Question about Replica pistols

[MXoutdoors]

I know this is kind of an airsoft question but it also has to do with air pistols. My question is, why can I buy an all metal replica of a sig p226 x-five BB pistol but I can not get an all metal replica p226 airsoft pistol. Reason for the question is, I like the shorter P226 over the x-five and I'm only doing some plinking so steel or plastic pellets don't matter.

 

[idontknowjack]

I know this is kind of an airsoft question but it also has to do with air pistols. My question is, why can I buy an all metal replica of a sig p226 x-five BB pistol but I can not get an all metal replica p226 airsoft pistol. Reason for the question is, I like the shorter P226 over the x-five and I'm only doing some plinking so steel or plastic pellets don't matter.

Short answer:
BB guns can cause injury, therefore are not "Replicas". Airsoft are meant to shoot at others and therefore are deemed "replicas" because they cannot injure.

 

[sunray]

"...because they cannot injure..." One of the plastic pellets out of a toy gun will injure you.
"...airsoft pistol..." Some of 'em look just like a real firearm. That makes 'em replicas. Replicas are prohibited.

 

[idontknowjack]

Just a quote from the Fire Arms, air gun, fact sheet...

3. Air guns that are replica firearms

These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.

In particular, some air guns that are commonly called air soft guns may fall into this category. These are devices that have a low muzzle velocity and muzzle energy, and that usually discharge projectiles made out of a substance such as plastic or wax rather than metal or lead.

Although replica firearms are prohibited, you may keep any that you owned on December 1, 1998. You do not need a licence to possess them, and they do not need to be registered. However, as an individual, you cannot import or acquire a replica firearm. If you take a replica firearm out of Canada, you will not be able to bring it back in.

 

[mictain]

Short answer:
BB guns can cause injury, therefore are not "Replicas". Airsoft are meant to shoot at others and therefore are deemed "replicas" because they cannot injure.

Cannot injure? is that why airsoft guns can blind you and break teeth? Airsoft guns are actually now legal in canada, they are considered as a sub-section of air guns. That is why you can now get full metal "replica" airsoft guns from dealers in canada