Raven 556 Restricted Conversion

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starw24

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Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this has been answered many times before, but I have my restricted license coming in the mail and a NR Raven that I would like a shorter barrel on. What would be the easiest way to go about this? Is it as simple as buying a shorter ar15 barrel or do I need other parts? Would it be best to go through LT or maybe private sale / trade?

That and I’m assuming I need to get it registered as restricted at that point. Also while I’m on the topic has anyone had luck with the Raven Facebook group? I’ve heard good things but I’ve never used Facebook and not sure if it’s worth asking over there.

Thanks everyone!
 
starw24 said:
Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this has been answered many times before, but I have my restricted license coming in the mail and a NR Raven that I would like a shorter barrel on. What would be the easiest way to go about this? Is it as simple as buying a shorter ar15 barrel or do I need other parts? Would it be best to go through LT or maybe private sale / trade?

That and I’m assuming I need to get it registered as restricted at that point. Also while I’m on the topic has anyone had luck with the Raven Facebook group? I’ve heard good things but I’ve never used Facebook and not sure if it’s worth asking over there.

Thanks everyone!
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It is as simple as purchasing the shorty Barrel and Gas Tube of your choosing, obtaining your RPAL, then you have 30 days following the Barrel installation to notify the Canadian Firearms Center of the change to the Restricted classification.

Here is my 10" .300 Blackout Raven Upper Receiver. I have not (yet) permanently installed this Upper Receiver on my Lower Receiver, so have not called the CFC to report the change to Restricted status.


20240321-140539.jpg
 
Bartok5 said:
It is as simple as purchasing the shorty Barrel and Gas Tube of your choosing, obtaining your RPAL, then you have 30 days following the Barrel installation to notify the Canadian Firearms Center of the change to the Restricted classification.

Here is my 10" .300 Blackout Raven Upper Receiver. I have not (yet) permanently installed this Upper Receiver on my Lower Receiver, so have not called the CFC to report the change to Restricted status.


20240321-140539.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, that build looks sweet! So just to confirm, that barrel and gas tube can be any ar15 style correct? I’m not sure where to look or price wise. I’ll be shopping around this week but do you have any suggested sites or places to check? I usually go through GP for cheaper prices on pieces
 
starw24 said:
Thanks for the info, that build looks sweet! So just to confirm, that barrel and gas tube can be any ar15 style correct? I’m not sure where to look or price wise. I’ll be shopping around this week but do you have any suggested sites or places to check? I usually go through GP for cheaper prices on pieces
Click to expand...
Take a look a Site Sponsor "True North Arms" and non-site sponsor "Red Deer Shooting Center" (eg. RDSC). RDSC in particular, offers shorty barrels in all of the main AR calibres. The tough part these days will be getting your hands on a spare Raven upper Receiver if you want to go the same route as I did. It is much simpler if you simply upgrade an existing Raven by swapping out the Barrels and Gas Tubes, then re-register the rifle within the 30-day window.
 
To register a shorter barrel and convert from NR to R, you need a firearms verifier to take pictures and measurements. Then they will submit the forms for the RCMP Labs to co form before they will make changes and issue a registration certificate.

Usually take 30-60 days for this to happen.

I ran into this when I became a firearms verifier because lots were shortening their NR rifles or putting shorter uppers on their IPSC PCC’s.

You cannot use your rifle when the process is being done in its restricted form.
 
starw24 said:
Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this has been answered many times before, but I have my restricted license coming in the mail and a NR Raven that I would like a shorter barrel on. What would be the easiest way to go about this? Is it as simple as buying a shorter ar15 barrel or do I need other parts? Would it be best to go through LT or maybe private sale / trade?

That and I’m assuming I need to get it registered as restricted at that point. Also while I’m on the topic has anyone had luck with the Raven Facebook group? I’ve heard good things but I’ve never used Facebook and not sure if it’s worth asking over there.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
I'm looking to do the same thing!
 
Bartok5 said:
Take a look a Site Sponsor "True North Arms" and non-site sponsor "Red Deer Shooting Center" (eg. RDSC). RDSC in particular, offers shorty barrels in all of the main AR calibres. The tough part these days will be getting your hands on a spare Raven upper Receiver if you want to go the same route as I did. It is much simpler if you simply upgrade an existing Raven by swapping out the Barrels and Gas Tubes, then re-register the rifle within the 30-day window.
Click to expand...
Thanks man, I’ll check them out!
 
madcow said:
To register a shorter barrel and convert from NR to R, you need a firearms verifier to take pictures and measurements. Then they will submit the forms for the RCMP Labs to co form before they will make changes and issue a registration certificate.

Usually take 30-60 days for this to happen.

I ran into this when I became a firearms verifier because lots were shortening their NR rifles or putting shorter uppers on their IPSC PCC’s.

You cannot use your rifle when the process is being done in its restricted form.
Click to expand...
Oh okay I didn’t know about that, thanks for the heads up. I guess I need to find someone who does this? Is it an online search or maybe a range or LGS? I’d probably be look for a 10-11” barrel
 
Smokinyotes said:
Forgive me if I’m just plain stupid but why would anyone want to go from NR to R?
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Not stupid, for most rifles I’d agree it’s pretty weird. For me at least the 18.6 on the Raven makes it a bit wonky and too front heavy for my taste. Once you slap on a grip a muzzle some irons a light and some other bubba pieces, you really notice it.

That and I’m a city dweller so going out onto crown land / hunting / private spaces isn’t a thing for me. I’m sure one day I’ll get around to it but I’d rather go traditional with a shotgun or bolt rifle. The only thing that’ll be more annoying is the att stuff but for me it’s just been range and back, so it shouldn’t be too complicated.
 
Bartok5 said:
Take a look a Site Sponsor "True North Arms" and non-site sponsor "Red Deer Shooting Center" (eg. RDSC). RDSC in particular, offers shorty barrels in all of the main AR calibres. The tough part these days will be getting your hands on a spare Raven upper Receiver if you want to go the same route as I did. It is much simpler if you simply upgrade an existing Raven by swapping out the Barrels and Gas Tubes, then re-register the rifle within the 30-day window.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for all the help buddy, my card finally came in so I’m ordering all this stuff. I’m getting a $120 Handguard from TNA, and a 30$ gas tube from RDSC. RDSC has a 10.5 inch barrel for 220 plus tax, is that about as good a deal as I can get? I’ve checked a couple other sites and nothing better on price. Also, can I use the gas block from the raven on this new setup? RDSC said I need a new block but I’m not sure.

Thanks!
 
The entire draw of the majority (if not all) of Canadian made semi autos from the last few years is to maintain non-restricted status.
Paying a premium for that status only to spend even more money to convert to restricted is pretty short sighted in my opinion, especially when there is a decent selection of better rifles on the market already that can be had from the factory that are restricted.
 
beltfed said:
The entire draw of the majority (if not all) of Canadian made semi autos from the last few years is to maintain non-restricted status.
Paying a premium for that status only to spend even more money to convert to restricted is pretty short sighted in my opinion, especially when there is a decent selection of better rifles on the market already that can be had from the factory that are restricted
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Thanks for the opinion, I don’t have too many friends with RPALs to get their takes. You’re right on the premium paid for these AR lookalikes, but for me the only trips I take are to and from the range, so the restricted part doesn’t bother me too much. When I bought my Raven I didn’t have my restricted and didn’t plan on getting it, but for shooting paper at 50 yards, I think a shorter barrel would make me happier.

As for other rifles, I’d love to own something like a restricted Bren, but it’s hard justifying $2k+ for another 556 rifle that’ll perform roughly the same. It’s a lot easier for me to spend 3-400 on some parts that I can go back and forth with for NR/R status. Just my 2 cents, but either way I’m glad to hear what people think. Cheers!
 
YMMV of course.

If you are limited in range or you do most of your shooting at 50m, you may want to consider a carbine chambered in 9mm.
 
madcow said:
To register a shorter barrel and convert from NR to R, you need a firearms verifier to take pictures and measurements. Then they will submit the forms for the RCMP Labs to co form before they will make changes and issue a registration certificate.

Usually take 30-60 days for this to happen.

I ran into this when I became a firearms verifier because lots were shortening their NR rifles or putting shorter uppers on their IPSC PCC’s.

You cannot use your rifle when the process is being done in its restricted form.
Click to expand...
Hey so it looks like this is my main issue, I’ve called a few registered smiths and none of them want to touch it for the paperwork piece. Would you someone in Ontario or how I’d go about finding a verifier?
 
starw24 said:
Hey so it looks like this is my main issue, I’ve called a few registered smiths and none of them want to touch it for the paperwork piece. Would you someone in Ontario or how I’d go about finding a verifier?
Click to expand...
There have been cases in the past where verifiers have submitted NR to R conversions and because of a small spelling mistake on the form the RCMP viewed the submission as a new rifle for classification and used the opportunity to prescribe the rifle as prohibited, the verifiers likely do not want to repeat this situation. You should buy a second upper to make a restricted build for temporary range use and testing while keeping the NR upper as the primary upper attached during storage and transport.
 
Ex3dy said:
There have been cases in the past where verifiers have submitted NR to R conversions and because of a small spelling mistake on the form the RCMP viewed the submission as a new rifle for classification and used the opportunity to prescribe the rifle as prohibited, the verifiers likely do not want to repeat this situation. You should buy a second upper to make a restricted build for temporary range use and testing while keeping the NR upper as the primary upper attached during storage and transport.
Click to expand...
Good point, I’ll look into extra uppers. For that one I’m SOL on ar stuff I need a Raven one right?
 
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