CANADIAN September/October 2016 JOURNAL

MARCH/APRIL 2019

Fully Committed On All Fronts CANADA’S NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION

PM 40009473 Return undeliverable to: Canadian Firearms Journal, P.O. Box 49090, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6H4 • IMPORTS • ONLINE RETAIL • DISTRIBUTION

TACTICALIMPORTS.CA TYPE 81 [email protected] 800.994.6223

ULTIMATE RED The Type 81 is a non-restricted gas operated, fed, semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x39. Developed by the Chinese military as a replacement for their Type 56 (license produced AK-47). Was designed to have a longer service life, higher accuracy, improved durability and better controllability in full auto firing. It entered into service in 1981 and is still in limited use today. Features a short-stroke gas piston operating system, two position gas regulator, bolt hold open device and thumb operated fire selector. Barrel and gas system is fully chrome lined. Comes with two 5/30 magazines and choice of fixed or folding . All parts and components are 2017 new production, not surplus. Priced at just $999. In-stock now and ready to ship. Not many 2 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 left over, expected to sell out shortly. CANADIAN March/April 2019 FIREARMS JOURNAL

COLUMNS 54 32 NFA BOOK SHELF SHOT SHOW 2019: 4 Survival Wisdom ON THE COVER & Know-How: Everything BY WALLY FONG You Need To Know To Subsist 5 In The Wilderness 38 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK BILL RANTZ SHOT SHOW 2019: Industry News OPTICS, AMMUNITION & AL VOTH FEATURES ACCESSORIES BY AL VOTH 6 14 44 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BUYER BEWARE Breeding Disrespect SHOT SHOW 2019: SHELDON CLARE Tips for shopping carefully BY DUANE RADFORD MODERN SPORTING GUNS BY DEAN ROXBY 8 VICE-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 18 49 Quebec's Deadline HAPPY BIRTHDAY CENTREFIRE GETTING ELECTED BLAIR HAGEN The centrefi re REPRESENTATIVES ONSIDE is 150 years old BY CHRIS MCGARRY 10 BY JEFF HELSDON PRESERVING OUR FIREARMS HERITAGE 22 CANADIAN September/October 2016 The Guns & Leather SEE THE TARGET, HIT THE TARGET Of Cowboy Shooting FIREARMS JOURNAL Canada’s nine-time women’s MARCH/APRIL 2019 GARY K. KANGAS trap shooting champion 12 BY TIMOTHY FOWLER POLITICS & GUNS Evidence-Based Lies 25 BRUCE GOLD REVIEW: VORTEX SPARC AR BY WALLY FONG 50 LEGAL CORNER 26 Police & Other Public Offi cers Work SHOT SHOW 2019: Fully Committed On All Fronts CANADA’S NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION

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MISSION STATEMENT Canada’s National Firearms Association exists to promote, support and protect all safe fi rearms activities, including the right of self defense, fi rearms education for all Canadians, freedom and justice for Canada’s fi rearms community and to advocate for legislative change to ensure the right of all Canadians to own and use fi rearms is protected. The contents of the Canadian Firearms Journal are copyrighted and may be reproduced only when written permission is obtained from the publisher.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 3 On The Cover

he day before the beginning T of the annual SHOT Show is offi cially known as Industry Day at the Range. Here, vendors can show off their products by allowing media and buyers to pull triggers and launch . This image by Lowell Strauss is from the CADEX Defence booth, where shooters were given the opportunity to engage targets beyond 1,000 yards. To help shooters succeed at those distances takes not only great guns and ammunition, but also exceptional coaching and spotting skills. So, CADEX uses instructors from Rob Furlong’s Marksmanship Academy. This is one of their instructors working as a spotter while someone takes a CADEX rifl e for a test drive. It was another example of the pool of Canadian talent we have in this country that is showing the world how to get it done at long distances.

Canadian Firearms Journal

The Of cial Magazine of

Editor Al Voth [email protected] General Manager [email protected] Ginger Fournier 780-439-1394 Accounts/Membership [email protected] General Information [email protected] Legal Inquiries [email protected]

National Executive National President 1-877-818-0393 Sheldon Clare [email protected] EVP, Communications 1-877-818-0393 Blair Hagen [email protected] Treasurer 1-877-818-0393 PM 40009473 Bill Rantz [email protected] Return undeliverable to: Secretary 1-877-818-0393 Canadian Firearms Journal, P.O. Box 49090, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6H4 Jerrold Lundgard [email protected] PRINTED IN CANADA

4 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 From The Editor’s Desk Al Voth

Industry News

s I write this, I’ve just returned are all in this issue of the magazine. either, so any gun owner will recognize A from the SHOT Show in Las See each of their feature articles for a it as complete fantasy. However, I’m sure Vegas, and my brain is trying to process distinctly Canadian version of what was it added to the misinformation people everything I saw and heard there. Of new at the show. believe about suppressor effectiveness. course, it’s impossible to see every- As usual, there were lots of products Thanks Hollywood. thing on display, as the show is just too which have little relevance to Canada, But there were still lots of new prod- large. However, that apparently hasn’t particularly short-barreled handguns ucts on display at SHOT which we will slowed down the organizers, as they are and suppressors. Personally, I find the get to see in Canada. And although the planning to expand the show into some prevalence of suppressors and the fact time lag for some products to reach us is newly available space across the street they are prohibited in Canada par- painfully slow, we’ll get them eventually. next year. Which will just make it crazy ticularly depressing. Many countries A perfect example is a rifle I saw intro- times two. encourage sport shooters to use sup- duced at last year’s SHOT Show, which I can’t help but compare SHOT Show pressors, as it reduces noise pollution took 11 months to appear on dealer’s attendance to my hunting trips, where and saves a shooter’s hearing. However, shelves in Canada. I get up well before dawn, punish my our legislators have so far refused to ac- Also encouraging is the number of Ca- body by walking too far, don’t drink cept the reality of suppressors. This was nadian companies with booths at SHOT, enough fluids, then get home far too late, emphasized to me recently while watch- and the amount of Canadian technology all while getting sore muscles and bone ing a movie in which two assassins shot being utilized by companies of other na- tired. But when someone asks how my it out in a crowded shopping mall. Using tions. There are lots of great stories to be hunting day was, the reply is always the full-power handguns equipped with told in this regard. Combined with the same, “It was awesome!” suppressors, they would sneak shots at political happenings promised for 2019, Fortunately, I didn’t need to see every- each other, and shoppers standing be- it’s going to be an eventful year. We’ll do thing myself. Three other CFJ writers side them didn’t even notice. Of course, our best to keep you informed by bring- helped me cope with the information the shoppers didn’t notice the “impact” ing all these stories to your mailbox. overload of SHOT and their reports of bullets into pillars or store fronts After all, the CFJ is your magazine. STEVE REED STEVE

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 5 President’s Message Sheldon Clare

Breeding Disrespect

s I write this, many of us are wait- will always be segments of society who sporting activity. They may want to con- A ing on the deadline to comply would do harm to others for their own sider that people who own firearms are with the Quebec provincial registry. The perceived gain. It is foolish to make statistically of higher income, maintain NFA is taking the matter to court for a sweeping legislation which affects large more loyalty to their communities and date scheduled in late February. This segments of the people who intend no have more propensity towards law and situation has created a dilemma for ill behavior. The effect is that many are order than most other groups. many Quebec residents as to whether forced into becoming scoff-laws. The greatest ill one can do is to take or not to participate in what is clearly advantage of and abuse someone who intended to be part of the government’s is loyal. With more gun control, firearms civil disarmament agenda. The NFA is owners are being unnecessarily abused. not going to tell anyone to break the C-71, which is currently before the Sen- law. However, it is clear that when laws ate, and fanciful Liberal notions of gun do not serve any legitimate purpose, bans, central storage and increased bu- they will be disobeyed, and by all ac- reaucracy for firearms owners are clear counts many in Quebec are resisting examples of abuse. Canadian firearms this bad law. "The greatest ill one can do owners had enough with Bill C-17 from The widespread disregard for this the Mulroney-Campbell era. They were provincial law (based on federal is to take advantage of and abused badly by the Chretien-Rock gun records) is clearly something that gov- control of C-68, saw a brief and very ernment should heed carefully. Once abuse someone who is loyal. limited reprieve in the ending of the so- a slice is taken from a loaf of bread, it With more gun control, firearms called long gun registry under Harper, becomes much easier to take another and now face a new wave of unneces- slice. Or in the case of laws, if a law has owners are being unnecessarily sary gun control from the triumvirate of earned the disrespect of those it affects, abused. C-71, which is Trudeau, Goodale and Blair. then it is likely that such disrespect None of that was necessary and none will carry forward to other laws. And currently before the Senate, of it is OK. Firearms owners will not that circumstance is the path to a tolerate more gun control, and demand general disrespect for law, order and and fanciful Liberal notions considerably less. Any government or government. That certainly isn’t where of gun bans, central storage party which ignores that fact does so Canadians, whether from Quebec or at the peril of its electability. Voting in anywhere else, want to go, and it cer- and increased bureaucracy the next federal election will need to tainly shouldn’t be a situation forced by for firearms owners are clear be strategic, as it is clear the current government. government must go. And with the The problem in Quebec is that no examples of abuse." margins of victory being so narrow, it government is particularly friendly to is critical for voters to make the choice firearms owners – that situation means to vote for their rights, their sports and many firearms owners find them- their futures. It is also critical to hold selves frustrated and disrespected by any government or elected politician politicians. They are thus forced into responsible for his/her choices. non-compliance and general disrespect Join the party most likely to defeat of their government. This is no differ- this government – make sure that they ent from people anywhere when their know why you are there. Get their com- culture and lifestyles are disregarded. Lately there is much interest from the mitments of support, and work hard to Events in Europe have demonstrated government in statistics. Politicians may get them elected, and their opponents this fact on several occasions. Govern- want to consider the fact that target and vote splitters defeated. And get ment ignores large swathes of the pop- sports and hunting, whether with bow others to join the NFA, get your club to ulation at its peril – even in the face of or , are safer and have fewer in- affiliate with us. Our efforts are only as diametrically opposed positions. There juries or deaths than nearly every other successful as your support allows.

6 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Message du Président Sheldon Clare

Provoquer le manque de respect endant que j’écris ces lignes, Il existera toujours certain membres Le plus grand mal que l’on puisse P plusieurs d’entre nous attendons de notre société qui voudrons faire du faire c’est d’abuser de la loyauté d’un l’échéance imposée par Québec pour se mal aux autres pour l’avancement de autre. Un contrôle des armes plus conformer au registre provincial. Plu- leur cause. Ce n’est pas intelligent de sévère abuse inutilement les pro- sieurs résidents du Québec vivent un créé des lois qui affectent une grande priétaires d’armes à feu. C-71 qui est dilemme, à savoir s’il vont s’y conform- portion de la population qui ne possède présentement au Sénat et les réflexions er ou non, sachant que ce registre fait aucune mauvaise intention. Ils se sen- des Libéraux à propos de nouvelles parti de l’agenda de désarmement civil tiront forcés de ne pas respecter ces lois. interdictions d’armes à feu, les en- du Gouvernement du Québec. L’ACAF Récemment le gouvernement semble treposages centralisés et l’augmentation ne dira pas aux gens de désobéir la s’intéresser aux données statistiques. de la bureaucratie sont des exemples loi. Il est clair par contre, que toute loi Les politiciens devraient se pencher flagrants d’abus. Les propriétaires qui n’a pas de fin légitime ne sera pas sur le fait que les sports de tir, qu’ils d’armes à feu en ont eu assez avec le respectée. Selon toutes les indications Projet de Loi C-17 de Mulroney-Camp- à date, plusieurs personnes au Québec bell. Ils ont aussi gravement subis le refusent de se soumettre à cette mau- contrôle des armes C-68 de Chrétien- vaise loi. "Le plus grand mal que l’on Rock. Ils ont bénéficié d’un répit bref et La résistance généralisée face à cette très limité lorsque le registre des armes loi provinciale (selon des données fé- puisse faire c’est d’abuser d’épaule a été aboli par le gouverne- dérales) devrait servir d’avertissement ment Harper. Maintenant ils font face à au gouvernement. Lorsqu’on prend de la loyauté d’un autre. Un une autre vague inutile de contrôle des la première tranche d’un pain, il est contrôle des armes plus armes par le trio Trudeau, Goodale et beaucoup plus facile d’en prendre une Blair. suivante. Dans le cas des lois, si une sévère abuse inutilement les Tout cela a été inutile et pas correct. première loi engendre le manque de propriétaires d’armes à feu. Les propriétaires d’armes à feu ne respect envers ceux qu’elle affecte, il est toléreront pas de contrôle supplémen- fort probable que cette perte de respect C-71 qui est présentement taire des armes à feu, ils en demandent s’étendra à propos de nouvelles lois plutôt la réduction. Tout gouvernement dans l’avenir. Cette tendance pousse au Sénat et les réflexions des ou tout parti qui ignore ce sentiment, la société vers un manque de respect Libéraux à propos de nouvelles le fait au péril du succès de son élec- généralisé envers les lois, l’ordre et tion. Le vote dans la prochaine élection le gouvernement. Ceci est une situa- interdictions d’armes à feu, Fédérale devra être stratégique car il tion que les Canadiens du Québec ou les entreposages centralisés est clair que le gouvernement actuel d’ailleurs doivent éviter et elle ne doit doit disparaitre. Puisque les marges qui pas prendre sa source du gouverne- et l’augmentation de la mènent à la victoire sont si minces, il ment lui même. bureaucratie sont des exemples est impératif que tous les électeurs fas- Le problème au Québec est qu’aucun sent un choix pour garder leurs droits, gouvernement ne soit favorable envers flagrants d’abus." leurs sports et leur avenir. Il est aussi les propriétaires d’armes à feu - cette impératif que tout gouvernement ou situation engendre de la frustration et politicien élu soient tenu responsable la réalisation que les politiciens ne les de leurs choix. respectent pas. Ils se sentent forcés de soient à l’arc ou avec des armes à feu, Devenez membre du parti qui pourra ne pas respecter la loi et développent sont les plus sécuritaires et dénombrent défaire ce gouvernement - assurez vous un sentiment de mépris envers leur le moins de blessures ou de décès que qu’ils sachent pourquoi vous êtes deve- gouvernement. Le même phénomène se presque toutes autres activités sport- nus membres. Assurez vous qu’ils vous produit en tout lieu quand les habi- ives. Ils devraient aussi porter atten- appuient et travaillez fort pour les faire tudes de vie et la culture des gens est tion aux données qui démontrent que élire. Soyez surs que les adversaires et ignoré par un gouvernement. Nous en les propriétaires d’armes à feu ont des ceux qui divisent le vote soient vaincus. avons été témoin en Europe plusieurs revenus plus haut que la moyenne, ils Encouragez d’autres à devenir membre fois déjà. Les gouvernements qui igno- maintiennent plus de loyauté envers de l’ACAF - encouragez votre Club de rent un grand nombre de leurs citoyens leur communauté et sont plus enclins à s’affilier avec nous. Nos efforts seront le font a leur péril - même lorsqu’ils respecter la loi et l’ordre que tout autre couronnés de succès dans la mesure ou font face à une opposition vigoureuse. groupe de citoyens. vous nous appuierez. March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 7 Vice-President’s Message Blair Hagen

Quebec’s Deadline

write this two days away from time ago during the Bill C-68 debacle. is largely what this program was sold I the deadline for rifle and shot- That registry spawned civil disobedi- on; that it would not become a burden gun registration in Quebec. With great ence, massive non-compliance and a to taxpayers because the data already fanfare, the Quebec provincial govern- divisive political debate that is still not existed. The fact that it is seven years ment has made amendments to its over and will perhaps never be. It woke stale and that many thousands of guns law in order to remove "irritants" to Canadians up to a very real threat to have changed hands over the ensuing firearms owners. They really believe their rights and property, and now it years without the permission of gov- that this is a systems problem, which will all be played out again in Quebec. ernment bureaucrats means nothing merely inconveniences people who Canada's National Firearms Asso- to those who don't have even a passing might otherwise be coerced to comply. ciation has spent many thousands of understanding of, or familiarity with, They seem to believe it is not a matter dollars fighting the attempt to impose the issue. If it feels good or sounds of principle. And how gracious of them a rifle and registry in Quebec. good, surely it must be the right thing that they would risk public safety itself So far, we haven't been successful, and to do? just to make it "easier" to register a the appeal to the decision in our latest This is a battle of ideologies and phi- gun in Quebec. But at the end of the case will be heard in February. We losophies. Public safety and violence day, this is not really a subject for any do this not just for the benefit of our don’t even enter into the equation. kind of levity. members in Quebec, but in every other This is the four Ps: political posturing The deadline for registration was for progressive politicians in action. It Jan. 29 and 80 per cent of the firearms doesn't have to work; firearms registra- requiring registration in this cockama- "No court decision will tion is a sacred cow to a certain seg- mie sop to the civil disarmament lobby, definitively solve this issue in ment of society that really doesn't care this fool's errand, remain unregis- about the rights and property of their tered. The 20 per cent captured by the Quebec, only the lack of will fellow Canadians. Quebec gun registry mostly represent of a Quebec government to The proponents of civil disarma- firearms in dealer and wholesaler ment will never admit their failures. inventories. continue with a program that Even as universal registration was Some Quebecers have complied ending in Canada in 2012 and it was because they simply have no choice; is a demonstrated failure, clear that the firearms program had too many guns, representing too much is controversial and that is failed, with the aid of their fellow property to risk running afoul of this travellers in the mainstream media law. Jobs, careers and family are at risk. an unacceptable burden to they proclaimed that the infamous Others have moved their guns out of taxpayers." technical glitches of the gun regis- the province in order to avoid a regis- try had been solved, the costs were try that was conceived solely to facili- finally under control and that it was tate the confiscation of property from province as well. The civil disarmament "just starting to work." Quebecers. Others will register one or ideologs, who have so much intellectu- No court decision will definitively two guns to use and hide the rest as ally invested in this concept, want the solve this issue in Quebec, only the an act of defiance to a government and Quebec gun registry established as a lack of will of a Quebec government civil disarmament program that holds precedent, with similar registries set to continue with a program that is a their rights and property in such bitter up in other provinces and mandatory demonstrated failure, is controversial contempt. Some will register nothing universal registration nationally at and that is an unacceptable burden to and go underground. some later date. taxpayers. Sound familiar? It should. Will Quebec extend that registry The Liberal government is in the That is what happened in 2012 with the deadline? Who knows? And frankly, process of passing federal legislation federal Conservative government’s Bill who cares. The Quebecers I have in the form of Bill C-71 that will not C-19, and it can happen again if Que- spoken to have largely made their own only threaten the rights and property becers are willing to put in the invest- decisions on whether to comply with of all Canadians, but also transfer pre- ment of time and hard political action. this egregiously offensive initiative 2012 federal long-gun registry data to Ultimately, whether this rifle and or not. It is all too familiar. Canadians Quebec for the purpose of aiding in shotgun registry continues, or ends, is went through this a relatively short the construction of their registry. That in their hands.

8 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 MAY 10-11 2 $50/person – Courtyard Calgary Airport Friday May 10, 2019 7pm – 10pm 0 • Meet and Greet mingle with the Directors and other activists Saturday May 11, 2019 9am – 10pm • AGM 9am -12:00am • Open Panel Discussion with special guests 1:30pm - 5pm 1 • Banquet (Evening dinner) 6pm - 10pm REGISTER NOW! Online : nfa.ca By phone : 1-877-818-0393 By mail : use mail-in registration form (magazine insert) Please register early to help us plan arrangements. If you are not yet a member, it is not too late to join. 9 Donations to support this event are gratefully appreciated. A G

Courtyard Calgary Airport – 2500 48 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T3J 4V8 M Room reservation: 1-877-515-4094 – *Special rate when mentioning the NFA AGM*

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 9 Preserving Our Firearms Heritage Gary K. Kangas The Guns & Leather Of Cowboy Action Shooting

The leather and other accoutrements of cowboy action shooting are often works of art.

owboy action shooting is a fun and BASIC GUNS & GEAR . C exciting firearms sport that ap- The equipment used will vary, depend- Rifle choices include 1873 Winchester- peals to a broad selection of individuals, ing on what level one wants to compete style short rifles or , tuned and young and old, male or female. Many of at. As one competitor put it, “You get to fitted with short stroke kits. But almost its adherents have embraced the sport choose your very own fantasy.” Hardcore any pistol-calibre lever gun is likely to because they feel it’s more relaxed and a competitors often choose finely tuned make an appearance, including Marlins. little less competitive than other action Ruger Vaqueros. Also popular are Ruger Even copies of the Colt pump-action shooting disciplines. and Uberti SASS commemorative guns Lightning rifle show up at matches. Cowboy action shooting’s history with the SASS logo on them. Then there Competitor’s leather is begins in 1981 with three cowboy movie are the more traditional participants designed for speed and accessibility. A aficionados who were top-level practi- who prefer more classic guns, such as conventional strong side holster mated cal pistol shooters, Harper Creigh, Bill Colt or Colt copies by assorted with a cross draw is the most favoured. Hahn and Gordon Davis. Harper Creigh makers. Also seen are Colt or Reming- The next most popular is strong hand is still with us; Bill Hahn and Gordon ton conversions and Smith & Wesson and weak hand holsters with both butts Davis have since passed away. The first top-break revolvers. turned rearward. cowboy action event, called End Of Trail, Shotgun favourites include ham- unfolded in the summer of 1982 in the merless, tuned double guns and 1897 AGE & GEAR CATEGORIES California community of Coto de Caza Winchester pump guns or modern- Cowboy action shooting is not gender at their dedicated shooting range. And made clones. The double-barrel guns biased, because the top gun is always the rest, as they say, is history. They appear in a seemingly infinite variety of the participant who is fastest and most formed the Single Action Shooting configurations, with long barrels, short accurate. However, the competitions are Society (SASS) to run these matches, “coach” barrels and either with ham- age-based so everyone competes within and today it has a membership of over mers or without. Some shooters even their own age group; juniors compete PERSONAL COLLECTIONS 110,000. use extensively tuned 1887 lever-action with other juniors, octogenarians with

10 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 other octogenarians, and more catego- ries in between. The category for 13 years and under is called Buckaroos and Buckarettes. They must use .22 calibre single-action revolvers, .22 calibre lever guns and .410 bore shotguns. Another category, called Frontier Cartridge, is intended for those who desire to use traditional firearms. They must shoot all three firearms with black powder. The rifles used can be any SASS legal main match rifle, shotguns must be side-by-side or Winchester- style lever-actions conforming to the pre-smokeless powder age. Revolvers are percussion ignition or percussion- style conversions or regular main match A rifle, shotgun and two revolvers are the basics of every cowboy single actions. The revolvers can be shooter’s gun collection. shot duelist (one hand), double duelist (one in each hand), gunfighter or two- handed. For those who want to travel further back in time to the primitive early fron- tier, their class is called Frontiersman. The revolvers must be percussion igni- tion of any type that is SASS legal and must be shot duelist or double duelist. Rifles can be any SASS legal rifle, and shotguns must be side-by side double- guns or lever-actions. All firearms must be shot with black powder. Then there are the speciality catego- ries, such as Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl and B-Western, each of which have Cowboy action shooting is often described as very special dress code and equipment being less intense than requirements that must be adhered to. other action shooting These two competitions are much en- disciplines. joyed by those who like the Golden Age of the cowboy. B-Western is all about the or larger. The rifle may have a spring hammers. Buffalo Single-Shot rifles western movies of the 1930s, 1940s and actuated ejector if standard for that must be .375-inch bore size or larger. 1950s, which featured actors such as Roy rifle. Shotguns must be a side-by-side, Buffalo Single-Shot competition has Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry, Wil- with or without exposed hammers, or further restrictions, requiring original liam Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy), Clayton a lever-action shotgun. Black powder or replica rifles to be a design of US Moore (Lone Ranger), Bill Elliot (Red must be used in all loads, rifle, manufacture. Spring-loaded ejectors are Rider), Tex Ritter, Bob Steele and Tim and shotgun. also prohibited, except for Springfield Holt. The costumes for B-Western are The most popular side match is the Trapdoor rifles. colourful and dramatic. Many female Long Range (Precision) Rifle category. Cowboy action shooting is an invit- shooters participate in this category, as This side match differs from a main ing, attractive shooting activity which is they are big fans of the genre. The Clas- match rifle competition in that more family friendly. Many parents, children sic Cowboy and B-Western categories emphasis is put on precision shoot- and grandchildren shoot together. Cow- require research, attention to detail and ing at longer ranges, with time being a boy action shooting is a fast-growing knowing how to appropriately acces- secondary scoring factor. Sub-categories competition, and its blend of history sorize. include Lever-Action Revolver Calibre, and fantasy adds lustre to our firearms Lever-Action Rifle Calibre and Single- heritage. SIDE MATCHES Shot and Buffalo Single-Shot. Am- There are also several side matches munition for all these categories can Sources: that are well attended at Single Action be loaded with either black powder or Single Action Shooting Society Shooting Society events. The Plainsman smokeless. Rulebook event requires two .36 calibre or larger Single-Shot and Buffalo Single-Shot percussion revolvers shot duelist style. firearms must be originals or replicas of Author’s Single Action Shooting Competitors must also use a SASS legal single-shot rifles manufactured during Society Archive single-shot rifle of traditional black the period from approximately 1860 Single Action Shooting Society PERSONAL COLLECTIONS powder configuration, in .38 calibre until 1899. All rifles must have exposed History

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 11 Politics & Guns Bruce Gold Evidence-Based Lies

he Liberal government often the Firearms Centre alerts police to the ison of firearms-related crime to crimes T claims that its policies are “evi- potential presence of a firearm. In reality, where a firearm caused injury, he found dence based.” In a sense this is true, if the only firearms in the system are those that in 2013 there were 5,027 firearms- one ignores what evidence is collected that are lawfully registered. The only related incidents out of 263,054 violent and how it is collected. Without accu- people in the system are legally licensed crimes (two per cent of violent crimes). rate information, both police and policy firearms owners. In short, it is a list of However, a gun only caused injury in makers are flying blind, with no true the law-abiding, the people least likely 1,194 of these crimes. (0.5 per cent of vio- understanding of where problems exist to be of danger to a police officer. People lent crimes). Accordingly, all analysis of or what, if any, effect their efforts are with gun prohibitions, such as convicted firearms-related crime in Canada could having. Worse yet, a false understanding criminals, are not in the system. Illegal, be using a statistic that quadruples the of the situation can lead to vigorously unlicensed guns, most crime guns, are real number of these crimes. What is the advancing in the wrong direction and not in the system. This is the direct result true number? Nobody knows. not even being aware of it. This is not a of how guns are conceptualized. The good strategy for any endeavour, and Liberals assume that gun ownership (a POLICE TWIST THE NUMBERS doing it where public safety is involved centuries-old Canadian tradition) is a Recently, the National Weapons En- tends to leave bodies lying around. problem in and of itself. They assume, forcement Support Team and govern- A good example of how “accurate” despite all evidence, that their immense, ment officials have begun claiming that information can not only be useless for bureaucratic paperwork system of the majority of gun-related crimes in analysis, but also positively harmful licensing and registration will, in some our communities are committed with is how the Commissioner of Firearms marvelous science-fiction manner, give domestically sourced firearms, and reports police use of their database. them godlike control over all firearms. law-abiding firearms owners are the The stated use is that police access the As a result, the police are warned about source of most crime guns. If true, this is firearm’s database through the Police In- the guns and people least likely to harm a startling change in the pattern of crime formation Centre, which allows officers them and dangerously blindsided about in Canada. Previous studies have found to “trace recovered firearms or to antici- the people and guns most likely to that smuggled guns were the most com- pate the potential presence of firearms.” threaten their lives. mon source of crime guns. For example, The 2016 Commissioner of Firearms Report in 2005 the Vancouver Police estimated cheerfully tells us that this is used 16,966 STATISTICS CANADA DISTORTS THE DATA that 94 per cent of seized guns were from times per day. This is amazing! Who Statistics Canada’s choice of definitions the US. knew that police were involved in some distorts gun crime statistics at a funda- How has the source of crime guns sort of firearms incident over six million mental level. Statistics Canada defines changed so radically? Simple. Change times a year? Canada must be positively firearms-related offenses as offenses the definition to suit the politics of the awash in firearms crimes and alarms. where a firearm was present. Present Liberal party and to support their gun The police must be focusing an over- means that it could have been used, or in ban proposals (the change also reflects whelming majority of their resources on the possession of someone, victim or of- the “all guns are illegal” attitude of our this crisis alone. Oh my! Ban all guns! fender, during the crime or found nearby current gun laws). Instead of crime guns Well, actually no. What the Commission- after the crime and not at all involved. being guns used in violent crime, the er of Firearms did not report was that A shooting homicide is firearms-related definition now includes purely adminis- the database hits are automatic, and any if the police later find a completely trative crimes. The new definition (from time a police officer accesses the Police unrelated firearm at the crime scene. the 2014 report of the Firearms Investi- Information Centre for any reason – say, The result is that we have no idea how gation and Enforcement Services, which a licence plate check – they get the gun much actual criminal gun use there is in is the origin of the factoid that the major- information. So how many of these in- Canada. This strange decision seems to ity of crime guns are domestic sourced) quires involve firearms? We don’t know. be based on the bizarre weapons effect states that a crime-gun is one where the The statistic mixes use of the database theory that claims the mere presence of gun is: for its stated purpose with an avalanche an inanimate object (firearm) increases 1. an illegally acquired firearm or; of not-gun-related use. The statistic is a or even causes violence. Statistics 2. suspected of have been used in a barrier to understanding and an obstacle Canada also asserts that a firearm is crime (includes found firearms) or; to efficient police work, not a help. so intimidating that it affects the crime 3. has an obliterated serial number or; Another wrinkle in our example is an even if it’s only nearby. 4. is illegally modified. extremely dangerous substitution of offi- When Professor Mauser, a renowned Examining the report, we find that cial narrative for reality. The official nar- gun researcher, made a special request not all incidents have been reported, rative states that the information from to Statistics Canada asking for a compar- so the analysis is only tentative. Miss-

12 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 ing data can be more than just some cessfully traced crime guns, 114 were will divert and waste already scarce law missed reports, it can also indicate that domestic and 109 smuggled. This subset enforcement resources. Not clever, espe- some information is being systemati- of the data, such as it is, gives the Liber- cially when the RCMP, who are respon- cally excluded, distorting the analysis. als the politically desired factoid. Back sible for the firearms file, are chronically Using this expanded definition of crime in the real world, we can note that only understaffed and seriously overextend- gun also muddies the water by mixing (97+114) 211 out of 1,140 guns, or 19 per ed with their current workload. administrative crimes with crimes of cent, are actually identified as domestic violence. Examining the numbers, we sourced. We can also note that only nine find that in the western region: per cent of the crime guns were in the • Total crime-guns seized: 1,140 restricted and prohibited firearms da- REFERENCES • Positively identified as domestic tabases. (97/912,418 = one hundredth of Firearms and Violent Crime sourced using government databases: one per cent of registered guns.) If law- in Canada, 2016. Adam Cotter, 97 (nine per cent) abiding gun owners were a significant Juristat Bulletin—Quick Fact, June • Traced firearms: 783 (783/1140 = 69 per source of criminal handguns (the politi- 28, 2018. cent) cal claim), this number would be much 2016 Commissioner of Firearms • Successfully traced firearms: 223 (only higher, especially when we remember Report. Royal Canadian Mounted 28 per cent of traces) that this percentage includes paperwork Police, Catalogue No: PS96E-PDF • Positively identified firearms (97+223): crimes. ISSN: 1927-6923, 2017. 320 firearms (28 per cent of total) • Guns traced and identified as CONCLUSION Paper: The number of violent smuggled: 109 On examination, the statistics do not crimes involving guns has been • Guns traced and identified as support the claim that the majority of exaggerated by an over-inclusive domestic: 114 crime guns are domestically sourced. definition of gun crime. Gary And there you have it, a new, more The low number of registered guns is Mauser. extensive definition to include paper- proof that the law-abiding are at most 2014 Annual Report Western work “crime guns,” a partial survey a very minor source of “crime guns.” Region. Canadian Firearms excluding Ontario and Quebec based There is not the faintest possibility that Program, Firearms Investigative on incomplete reporting. Only 28 per gun bans or further restrictions on the and Enforcement Services cent of crime guns were ever positively law-abiding will ever reduce gun crime. Directorate, Firearms Operations identified. But in the subset of suc- There is an absolute certainty that they and Enforcement Unit. Nathaniel Milljour Nathaniel

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 13 BUYER

BEWARETips for shopping carefully BY DUANE RADFORD

14 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 When purchasing a new gun, be sure to factor in the cost of any accessories you’ll need.

’ve always had a hankering for an close the shotgun. After an industry ing one, considering the type of hunting I over/under shotgun. There’s just representative sprayed the hinge with a I do. For example, over/under models something about their sexy look that lubricant and a few minutes wait time, don’t always mix well when shooting appeals to me. But I’d never shot one I was finally able to open and close the waterfowl from layout blinds. In an before, so when the opportunity arose action again. I’m presuming the heat of interview, Black Dog Outfitter’s Blaine to try some different models during a repeated firing caused the metal to ex- Burns said, “Your shotgun barrel always media event at a trap range, I jumped pand and, as a result, the hinge seized. needs to be above the bar in a layout at the chance. However, the experience Well, even if a shooter only intended blind. The doors of the blind always wasn’t entirely positive, and reinforced to use this model at a trap or skeet close over the gun. The barrel should be the need to adhere to due diligence range, this flaw should raise some red pointed up at all times.” This is one of when purchasing firearms. flags. While this might not happen the reasons Burns doesn’t like short- every day, it certainly was a concern barrelled over/under and side-by-side PERSONAL LESSONS because it took a lot of lubricant and shotguns, because some hunters keep Yes, I’d grown up with and used some muscle to get the action to work these types of guns under the bar in a single-shot, pump-action, side-by-side properly again. Don’t think the is- layout blind. He knows of one instance double-barreled shotguns and a semi- sue ends there, however. It’s common where a hunter shot his toe off under automatic, for many years, but I’d never during waterfowl field shoots to run these circumstances. If you have a love shot an over/under before the media through a box of shotgun shells very affair with a certain make and model of event. Superficially, the various over/ quickly. Consequently, you could end firearm, until you actually test it under under models seemed to have a lot in up with a jammed action after paying simulated field conditions you may not common. However, when I put them to thousands of dollars on a guided hunt appreciate potential limitations. the test, I found there were many dif- – on top of owning a firearm with flaws. The shotgun industry representa- ferences regarding their balance, how The retail industry standard for returns tive at the media shoot didn’t have an the safety worked, sights, weight, ease is 30 days after point of sale. If this answer as to why the action jammed. of handling and action. Without naming return date expires, you’ll have to take The obvious lesson I learned is that you names, it wasn’t until I’d fired a couple your complaint to the manufacturer, have to look beyond the visual appeal of of boxes of trap loads that I discovered who might tell you the warranty doesn’t a shotgun before you buy it. Check your a serious shortfall with one of the mod- cover such seizures. sources to see whether any mechanical els. After opening the breech, I couldn’t When I compared the over/under problems have been experienced by budge the action because the hinge models with other actions I had more other shooters. Appearance isn’t every- HOWARD COMMUNICATIONS HOWARD locked. It wouldn’t move. I couldn’t experience with, I began to doubt buy- thing in a firearm. Shop wisely and

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 15 Shooting ranges are great places to check out new guns, and most fellow shooters will help you determine if their gun is right for you, often letting you try a few shots.

carefully for all firearms, to make sure For the most they meet your needs. success in the field, it’s critical It’s not just shotguns. I also had a to have the right similar experience with a bolt-action tools. Careful rifle chambered for 204 Ruger. I pur- purchasing chased mine when it was one of the achieves that goal. few models in this calibre on the retail market. It was a fine gun, but I always had reservations that it didn’t have a detachable clip, a feature high on my priority list for rifles. So, the time came when I traded it in (at a financial loss) to a local dealer for another 204 Ruger, a Tikka T3 Lite, which did have a detach- able magazine. The Tikka also had a better fit and shouldered more easily than the previous rifle.

ADVERTISING HAS PURPOSE Retailers want you to buy firearms. So, advertisements may feature “door crashers,” but only “while quantities last” to get shoppers in the door. It must work, as parking lots are full. Cata- logues will have firearm buffs drooling over the various eye-popping, dream BOTTOM: FEDERAL AMMUNITION BOTTOM: firearms which look good enough to eat.

16 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 snow might be an issue. Weight can also be a key factor if you’re carrying a rifle in the Rocky Mountains or on the vast short grass prairies in western Canada, making a light rifle a better choice. Don’t buy a firearm if you feel uncomfortable with it. A gut feeling is probably at work, telling you not to make the purchase. A few years ago, I was in the market for a new 12-gauge shotgun and purchased a semi-auto Browning A5 Stalker. I waited until the end of summer when all the major local sporting goods stores had sales on. However, it wasn’t until I handled three different brands of guns that I decided the A5 Stalker was right for me. I was also curious about the Browning Silver and the Browning BPS (one of which I already owned, but a 20 gauge). It wasn’t until I laid out each model side by side and shouldered them a few times that I felt comfortable with the A5 Stalker. It proved itself to me as a keeper on my first hunt. The message is, don’t run around town on a wild goose chase looking at different models – decide which ones you like best first, then go on your shopping trip. It’s not just shotguns that you have to feel comfortable with, because your love affair with a rifle will only last as long as it shoots well. My first store-bought rifle was a 308 Win. Globe, which had some good attributes but didn’t shoot that well. Another downside to the Globe was that it kicked like a mule, much like Some retailers will print fliers with fire- Shotguns carry the same kind of fi- the old Parker Hale 7mm Rem. Mag. arm discounts amounting to $200, and nancial accessory baggage. Hunting de- that practically took your shoulder off. steep discounts on rifle ammunition. coys and game calls for both big game The downside of such rifles is they Also, it’s common practice for retail- and waterfowl are plugged. Must-have can cause a person to flinch, never a ers to feature a rifle or shotgun on the hunting apparel is advertised. Retailers good thing. I traded the Globe in on a first page of their sale flyers with “total use sale prices as a hook to get custom- second-hand 270 Win. Husqvarna rifle savings” listed in bold print. But that ers engaged in even more purchases. To that I used for many years until I started might include a manufacturer’s rebate, use a retail cliché, the sound at the cash to miss some shots. I sold it and bought which you have to mail in and wait six register will ring out, “Cha-ching, cha- a Tikka T3, also in 270 Win., which has weeks for. ching” as the end result! served me well. It might be a good idea to ask yourself I could go on, but you’re probably get- why the item is on sale. Perhaps it’s not RESEARCH IS KEY ting the message. When you’re purchas- selling because it’s not a good buy and Always research the kind of firearm ing a firearm, make sure you follow due the retailer is trying to move it out. Sec- you’re thinking about purchasing to diligence before you swipe your charge ondly, if you purchase a rifle, they may ensure it best fits your needs. Back card. Research the firearm and check be counting on selling you accessories. in the day, when I first started hunt- out your options online and at a gun After all, you might need a locking gun ing, guns with synthetic stocks and store. Don’t run around town win- cabinet, ammunition, a sling, a rifle stainless-steel barrels were not on the dow shopping if you don’t know what scope, a carrying case, gun cleaning market. For today’s hunters, they’re you’re looking for. Purchase a firearm equipment (often specialized) and ideal considering the range of weather that you’re comfortable with and only perhaps take the plunge into handload- you might run into during an autumn after you’ve handled it personally. Ask ing, which has steep start-up costs. Not or winter hunt, especially for waterfowl around. What are other firearms owners all retailers mount rifle scopes and bore hunters who are often out in the rain. and hunters saying about the brand sight them free of charge, unless you You don’t want to scratch a fine-grained and model you might be interested in? purchase both a rifle and scope, so buy- wooden gun stock if you’re going to be Don’t rush your purchase. Do it right. ers should be aware of hidden costs if hunting in rugged country, or damage Wait until your intuition indicates it’s they buy these items at different stores. a barrel with rust where rain and wet the right one for you.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 17 HAPPY BIRTHDAY CENTREFIRE

The centrefire cartridge is 150 years old BY JEFF HELSDON

18 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 The different centrefire rim types are, left to right: belted (375 H&H Magnum), rebated (243 Winchester Super Short Magnum), semi-rimmed (38 Super), rimmed (30-30 Winchester) and rimless (30-06 Springfield).

n 1869, Colonel Edward Boxer of powder was added to a priming pan for ert’s 1845 invention of rimfire cartridge I England’s Royal Arsenal patented ignition by either a flintlock, matchlock cases was a major development in car- his design for the modern primer. or wheel lock. Although this was the tridge history. Along the way, another Therefore, it can be legitimately argued system favoured on the battlefield, most French gunsmith, Casimir Lefaucheux, that this year (2019) is the 150th an- hunters used a pouch with balls and a is given credit for an all-metal pin- niversary of the modern centrefire powder horn. fire cartridge in 1836. Other sources cartridge in North America. Things changed in 1808 when Jean credit another French inventor, Clem- The trail to the innovation of what is Samuel Pauly, a Swiss gunsmith, work- ent Pottet, with the first fully-integrated now considered a modern centrefire ing with French gunsmith Francois cartridge in 1829. cartridge is a blurry one that weaves Prelat, invented the first self-contained In 1846, Benjamin Houllier patented itself through the 1800s. It’s difficult cartridge. This was an early step to inte- what was considered the first centrefire, to pick one point in the evolution and grating percussion cap, propellant and metallic cartridge. His patents covered point to that person as the inventor of all in one unit. It was crude, using both centrefire and rimfire versions and the centrefire cartridge, as a series of a needle as a firing pin, but it was a ma- differed from Lefaucheux and the Pauly advances was involved. To look at the jor step forward. The needle pierced the cartridge in that it was all metal. entire picture, it’s necessary to take a paper “cartridge,” passed through the The Maynard Rifle Company is con- step back in history. powder and struck priming compound sidered to have made the first commer- embedded at the base of the bullet to cially-successful metallic cartridge case CARTRIDGE HISTORY create ignition. This concept was sub- in 1855 for its single-shot breechloading In order to have a primer, a cartridge sequently refined further by German lever-action. These cartridges lacked a was first needed. The earliest cartridges, gunsmith Johann Dreyse and French primer and were manufactured with a which can be traced back to the 14th inventor Antoine . These small hole in the base to allow the spark century, were paper. These were almost early attempts gained some traction, from either a percussion cap affixed to universally a thick sheet of paper with including some military use. However, the hammer or from its patented primer a lead ball at one end, followed by the muzzleloader still ruled the day as tape system to reach the powder. These powder, and then the paper twisted the gun of choice for more than another guns were used by the British in the shut at the other end. The shooter bit half century. and in the American Civil off the twisted end of the paper, poured A series of small innovations contin- War the powder in, then rammed the paper, ued to take place over the next four which served as a wad, and ball. In a decades. Although it wasn’t a centrefire, MODERN PRIMERS second operation, a small amount of French gunsmith Louis-Nicolas Flob- As most shooters know, there are

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 19 Berdan primed cartridge cases A Primer On Primers (left) have the anvil in the Shooters often debate the merits cartridge case. Boxer primed of a particular bullet or powder for cases (right) have it built into its accuracy or velocity, but they the primer. forget that without the primer to ignite the powder and the cartridge case to contain it, we would still be shooting muzzleloaders. Modern primers are produced in four diametres. At 0.175 inches, there are both small pistol and small rifle primers. The difference between the two is the rifle version is made from a stronger, thicker metal cup to resist higher pressures. Shotgun primers, which are designated as 209, are 0.209 inches in diametre. Large rifle and pistol are 0.210 inches across. The largest commercially-available primer is the 50 BMG primers at 0.315 inches. Gun powder is often viewed as the dangerous, explosive component of a cartridge, but primers are actually more explosive. Luckily for reloaders, and shooters in general, by the time we get our hands on primers, all the explosive material is contained. The priming material is considered dangerous enough that during manufacturing, a protective screen separates the chemicals from the operator. The earliest primers used compounds such as mercury fulminate and potassium chlorate, but these caused varying degrees of problems with reliability and Centrefire cartridges are bore corrosion. All these issues based on one of three different case designs. Left were resolved when a compound to right, they are straight- using lead styphnate, barium walled (480 Ruger), tapered nitrate and antimony sulfide (458 Lott) and bottleneck was developed. The percentages (270 Winchester). of chemicals vary slightly from one manufacturer to another, but recipes are similar. It has been the gold standard in primer composition for decades and has a proven track record. However, it also contains heavy metals, particularly lead, and inhalation of the airborne residue can be hazardous. Considerable research is now being done on developing heavy- metal-free primers and significant progress is being made. Of note is Federal Ammunition’s recent release of a new priming compound recipe they call Catalyst primers. These are free of heavy metals and claim to be better than the traditional priming formula.

20 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Centrefire Cartridge Case Design Today there are five basic types of cartridge cases used for centrefire ammunition: rimmed, rimless, belted, rebated rim and semi- rimmed.

RIMMED: These are some of the earliest centrefire cartridges and are identified by having a rim significantly larger than the case body. The 30-30 Winchester, which is one of the earliest smokeless powder cartridges, is one example.

RIMLESS: These encompass many modern cartridges, such as the 308 Winchester family and many semi-automatic pistol cartridges. Primers come in five These cartridges have a rim the common configurations. same diametre as the case body. Left to right are: small These cartridges stack more rifle, large rifle, small pistol, large pistol and compactly and provide better 209 shotgun. A sixth feeding reliability. size, not shown, is the large primer used for the BELTED: This design was launched 50 BMG cartridge. by Holland and Holland for its 375 H&H in the early 1900s. It adds a reinforcing ring, or belt, two types of modern primers, Berdan ammunition. Cartridges primed with presumably to better withstand and Boxer. Both versions involve the this system are easily reloadable. With magnum pressures within the firing pin striking a cup containing an primers in hand, 19th century inven- cartridge case. Modern examples explosive primer, housed between the tors forged ahead with the movement include the 300 Winchester interior of the cup and a small anvil. In towards the ammunition we know Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum. Berdan primers, the anvil is part of the today. Things moved forward quickly, cartridge case, while in Boxer primers with much advancement in three REBATED RIM: These cartridges it is an integral part of the primer. A decades. have a rim with a diametre cartridge case which uses the Berdan Winchester claims its 44-40 WCF was smaller than the body of the system will typically have two flash the first successful centrefire cartridge. case. This allows a firearm to use holes which allow the primer’s flame Designed for their 1873 lever-action a larger-diametre cartridge case to reach the powder charge. A Boxer rifle, it has been in continuous produc- but maintain a breech face of a primed cartridge will only have a tion ever since. However, the 45-70 standard size. The 284 Winchester single, central flash hole. Government cartridge was adopted by is a common example, as are some New Yorker Hiram Berdan patented the US military in 1873, and therefore of the modern short magnum his primer on March 20, 1866. Today, developed well before that. So, it has designs. Berdan primers are still in use in many some legitimate claims too. In any case, European cartridges. Reloading these smokeless powder was the next major SEMI-RIMMED: The rim on this cartridge cases is difficult enough that development. design is slightly larger than the it’s not practical with this priming From its beginning to the invention of case body. This type of cartridge system. Six months later, Edward Boxer smokeless powder, centrefire cartridge seems to cause more problems patented his primer in England on Oct. development has involved controversy than it solves and has lost favour 13, 1866. The US patent followed on and varying claims of who was respon- amongst ammunition developers. June 29, 1869. The Boxer primer subse- sible for each of the firsts. Interestingly, Examples are the 220 Swift and 38 quently became the standard for North once the design basics were down, not Super Auto. American rifle, handgun and shotgun a lot has changed.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 21 SEE THE TARGET, HIT THE TARGET Canada’s nine-time women’s trap shooting champion BY TIMOTHY FOWLER

ix serious-looking Mexican Fede- TOP CANADIAN TRAP SHOOTER of shotguns is a partridge hunt when rales carrying cocked and locked Meet Amanda Chudoba-Obridgewitch, she was two. She smiles when she talks Sautomatic weapons want to know why Pan Am gold medal trap shooter about Grandma and her waiting on a young Canadian woman has a firearm and nine-time consecutive Canadian the quad while Grampa bails off with in her possession. They don’t speak women’s trap shooting champion. She’s his .410 after a grouse. They can hear a lick of English. Imagine navigating trying to convince the interpreter, to in Grampa negotiating the thick stuff. He Guadalajara airport from arrivals to an turn convince the Federales, that she lets six shots go. They can’t believe he out-of-sight back room surrounded and needs her custom Perazzi (which cost missed that many times. But then he escorted by these armed men. Imag- nearly as much as an Italian sports car) emerges with five grouse. Maybe this is ine yourself in a stuffy interview room released so she can go to her hotel and partly where her natural ability with a behind arrivals, in a country where prepare for the shooting match that will shotgun comes from. you’re a guest. You don’t speak the lan- unfold over the next few days. Amanda also remembers heading guage. The firearm is a Perazzi. And the You could say Amanda came into out at the crack of dawn with her woman in not on vacation. shooting honestly. Her first memory father to hunt moose. She remembers

22 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Amanda has collected a lifetime of being quiet while they “wait for the trophies. moose to wake up.” She was little, and had a hard time staying awake while her Dad skinned and quartered the moose. The Chudobas shoot together as a family. At nine she was at the range, at 11 she broke her first clay, and at 12 participated in her first registered shoot at the Edmonton Gun Club. In 2004, she shot a 100/100 round, the youngest woman’s perfect score at that time. At 14 years old, she competed in her first international shoot. The year 2011 saw Amanda in Belgrade, , to compete, and 2014 at the Canadian Nationals in Toronto where she successfully defended her five-time national title. Then on to Acapulco, Mexico, to take gold in the Pan Am Games. This won her a qualifying spot at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Somewhere in there she graduated with a Bachelor of Com- merce degree from the University of Alberta, was married and delivered her first child.

SEE THE TARGET, HIT THE TARGET Despite Amanda’s mantra, “See the tar- get. Hit the target. There’s not a target I cannot break,” a single miss, one unbro- ken clay, glided to the ground, taking with it Amanda’s 2016 Olympic bid. In retrospect, she recalls fussing about her new baby, and not being mentally ready to tackle the targets. But true to form, she’s already on to the next target. She’s now focused on Acapulco in March, High Performance Trials in Tofield, Alta., for May, then Lima, Peru, where she will defend her Pan Am Gold title, which will earn her a shot at the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo. September 2019 holds a world competition in either Russia or Italy. One competition at a time, one clay bird after another. “We shoot as a family, and I want my husband and I to hunt with our son,” she says. Amanda is mother to two toddlers, PREPARE FOR THE SEASON in January have a weather disadvantage wife, busy entrepreneur in the middle Over time, every athlete develops their when compared to Australia and New of a collection of family businesses, and own approach to training, preparation, Zealand. During our winter months, somewhere in there she is a trap shoot- events and matches. Amanda grants those competitors have access to warm ing competitor who is among the best in herself a shooting break between Octo- ranges. Because most of the Canadian the world. She took her eighth national ber and Christmas by putting the gun ranges are shut down and covered in championship while eight months away completely. But come January, she snow, Amanda finds herself shooting in pregnant. She won gold in Acapulco prepares for the upcoming competition Arizona in January. An average season when she was three-and-a-half months season. After supper, when the house of trap shooting will see her put 6,000 to pregnant. is settled, she dry-mounts the Perazzi 10,000 shots downrange. “My Dad says I shoot better pregnant,” to the wall – 20 to 25 mounts in as many “My Dad is my number one coach and she explains. “Trying to plan a family minutes. Shooters from Canada and has been since I was 11. He knows in an around shooting season is brutal.” other countries that experience winter instant what I am doing on the stand.”

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 23 Gold is Amanda Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback, Chudoba- but she is looking for a new tune.) Obridgewitch’s Music is a big part of what she does to reward at the Canadian prepare for a match. Nationals. “I listen to music to get the numbers out of my head,” she says. The automatic counting and calculation of scores in her head at Amateur Trap Associa- tion shoots is hard for her to interrupt. Music helps this. She uploads a loop of music in her head and sings this loop to herself while preparing to shoot. It helps clear her mind and prepare for the shot. After a session of stretching, she collects her gun and equipment to practice dry gun mounts and swing. Relax and prepare to shoot. “You don’t realize how much you are going to hurt the next day. No matter what amount of training you do, you hurt the next day.” When participating in successive days of shooting, she likes to take her mind off the day’s competition by acknowl- edging that round of targets is behind her. Tomorrow is a new set of targets.

PREPARE FOR THE SHOT Once at the stand, Amanda rocks on her feet until she finds a sturdy stance while maintaining her mobil- ity. She looks for a spot one-and-a- half fingers above the house near the horizon, places her eyes on that spot and identifies something to return her gaze to throughout the event. She returns to this gaze, anticipating the next clay. When ready, she mounts the gun, breathes and calls for the target. All that’s left is to shoot and follow through. She likes to break the remaining bits of clay on the way down if they are any. But 95 per cent of her hits are on the first barrel, owing to her 17 years of experience with Amateur Trap Association competition where shooters are allowed only one shot. She quickly analyzes (the rare) misses and moves on. “Each target is a new target,” she says. “You have to completely forget misses.”

SEE YOU IN TOKYO Amanda Chudoba-Obridgewitch is PREPARE FOR EVENT DAY unwind and a decent sleep. Mornings Alberta-born and raised. She is a busy Preparing for events often requires start early on event days – usually she young woman who is talented with a weeks of planning and international is up at 5 a.m. and out for a walk by 5:30 shotgun and works incredibly hard to travel. a.m., followed by breakfast. She walks perfect her shooting skills for world- After retrieving her gun from customs, the range, tests and chooses shooting class competition in trap-shooting Amanda heads to the hotel to unwind. glasses based on lighting, background events. She’s earned every clay she has She takes a good workout, has dinner in and weather. Amanda listens to a loop ever broken. Good luck Amanda, we the restaurant, a bit of time to read and of her favourite music (it used to be hope to see you in Tokyo 2020.

24 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 REVIEW VORTEX SPARC AR BY WALLY FONG ut of the box, the Vortex SPARC this sight’s power source: it’s a single, O AR looks like a solid red dot sight AAA battery, available anywhere and (RDS). A compact, all-aluminum body easier to replace than the specialized encased in a rubberized shell sug- flat disc batteries other RDSs use. Dot gests it’s resistant to shock and impact intensity dependent, you can squeeze damage. Smaller than an EOTech and between 300 to 5,000 hours of use Aimpoint PRO, but larger than a T2 from the battery. There’s an automatic and Holosun, this RDS doesn’t feel like 12-hour shut off to save battery life, or you’ll break it if you drop your rifle at you can hold the down button for five a weird angle. But it’s not so large that seconds to turn it off. And those bright- weight will adversely affect perfor- ness buttons are big and beefy, located mance. It does seem to hit a sweet spot at the rear, also rubberized and easily in terms of size and ruggedness. accessible. The two lowest settings are Everything about the SPARC AR for NVG use. is about ease of use and operation/ Mounting the SPARC AR is simple adjustment in the field without tools. enough. The mount is For example, the caps for the wind- spring assisted, which is a nice feature age adjustment knob, elevation and and demonstrates attention to detail on battery compartment are textured for Vortex's theme of ease of use. My only grip. While the battery cap is indented feature which keeps the caps from issue is why Vortex used a Torx screw with a slot, it is the opposite with the flopping around and distracting the to lock the optic to the rail instead of a windage and elevation caps. Meaning, shooter. Features like this are normally quick release. I suspect it was to keep if you're having a hard time unscrew- an option and can cost anywhere from the price point of this optic down, but at ing an adjustment cap, you can use the $30 to $50 for competitor’s sights. the same time it seems counter intui- battery cap to assist in unscrewing the The red dot is a crisp 2 MOA with 1 tive to have everything else on this sight adjustment knobs and vice versa. You MOA adjustments per click, with 90 tool-less except for the mount. However, can also use the protruding slot on the MOA of movement for both wind and this is only a minor point and doesn’t adjustment caps to work the dials while elevation. The tube is nitrogen purged really deter my opinion that this sight is you are zeroing your dot. The rubber and O-ring sealed to prevent fogging a great overall package. Canadian retail lens caps tether onto each other, a great and moisture problems. A big plus is is typically under $300.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 25 26 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 TRADITIONAL GUNS BY LOWELL STRAUSS

t was the biggest SHOT Show yet, a lot more to it than I can cover in this in diameter and its case length is 1.71 I with booth after booth of vendors short space, so if you’d like to learn inches. But why another straight-wall showcasing their wares, all hoping more, read a detailed overview on the cartridge? In the US, center re ri e they’ve got what the world needs. My Winchester website. cartridges are prohibited for hunt- mission for the show was simple: nd Another .22LR that caught my eye ing in many populated jurisdictions, the latest and greatest sporting guns was the CZ 457 Varmint MTR or Match for safety reasons. However, a limited for Canadian shooters and hunters. Target Ri e. The MTR’s Turkish walnut number of straight-wall cartridges That can be challenging in an indus- stock has a vertical grip with a con- are allowed, as they are deemed to be try where ‘new’ is often an existing toured palm swell. This ri e sports a safe to use in built-up areas – those product released with a new camo pat- 20.5-inch cold hammer-forged heavy- with enough energy to quickly kill big tern or an additional chambering. So, barrel, match chamber and shooter- game, but with a reduced dangerous I searched the displays for truly novel adjustable trigger. If it shoots as sweet range. The 350 Legend ts the bill with guns and gear. Here are a few I can’t as it looks, we’re in for a real treat. terminal ballistics suitable for hunt- wait to try. ing big game at moderate ranges. I SPORTING & HUNTING RIFLES suspect the game laws will determine RIMFIRE It’s not a stretch to say that the popu- this cartridge’s popularity in Canada. Scoring top marks for innovative larity of long-range hunting and shoot- Only time will tell if it succeeds. The design is the Winchester Wildcat ri e. ing is increasing. Browning has upped Winchester XPR bolt-action ri e is Yes, just like the rim re ammunition its long-range game with a new ri e, chambered for the 350 Legend, and in of the same name, the Wildcat ri e is a the Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range. the future other manufacturers will no plinking pleasure. And this is not just Its composite stock uses an adjustable doubt add it as well. another semi-auto ri e with differ- comb and spacers for a custom t. A As the saying goes, life’s too short ent packaging, the rearm has been 26-inch stainless  uted heavy sporter to hunt with an ugly gun. If you’re engineered from scratch. Its most barrel ensures maximum velocity, in the market for something pretty, notable feature is its ease of disas- and a muzzle brake reduces recoil for Sako, Tikka and Marlin have a custom sembly for cleaning. Simply press a faster follow-up shots. It’s available shop that’ll add some pizazz to your button in the rear of the and in 11 popular long- and short-action next gun purchase. Just like selecting the entire lower receiver pulls out. cartridge chamberings, including 6.5 features on a new vehicle, Sako and With the action out of the way, the bore Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag Tikka have a custom gun builder app can be cleaned from breech to muzzle, and 300 Win Mag. on their website, allowing collectors to the way is was meant to be. This also Winchester’s new centre re cartridge, specify the features they want includ- allows easy access to the bolt assembly the 350 Legend, was unveiled at the ing calibre, stock style, wood grade, and trigger group. The lower receiver 2019 SHOT Show. It’s touted as “the engraving, metal, barrel length, sights assembly holds two hex-key wrenches, world’s fastest straight-walled hunting and trigger. Custom Marlin orders are one for adjusting the rear peep sight cartridge,” and looking at the numbers, placed though your dealer. and the other for removing the stock it achieves this with less recoil than the and the barrel. It has many other 450 Bushmaster and more energy than SHOTGUNS interesting features and conveniently the 30-30 Winchester or 300 Blackout. I’m a gundog guy, so I was excited it uses Ruger 10/22 magazines. There’s The 350 Legend bullets are .357 inches to see the new Franchi Af nity

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 27 28 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 The CVA Paramount muzzleloader is claimed to have an effective range of 300-plus yards. 3 Companion series shotguns. A 140-grain load of Blackhorn Each year of production will 209 powder launches PowerBelt feature artwork highlighting a ELR (Extreme Long Range) high different sporting dog breed. This ballistic-coef cient bullets at 2,200 year it’s the Labrador retriever – feet per second. The stock inherits so here Franchi, take my money! a full-length integrated mini- It’s a beautiful shotgun. A nickel- chassis from the Bergara HMR coloured receiver contrasts with ri e. The Paramount’s VariFlame detailed engravings. An AA- Breech Plug, a technology by Ca- grade satin walnut stock and nadian inventor Cecil Epps, uses Winchester’s Wildcat is an forend with cut checkering and a a large ri e primer, rather than innovative 22LR rifl e built for easy gold trigger inside a black trigger the 209 shotshell primer, for hot- disassembly and maintenance. guard accent the artwork. The ter and more consistent ignition. inertia-driven Af nity 3 is avail- Muzzleloaders are not classi ed able in 12 and 20 gauge. Future as rearms in the US, and so are Companion shotguns will feature easier to export to Canada, and German shorthaired pointers, this model should be available English setters, American point- and ready to hunt in Canada by ers and Brittany spaniels. the fall. The Remington V3 has a reputa- tion as a reliable, feature- lled PRS RIFLES shotgun at a reasonable price. If PRS shooting is your game, look Two new pro models – Turkey Pro no further than two well-known dressed in Realtree Timber and the Canadian manufacturers for ri es, Waterfowl Pro in Realtree Max- chassis and accessories. 5 or Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Cadex Defence expands its Blades camo with a Cerakote CDX-R7 line with two new preci- receiver – are coming to Canada sion ri es: the CDX-R7 Sheepdog Browning’s X-Bolt Max Long Range has later this year. The Waterfowl Pro’s (short action) and the Shepherd an adjustable stock and 26-inch stainless fl uted heavy sporter barrel. bronzed receiver looks sharp, (long action) in nine popular long- giving the shotgun a custom look range calibres. The ri es feature when compared with full-dipped Cadex’s fully adjustable synthetic guns. In addition to the standard stock, called the Strike Nuke Evo, V3 features, the Turkey Pro ships designed for shooters who prefer with Truglo’s optic sight and Head- a traditional-style stock to the banger choke, while the Water- chassis system. Unique features fowl Pro includes three extended include a four-lug bolt with 50-de- chokes (improved modi ed, modi- gree bolt throw, a straight taper ed, and full) and a sling.  uted match-grade barrel and DX2 Evo two-stage trigger, which MUZZLELOADERS easily converts from single stage Typically, long-range shoot- to double stage within seconds. ing and muzzleloaders are not Cadex also released a compact, synonymous, but that’s about to ultralight shooting platform called The Legends Cowboy Rifl e by Umarex change with the CVA Paramount the Field QD chassis for short- is an authentic reproduction of muzzleloader. Using heavy action calibres. The Chassis is the 1892 Winchester. It even uses powder charges, a new ignition built to t the Rem 700 or Cadex “cartridges” to load BBs. system, special bullets and free- R7 action footprint. It features a  oating barrel, the .45-calibre Magpul retractable buttstock with Paramount claims to deliver kill push-button takedown, a nger- shots to 300 yards and beyond. grooved Cadex rubberized grip

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 29 A new straight-wall cartridge from Winchester, the 350 Legend, is designed to have more energy than the 30-30 and less recoil than the 450 Bushmaster.

30 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Engraving on the Franchi Affi nity 3 Companion series, featuring a Labrador retriever for 2019. and a 20 MOA full-length top trail. QD attachment points. MDT released an impressive array of ORYX is available now for the Rem- precision ri e products, many of which ington 700, Howa 1500 and Tikka T3 were seen for the rst time at SHOT action, with models for the Remington Show. MDT’s new ACC (Adjustable 783, Howa Mini and Ruger American Core Competition) chassis is designed slated soon. The retail price is $399 around an integrated, modular weight USD, so Canadian prices will vary system which allows you to customize based on the exchange rate. The chas- the balance and mass of your ri e to sis is built by MDT and distributed by maximize performance and minimize Legacy Arms International. recoil. After all, extra weight always soaks up recoil, helping to keep the ri e AIR RIFLES on target. The ACC uses a steel butt pad Airguns have a dedicated follow- plate for added weight and a dedi- ing and these days there is an airgun cated space to add even more weight built for everyone’s interests. From if desired. The ACC chassis includes a the DPMS SPR that shoots 400 rounds full Arca rail, running the entire length per minute on full-auto to Umarex’s of the forend, and M-LOK mounting Legends Cowboy Lever Action, an points for accessories and additional authentic reproduction of the 1892 forend weights. An additional nine Winchester lever action. These guns pounds of recoil-absorbing steel can be are fun to shoot, and with realistic added to your ri e, meaning complete size and weight, many are suitable for ri e systems can weigh as much as 30 indoor training during our long, cold pounds. Canadian winters. There are updates and enhancements For hunting, the .25-calibre Umarex across the board in the Gen-2 versions Gauntlet is worth a look. It’s a regulat- of the Tac21, LSS Gen2, LSS-XL and ed PCP airgun, meaning it’ll deliver up LSS-RF Gen2 lines. MDT also recently to 27 powerful shots from one ll of its acquired CKYE-POD bipods, comple- high-capacity tank. It shoots a 25-grain menting the other products in their pellet at 895 feet per second, delivering accessory line. 45 foot pounds of varmint-thumping For shooters wanting to try PRS energy. A built-in regulator delivers without breaking the bank, the ORYX consistent velocity from shot-to-shot. Chassis by MDT is worth a close look. This bolt-action repeater uses an eight- The ORYX is a one-piece integrated shot magazine, and these ri es will be aluminum chassis and buttstock created available in Canada this spring. to improve the consistency and accu- There you have it, a small subset of racy of a bolt-action ri e. The chassis the many new sporting guns at the includes an adjustable comb, M-LOK 41st SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Every slots on the bottom of the forend to year, new and innovative products are attach bipods and other accessories, presented to the shooting and hunting MDT’s contoured and a industry, and this year didn’t disap-  ared magazine well to speed up load- point. Next year it’ll be even bigger, ing. The mag well doubles as a barri- with additional show space and more cade stop. The chassis includes multiple vendors!

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 31 32 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 HANDGUNSBY WALLY FONG

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 33 Glock’s G48 is a single stack pistol with a slim profi le.

f you don't walk the trade show The G48, on the other hand, should be FN’s 509 Tactical, which was launched I oor with a purpose, it's easy to able to make its way north of the 48th quite a while ago as a high-end combat get lost in the SHOT Show’s bright parallel, similar to how the Canadian pistol, with all the bells and whistles, lights and ashy products. So, this year G19 did, with a legal 106-millimetre is now available in black as well as I had myself dialed in on handguns barrel. The G48 most noticeably has the original tan. Apparently, customer and everything surrounding them. The a silver-coloured slide, versus the feedback indicated that if you’re shell- following is what I found interesting in standard black, and the overall pro le ing out $1,000 for a pistol, it should be 2019, starting with the guns themselves is much thinner, giving the pistol a available in more than one colour. and moving on to the accessories that more 1911-style grip and feel. It’s a However, if you’re looking for an work with them. single stack and notably lacking an alternative to what the 509 Tacti- I would be remiss if I didn't address accessory rail, something many people cal offers and can't bring yourself to the obvious gorilla in the room  rst, were moaning about during the show. drop over $1,000, look no further than Glock. Just like last year when Glock However, it has front serrations cut Canik's TP9 Elite Combat pistol. This reinvented their failed MHS bid with into the slide, maybe that balances the is a striker- red pistol developed in the US Army and branded it the Glock negatives out? Time will tell. conjunction with Salient Arms Inter- 19X crossover, as well as the debut of Beretta debuted updates to their national (SAI). They are well known for the Canadian Glock 19, this year Glock MHS submitted pistol this year as well. tuning and custom-building excellent has introduced their Silver Slimline The APX from Beretta, although losing pistols and have teamed with Canik series of pistols. These are the G48 and out on the MHS bid, has been updated to bring to market what looks to be an G43X. The G43X, being a compact CCW to be optics ready and is also offered excellent pistol package. SAI con- pistol, has virtually no chance of mak- in a multitude of two-tone colour com- tributed a match-grade uted barrel, ing it into Canada due to barrel length. binations. And speaking of colours, enhanced magazine well and  bre

34 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Canik teamed with Salient Arms International to produce the feature- loaded TP9 Elite Combat.

optic sights. On top of an enhanced swells and a more pronounced bea- Canadian one. Kodiak Defence, who trigger, extended magazine release and vertail. Many lefties were complaining recently have had great success with multiple optic-ready adapter plates, about the placement of the magazine their variation of the AR-180B build, comes a charging handle IPSC and release on last year’s model, so CZ the WK-180-C, unveiled an in-house 3-Gunners can rejoice over. This pistol adjusted its placement and south- designed, all-Canadian pistol, the looks and handles incredibly well. The paws couldn't be happier now. Along KDSP 9. I spoke with Shawn at Kodiak reset on the trigger is crisp and short with the P-10F, their legendary line of Defence at length about his baby with virtually no slack, and the geom- Shadow and Shadow 2 pistols have and I am genuinely thrilled with this etry of the pistol grip allows for a very been a mainstay among competition polymer-framed striker- red pistol. high grip which is aided by an under- shooters for years, and thankfully CZ The KDSP 9 looks like it draws some cut on the trigger guard. This complete knows a good thing when they have it, inspiration from the classic Sig Sauer pistol package easily rivals the FN 509 with no changes made to that line. P226, but when you pick it up it feels Tactical with a price point that's almost For those that just want a nice, cost- like you're holding a CZ Shadow 2. $200 less right out of the box. I highly effective plinker, the Smith & Wesson Built into the trigger pack are  ring recommend a further look into Canik's SW22 Victory is an elegantly made pin drop and trigger safeties. A rear TP9 Elite Combat. 22LR rim re pistol that feels like it visual red nub, as well as a physical The CZ P-10F, F for full sized, is CZ's melts into your hands when you're raised notch on top of the slide both polymer offering to the striker- red gripping it. It's a much more polished indicate a round is chambered. Front world. This nicely gripped pistol has pistol than say the Ruger Mark IV, and rear serrations on the slide give a redesigned geometry for better which costs roughly $100 more. the shooter a choice as to how to rack handling for right- and left-handed Topping off my list of notable pistols it. A fairly large, but not obtrusive, shooters, thanks to better-placed palm at SHOT this year is a home-grown magazine release button is positive to

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 35 Aimpoint introduced their ACRO P-1 sight at SHOT.

the touch and you don't have to break vision capability. The only downside I This gives an advantage to shooting your grip when engaging it. The pistol could see with the ACRO is that the bat- more accurately at longer distances rounds itself out with an accessory rail tery life is rated at roughly 10,000 hours and provides a lower silhouette and and a clean look. I'm certainly looking or approximately one year of use. Since pro le on top of the slide. The SMSc is forward to seeing production models it’s a constant-on optic, there's not much an ultra-compact 1 MOA sight that was of the KDSP 9 soon. you can do to get around that, other designed to be mounted on slimmer- Let’s hit optics now. Many people than stocking up on CR1225 batteries. pro le pistols, such as 1911's, CCW have been talking up a storm about Shield Sights of the United Kingdom pistols like the G43, M&P Shield, or the Aimpoint's ACRO P-1 red dot sight. has been supplying the British Armed Walther PPQ Q5 Match, and perfect “It's too big.” “It's a block mess.” “It's Forces for years with their battle-prov- for the Silver Slimline series of pistols ugly!” In reality, the ACRO is the same en RMS mini red dot sight. Their line from Glock. The company also offers size as a Trijicon RMR, but encased. This of pistol-sized sights is called the SMS custom colours and  nishes on their 3.5 MOA mini red dot sight (MRDS) is line and has six models to choose from MRDS, which is a fun option, especial- de nitely made with combat in mind, this year. The unique setup and design ly for competition shooters that want to instead of competition. But that's not to of their MRDS allows the installation add are to their pistols. Since Shield say you couldn't use it for any applica- of this optic without having to swap Sights is a British-based company, tion. It's waterproof down to 25 metres out existing pistol sights. While sights there are no ITAR restrictions and they and is tough enough to take the abuse. like the Trijicon RMR, Burris Fast Fire, will ship anywhere in the world. The light intensity buttons on the left Leupold Delta Point and others require Strike Industries, of California, has side of the MRDS are idiot proof, with suppressor-height sights in order to be been innovating new products for some clear arrows indicating up and down for in line, Shield Sights’ SMS line all co- time now and have gone all in on sup- its 10 levels, four of which are for night witness at regular pistol sight height. porting Glock pistols this year. The one

36 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Magpul is now producing 10-round magazines for the Glock 17/19 series of pistols.

product that caught my eye immedi- anti-walking pins, slide plate covers, these magazines come to Canada, they ately was their Glock Universal (optics) grip tools, striker spring packs for the should be a huge hit. Mount or GUM for short. It is an optics Glock, as well as excellent And to wrap things up, all my hon- mounting plate that requires zero mill- with changeable front post blades. Ad- ourable mentions this year go to Israeli ing of your slide. The GUM slides into ditionally, Strike Industries will also be companies. To address the complaints the existing rear sight notch on the slide offering their own barrels and slides by from some people regarding no rails and is further held in place with six set the second quarter of 2019. on the new Glock G48 and G43X slim- screws. It comes with a variant that you Magpul has recognized the need for line, Recover Tactical has a rail adapter can attach a charging handle to, which developing reliable and durable maga- to speci cally  ll that requirement. Fo- is great for competition shooters. The zines, and knowing the restrictions of bus has prototyped the TRP2 modular GUM can accommodate most MRDS on certain states like California or coun- holster system with which the user can the market, making it what I think is a tries like Canada with 10-round limits, hot swap speci c items to a universal brilliant, non-permanent optics mount- they have come up with the PMAG 10 mounting system on a thigh rig setup. ing solution. GL9 series for Glock 17/19. With opti- And lastly, Fab Defense debuted their Their Mass Driver comp is also a mized geometry inside the magazine Glock Cobra stock, a foldable shoulder non-permanent solution to adding to speci cally only hold 10 rounds, this brace that attaches to your Glock pistol a compensator to your Glock. Much magazine, unlike pinned magazines, for added stability. Overall, SHOT like their G4 Comp, it attaches to the can be disassembled for cleaning Show 2019 was another successful trip. guide rod on your pistol instead of a and cannot be modi ed to hold more I covered a lot of ground looking for threaded barrel, which are sometimes rounds. It's also compatible with past pistol innovations and new products, hard to come by in Canada. Strike and current enhanced magazine wells and I'm excited to see what the rest of Industries also carries a full line of that Magpul also manufactures. When 2019 has to offer!

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 37 38 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 OPTICS, AMMUNITION & ACCESSORIES BY AL VOTH

he 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas T carried on the tradition it has established for the previous 40 years of highlighting new products in the shooting world. While this magazine’s other writers searched out new guns, I dug around the show oor to  nd what’s new in optics, ammunition and accessories.

OPTICS There are always new optics at SHOT and this year was no exception. What was unusual is the extent to which Three new laser technology is integrating into shoot- range-fi nding ing optics. The term “electro-optics” is binoculars were being used to describe this change and introduced at the it’s as good a descriptor as I’ve heard. SHOT Show. This A good example is a new laser range- is Leupold’s entry.  nding binocular by Zeiss. Of course, scopes with built-in range nders, angle it’s a typical 10x42 binocular with compensation and weather stations superb optics, integrated into a laser from both Zeiss and Swarovski. They range  nder. But this optic pairs with “talk” to your smart phone as well, but your smart phone, through which you the price to carry on these conversa- ing throughout 2019. I did see a new can load up to nine ballistic pro les tions is around the $5,000 US mark. version of their laser range- nding into the bino. Once in the  eld, the bin- Meanwhile, back in the real world, binocular with an improved 5,000-yard ocular monitors environmental condi- Leupold has a new red dot sight that capability and a faster processor. It tions and, when called upon, computes generated more buzz than all the high- doesn’t have all the electro-optic bells a ballistic solution to its 2,500-yard tech gear I saw. It’s a non-magnifying, and whistles, but it’s also half the price. maximum range. Leupold introduced short-tube sight with a 1 MOA dot. But my favourite idea from Vortex is a similar offering and if you’re in the The sight ships complete with a mount their new line of rings. What sets them market for a full-featured LRF bin- and is available with or without a CDS apart is the information etched directly ocular, it will pay to do your research, dial for range compensation. I’m told on the product, including torque specs, compare features and make sure you that when testing to destruction, fac- ring size and ring height. I think it’s a are getting something which will meet tory techs were shocked to  nd they great idea and would love to see other your needs. And, like always, whether couldn’t destroy it with any of their manufacturers do something similar. it’s TVs or shooting gear, if you must standard tests. It should be available in have the latest in technology, you better Canada for less than $500. AMMUNITION have deep pockets. Vortex has a reduced number of Unlike some years, there was only one Ri e scopes aren’t immune from the new offerings this year, but I’m told new cartridge unveiled at SHOT this electro-optics revolution either. I saw more announcements will be com- year, the 350 Legend from Winchester.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 39 It’s covered in detail elsewhere in this This is premium hunting ammunition jumped on the mini-shell bus too, as issue, so I won’t discuss it here. Look at for ri es, featuring non-lead bullets, they are producing similarly sized slugs its speci cations and see if you think waterproo ng at primer and case and birdshot loads. The slugs are one- it’ll be a popular offering. mouth, with nickel cases for maxi- ounce lead, while the shot load delivers Sierra, the well-known manufacturer mum corrosion resistance. There are 15 to 16 ounces of #8. Unfortunately, I of bullets for handloading, announced also more offerings in a broad range have no info on pricing. they will be producing their own line of lines, including 300 Blackout, 224 And just to prove you can have fun of ammunition, loaded, of course, Valkyrie with 60 and 75-grain bullets, with ammunition, one company was with Sierra bullets. That caught me by 6mm Creedmoor, 300 PRC and even plugging “ammunition in a beverage surprise, until I got to thinking that 348 Winchester. can.” They take standard aluminum Hornady and Nosler have been doing Many shooters are familiar with beverage cans,  ll them with ammuni- this for years. So, I guess, it’s just a Aguila’s mini shotshells. These one- tion and seal them against the ele- natural evolutionary step in the story of and-three-quarter-inch 12-gauge shells ments. They can  t 90 rounds of 9mm a successful company. I have no infor- are a neat way to increase shotgun Luger in one can, or 40 rounds of 223 mation on when this may be available magazine capacity for 3-Gun com- Rem or 7.62x39mm. Of course, there’s in Canada. petitors and pack an almost-full-power an apocalyptic theme decorating the Hornady also announced some new punch. They’ve been a niche product can. So, if you want to squirrel away a ammunition offerings, including their for years, and they have been hard to supply of ammunition for the zombie new Out tter line of ri e cartridges.  nd and expensive. Now Federal has apocalypse, this is a fun way to do it.

Leupold’s tube-style red dot sight comes with a mount and an optional CDS dial, all at an attractive price.

40 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Vortex has a new line of rings with sizes and torque values etched in.

HANDLOADING reload. Both presses will be well over from them include an improved pow- This will be a good year for handload- $2,000 CAD and could push the $3,000 der trickler, mechanical scale and press ers, as there were several signi cant mark. dust cover. Some handloaders will also new items on display. They included Another specialized press showed up like their new riser. It’s a metal stand two new presses from Dillon, a com- courtesy of Frankford Arsenal. With the which elevates a handloading press pany that hasn’t added anything major current craze in precision ri e, they saw about nine inches above your bench. to their line for years. Most signi cant a demand for a press which is capable For shooters with a bench that’s too low is their deletion of the legendary 1050 of loading highly concentric (which to work at comfortably, this will be a press in favour of a redesigned and means accurate) ammunition. It’s called great item. improved version called the 1100. Staff the M-Press and works on a co-axial Hornady is never left out when the at the Dillon booth told me there are principle in which the cartridge case question is, “What’s new?” And this no radical changes, just an assortment and the die oat, thus ensuring optimal year is no exception. They have a new of modi cations that will improve reli- alignment of the two pieces and mini- vibratory case tumbler/polisher, as well ability and smoothness. Sitting beside mal cartridge runout. Knowledgeable as a case and parts drier for those who the 1100 was the 2000, a press built handloaders will notice a resemblance clean cases with wet media. Add in a on obviously the same platform, but to Forster’s Co-Ax press, but I’m told few new hand tools and it’s a typical equipped to operate solely for brass this one will be about half the price. Hornady year. New bullets include a preparation. In other words, the press Lyman was showing off a new .22 calibre 88-grain ELD Match, a 6mm de-primes, swages primer pockets, bench-mounted, motorized case trim- 90-grain ELD-X, a 7mm 150-grain GMX sizes, trims, chamfers and carries out mer designed for ri e cartridges. It’s and a .308 calibre 125-grain FMJ. Hor- several inspections, spitting out brass claimed to do 15 cases a minute and nady also has some new empty cases which, except for polishing, is ready to doesn’t need pilots. Other new items for handloaders, including the 224

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 41 Valkyrie, 300 PRC, the 22 Creedmoor and more. No, that’s not a typo. They are producing cases for the 22 Creed- moor, even though it’s a wildcat with no factory ammunition available and there are no SAMMI specs. MTM, the company that makes those plastic cartridge boxes used by every handloader in the world, has  nally added a plastic ammunition box for shotshells. It’s the same size as a 12-gauge paper shotshell box and so will  t in a shotgun competitor’s belt pouch. They come in packs of four, and if you reload shotshells these will sure beat your frayed paper boxes.

ACCESSORIES Kestrel, the company which has es- MDT’s Ckye-Pod is tablished itself as the gold standard in nothing less than a weather meters, was showing off a cou- machining work of art. ple of new items. First up was the 2700,

42 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Frankford Arsenal’s new co-axial press for precision handloading.

S Federal has entered the mini-shell market with a 12-gauge offering. an entry-level weather meter which least $500 CAD. red light, which peeks over the edge does all the basics without breaking the Shooting supports were everywhere of the steel. They are the best way I’ve bank. I’m going to guesstimate a price at SHOT. One of my favourites was seen to con rm hits at long distance. of about $250 CAD. But don’t expect it the BLK LBL bipod, a Canadian bipod And when your barrel gets so hot you to talk to your smartphone at that price. system that replaces the handguard have to stop shooting for fear of burn- Moving up the line is the new 5000 on AR-15 and AR-10 ri es, as well as ing out the throat, the same company series (which replaces the 4000 series). some bolt-action ri es. Another great introduced the RIFLEKÜHL. This is a Here we start to see more data sensing, one was MDT’s Ckye-Pod. It’s a more small, battery-operated fan which slips as well as on-board ballistic programs conventional design, but it is notewor- into a ri e’s chamber and is held there by Applied Ballistics. And depending thy for how beautifully it’s machined by magnets. Switch it on and it forces on licensing arrangements, some will and how versatile it is. Depending air through the barrel, cooling it much feature the ability to communicate on the gun your equipping and your quicker. with various manufacturer’s scopes, needs, you won’t go wrong with either Of course, there’s much more. How- binoculars and range nders. Canadian one. Both  t into the “you get what you ever, that’s all I have room for here. I’ll pricing will likely start at about $500 pay for” category, so don’t expect any be trying to get my hands on some of and go up to $1,000. And lastly, Kes- change from $500. these products to do more in-depth trel was showing a heads-up-display During range day, Magnetospeed testing, but just because it was shown unit that attaches to a ri e’s Picatinny got to show off some of its hit indica- at SHOT doesn’t mean it’s available rail and displays a range card which tors on the long range. These aren’t now. Most items are at least several is constantly updated depending on new, but it was the  rst time I’ve seen months away from being available to environmental data sensed by a nearby them in use, and they are slick. A hit consumers, making patience a require- Kestrel unit. This add-on will cost at on a steel target illuminates a bright ment for us all.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 43 44 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Shooting guns and gear not allowed in Canada is one of the treats at the annual SHOT Show.

MODERN SPORTING GUNS BY DEAN ROXBY

hile this year’s SHOT Show in their Retro series. These rifl es are some upgrades and cosmetic improve- W seemed quieter on the black faithful reproductions of the early ments need to be deleted in order to gun front, there were still some items Eugene Stoner designs, dating back to keep prices low. Hey, it is nice to be on of note to be seen. the mid 1950s. Two varieties of AR-10 the winning side, even if the Canadian I mentioned in my 2018 SHOT are available, along with experimental guns cost more. report that the so-called Trump Effect and prototype versions of the AR- Canadian-based manufacturer Ko- has placed a noticeable chill on the 15, and early versions of what would diak Defence showed off the hugely fi rearms industry. During the Obama become the M16. These will be of great popular (in Canada, that is) WK 180-C, years, the constant fear of sweeping interest to Vietnam War historians and and a prototype of the 7.62x39mm gun bans fuelled a tremendous buy- re-enactors. The Brownells website has version to be known as the WK 181-C. ing spree, lasting virtually his entire more details. The release of the 181-C version will eight-year term. With the election of a M+M Industries had their M10X rifl e not happen until the backlog of 180-C gun-friendly President Trump, the ur- on display. They refer to the M10X as is cleared up. That is certainly under- gency to stock up on guns, “black” guns the International Defense Rifl e, as it standable. It was nice to see a Cana- in particular, disappeared overnight. borrows proven design features from dian company showing off fi rearms at It is ironic that in the short-term, an around the world. During a brief chat a US trade show. unfriendly Democrat administration with CEO Mike Meier, he mentioned Speaking of which, Cadex had a large was far better for gun sales than a sup- that the Canadian version is of a booth on the main show fl oor. Many of portive Republican one, yet that was higher standard than the ones built for their beautifully crafted, tactical bolt- indeed the case. the domestic US market. He explained action rifl es and chassis systems were Brownells, the gunsmith supply folks, that price is all important in the US displayed. As well, on the day prior have an intriguing line of reproduc- market. If they are competing against to the actual show at the Sands Expo tion AR-10 and AR-15/M16-style rifl es parts kit-type AK rifl es from Bulgaria, Center, Cadex took part in the Media

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 45 Day at the Range event. Assisting and coaching shooters was none other than former CF sniper and world-record holder, Rob Furlong. With Rob’s guid- ance, and a suppressed Cadex CDX-33 Patriot TAC rifl e in .338 Lapua, I was able to hit a steel gong at a lasered 1,089 yards, three times out of three. Achieving that was a proud moment; but having Mr. Furlong say, “Good shooting” afterwards was even sweeter. I wrote about the Skeli X11 last year, as I found it to be an interesting new gun. I hoped to see them again this year, but they seemed to be in stealth mode. I did not see them listed on the SHOT exhibitor website, so I tried contacting them directly. After a long delay, they did reply, saying they were sharing space with another vendor. Af- ter further delay, they announced the booth number. I did not have time to visit the fi rst day, but I did stop by late in the afternoon on day two, only to learn they had packed up and returned home shortly before. I suspect it is a small, family-run machine shop and they cannot be away for a full week. Unfortunate, because I really would like to see them do well. Hopefully next year. FN of Belgium has a new semi-only

The Kodiak Defence booth and their new WK 181-C rifl e.

46 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 It’s unknown if the FN SCAR 20S will be approved for sale in Canada.

civilian version of the SCAR rifl e, this and 17S were both deemed prohib- shown was the newer BR18 being the SCAR 20S. It is an update ited in Canada, as they were ruled to rifl e. They said this was their fi rst year of the SCAR 16S and 17S rifl es. (The be easily converted to full auto. This here and they hope to have a shoot- SCAR 16S is the 5.56x45 version, newer version has not yet been ruled ing booth next year. And naturally, while the SCAR 17S is chambered in on, so perhaps we may get it approved. they hope to market semi-auto civilian 7.62x51, as is the new 20S.) All three No hurry, as the suggested US price is versions of the SAR-21 and BR18 to types are of short-stroke gas piston $4,499. Yikes! the US public soon. If so, perhaps they operation. The 20S does away with the At the previously mentioned Media could come to Canada eventually. odd-looking side folding stocks of the Day shoot, ST Engineering from Singa- In last year’s report, I mentioned earlier designs. It has a fi xed stock with pore had a display in the non-shooting seeing at least three different types adjustable length of pull and cheek area. Several guns were displayed, in- of Turkish-made 12-gauge shotguns rest height. It also features a 20-inch cluding the light machine of bullpup confi guration. This year, I heavy-profi le barrel and a match- gun, and the SAR-21, both in service saw two more brand names of bullpup grade Geissele trigger. The earlier 16S with the Singaporean military. Also 12-gauge. It seems that the arms

The new Kodiak Defence WK 181-C rifl e.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 47 The Supra-1, by Emperor Arms of Turkey.

The Compact, The Umarex by Kral Arms of Hammer is a Turkey. .50-calibre airgun.

industry in Turkey is really coming on these guns. ing African cape buffalo. Seriously. strong. From Emperor Arms comes the And fi nally, while it may not be the During the testing phase, a buffalo Supra-1 BP-12, and from Kral Arms typical idea of a “black” rifl e, I want to was harvested with a single shot to comes the Compact. Both designs fi re mention the mighty Umarex Hammer put it down, and one more to fi nish it. two-and-three-quarter-inch and three- air rifl e. A two-shot air rifl e certainly Amazing! The Hammer is fi nally set to inch shells. The Compact uses mags of is not a combat rifl e, but it is a very release this spring in the US, followed two, fi ve or eight rounds, while the BP- modern design, made with polymer by a Canadian non-suppressed version 12 mags are fi ve rounds. I did not learn furniture. The Hammer is a .50-calibre soon after. Before the September hunt- about any Canadian importers yet, brute, running on 4,500 PSI of com- ing season, I was told. I am arranging but I would not be at all surprised if pressed air. This punches a large hole to borrow a test gun, so watch for a someone is already planning to import deep into any animal it strikes, includ- report.

48 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 Arrange a meeting with your member of parliament to discuss your concerns about firearms legislation. GETTING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ONSIDE BY CHRIS MCGARRY

ince the mid-1990s, Canada’s tatives. Health care, the economy, to not only write e-mails and sign S firearms community has grown environmental issues and world affairs petitions, but also speak face-to-face tremendously and has become a stron- often take precedence over mat- with their members of parliament. ger, unified political force. ters pertaining to individual liberty. Arranging a meeting with your MP This upsurge in firearms ownership While voting is an essential civic duty, can be tricky during the year when the and advocacy is the direct opposite of firearms owners who want their voices House of Commons is in session, but what antigun forces, both at home and heard must do a lot of the legwork. it’s considerably easier in the upcoming in the United Nations, hoped would It isn’t uncommon for the average summer months when they are busy happen. In some ways, Canadians have member of parliament to have little touring Canada as part of the tradition- gone against the grain of civilian disar- or no understanding of Canada’s gun al barbecue circuit, meeting with voters mament that has become the norm in laws, including the fact that all fire- and constituents. the UK, Australia and Western Europe. arms ownership is illegal without a What MPs fear most is not getting Decades of vicious attacks on their plastic card issued from the Canadian re-elected. Several years ago, Wayne rights by gun-banning politicians and Firearms Centre. Some MPs are well- Easter, (Liberal, Malpeque) publicly groups such as the Coalition for Gun versed in how convoluted this legisla- stated that gun control cost the Liberals Control have turned many Canadian tion is and seek to appease the firearms a whopping 60 seats in rural Canada gunnies into single-issue voters. Come vote by rescinding some, but not all, of during the 2006 election. The current election time, the preservation of their our bad legislation. Other MPs, usu- government seems to have forgotten freedoms is the most important issue ally those who lean left-of-centre, still this lesson, but that just makes this on their minds when casting a vote. cling to the outdated mindset that gun summer a good time to remind them of Other firearm owners place gun rights control legislation is needed to enhance it with a personal visit. As the old say- on their list of important election is- public safety. These elected repre- ing goes, “The squeaky wheel gets the sues, but not always at the forefront. sentatives are often the most difficult grease.” Discussing firearms politics on Like voters, politicians have concerns to speak to as is can be frustrating to social media is beneficial to a point, but and matters they wish to address. convince them otherwise. in order to have our voices heard and Sadly, like many gun owners who vote, If firearms owners strongly desire listened to, we must take the lead and firearms rights are not always of utmost positive changes that will eventually step away from the keyboard to get the ISTOCK importance to our elected represen- return many of their rights, they need legislators on our side.

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 49 Legal Corner Guy Lavergne, Attorney at Law

Police & Other Public Officers Work Under A Different Set Of Rules

Police forces, and certain other public officers, do indeed play under a very different set of rules.

hen it comes to firearms, currently stands, is predicated upon and particularly in Sections 91 and W police forces and other public two basic principles: 93 of the Criminal Code; and employees who possess or carry 1. Possession, transport and/or carry 2. Licenses to possess and firearms are not subject to the same of a firearm are criminal offences, authorizations to carry or to rules as me and you. Here is a legal unless the person who possesses, transport firearms are issued overview. transports or carries the firearm on a discretionary basis1, and is authorized by law to do so. subject to such conditions as POSSESSION & LICENSING This is reflected throughout the the chief firearms officer deems Canadian gun control legislation, as it Criminal Code and Firearms Act, appropriate2. These are viewed DREAMSTIME

50 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 by law as privileges3, as opposed not required to comply with common her lawful duties or employment8.” to rights, and can thus be revoked firearms transportation and storage Arguably, this exemption applies at any time by the authority that rules unless they store firearms in a not only to a shooting range that is issued them. common dwelling. Instead, they are dedicated for use by public officers, You and I require a firearms licence subject to a set of much simpler and but also to any other range that in order to merely possess a firearm. less onerous rules to be found in the happens to be reserved for the Restricted and prohibited firearms Public Agents Firearms Regulations5. exclusive use of public officers, at any require authorizations to carry and Thus, their pistols and other firearms particular time. Thus, and by way of to transport. Those authorizations are may be carried and transported example, if your range is reserved for also discretionary and very limited unlocked and fully loaded, even the use of the local police force on a in scope. Licenses and authorizations concealed. Since they are allowed given Wednesday afternoon, there is are essentially temporary immunities to possess and carry prohibited no requirement for the range operator granted to persons, who are deemed devices, they can use full capacity to provide range safety training to safe by government authorities, magazines. Those immunities are first-time users, or even to ensure that to possess firearms in limited easy to understand, in view of the a range safety officer is on duty. circumstances. nature of the duties fulfilled by some Firearms owned by most government Unlike me and you, police officers of the public officers to whom those agencies are also exempt from the and other designated public officers immunities are extended. general registration scheme under the are not subject to such restrictions. Other immunities from criminal Canadian Firearms Program. Instead, Indeed, buried deep in the Canadian prosecution enjoyed by public officers those of police forces and some other Criminal Code is Subsection 117.07(1). are a little harder to understand. agencies are registered separately9. That little-known provision has Indeed, those other immunities extend The recently enacted Quebec Firearms profound implications. In essence, to the manufacture, transfer, export, Registration Act also exempts it grants immunity to certain public import and alteration of a firearm, government agency’s firearms from officers for actions in relation to etc. The latter includes conversion registration10. firearms and other devices, actions of a semi-automatic firearm to fully We often hear that police are above which would otherwise constitute automatic. One justification that I can the law. Of course, that is not entirely criminal offences. Those immunities fathom for those exceptions is that true, at least in most instances. But apply only to actions and omissions they may be required in the context of when it comes to firearms, there is a that take place in the course of the police sting and infiltration operations. lot of truth to that saying. Police forces, public officer’s duties. Yet, other immunities are completely and certain other public officers, do The public officers who enjoy those unfathomable. By way of example, indeed play under a very different set immunities include the following: public officers are exempt from of rules. police and other peace officers prosecution for “destroying or failing (such as prison wardens, border and to report the loss or theft of a firearm” customs agents); members of the or the destruction of a firearm. This References Canadian Armed Forces; students at does not mean a complete lack of police academies; members of visiting accountability. Indeed, they are 1Sections 54 and sq. of the armed forces; chief firearms officers; required to report lost or stolen Firearms Act. 6 and certain federal, provincial or firearms that belong to their agency . 2 municipal public servants designated However, there is no corresponding Section 58 of the Firearms Act. by regulations4. The latter include statutory duty to report the loss, theft 3R. v. Hasselwander, (1993)2 SCR employees in charge of storage and or destruction of non-agency firearms. 398 transportation of court exhibits Given that there are circumstances and evidence; employees of police where public officers may have 4Regulations Prescribing Public forces charged with procurement, temporary custody of firearms that Officers,SOR/98-466 storage or maintenance of firearms; belong to individuals who are so forensic laboratory technicians; park accountable, I fail to understand why 5SOR/98-203 wardens; immigration officers; security public officers enjoy that immunity. 6 personnel of the House of Commons Section 11 of the Public Agents and the Senate and the Parliamentary SOME SPECIAL RULES Firearms Regulations (SOR/98- Protective Service. The gun range use is another area 203) where different rules apply to 7Shooting Clubs and Shooting A BROAD RANGE OF IMMUNITIES public officers. Indeed, in Canada, Ranges Regulations, SOR/98-212 The actions and omissions that are the operation of shooting ranges is 7 immune from criminal prosecution governed by regulations enacted 8Subsection 2 (3) of the Shooting include possession of any firearm under the Firearms Act. However, Clubs and Shooting Ranges (including prohibited firearms), pursuant to those same regulations, Regulations, SOR/98-212 without restriction as to where and “a shooting range that is used only by how such firearms may be possessed. public officers within the meaning of 9Section 85 of the Firearms Act. Hence, public officers are not required subsection 117.07(2) of the Criminal 10 to be licensed in order to possess or Code is exempt from the application Section 1 of the Regulation use firearms; neither do they need of these regulations on condition that respecting the application of the authorizations to carry a restricted or each public officer uses the shooting Firearms Registration Act. prohibited firearm. Further, they are range only in connection with his or March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 51 Rubrique Juridique Guy Lavergne, avocat

Pour les policiers et autres agents de l’état, les règles sont bien différentes n matière d’armes à feu, les E policiers et autres fonctionnaires publics obéissent à des règles qui diffèrent de celles qui s’appliquent au public en général. En voici un aperçu d’un point de vue juridique.

POSSESSION & PERMIS Le régime canadien de contrôle des armes à feu repose sur deux grands principes :

1. La possession, le transport et le port d’une arme à feu est une infraction criminelle, à moins que la personne n’y soit légalement autorisée. Ce principe se retrouve dans l’ensemble du Code criminel, dont les articles 91 et 893, et de la Loi sur les armes à feu ; et

2.Les permis de possession, ainsi que les autorisations de transport et de port d’armes sont émis sur une base discrétionnaire1 et peuvent être assujettis aux conditions que le Contrôleur des armes à feu juge appropriées2. Ces permis et autorisations sont considérés comme des privilèges et non des droits3. Ils peuvent donc être révoqués en tout temps. Vous et mois devons avoir un permis, ne serait-ce que pour posséder une arme à feu. Les armes à autorisation restreinte et prohibées requièrent une autorisation de port et transport. Ces autorisations sont discrétionnaires et ont une portée limitée. Les permis et autorisations sont, essentiellement, des amnisties temporaires accordées à des personnes jugées fiables, afin de posséder des armes à feu dans des circonstances déterminées. Les policiers et certains autres fonctionnaires publics ne sont pas assujettis à ces restrictions. En effet, l’article 117.07 du Code Criminel leur accorde une immunité de poursuite A tout le moins, le corps policiers à l’égard de plusieurs actes qui et autres fonctionnaires publics seraient autrement criminalisés. Cette n’obéissent pas aux mêmes règles immunité ne s’applique qu’aux actes DREAMSTIME que vous et moi. accomplis dans le cadre de leurs

52 www.nfa.ca March/April 2019 fonctions officielles. que doivent accomplir certains des mais vraisemblablement aussi à ceux Les fonctionnaires publics qui fonctionnaires publics auxquels la loi qui leurs sont réservés, à certaines jouissent de cette immunité sont les accorde ces immunités. périodes. Ainsi et par exemple, si votre suivants : les policiers et autres agents La raison d’être de certaines autres champ de tir est réservé à l’usage d’une de la paix (tels les gardiens de prison, immunités dont jouissent les fonction- force policière un mercredi après-midi, les agents des services frontaliers et naires publics est plus difficile à saisir. il n’est pas nécessaire que les usagers douaniers) ; les membres des forces En effet, ces immunités couvrent des soient informés des règles de sécurité armées canadiennes et membres des activités telles que la fabrication, la ou qu’un officiel de tir soit en fonction. forces armées étrangères présentes en cession, l’importation, l’exportation, et Les armes à feu des corps sol canadien ; le Contrôleurs des armes la modification d’une arme à feu. Une gouvernementaux ne sont pas à feu ; les étudiants en techniques explication plausible de ces exceptions assujetties au régime d’enregistrement policières ; ainsi que certains autres est qu’elles peuvent s’avérer utiles du Programme canadien des fonctionnaires fédéraux, provinciaux et dans le cadre de certaines opérations armes à feu. En lieu et place, les municipaux désignés par règlement4. policières, telles les opérations d’infil- armes à feu détenues par les corps Cette dernière catégorie englobe des tration du crime organisé. policiers et certaines agences les employés des tribunaux en charge La raison d’être d’autres immunités gouvernementales sont enregistrées de la gestion des éléments de preuve dont jouissent les fonctionnaires pu- dans un registre distinct9. La Loi matériels ; les gestionnaires des blics est pour le moins obscure. Par (québécoise) sur l’immatriculation approvisionnements exemple, les fonc- des armes à feu exempte également et inventaires d’armes tionnaires publics ne les armes appartenant aux agences à feu ; les techniciens peuvent être poursui- gouvernementales de l’immatriculation en scènes de crime, vis (au criminel) pour obligatoire10. les gardes de parcs "Les policiers et certains la destruction, ou pour On dit souvent que la police est au de conservation, et le avoir fait défaut de dessus des lois. Bien sûr, cela n’est pas personnel de sécurit é autres fonctionnaires déclarer la perte ou tout à fait exact, du moins la plupart du de la Chambre des publics ne sont pas le vol d’une arme à temps. Mais lorsqu’on perle d’armes à communes et du feu. Cela n’implique feu, cette maxime a un fond de vérité. Sénat et du service assujettis à ces restrictions. pas un manque total A tout le moins, le corps policiers de protection des En effet, l’article 117.07 du d’obligation de rendre et autres fonctionnaires publics parlementaires. compte. En effet, ils se n’obéissent pas aux mêmes règles que Code Criminel leur accorde doivent de rapporter vous et moi. IMMUNITÉ la perte ou le vol des Les gestes et omis- une immunité de poursuite armes à feu qui ap- sions qui font l’objet à l’égard de plusieurs actes partiennent à leurs or- de ces immunités de ganismes respectifs6. poursuite incluent la qui seraient autrement Toutefois, il n’existe References possession d’armes criminalisés." pas de devoir corres- 1Article 54 et suivants de la Loi sur à feu (y compris les pondant à l’égard des les armes à feu armes à feu et dispo- armes à feu des tiers. 2 sitifs prohibés) sans Puisque ces fonction- Article 58 de la Loi sur les armes égard aux lieux et à naires publics sont à feu la façon dont ils peuvent posséder de souvent appelés à détenir des armes 3R. v. Hasselwander, (1993)2 RCS telles armes à feu et dispositifs prohi- à feu appartenant à de tierces parties 398 bés. Ainsi, un fonctionnaire public n’a et que ces tierces parties peuvent être 4Règlement désignant certains pas à être titulaire d’un permis d’armes elles mêmes poursuivies pour défaut fonctionnaires publics, DORS/98- à feu et ils n’ont pas plus besoin d’être de rapporter la perte ou le vol en temps 466 titulaires d’une autorisation de port opportun, cette immunité pose des d’arme. Ils n’ont pas non plus à se plier inquiétudes et se justifie difficilement. 5(DORS/98-203). aux règles habituelles d’entreposage 6Article 11 du Règlement sur les et de transport d’armes à feu, à moins RÈGLES PARTICULIÈRES armes à feu des agents publics, d’entreposer leurs armes dans un lo- L’utilisation des champs de tir DORS/98-203 gement. En lieu et place, ils doivent est un autre domaine où les 7 observer les règles édictées dans le Rè- fonctionnaires publics jouissent de Règlement sur les champs de tir glement sur les armes à feu des agents règles particulières. En effet, bien que et les clubs de tir, DORS/98-212 publics5, qui sont plus simples et moins l’exploitation de champs de tir soit 8Paragraphe 2(3) du Règlement onéreuses que les règles applicables au réglementée7, lorsqu’un champ de tir sur les champs de tir et les clubs de grand public. Leurs pistolets peuvent est à l’usage exclusif de fonctionnaires tir, DORS/98-212 donc être transportés chargés et non publics, dans le cadre de leurs 9 verrouillés, voire dissimulés. Puisqu’ils fonctions officielles, la réglementation Article 85 de la Loi sur les armes peuvent posséder des dispositifs prohi- ne s’applique pas8. Cette exception à feu bés, ils peuvent utiliser des chargeurs s’applique non seulement aux 10Article 1 du Règlement de pleine capacité. Ces immunités champs de tir qui sont dédiés à d’application de la Loi sur s’expliquent par la nature des tâches l’usage des fonctionnaires publics, l’Immatriculation des armes à feu

March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 53 NFA Book Shelf Bill Rantz Survival Wisdom & Know-How: Everything You Need To Know To Subsist In The Wilderness

he front cover of Survival Wisdom There are over T & Know-How caught my atten- 1,000 black-and- tion while browsing in a local book- white illustra- store. “Everything You Need To Know tions, diagrams To Subsist In The Wilderness” and and photographs “7,845 Useful Skills & Step-By-Step supplementing Instructions” sounds rather boastful. If the text. These true, this book would certainly be an tend to be quite enormous bene t to anyone who loves simple, but they to spend time in Canada’s wilderness. are effective in Closer examination of Survival developing a full Wisdom & Know-How indicated that understanding of it displays the qualities of a reference the concept. text. The table of contents lists 13 es- Stackpole Books sential chapters, divided into over 200 chose to present subtitles with page numbers. It only such an enor- took a few seconds to locate speci c mous amount of topics of interest or necessity. Check- information in a ing the index revealed well over 1,500 single volume, items. A quick sampling noted poison- rather than ous mushrooms, Palomar knot, high- dozens of smaller altitude sickness, maggot therapy, books. This has hypothermia, insects as food and even the advantage of the Komodo dragon. Survival Wisdom guaranteeing the & Know-How is obviously intended as information is a resource which can be useful, wheth- readily available er spending time on a mountain, in a when needed, desert or on the glaciers of Antarctica. particularly in an While not intended as a book you emergency. The would sit and read from cover to cover, disadvantage is a browsing through Survival Wisdom single volume required over 800 pages. & Know-How will be a fascinating Publishing such an enormous book Title: Survival Wisdom & Know-How journey. Each reader will decide on would normally create a heavy and which topics require closer examina- expensive edition, which would never Author: From the Editors tion to satisfy their interest or curios- leave the reading room. It was delib- of Stackpole Books ity. Whether you are simply looking erately published as a soft cover book Compiled By: Amy Rost to learn new skills to enhance your with thin, lightweight paper and print enjoyment of the outdoors or a serious which is small but readable. This keeps Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal survivalist preparing for long periods the weight down to just over one kilo- Publishers 2007, of time in the wilderness, Survival Wis- gram and the suggested retail price at re-issued January 2017 dom & Know-How will not disappoint. a reasonable $25.99 CAD. ISBN: 978-0-316-27695-5 Our youngest generation learning to Survival Wisdom & Know-How easily (paperback), appreciate the beauty and solitude of exceeded my initial expectations and 978-1-60376-273-1 (e-book) the natural environment will be fas- is highly recommended. Keeping a cinated by the amount of information copy available at your home, cottage, Pages: 819 presented. Essential survival skills, hunt camp or camper will provide Size: Eight by 10 inches, soft cover including nding food and drinkable valuable reading material on those water, starting a re, building tem- nasty days or long, dark nights. Check Illustrations & Photographs: porary shelter or administering rst the shelves of your local bookstore for Black & white aid, could save a life in an emergency. a copy.

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March/April 2019 www.nfa.ca 55