rifle, and it meets the requirements for non-restricted, then that's what it is.
 
Thank you both skoal and CPitre. You have made it much clearer to me how any why the rifles are classified as they are. I will definately hit up Google and read over the forums.
 
Buy the Sig rifle and upgrade to a restricted PAL. Problem solved. Get your RPAL as there are much cooler things you can own with it. But it is always your choice. AR platform is restricted by name and there's no way to get around it. If you really want that rifle, get the appropriate license.
 
Believe me, once you buy one, before you know it you'll have 10 (like me). Handguns, SMG's, short barrelled rifles, etc. Get the Restricted and buy the rifle that you want.
 
I agree. Might as well get the RPAL done at the same time. I've got a couple friends who only did the PAL and 6mts or so after getting their card, wished they'd done the RPAL the same time. If you're only going to hunt and don't care much for shooting sports like cowboy, IPSC, IDPA, guess PAL is good enough.

Got my RPAL card in July and I'm up to 3 restricted and 1 non-restricted (got my old 18yr old Marlin .22LR bolt action back from my buddy!). It adds up fast! lol
 
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