Storing a cap and ball revolver loaded

The laws/regulations are very easy to understand, it's just that most people who hunt don't seem to grasp the english language very well for some reason. That said, they don't always make sense, but they're clear enough no matter how stupid or self contradicting they may be.

The conflict between provincial and feredal rules in some cases such as this muzzle loader between hunting sites situation that was brought up is a perfect example.
The difference between federal and provincial regulations is all the problem
 
A muzzleloader may be transported from hunting site to hunting site with the barrel charged if the cap or flint has been removed.
The requirement to remove the flint was clearly written by someone who knows sweet FA about flintlocks and how they are tuned.

Removing and refitting the flint requires test firing the thing to ensure the flint is correctly located and straight to the frizzen. That isn't exactly safe to to when the friggen thing is loaded. Personally when I have taken my flinter out hunting, I would blow off the pan powder and lower the #### on an open frizzen. A muzzle loaded doesn't get any safer than that.


That’s not my reason. Just loading the first 6 where it’s warm to save some cold on the fingers at an outdoor range
Loading the cylinders at home and TRANSPORTING the thing to the range is NOT storage is it? 🤷‍♂️
 
Fair enough my mistake, but under the firearms act it does not have to be encased at any time of the day when in transport. My point being that hunting regs and the Firearms Act are different pieces of legislation with different requirements.
Ya, that's where the "where wildlife may be present" part of it comes in.

We had to argue with two cops last year that showed up while we were coyote hunting that said our guns had to be trigger locked and in a case when in the vehicle. They gave up and ####ed off after the 4th or 5th guy pointed out that's not how its works.

Most cops don't know #### about gun laws, they know they don't know, they know we know they dont know, they also know we know they know they don't know. Just know the law, be able to recite the important and pertinent passages and don't back down, they always give up. Especially when they threaten to go look it up, then do so, and find word for word what you said 5 minutes ago. Interaction usually ends right quick after that.

Had one OPP years ago try to convince me that crows weren't "in season" ffs.
 
The requirement to remove the flint was clearly written by someone who knows sweet FA about flintlocks and how they are tuned.

Removing and refitting the flint requires test firing the thing to ensure the flint is correctly located and straight to the frizzen. That isn't exactly safe to to when the friggen thing is loaded. Personally when I have taken my flinter out hunting, I would blow off the pan powder and lower the #### on an open frizzen. A muzzle loaded doesn't get any safer than that.



Loading the cylinders at home and TRANSPORTING the thing to the range is NOT storage is it? 🤷‍♂️
I said transport I’m my original post. Just want to know what people’s experience is with just removing the caps as a means on making it “unloaded”
 
Ya, that's where the "where wildlife may be present" part of it comes in.

We had to argue with two cops last year that showed up while we were coyote hunting that said our guns had to be trigger locked and in a case when in the vehicle. They gave up and ####ed off after the 4th or 5th guy pointed out that's not how its works.

Most cops don't know #### about gun laws, they know they don't know, they know we know they dont know, they also know we know they know they don't know. Just know the law, be able to recite the important and pertinent passages and don't back down, they always give up. Especially when they threaten to go look it up, then do so, and find word for word what you said 5 minutes ago. Interaction usually ends right quick after that.

Had one OPP years ago try to convince me that crows weren't "in season" ffs.
Any animal that doesn’t have a prescribed season and isn’t protected under provincial regulations is always in season.
 
when you feel anything firearm related is up to interpretation, then you should always think "could a judge even possibly interpret this" and there's your answer.

saying guys you've hunted with said x doesn't hold up in court. I worked with a guy who said hes the queen of england but I dont see his face on any coins.
 
when you feel anything firearm related is up to interpretation, then you should always think "could a judge even possibly interpret this" and there's your answer.

saying guys you've hunted with said x doesn't hold up in court. I worked with a guy who said hes the queen of england but I dont see his face on any coins.
I realize that but if you’re going to live your whole life that way it’s impossible to own guns at all. This is an issue that although having been law for almost 40 years, has very little legal president that I can find, or any guidance from the courts.

My point was that I know numerous gun owners who interpreted the written regulations in different ways. As like most arguments in life, they are all probably right on some things and wrong on others.

It does seem like “unloaded” for reasons of storage and transport means entirely unloaded. “Unloaded” for reasons of black powder hunting in Ontario means something different and is only applicable to hunting not antiques.

Correct me if you believe I am wrong
 
Fairly practical in all the cap and balls I have… including Colts. Just knock the pin out that holds the frame and barrel together. Takes two seconds.

What designs make this impractical?

Most colts I have don’t change cylinders like this. Wish there were aftermarket cylinders that would work with my Remington new model army

 
The requirement to remove the flint was clearly written by someone who knows sweet FA about flintlocks and how they are tuned.

Removing and refitting the flint requires test firing the thing to ensure the flint is correctly located and straight to the frizzen. That isn't exactly safe to to when the friggen thing is loaded. Personally when I have taken my flinter out hunting, I would blow off the pan powder and lower the #### on an open frizzen. A muzzle loaded doesn't get any safer than that.



Loading the cylinders at home and TRANSPORTING the thing to the range is NOT storage is it? 🤷‍♂️
I think that reinstalling a flint when the barrel is charged is not something that is particularly safe. A really bad idea. The rule was obviously written by someone with limited knowledge. i.e. ignorant. Depending on the touch hole, the performance of the lock, it is possible for a flintlock gun to fire without priming.
It is also possible to remove a cap from a nipple and leave the priming compound behind, particularly if the hammer has been let down on the cap to insure it is well seated. The gun can fire without the cap. Rare, but it has happened.
 
This reminds me of a true story I read years ago.It was back in the 1800s,a group of guys were out hunting all day and returned home for supper and before going into the house they all removed the caps off of the nipples of their guns.Upon entering the house one of the guys playfully pointed his gun at a young kid who was sitting inside pulled back the hammer and pulled the trigger.The gun went off to everyones surprise killing the young lad .They figure there was just enough fulminate residue left from the cap to set if off.
 
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What club are you at?? I don't think they would be very impressed with you wandering to and from the line with a loaded gun. (you would lose your membership at my club)

"loaded" is an interpretation for the judge - whatever justification you think you have, the final say is not up to you. I have a feeling "cold fingers" is not gonna get you far.
 
I’m sure this has been discussed before but I searched and couldn’t find it.

What are people’s interpretations on the regulations relating to storage of antique cap and ball revolvers? Would you say it is the same as storage of muzzle loaders and flintlock pistols? Would you say it is loaded if there is a charge of powder and a projectile loaded but no cap/primer? Same general question for transport.

I know a bunch of guys are going to say don’t ask this online call your local whatever or ask a lawyer. I am not soliciting legal advice, just wondering how others interpret it.
This the law here SOR/98-209 Current to Dec 2/2025: Antique Firearms 14 (1) An individual may store, display or transport an antique firearm only if it is unloaded.
 
I don’t play one on tv either.

You’re saying better be safe than sorry. I have hunted with guys for over 20 years in sw Ontario black powder season who claimed that ther muzzle loader was “unloaded” because there was no cap on the nipple. Coincidently, none of them are members on this forum to back me up either
Hunting regs aren't storage regs. - dan
 
I’m sure this has been discussed before but I searched and couldn’t find it.

What are people’s interpretations on the regulations relating to storage of antique cap and ball revolvers? Would you say it is the same as storage of muzzle loaders and flintlock pistols? Would you say it is loaded if there is a charge of powder and a projectile loaded but no cap/primer? Same general question for transport.

I know a bunch of guys are going to say don’t ask this online call your local whatever or ask a lawyer. I am not soliciting legal advice, just wondering how others interpret it.
Whether it applies to this particular situation or not, a muzzle loader is not considered “loaded” if it has no cap (or pan charge) for hunting. If a problem arose (with the law) I would refer them to the hunting regs.
 
Removing and refitting the flint requires test firing the thing to ensure the flint is correctly located and straight to the frizzen.
Not on my main rifle. Instal flint, shoot every time ( but you woudnt like why). Be that as it may, if you think it unsafe to remove and replace the flint if there is a charge in the tube, how do you deal with a flint that shatters and NEEDS to be replaced and the barrel is still charged?? Knapping a flint with the tube charged is more dangerous if you don’t do it right, by “right” I mean not producing a spark AND having the touch hole blocked with a feather quill ( if you are a die hard) or a round tooth pick. Same process ehen changing flints.
 
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