Why are PAL rated airguns so much in Canada?

rci2950

rci2950

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When you go to Walmart south of the border, you can find air rifles above the 500 FPS for like $59. The Powerline one comes to mind. Last time I was down there (Work) I looked it over. Exactly the same as the one we get but a lot more FPS. Now when you look at what is available in Canada everything above the 500 FPS is $200 and up. What makes them so special? Is there more paperwork involved with the stores or importing them? Or is it just another one of those instances where Canadians pay more? Why cant I get that cheap $59 one with the 750 FPS? Or the Crossman phantom with its 1000 FPS for $100? Right now I use a 495 fps Ruger break action one for shooting barn rats. It would be a lot more enjoyable if I had a bit more FPS but if I am up into the price of a .22 rimfire rifle then it seems like a ripoff.


for example...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daisy-Powerline-880-Dual-Ammo-Air-Rifle-with-Scope/40556631
 
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You would have the exchange rate for one (that 59$ USD turns into 80$ CAD). On top of having to be imported, I would guess they have to follow firearms importation laws as they are classified as firearms, which would drive up the price a fair bit.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
You would have the exchange rate for one (that 59$ USD turns into 80$ CAD). On top of having to be imported, I would guess they have to follow firearms importation laws as they are classified as firearms, which would drive up the price a fair bit.
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Nope. They're super easy to bring up. In the states, they're an unregulated toy, so can leave the country with nothing more than duty to be considered (no itar). Once it crosses the border, it's a non restricted firearm and there's no hoops to jump through.

Now... the question is: after June first, will YOU the Walmart visiting "importer of a non restricted firearm" need to mark it with CA17?
 
kodiakjack said:
Nope. They're super easy to bring up. In the states, they're an unregulated toy, so can leave the country with nothing more than duty to be considered (no itar). Once it crosses the border, it's a non restricted firearm and there's no hoops to jump through.

Now... the question is: after June first, will YOU the Walmart visiting "importer of a non restricted firearm" need to mark it with CA17?
Click to expand...

Might be an idea to import one and contact the media to highlight the silliness of the UN marking scheme.
 
rci2950 said:
for example...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daisy-Powerline-880-Dual-Ammo-Air-Rifle-with-Scope/40556631
Click to expand...

This is a poor example of a lot of whiz for the buck. It's a pneumatic rifle (as so many Daisy rifles are) and achieves the maximum MV (muzzle velocity) with the lightest projectiles only. On the other hand, spring piston rifles with very high MV's abound everywhere, both in the United States and Canada, at stores akin to Walmart and Cabela's and Canadian Tire,

Regardless, inexpensive yet high MV fps spring piston air rifles are rarely worth the money -- even at the bargain basement prices seen south of the border. They have a reputation for shoddy workmanship and are notorious for lack of accuracy. These inexpensive rifles are produced in Asian factories where volume is the key, not quality. They are the Norincos of the airgun world. (It should be noted that a lot of consumer goods are cheaper in the U.S. e.g. rifle scopes, cameras, books...)

Of course, it is well to remember that a sub-500 fps rifle will be more accurate than the same model with an MV over 1000 fps. Too many shooters who are inexperienced with air rifles mistakenly believe that higher velocity means greater accuracy. A powerful spring driving a piston very hard makes for a more difficult air rifle to handle; additionally, pellets suffer tremendously from transonic turbulence, which happens when a pellet enters/leaves subsonic to or from the speed of sound. When MV is above 950 fps accuracy becomes increasingly challenging. Pellets slow down in flight much more quickly than bullets, so it is better that they never approach the speed of sound to begin with.
 
Dfbshaw said:
Might be an idea to import one and contact the media to highlight the silliness of the UN marking scheme.
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Personally, contacting the media about the futility of the UN marking is a good thing.
But before I'd try to import one without marking and making it public. I'd read up the UN regulations in full before... It would be a shame to get yourself in trouble.
 
Headline: "Gun smuggling father of two hauled before international UN tribunal for buying his son's birthday present at Walmart"
 
Not to hi-jack this, BUT, I have bought a few pellet guns south of the border, all over 490 fps. It was by far the easiest border crossing ever. In the US, they are not considered firearms; to be sold at anywhere as long as the buyer is 18 plus. When you hit the border, as long as you hold a valid PAL/FAC etc, you are good to go. The CBSA agent will look at the receipt, inspect your PAL, make you 13% tax, if you are not exempt for a 48 hr stay. And done.
 
grauhanen said:
No. The engraving must meet certain standards, such as depth. Furthermore, the engraving is supposed to be done before it is sold to the consumer.
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What if the importer IS the consumer? (As in this case)

You could probably get your local trophy shop to engrave it to the UN standards easily enough.

Or, you know, it's non restricted. And ain't nobody but you knows it entered the country after June 1st...
 
Dfbshaw said:
Might be an idea to import one and contact the media to highlight the silliness of the UN marking scheme.
Click to expand...

The UN markings is not silly as far as the gov't is concerned. It's doing it's job already. Make things as difficult and inconvenient as possible to be a gun owner.
Take the joy and fun out of shooting and soon people will lose interest in the shooting sports. Picking away at us with BS like the markings, and they will win.
 
The Firearms Marking Regs say the marking (eg CA17) "shall (a) be legible; (b) have a depth of at least 0.076 mm and a height of at least 1.58 mm; and
(c) ... be visible without the need to disassemble the firearm." This has to be done within 60 days of importation or before selling to someone else. It isn't clear how Customs will check up to confirm that it was done in 60. This could be done with a letter/number punch set (costs about ($25) or by engraving. Wouldn't machine shops or (as someone else suggested) trophy stores, or a jewellry store, be able to do it? This is a bother but not insurmountable. Pity to mar the bluing but could be cold blued.
 
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