Saiga semi-automatic rifle in Canada

[Liberty Watchman 9]

Are Saiga semi-automatic rifles legal in Canada?

The Saiga Semi-Automatic Rifles are a family of Russian semi-automatic rifles manufactured by Izhmash, who also manufacture the original AK-series assault rifles, Saiga series shotguns and SVD sniper rifles. The Saiga rifles are a sporter version of the AK-series rifles, and are marketed for hunting and civilian use.

If they are legal, who sells them in 2.23 / 5.56 or .308?

 

[Johnny_Zanni]

No, they are an AK varient.

 

[mastrmasn]

My understanding is any AK variant is prohib, the pros here should be able to confirm that.

 

[cranswick]

looks identical to the valmet hunter, except the barrel is shorter, with AK-style front sight and the buttstock and hand guard is synthetic...

funny how the valmet hunter was reclassified from prohib to non-restricted, despite being an AK variant, but only that particular make and model only, yet something nearly identical comes along from a different manufacturer, and get's thrown back under the "ban bus"

 

[TRich]

Our laws makes no sense and we all know it

 

[fenceline]

My understanding is any AK variant is prohib, the pros here should be able to confirm that.

All AKs are prohib, except for the Valmet Hunter and Valmet M78. Those two are non-restricted in their original form.

 

[Canuck1978]

All AKs are prohib, except for the Valmet Hunter and Valmet M78. Those two are non-restricted in their original form.

Err what do you mean in their original form? Would making a Galil clone out of a Hunter change the classification if the barrel stays over 18.5"? -just wondering if there is something out there that I'm not aware of...

 

[fireball]

Err what do you mean in their original form? Would making a Galil clone out of a Hunter change the classification if the barrel stays over 18.5"? -just wondering if there is something out there that I'm not aware of...

No, it's classification doesn't change.

 

[fenceline]

Err what do you mean in their original form? Would making a Galil clone out of a Hunter change the classification if the barrel stays over 18.5"? -just wondering if there is something out there that I'm not aware of...

I mean in their original form, with original barrel they would be non-restricted. If you cut down the barrel to 18 inches, or replaced the barrel with a factory barrel or another ak barrel under 18.5 it would be restricted.

The valmet hunter and the m78 follow all the same rules as any other center fire semi auto. Barrel length and OAL set the classification. 18.5+ barrel is NR, under 18.5 would be restricted. But there are no factory barrel lengths under 18.5 that I know of, hence NR in their original form.

The receiver is the defining feature that would make it a Valmet Hunter/M78. If one wanted to they could build any fashion of clone off these receivers and still fall under the exemption.

 

[Canuck1978]

I mean in their original form, with original barrel they would be non-restricted. If you cut down the barrel to 18 inches, or replaced the barrel with a factory barrel or another ak barrel under 18.5 it would be restricted.

The valmet hunter and the m78 follow all the same rules as any other center fire semi auto. Barrel length and OAL set the classification. 18.5+ barrel is NR, under 18.5 would be restricted. But there are no factory barrel lengths under 18.5 that I know of, hence NR in their original form.

The receiver is the defining feature that would make it a Valmet Hunter/M78. If one wanted to they could build any fashion of clone off these receivers and still fall under the exemption.

I saw a pic of a short barreled M78 once. I think it was a factory 16" barrel. I guess that one would be under a different FRT.

 

[fireball]

Such a beast would have the same FRT number, its the "-#" at the end which denotes the barrel length and magazine it came with.

 

[fenceline]

I saw a pic of a short barreled M78 once. I think it was a factory 16" barrel. I guess that one would be under a different FRT.

If that was the case then it would be restricted. The OIC only says they are not named as prohibited, but doesn't state they are restricted or non-restricted. That would be defined by barrel length and OAL.