Canadian September/October 2016 Firearms Journal

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Fully Committed On All Fronts Ca nada’s National Firearms Association

PM 40009473 Return undeliverable to: Canadian Firearms Journal, P.O. Box 49090, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6H4 CLASSIC. AMERICAN. .

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2 www.nfa.cawww.nfa.ca November/December 2017 CANADIAN November/December 2017 FIREARMS JOURNAL

COLUMNS 49 23 POINT BLANK BULLSEYE CAMERA SYSTEMS 4 No Registration Equals Improving your fi eld shooting skills ON THE COVER No Grandfathering? BRAD FENSON Remembrance Day MATTHEW MCBAIN 24 5 50 SHOOTING FRENCH HISTORY FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK TEAM NFA Resurrecting a Remembrance Day That Wonderful Winter Weather needle rifl e AL VOTH MEGAN TANDY DEAN ROXBY 6 52 30 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE LEGAL CORNER A SHOOTER’S CHRISTMAS Our Wish List Prohibited Firearms In Canada Suggested gifts for gun owners SHELDON CLARE AL VOTH GUY LAVERGNE 9 54 36 VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A COLLECTOR SPEAKS OUT It's A Rip Off NFA BOOK SHELF The need for change to our BLAIR HAGEN Shooting World War II Small Arms antique fi rearms legislation BILL RANTZ 10 KEN BAILEY PRESERVING OUR FEATURES 42 FIREARMS HERITAGE RANGE CLOSED Canadian Warriors How to lose a shooting facility GARY K. KANGAS 14 MIKE KELLY

12 ON A WING & A PR-AIR Canadian September/October 2016 POLITICS & GUNS Reviewing the Wing Shot Firearms Journal The Firearms Act, Two air-powered shotgun NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 Decades Of Statism LOWELL STRAUSS BRUCE GOLD 18 46 REVIEWING THE BCL-102 ONE GUN'S STORY A modern sporting rifl e A Captured Luger Tells Its Tale for the masses DUANE RADFORD JOSH JUDSON

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

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.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 3 On The Cover

hen you receive this W magazine, some of you will still be in the middle of hunting season. For others, that yearly tradition will be over. But for all of us, the tradition of remembering those who have sacrifi ced for the preservation of freedom returns on Nov. 11. Paul Seymour, of Newfoundland, captures that sentiment with his photograph of a poppy, supported by an empty case. It’s a fi tting thought that doesn’t need any elaboration once you stop to think about the symbolism.

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 November/December 2017 From The Editor’s Desk Al Voth

Remembrance Day

trust the image on this issue’s cover and shoots it, let alone hunts with it, can expect. And in case you want to I caught your attention and serves to is to be commended for resurrecting shoot this 308 Win. at longer ranges, remind you that Remembrance Day is history. However, not everyone trying Brad Fenson tells us about a camera near. As we usually do, we’ve dedi- to preserve history gets the support system for shooters that can transmit cated some space in this last magazine they deserve. That’s particularly true your target images onto your smart of the year to pay tribute to the men of firearm historians. Ken Bailey’s phone from as far away as a mile. and women who protect our freedoms. interview with a prominent collector Other features include Lowell Gary Kangas takes a look at some of of historically significant Canadian Strauss’ review of the Wingshot, an those heroes in his column, and Duane firearms makes that point. As his inter- air-powered shotgun, which can also Radford tells the fascinating tale of a view details, our gun laws need some launch slugs and arrows. Talk about liberated Luger, which helps unravel major adjustment if we are to continue flexibility! This gun does it all. And if the story of a First World War Cana- preserving our history. you’re a gun club member, you’ll want dian soldier. Duane’s story is a great At the other end of the timeline, we to read Mike Kelly’s recollections of example of how extensive research can have a look at one of the newest fire- how a wonderful indoor range in the bring an old gun to life. arms to arrive on the Canadian market, Maritimes was lost. Shooting an old gun brings it back to the BCL-102. This is a modern sport- Our usual political commentators are life as well, and Dean Roxby does that ing , manufactured in Ontario by here as well, as is lawyer Guy Lavergne with an old Chassepot . I’ve Black Creek Labs. It promises to make who explains (as well as anyone can) thought of trying something similar a splash in the marketplace, so Josh the convoluted state of prohibited fire- one day, but since I already have a full- Judson takes us on a tour of this new arms in Canada. There’s lots more as time job, I gave up on the idea. Anyone rifle, pulling the trigger enough times well, and I trust it will all entertain and who resurrects one of these old guns to get a solid feel for what consumers inform you.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 5 President’s Message Sheldon Clare

Our Wish List

t is pretty clear to most of us by now that trarily designated inconvenient calibres. that will actually reduce violent crime, I there are significant problems with how 2. There is a need to have all firearms, and as it’s clear that people with access to Canadian firearms law is set up. I am oc- especially those classed under 12(6) of defensive tools aren’t killed as easily. The casionally asked, “What does the NFA want the Act, to be made transferable and to police can’t protect individuals, it’s up to to do with our firearm laws?” Well, that’s a allow additional categories of owners. people to protect themselves. fair question. The effect would be to make prohibited 9. We need to end the arbitrary re-classi- First, the peaceful possession of firearms handguns “restricted” and thus end the fication of firearms by the RCMP. Their should not be viewed in any respect as a arbitrary “prohibited” class. ability to change the status of firearms crime. Ideally, there should be no refer- 3. Related to item 2, all firearms, includ- from restricted to prohibited has dam- ence to firearms in theCriminal Code at all. ing those classed as prohibited, should aged commerce, and cost both dealers The Code should provide for appropriate be transferrable outside of their current and their customers money without any penalties for the use of a weapon during the classification so as to make them saleable good reason. commission of a crime – any weapon, the to new owners. This is clearly a prop- 10. The elimination of firearm licensing, and choice of which should have no bearing on erty rights issue that affects the right of replacing it with a prohibited persons the severity of the penalty. Also, the right of people to sell their property and pass the list would deny legal access to firearms self-defence must be clearly supported in same on to their heirs. Continuing the to criminals. Recent analysis of statisti- law. The academic research is clear that pro- existing legislative pattern maintains a cal data by Gary is clear that the viding improved public access to firearms culture of good guns and bad guns and current firearms laws have not had any reduces the rates of violent crime. And the thus, by extension, good owners and bad effect on crime rates. It is also significant Firearms Act should be repealed in order to owners. that homicide using firearms is a statisti- prevent the continuation of what has become 4. One of the most abused parts of the Fire- cally tiny part of Canadian deaths. a highly abusive area of law. arms Act, on the part of police and Crown 11. On the international front, our govern- attorneys, is the section on safe storage. ment should be providing access through Problems with existing Provisions That section must be repealed. ITAR to the import and export privileges There are problems with the RCMP enforce- 5. If the registration of restricted and of small arms, ammunition and acces- ment of the Firearms Act. These problems prohibited firearms is to be continued, sories enjoyed by other NATO countries. include inadequate training for front-line amnesty is needed for people to register It seems that US President Trump is officers about the Act and about amnesty them without fear of confiscation. We, of working towards moving restrictions on provisions. As well, there is often an overly- course, prefer that all registration pro- firearms away from the State Depart- aggressive interpretation of the Firearms Act grams be ended. ment, to become a responsibility of the by CFOs and many police officers, produc- 6. Prohibitions on standard capacity maga- Commerce Department – a move in the ing a situation where firearms owners are zines need to be removed. These items right direction on that issue. harassed. As well, there is often harassment are uncontrollable, and the prohibition 12. End reverse onus provisions in the laws of people who have let their permits expire, is ignored by criminals anyway. Ending which go against the principle of inno- resulting in an unnecessary invalidation of this prohibition means these items would cent until proven guilty. grandfathering clauses, and, worst of all, once again be legal to own and use, as 13. End the Liberal-originated UN Mark- confiscating estate firearms from families they were for decades. ing of Firearms agreement. It has been who are still grieving, without informing 7. The situation regarding SATPs (Special stopped yet again, at the last moment, them of their rights. And there’s more: Authority to Possess), means collectors but it keeps coming back. It will serve no have not been allowed to shoot their useful purpose and should be ended. 1. First, there is no point in having the property and have been forced to leave 12(6) division of handguns in law, and it their prohibited firearms locked up at I know that’s quite a wish list, but our should be ended forthwith. Many non- home. Even car collectors drive their cars. members inspire me and the rest of your di- grandfathered persons in this category There must be an end to enforced “safe rectors to work towards these goals. The fight have had to surrender their lawfully queens,” those firearms that are never is both domestic and international, and NFA obtained property. In the short term, we allowed out of the house. is there in the courts, in the halls of power need a moratorium on prosecuting and 8. Access to authorizations to carry for self- and at the United Nations fighting hard to seizing firearms from owners of these defence needs to be improved. This is an make our lives better. You make these efforts handguns with short barrels and arbi- important aspect of legislative change possible – thanks!

6 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Message du Président Sheldon Clare Voici nos souhaits

lusieurs d’entre nous réalisons que voici les Provisions il doit y avoir un moratoire sur les P la structure de la loi qui gouverne Problématiques existantes accusations et les saisies subitent par les armes à feu comporte de problèmes L’application de la LAF par la GRC les propriétaires de ces armes qui ont importants. On me demande à l’occasion: comporte beaucoup de problèmes. Parmi des canons trop court et des calibres Quels sont les changements que l’ACAF ceux-ci la formation des policiers de pre- inconvénients. compte faire à propos de nos lois sur les mière ligne est déficiente lorsqu’il s’agit 2. Il est nécessaire que toutes les armes armes à feu? C’est une question bien de la LAF et les provisions en regard des à feu et surtout celles visées par l’Art légitime. amnisties. De plus, l’interprétation de la 12(6) de la LAF, puissent être cédées Premièrement: La possession paisible LAF est faite avec une agressivité exagérée et permettre la création de nouvelles d’armes à feu ne devrait jamais être de la part des Contrôleurs des Armes à catégories de propriétaires. Ceci perçue comme un crime. Idéalement le Feu (CAF) et de plusieurs policiers, ceci changerait les armes prohibées en Code Criminel ne devrait contenir au- résulte en l’harcèlement des propriétaires armes à autorisation restreintes, la cune référence aux armes à feu. Le Code légitimes. Nous avons vu aussi du harcèle- classe arbitraire “prohibé” serait élimi- devrait contenir des peines appropriées ment envers ceux dont le permis a expiré, née complètement. pour l’usage d’une arme lors de la com- avec comme résultat l’annulation inutile 3. En lien avec l’item 2, toutes les armes mission d’un crime - n’importe quelle de clauses grand-père et pire encore à feu incluant celles classées “pro- arme dont le choix n’aurait aucune la confiscation des armes léguées aux hibées” devraient pouvoir être cédées conséquence sur la sévérité de la peine. familles qui sont encore endeuillées, sans à l’extérieur de leur classification De plus, le droit à la légitime défense qu’on ne les informent de leurs droits. Et actuelle pour permettre leur vente à doit être clairement appuyé par la loi. il y a plus encore: de nouveaux acheteurs. Évidemment, Les recherches académiques démon- ceci est un enjeu qui touche au droit à trent que d’améliorer l’accès publique 1. Premièrement, l’Article 12(6) est une la propriété affectant le droit des gens aux armes à feu baisse le taux de crimes division inutile dans la loi, elle doit qui veulent vendre leurs biens et les violents. La Loi sur les Armes à Feu être éliminée. Plusieurs personnes qui léguer à leurs héritiers. Si le modèle (LAF) doit être abrogée pour prévenir la ne jouissent pas de cette clause ont du législatif actuel continue d’exister, il continuation des abus commis dans son remettre leur propriété acquise légale- maintiendra une culture qui qualifie ISTOCK application. ment aux autorités. À court terme, de bonnes et de mauvaises armes et

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 7 par conséquent de bons et mauvais par la loi car ces armes ne peuvent comme jouissent nos partenaires de propriétaires. jamais sortir de leurs demeures. l’OTAN. Apparemment que le Prési- 4. Une des parties de la LAF où il y a le 8. Il doit y avoir une amélioration de dent Trump des États-Unis travaille plus d’abus de la part des policiers et l’accès aux autorisations de port pour déplacer les restrictions sur les des procureurs est celle qui s’applique d’armes pour des fins de légitime armes à feu du State Department pour à l’entreposage sécuritaire. Cette par- défense. Ceci est un aspect important qu’elles deviennent sous la respon- tie doit être abrogée. des changements législatifs car ils sabilité du Commerce Department 5. Si l’enregistrement des armes re- auront l’effet de réduire les crimes - un pas dans la bonne direction selon streintes et prohibées doit se pour- violents. Car il est évident que les nous. suivre, une amnistie doit exister pour gens qui peuvent se servir d’outils 12. Éliminer le renversement du fardeau permettre aux gens de les enregistrer pour se défendre ne se font pas tuer de la preuve dans les lois car il va sans avoir à craindre de se les faire aussi facilement. La police ne peux directement à l’encontre du principe confisquer. Nous préférons certaine- pas protéger les individus, c’est la de la présomption d’innocence. ment que tous les programmes tâche de chaque personne de se proté- 13. Éliminer l’entente de marquage d’enregistrement cessent. ger elle-même. des armes de l’ONU, un système 6. La prohibition des chargeurs de 9. La re-classification arbitraire des qui trouve son origine à partir d’un capacité normale doit cesser. Ces armes à feu par la GRC doit cesser. gouvernement Libéral antérieur. Ils items ne sont pas contrôlables et les Leur capacité de changer le statut des l’ont suspendus à nouveau mais, une interdire n’affecte pas les criminels de armes à feu restreintes à prohibées a fois que la période de suspension sera toute façon. Cesser cette prohibition fait du tort aux commerce. Les gens terminée, l’application de l’entente permettrait leur possession et usage, d’affaire ainsi que leurs clients ont menace encore. Cette entente ne sert à comme ils ont été utilisés légalement perdu de l’argent inutilement. rien et doit cesser. depuis des décennies. 10. L’élimination du sytème des permis 7. Le Règlement sur la Possession en le remplaçant par une liste de Je sais que c’est une longue liste de Autorisée dans des Cas Particuliers personnes à qui il faut interdire l’accès souhaits mais nos membres m’inspire (RPACP) de la LAF fait que les collec- légal aux armes à feu, aiderait à rédu- ainsi que vos directeurs à travailler pour tionneurs n’ont plus le droit de tirer ire leur accès aux criminels. accomplir ces objectifs. La lutte prend leurs biens. Ils ont été forcés de garder 11. Sur le plan international, notre place sur le plan domestique ainsi qu’à leurs armes prohibées bien verrouil- gouvernement devrait fournir l’accès l’international. L’ACAF est présente lées à la maison. Même les collection- aux privilèges d’importation et devant les tribunaux, dans les coulisses du neurs d’auto ont le droit de conduire d’exportation des petites armes, muni- pouvoir et à l’ONU. Nous luttons avec ar- leurs voitures. Il doit y avoir une fin tions et accessoires via ITAR (Inter- deur pour améliorer nos vies. Vous rendez aux “reines des coffre-forts” obligées national Traffic in Arms Regulations) ces efforts possibles - merci!

8 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Vice President’s Message Blair Hagen

It’s A Rip Off

ne of the questions constantly By the 1990s, those beliefs and the the rights, freedoms and property of O posed to the NFA is, "If you don't inherent protections associated with Canadians when doing so. It should not like the gun laws, what would you them had gone completely out the fall on Canadians to justify those rights replace them with?" window. Both the rights and property and freedoms, or bargain or trade those Firstly, Canada's National Firearms of Canadians were denied, treated with rights away for false promises of safety Association is not going to be tasked contempt and deliberately targeted by or necessity. with replacing Canada's failed firearms ideologically motivated governments I guess what I am trying to say is control system by any government. bent on social re-engineering agendas. that Canadians have to keep thinking NFA will not be tasked with writing Government, bureaucracy and the outside the box on the firearms issue. legislation. We would very much like to civil disarmament lobby used threats Yes, because of the excesses of the gun be part of that legislative process, in the and harassment to advance their civil legislation of 20 years ago, thinking form of advising how the failed ideolo- disarmament goals. With no political outside of the box did begin. Canadians gies and regulatory excesses of the past solution in sight, Canadians settled in took a look at their traditional attitudes have targeted the wrong people and for a prolonged battle to preserve their towards gun control and came to the wasted billions of tax dollars. But at the rights, property and culture. conclusion that simply accepting any end of the day, inevitably, it is the gov- Between 1990 and 1995, Progressive plea or explanation from government ernment of Canada that brings forward Conservative and Liberal governments has resulted in serious damage to our legislation, and bureaucrats who write targeted the rights and property of ancient rights and freedoms. Canadi- regulation. Unfortunately, the firearms Canadians in response to a perceived ans fought back. organizations and the firearms commu- increase in crime. Incidents such as the Their resistance ultimately resulted in nity have never been included in that Oka Crisis and the murder of 14 female rolling back a part of the most egre- process. engineering students in Montreal con- gious legislation ever visited upon In the mid 1970s, a civil disarmament tributed. Both the Progressive Conser- us. That job isn't done. We have been movement manifested itself and the vative and Liberal governments of the politically successful, but now is no modern era of firearms as a political early 1990s not only trampled the rights time to back off, change direction or issue began. Many of the gun control of Canadians, they did so proudly and accept the status quo. If you accept the ideas that would later be adopted and with vigor. Rights were dismissed as current Firearms Act as basically fair, pursued were initially rejected, but an "American" concept. Mandatory li- based on sound legal principle, and the civil disarmament lobby and their censing and universal registration were that the rights of Canadians must be friends in the federal bureaucracy never demanded. Canadians were targeted, infringed and their property targeted gave up. What was thought impossible bullied and threatened, while prop- and controlled in order to prevent to impose on Canadians in the 1970s erty was confiscated. For those of you access by violent criminals, there will was later imposed in the 1990s. Timeta- who were around at the time and were be no appreciable reform to firearms bles changed, but the plan went ahead. victimized by this legislation, you know laws in the future. If you accept all of Previous to this, governments re- what an ungodly mess it was in terms the arguments of government and the frained from deliberately targeting of confusion, obfuscation, pernicious civil disarmament lobby, who have so the rights and property of Canadians. enforcement and licentious bureau- much invested in firearms legislation, They operated under the belief these cracy. but feel that firearms regulations could were important concepts of Canadian Firearms legislation must change so be made just a little fairer, the reforms citizenship and therefore must be that this can never happen again. necessary to ensure and protect our respected and protected, not only for From time to time, governments will rights and property will never be the benefit of those Canadians affected move to regulate. This is usually done achieved. by their legislative measures, but for all for some political expedient or eco- There is No Compromise on this. Canadians. They realized, as the rights nomic purpose, and rarely for legiti- Trading your rights for some compro- of the few were diminished, so would mate necessity. However, the burden mise and a vague cry for public safety be the rights of the majority. should fall on government to respect is not a trade off, it's a rip off.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 9 Preserving Our Firearms Heritage Gary K. Kangas

Canadian Warriors

A Mark II Ross Rifle, possibly used by a sniper. Francis Pegahmagabow, born It is fitted with a Harris Platform magazine. March 9, 1889, and died Aug. 5, 1952.

n the fabric of Canadian history, with the French military and colonists diminished. I and our firearms heritage, a distinct to conduct warfare in Acadia, defending These events foretold the military his- group of people are frequently over- their lands against British migration. tory of the First Nations across Canada looked. These are the First Nations During this time, the First Nations re- until the end of the 19th century. Centu- warriors, who from the time of initial sisted British attempts to colonize what ries of winning, losing, failed alliances, European immigration to modern times is now known as the Maritimes. unhonoured treaties, forced cultural have been either able adversaries or The Mi’kmaq warriors were not only change and yet the First Nations war- valued allies. When the chips are down, adept on land, they also waged a naval riors remained committed to defending First Nations warriors have always risen campaign targeting British vessels. By Canada. to the challenge of defending (Kanata) the 1740s, military campaigns involv- Canada. Their performance on the front ing the French, with their Mi’kmaq, Global warfarE lines is legendary. Abenaki and Maliseet warriors, were At the dawn of the 20th century, Canada clashing with the British. The final was embroiled in the Boer War, also Early conflicts colonial war was the French and Indian known as the South African War. Up In pre-European Canada, First Nations War, with the British relentless in their to this time, the First Nations warriors warriors honed their skills in battle efforts to dislodge the French and were employed as scouts or militias in against other aboriginals. Vying with subdue the First Nations. The British the Canadian military. But during this other tribes for territory and resources, began the expulsion of Acadians in conflict, First Nations were accepted honed their skills at camouflage and 1755, and during this course of into the Canadian army as regular strategy. Even Jacques Cartier was an the Acadian and First Nations resis- recruits for the first time. Of the indig- early recorder of military engagements tance to the British intensified, with the enous soldiers serving in South Africa, between the Mi’kmaq people and the Mi’kmaq fighting valiantly throughout. a prime example is George McLean. Iroquois. During the colonial era, the By 1760, the Mi’kmaq chiefs had signed A rancher in the Okanagan district of Mi’kmaq allied with the French to battle a peace treaty with the British, but some British Columbia and a member of the the English, who were allied with the factions of their nation waged war until Head-of-the-Lake Band, he served as a Iroquois. From the 1600s to the 1760s, the early 1780s. However, the Mi’kmaq private in the 2nd Canadian Mounted Public domain the Wabanaki confederacy combined militia’s military power was much Rifles. Then, during the First World

10 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 War, George re-enlisted in October iron sights, and combined with his skill of 1916 and served in France with the and daring, this quickly made him a 54th Battalion. His unit was involved in sniper. the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where, armed He is reported to have used the Ross with a sack of hand grenades, George rifle in this role. In the early to mid-war launched a one-man attack on a Ger- years, the Ross was issued with a gradu- man trench. He captured 19 Germans ated rear sight including an aperture, and disposed of five more, even though and proved effective in Francis’ talented wounded by a sniper’s in the arm. hands. In the last stages of the First George McLean received the Distin- World War, Ross rifles were fitted with guished Conduct Medal for his valour. Warner & Swasey telescopic sights, but Early in the First World War, some re- there is no record of him ever using one cruiters turned First Nations applicants so equipped. The favoured technique away, but brighter lights prevailed and in the First World War was to establish indigenous recruits were accepted, and a sniping position, either in the trench the unofficial policy of exclusion was no or out in no man’s land. With his face longer enforced. During the First World blackened, Francis would crawl into no War, approximately 4,000 status aborigi- man’s land under cover of darkness, nal volunteers enlisted in the Canadian wearing a burlap covering over his head military, as did an undetermined num- and torso. He is credited with killing 378 ber of Metis. One half of the soldiers in Germans and capturing 300 more. the 107th Battalion from Manitoba were His success on the battlefield is often First Nations, and were known as the attributed to his knowledge of cam- Timber Wolves. These aboriginal sol- ouflage, his patience, strong spiritual diers were of the Blackfoot Confederacy, beliefs and undeniable courage. Francis’ Cree, Ojibwa, Iroquois, Sioux, Delaware first citation was in 1915 for snip- and Mi’kmaq nations. One was Joseph ing and scouting during the Battle of Benjamin Keeper, a Canadian Olympic Ypres. Francis was wounded by a bullet runner. striking his leg, during the Battle of the Their commanding officer was Lt. Col. Somme, but even so he returned to the Glenlyon Archibald Campbell, a Metis battlefield. He received the Military born in Fort Pelly, Sask. The son of a Medal in 1916 and two subsequent bars Hudson’s Bay trader and a First Nations for his work at the battle of Passchen- mother, his youth was lived in Manitoba daele and the battle of The Scarpe. He where he hunted and trapped in the was also awarded the 1914-15 Star, First Nations lifestyle. In the North- the British War Medal and the Victory west Rebellion, Campbell served with A Mark II Ross Rifle with folding rear Medal. Boulton’s Scouts and was promoted sight, Harris magazine well and activation Although being shot and gassed to captain. Thirty years later, Lt. Col. lever on the right side. With the bolt during the War, upon his return to Campbell would conduct training of the pulled rearward, the Harris quick-load Canada Francis joined the Algonquin 107th in English, Cree and Ojibwa. magazine was activated by the fingers of Militia Regiment, became an activist for the hand holding the forend. Then loose rounds could simply be dropped into the aboriginal rights, was elected as a tribal snipEr! magazine well. No wasted motion for a chief and became a politician. During But this nation’s most highly decorated sniper hiding under cover. the Second World War, he served as a First Nations soldier was Corporal guard at a munitions plant in Ontario Francis Pegahmagabow, affectionately and achieved a rank of sergeant major known as “Peggy” by his trench mates. port of Parry Sound Crown Attorney, in the militia. Born on the Parry Island Reservation Walter Lockwood, and became a marine Other First Nations snipers were in Ontario, Francis’ father passed away fireman for the Department of Marine Johnson Paudash of Kawartha Lakes, when he was three years old. When his & Fisheries on the Great Lakes. Ont., Henry Norwest of Fort Saskatch- mother became very ill and returned When the First World War began, ewan, Alta., and Louis Phillippe Riel, to her ancestral home, Francis was left although First Nations people were a nephew of Louis Riel. These snipers in the care of Noah Nebimayquod, the exempt from military service and were highly skilled specialists who were man who had raised Francis’ father recruiters did discriminate, Francis was both hunters and the hunted. They lived after the death of his parents. Francis accepted into the Canadian military as a and died in very dangerous situations. was raised in the customs, culture and member of the 23rd Regiment (North- These Canadian warriors served to traditions of the Anishnaabe (Objiwa ern Pioneers) Overseas contingent in protect our firearms heritage. people) and was taught hunting, fish- August 1914. Then Francis became a ing, shooting and bush craft. He be- member of the 1st Canadian Infantry Author acknowledgement: I wish to express lieved strongly in the power of the spirit Battalion, underwent training and my appreciation to John Pullen of Pullen’s world. Francis completed his public- landed in France by February 1915. He Gunsmithing for his very informative school education with the financial sup- was an incredible marksman with open tutorial on the Ross Rifle.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 11 Politics & Guns Bruce Gold The Firearms Act, Two Decades Of Statism

anada’s draconian gun control law dealers, where presumably these inani- the assertion that it is a necessary right is C was promoted as a public safety mate objects would have their greatest viewed as an insult to the state. Propo- measure. Since its passage, its actual effect. nents of statism proclaim the necessity success as a crime control measure has Guns cause crime: The relationship of top down rule by conceptualizing been disappointing at best. However, its of more guns equals more homicides is the law-abiding citizen as irresponsible ability to produce administrative churn widely advertised, but fails on examina- and untrustworthy, hence disarming and paper criminals is well documented. tion. For example, if we look at the US them is mandatory for public safety. This An examination of the debate reveals over the 16-year period (1994 to 2010) anti-democratic view of the citizen’s some of the problematic arguments used we find the number of civilian firearms virtues also finds expression in policies to justify the law. increased dramatically. Total firearms that move as much authority as possible Montreal Massacre (1989): This has stocks increased by some 93,965,151 out of parliament and into the less ac- been used as a primary justification for firearms. The number of handguns, a countable international or bureaucratic gun control efforts and is often cited category of particular interest to anti- spheres. Statists re-imagine self-defence as “proof” of the misogynist nature of gunners, increased by 40,681,376. During as untrammeled vigilantism and the Canadian society. An examination of the this period, homicides dropped 37 per taking of the law into one’s own hands actual incident reveals a story quite dif- cent, firearms homicides dropped 36 per – offensively so – for they see the law as ferent from the usual spin. The incident cent and handgun homicides dropped 47 being their property. was a calculated terrorist act to protest per cent. Clearly, the relationship here is the legal and social equality of women more guns equals fewer homicides. Problems with the law in Canada. The killer, often portrayed as The terrible US homicide rate: This is Focus: The law carefully focuses on a sort of bizarre stand-in for a Canadian usually cited to “prove” that America, where the problem isn’t by targeting “everyman,” was born the son of an Al- with the highest gun ownership rate inanimate objects in the hands of the gerian immigrant. Although he appears also has the “highest” homicide rate. If law-abiding. (Only the law-abiding to have no strong religious beliefs, he we stop cherry-picking comparisons, we register and licence.) This targeting deci- did inherit his father’s cultural attitudes find that the reality is different. There are sion guarantees that any crime control towards women. His father, though not some 93 countries with higher homicide effect will be miniscule. For example, a practicing Muslim, was a violent man rates and lower gun ownership rates in 2003, there were 161 gun homicides and retained the Islamic belief in the than the US. The highest, Honduras, in Canada. Assuming that each shoot- subordination of women. The Montreal has a homicide rate of 90.4 per hundred ing involved a separate and legal gun coroner’s report detailed how the police thousand (all numbers from UN Office (both assumptions are wrong) we can response (they just stood outside and of Drugs and Crime, 2012 figures). This calculate the percentage of legal guns made no effort to intervene in any way) is almost 20 times the US rate of 4.7. that were involved in these murders. If resulted in the high number of deaths. Some 22 countries have rates four times we use the official figure of seven million The coroner’s report stated explicitly, as high, including Mexico with 21.5. guns we get 0.0023 per cent. Only 23 ten “With the unlimited ammunition and Some 57 countries have rates more than thousandths of one per cent of legal guns time that Marc Lépine had available twice as high as the US. The “horrific” US were involved in a homicide, meaning to him, he would probably have been homicide rates start to look a lot different any crime control payoff will have to able to achieve similar results even with when put into perspective with the rest be found within this vanishingly small a conventional hunting weapon.” This of the world, where the average homicide percentage of efforts. finding undermines the politically con- rate is 8.6, over twice the US rate. Administrative overkill: The Liberal's venient “only some guns” rhetoric that Statism: This political philosophy af- firearms law is an administrative wonder is used to support incremental disarma- firms that the state is the sole arbiter of that mandated no fewer than three li- ment. This shows the danger of writ- rights. No inherent rights, God given or censing systems: one for owners, one for ing laws based on the misnaming and natural law rights exist; all is in the gift of guns and one for permission to transport. politicizing of events. the almighty state. The Canadian Charter This controversial law, which tried to Weapons Effect Theory: This theory of Rights and Freedoms is an unrelenting restrict violent crime by regulating the asserts that the very existence of these example of this view. Absent is any hint law-abiding, was forecast to cost a mere inanimate objects (guns) causes violence. that a right is anything but a gift from the $2 million a year in administrative costs. At root, it claims that physiological or state, bestowed conditionally and always Its actual cost has risen to over $2 billion symbolic ideas attach themselves to subject to “reasonable limits” which will and that figure does not include costs to inanimate objects, which then influence be determined by the government of the the provinces, industry or gun owners. and control human behaviour. The theory day and unelected judges. The claim of The law is based on the belief that paper- does not explain why shootings are so any “right to arms” is seen as an open work in Miramichi will give positive, ac- rare around gun shows and firearms challenge to the all-powerful state, and tive control over two million Canadians

12 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 and 7.1 million inanimate objects. verse onus of guilt places gun owners in $500 per firearm, this amounts to some Bypassing parliament: With this Act, the absurd position of being required to $250,000,000 in property confiscated parliament surrendered control over prove their innocence when such proof under colour of law. firearms law. This shifts lawmaking back is contained in the supposedly infallible This mess is the law that Trudeau and to the undemocratic colonial system of government records. the Liberals want to make even more the governor and council. Firearms law is Right to security of the person: C-68 restrictive – for “public safety.” now handed down to us as if responsible takes away the ability of citizens to de- government had never been established fend their own homes and property. This in Canada. rejects a right established in common Treats criminal law as administrative law and affirmed by the writings of Locke References law: The Act empowers firearms officers and Blackstone. This right was supposed Report of Coroner's Investigation. and RCMP technicians to write crimi- to be imported into Canadian law by Sourour, Teresa K., Investigating nal law. This creates the abomination of the preamble to the BNA Act (1867) and Coroner. 1991. unelected bureaucrats being given the by section 26 of the Charter, but was Firearms Commerce in the United legislative power of parliament itself. rejected by unelected judges. States, Annual Statistical Update Nameless technicians in an RCMP Right to property: Government 2012. United States Department basement now routinely turn tens of licensed owners of some 500,000 legally of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, thousands of law-abiding Canadians into owned handguns found their property Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, criminals, subject to years in prison. re-classified as “prohibited.” There was Special Report, Firearm Violence, Loss of the right to be presumed inno- no evidence to show these registered 1993-2011. U.S. Department of cent: Section 117.11 of C-68 states, "The firearms were any more of a threat to Justice Office of Justice Programs, onus is on the accused to prove that the public safety than any other firearm. Bureau of Justice Statistics May person is the holder of the authorization, Over time, as owners die, confiscation 2013, NCJ 241730. licence or registration certificate.” This re- will occur without compensation. At RightWingNation.ca Nathaniel Milljour, Milljour, Nathaniel

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 13 on a wing & a Pr-air Reviewing the Wing Shot air-powered shotgun By LoweLL StrauSS

ike many, I spent plenty of time the Wing Shot. bore and modified the stock to better L as a young shooter behind an suit wing-shooting. He then designed airgun. That air rifle was the perfect Wing Shot hiStory a special shotshell and loaded it with tool for honing my skills on house The Sam Yang Dragon Claw is a #6 and #8 shot. sparrows, rodents and tin cans. But .50-calibre PCP (pre-charged pneu- The Wing Shot was released in Sep- with its slow muzzle velocity and light matic) air rifle, and is imported and tember 2015, and like its rifle-barreled .177 pellets, it lacked the energy to be distributed in North America by Air brother, the response to the Wing Shot effective on larger targets, especially Venturi. With a fully charged tank, it has been stellar. Then, in 2016, Air past 15 metres. To match my shooting can launch a 225-grain lead slug about Venturi released the Air Bolt, an arrow ambitions, it was soon traded for a 680 feet per second, and deliver 230 that loads in the muzzle of the Wing powder burner. foot-pounds of energy. This big bore Shot. With the gun at full pressure, But times have changed, and air has been one of Air Venturi’s best sell- these bolts leave the muzzle at 500 feet rifles have grown up. Airguns are now ers for the past six years. Riding on the per second! The Wing Shot II, released available in calibres ranging from .177 Dragon Claw’s success, Paul Milkov- in 2017, added a ventilated rib, and the to .50. Big-bore calibres are growing in ich, Air Venturi’s director of business shotshells were redesigned to hold 25 popularity and pack enough punch to development, had the idea to create a per cent more shot for denser patterns. kill big game, including African plains smooth bore version to be used as a game. And now there’s an airgun shotgun. Working with the Sam Yang Wing Shot capable of shooting not only birdshot company on a new design, they re- The Wing Shot is good looking and slugs, but an arrow too! It’s called placed the rifled barrel with a smooth shotgun. It’s a .50 calibre, or if you

14 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 prefer the more genteel descriptor, a 38-gauge shotgun, and sports a wooden stock and forend. A styl- ish silver receiver with a flock of birds etched into the left side is a nice contrast to the black barrel and air reservoir. It includes a natural rubber butt pad like those found on vintage shotguns. The Wing Shot measures 43 inches from butt to muzzle. It’s a bit muzzle heavy, balancing slightly forward of its mid-point. The barrel is 22.5 inch- es long, and its removable extended choke adds another 1.5 inches. I find a 24-inch barrel a little too short for most field shotguns, but it works for the limited range of the Wing Shot. Despite its forward balance and shorter barrel, the Wing Shot is quick to shoulder and felt nimble in my hands. Like many traditional shotguns, the Wing Shot features a brass bead front sight. It’s large, round and easy to see and really all that’s needed for wing-shooting. The receiver is drilled and tapped to accept optics mounts, which are essential when using this gun for shooting slugs and arrows at further distances. The gun’s length of pull is 13.5 inches, which works well for my Air Bolts fired from the Wing Shot proved arm length. The three-eighths-inch extremely accurate. thick rubber butt pad is perfectly fit to the stock, and adds to the overall aesthetics, but isn’t necessary as there is negligible recoil from this 7.25-pound gun.

Ammunition The Wing Shot was designed to shoot #6 and #8 lead shot, loads best suited to hunting small birds, game and clay targets. The shells feature a thin plastic outer hull and a thicker plastic base. After leaving the barrel, the hull separates from its payload of pellets. Each shotshell (new style) holds a 167-grain payload. A #6 load holds 85 pellets, while a #8 holds 128 pellets. Shotshells will cost you $0.66 each and are sold in boxes of 50 for $33 a box. Air Venturi also sells emp- The Wing Shot shoots both lead balls and needed something to penetrate ty shotshells, so shooters interesting and conical (slugs). Air Venturi the armour of German vehicles. in developing a custom load can do makes a Balle Blondeau bullet that Blondeau created this spool-shaped that too. Empty shotshells (load your works well in the Wing Shot. Pierre slug out of non-deforming steel. It own) are $25 a box, which works out Blondeau, a French national, designed over-penetrated soft targets so was to $0.50 each. It saves some money if this bullet during the Second World best suited as an anti-materiel round. you already have some lead shot on War. Apparently, French resistance After the war, the need for a shotgun- your bench. fighters were equipped with shotguns specific anti-materiel round vanished,

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 15 pack for $150. This may seem like a lot of money, but thankfully they are reusable. Just don’t aim for the same spot on the target or you’ll risk a Robin Hood shot and a ruined bolt.

in the field The Wing Shot needs a lot of air per shot and pressures drop off quickly, meaning it works best at its full pres- sure of 200 BAR (2,900 psi). Using a carbon fibre or scuba refilling tank simplifies air recharging. The tank’s fill device has a quick-connect fitting that attaches to the gun in seconds. Monitoring the pressure is easy by watching the built-in fill gauge in the forend. The Wing Shot emits a loud pop when firing, and even though it’s not as loud as a powder burner, eye and ear protection is a good idea. The cocking mechanism of the Wing Shot is a straight-pull bolt- action that features a high and low power setting. As the cocking bolt is pulled back, the first click is the low power position. Continue drawing the bolt back until the second click to fire the gun at high power. The trigger pull on the Wing Shot is ac- ceptable, not great, but not bad for a shotgun. It’s a non-adjustable two- stage trigger with a short first stage, a clean break and a little overtravel. The trigger weight is not too light or too heavy for a field gun.

Shotshell performance The maxi- mum velocity I got from the Wing Shot shotgun using the #8 shot factory shotshells was 1,048 feet per second. Patterning the gun at different distances showed a spread of about six inches at 15 yards and about 14 inches at 30 yards. Consid- ering this is only a quarter-ounce A carbon fibre fill tank and regulator load, the pattern is very thin at 30 attach to the Wing yards. Pattern width increased as the Shot with a quick- pressure in the air reservoir dropped connect fitting. off. Switching to the Wing Shot’s optional choke helped keep patterns tighter. In testing, I got about four to five full-power shots before I saw a so people forgot about the Balle Air Bolts are a unique, reusable drop in performance. Blondeau. Today, using this design projectile designed for the Wing Shot To hit flying targets, a shooter must, with lead rather than steel, this bullet or any other .50 calibre airgun with a of course, lead that moving target is an effective hunting bullet from barrel of at least 22 inches. The 23-inch by the correct amount, taking into a smooth-bore airgun. A box of 50, carbon fibre bolts weigh 430 grains, account target velocity, direction and 210-grain Balle Blondeau bullets costs including a 100-grain field tip. Replace ammunition velocity. Since these air- $25, or you can cast and shoot your the field tips with broadheads for powered shotshells are a little slower own .50 calibre bullets or lead balls. hunting. Air Bolts are sold as a six- than standard shotgun ammuni-

16 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 The Wing Shot has a built-in pressure gauge in its forend. Maximum pressure is 206 Bar.

tion, don’t be surprised if the first few was impressive, given the platform, Shot equipped with an Air Bolt and shots with the Wing Shot are behind the Air Bolts were jaw dropping! The broadhead would easily kill big game the target. I found I had to continually accuracy was incredible. As when animals. Work needs to be done by increase my lead until I was crushing shooting birdshot and slugs, I needed hunters and shooters to inform policy clays with confidence. But remember, to aim high to land arrows in the makers about these new technologies. as pressures drop, so does shot veloc- bullseye. Once I found that sweet spot, While the Wing Shot won’t replace ity. Adapting to the changing variables I consistently hit a two-inch bullseye modern firearms, it occupies an is the name of the game with this gun. at 30 yards. The most impressive part important niche for the airgunner. If was the power. I used a foam archery you’re looking for a low recoil, accu- Slug performance Accuracy when fir- block as a backstop. This target easily rate and relatively quiet training gun, ing slugs out of the .50 calibre smooth stops all arrows from my 70-pound the Wing Shot may be right for you. To bore barrel was surprising. Testing at compound bow. Not the Wing Shot me, the most impressive performance 20 yards with Air Venturi’s 210-grain with Air Bolts, as the bolts sailed clean comes from the Air Bolts, which is Balle Blondeau slugs resulted in a through my target, continuing another reason enough to own this unique big three-inch, three-shot group. Muzzle 20 yards before sticking in the dirt. bore airgun. The Wing Shot is definite- velocity was respectable with the first And that was on the low power setting. ly a Jack of all trades, and master of at shot clocking 710 feet per second. Now that’s serious penetration! Only least one. Shots four and five, held the same after the pressure dropped to about 40 windage but hit below the first group, per cent did the bolts stop in the block. not surprising as velocity dropped to 622 feet per second and 592 feet per ConCluSion second, respectively. Considering I The Wing Shot is an omnivore when Resources was only using the front bead sight, it comes to ammunition. It shoots Airgun Source is the Canadian accuracy was more than acceptable for everything from birdshot to slugs to Wing Shot dealer (guns, taking close range shots on game. If arrows and it does it well, once you accessories and parts) using an optic and keeping the Wing understand its limits. But before you Shot topped up, this group size should buy a Wing Shot for hunting, be sure Website: airgunsource.com shrink considerably. to check your provincial game laws, Phone: 1-800-565-9527 or 1-705- as some don’t yet allow pneumatic 749-1290 Air bolt performance While the per- devices for hunting. I understand E-mail: [email protected] formance of the shotshells and slugs why, but it’s a shame because a Wing

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 17 18 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Reviewing The BCL-102 A modern sporting rifle for the masses By Josh Judson

here are few rifles I would drive come at a higher price bracket. You can have not released an official spec sheet T six hours to pick up, but the find yours at the distributor South Fon- at this time. BCL-102 is one of them. This highly tenac Rental Centre, or at your local My first impressions when unbox- anticipated, Canadian-made, black retailer once the high demand tapers ing the rifle had me surprised to see rifle has arrived and sports shooters down a little bit. For now, the first two that it came with a soft gun case, an are scrambling to get their hands on pre-orders are sold out, and the third IMI magazine and no manual. Having them. I’m one of the lucky few that may have been announced by the time been told the first shipment would not got in on the initial pre-order, and this you read this. come with a magazine, and there being review will help those of you anxiously no mention of a case, those two items awaiting your own BCL-102. For those Features & speciFications were a pleasant surprise. I suppose of you just hearing about this rifle now, Having the rifle chambered in 7.62x51 any AR-10 or AR-308 manual (many of you may want to either lock away your NATO is ideal as it is a widely available which are free online) would suffice, wallet or get your credit card handy, cartridge and is compatible with 308 however, I personally found the lack of because this rifle is sure to be a hit Winchester ammunition, so you can a manual to be a deficiency. As is often with Canadian firearms and hunting shoot cheap surplus or whatever fancy seen, the rifle was slathered with oil, enthusiasts alike. high-end ammunition you choose. which created an excuse to disassem- The first question people keep asking The fluted barrel allows for a medium ble and clean it. During this process, I is, "How is this rifle non-restricted profile at a lighter weight and better found the finish on the exterior of the when it looks so much like an AR-15?" balance, so you can use it for target BCL-102 is uniform and flawless, with Well, it has to do with the way the law shooting without the barrel heating up no machining marks visible. The rifle was written regarding restricted fire- too quickly, whilst retaining the abil- has an air of quality about it. The bolt arms, in particular, the AR-15. While ity to fit a hunting role. The M-LOK- carrier group is equally well finished, the AR-15 and any variants of it are compatible handguard is lightweight the bolt head and cam pin movement restricted, predecessors to the AR-15, while still being capable of attaching are smooth, and the gas key was staked and variants of these predecessors, are whatever tactical or practical doodads and lacked a surface finish, giving it a not restricted if they meet minimum you like. Aftermarket parts that can be unique look. The balance of the rifle barrel length, overall length and vari- swapped out include: AR-15 trigger is just in front of the magazine well, ous other requirements set out by Ca- groups, 5/8”x24mm 7.62mm muzzle which is excellent. Weighing in at 8.9 nadian law. Since this rifle is based on brakes, handguards with Armalite pounds, the rifle does have some heft a predecessor to the AR-15, it fits in the threaded barrel nuts, most SR25-com- to it, but any comparable 308 semi-auto non-restricted category, and has been patible magazines (see the specifica- has a similar weight. I found that after deemed so by the RCMP. However, the tions chart), AR-15 pistol grips, as adding a scope and bipod, my rifle manufacturer, Black Creek Labs, has well as any 6-position mil-spec AR-15 weighed in at 11.2 pounds. After shoot- completely modernized the exterior of stock of your choosing. This means that ing the rifle and running around with it the rifle, with the result being a fine- you can customize your rifle to your for a little while, it increased my desire looking firearm. liking with an almost endless assort- to see a lightweight hunting version Not only did they work hard to secure ment of parts. The BCL-102 rifles are produced, with a clamshell handguard that classification, but they also worked offered in black, flat dark earth and and a light profile barrel. I suspect hard to bring a high quality and afford- olive drab green, although hopefully such a rifle would be in the 7.5-pound able non-restricted hunting and sport- more colours like burnt bronze and range, making a handier and more ing rifle to market. At $1,750 MSRP, this grey will be added in the future. What practical hunting rifle for those that do rifle is almost $1,000 cheaper than its barrels they take, bolt carrier group a lot of hiking. nearest competitor in the same class compatibility and what buffer tubes (insert M14 lover objections here), and are compatible is still up in the air at reliability it comes with features that usually the moment, because Black Creek Labs Since the rifle is so new, long-term

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 19 reliability is still up in the air. However, don't like each other in this rifle. I accuracy I have run several types of ammunition was consistently getting mis-feeds Now comes the big question: "Just through it so far, including Hirten- and double-feeds with this combina- how accurate is this thing?" Well, berger, Norinco surplus, Hornady tion. All other ammunition exhibited we handloaders are in the infancy of 150-grain SST Superformance, Fed- no problems, even during rapid fire, finding loads that are accurate, but eral Premium 165-grain Sierra Game while running XCR-M magazines, most people don't handload anyways. King, Hornady Match 168-grain BTHP, Magpul PMAGs and the IMI Defense I took it upon myself to purchase a few Hornady Precision Hunter 178-grain magazine the rifle came with. One different kinds of factory ammunition: ELD-X and some primitive early- thing to note is that due to magazine Hornady Superformance 150-grain stage handloads by yours truly. Total well dimensions, the rifle will not SST, Hornady Match 168-grain BTHP, count so far is 350 rounds. The rifle accept DPMS metal magazines. I feel Hornady Precision Hunter 178-grain has run well, with few malfunctions, that after running these many differ- ELD-X and Federal Premium 165-grain all of which were magazine related. ent types of ammunition through the Sierra Gameking BTSP. I tried to get Apparently, XCR-M pistol magazines rifle, it is safe to say this is a function- some different weights and types of and Norinco surplus 7.62x51 NATO ally reliable firearm. bullets to get an idea for what the

20 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 The BCL-102 is a variant of a rifle which preceded the AR-15, which combined with its specific characteristics, makes it non-restricted.

BCL-102 likes to eat. a lead sled, but improvised rests, as I projectiles. My 180-grain Winchester I know, I know, "Where is the Federal always do when shooting from a bench. handloads (around minimum for pow- Gold Metal Match 168-grain BTHP?" The trigger used was the unmodified der charge) grouped four to five inches, Well, it wasn't at the sporting goods stock trigger, and the barrel was kept my 165-grain Hornady SST handloads store I visited to get test ammunition, slightly warm throughout testing. grouped 1.9 to 2.5 inches and my Win- that’s for sure. I spent about 30 minutes My reticle was stable on the targets, chester 150-grain handloads grouped making sure it wasn't hiding behind although there was some minor heart- 1.8 to 2.4 inches. Nothing promising to something else! That aside, let's get beat movement, but no more than 0.5 report from my preliminary handloads. down to business. inches at worst. So, you could probably The factory ammunition was as Ammunition testing was done with subtract at least 0.25 inches from these follows: Hornady 178-grain ELD-X a Bushnell AR-223 3-12x40mm on 12 groups as human error if you wanted Hunter 2.2 to 2.4 inches, Hornady power magnification at 100 metres. to, but if we’re being scientific let’s just Match 168-grain 2.2 to 2.9 inches, Four five-round groups were shot with keep them as they are. The results were Federal Premium Sierra Game King each type of ammunition. Groups were bittersweet. 165-grain was between two to 3.7 shot in mild wind, and I was not using The rifle doesn’t seem to like heavier inches, and Hornady Superformance

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 21 SpeCifiCaTionS This rifle was originally designed by North Eastern Arms, and was acquired by Ontario’s Black Creek Labs when they purchased NEA. After that acquisition, an upgraded military version was developed by BCL, and those enhancements will eventually trickle down to the commercial version. BCL is putting an emphasis on research and development for a dedicated military and law enforcement line of firearms. But this will also benefit commercial customers, as they will be making all of their non- prohibited products available to the civilian market. Classification: Non-restricted The bolt and carrier Chambering: 7.62x51 NATO, will look familiar to other calibres to come students of the AR series of rifles. Operating system: Direct impingement shooting accuracy until we can find Barrel: 18.6 inches, 1/10 twist, that sweet spot. For semi automat- fluted, medium profile, 5/8x24 ics, finding the perfect load or factory threaded muzzle with two- ammunition for consistent accuracy chamber brake installed. can lead you on quite a journey. For me, I think it would have been rather Gas block: 0.875 inches boring if the rifle had shot everything QD mounts: Integral to well right off the bat, but that may handguard and 6 position just be the handloader in me coming collapsing stock out. There have been unsubstantiated reports of Barnes TSX 150-grain and Handguard: M-LOK forend, 16 Federal Gold Metal Match 168-grain ounces BTSP getting MOA or better, so I do plan on trying those out in the future Stock: NEA branded IMI TS1 6-position stock The best five-shot group to to see how they do. I personally have date, with the BCL-102. found these results to be reasonable Pistol grip: A2 pistol grip considering the distance most people will be shooting these rifles (inside of Trigger group: Mil-spec, 150-grain SST was 1.5 to 2.3 inches. So, 300 metres), and I think, based on what interchangeable with aftermarket no promising results just yet, although I’ve seen, there is more capability to AR-15 trigger groups the lighter 150-grain-range seems to be teased out of this rifle with some Paint type: Cerakoted provide the overall best results thus careful handloading and more testing far. I also tested Hirtenberger and of factory ammunition. Receiver: Forged aluminium Norinco surplus ammunition, with The overall impression I get after Weight: 8.9 pounds Hirtenberger consistently getting three putting 350 rounds down range with to 4.5-inch groups, and Norinco sur- my BCL-102 is positive. The fact that Colours available: Black, Olive plus getting three to 3.5-inch groups. we can have a fairly affordable, non- Drab Green, Flat Dark Earth Pretty good for surplus ammunition. restricted, AR-type rifle to hunt and I noticed while shooting with hand- target shoot with off of the range is a Barrel nut: 1-7/16 x 18 UNEF-2B loads or factory ammunition that often huge deal on its own. The rifle is qual- (Armalite compatible thread) the first three to four rounds would ity, made in Canada, exhibits features Buffer tube: AR-10 Mil-spec group one inch or better, and then found in more high-end rifles, has open up on the last couple of rounds. been reliable and has some accuracy Magazine compatibility: SR25 What this means for me is that the potential. What more could you ask for compatible, except for DPMS practical hunting accuracy potential in a non-restricted semi-auto “black” metal magazine for these firearms surpasses the target rifle in this price range?

22 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Review

BuLLSeye CameRa SySTemS By Brad Fenson

f you shoot at longer distances, you Features I know it can be challenging to spot The camera and receiver use lithium ion every shot and its impact on the target. batteries that can be charged anywhere Even a good spotting scope doesn’t help you have a 120-volt outlet. The batter- once the distances get really long. If you ies have a minimum 12-hour run time, want to avoid those long walks to the allowing you to use the camera for target, the Bullseye Wireless Camera is a several days, or for constant use during solution. With its built-in Wi-Fi network, competition shooting. The Long Range it sends target images back to an iPhone, Edition works out to 1,600 metres, while iPad, Android, Kindle or Windows- the cheaper Sight-in version can handle equipped laptop located at the shooter’s 300 metres. position. The camera has incredible HD 1280 x 720 resolution, and images of targets set up can be saved directly to the phone or The camera is set up when you hang computer you’re using in the field. your target, and should be positioned Several shooters can use the same three to five metres from the target. It target and track results on separate comes in a self-contained, waterproof devices on the bench. You can also run box, with a stable stand that facilitates the camera on live video and record an aiming it at a target downrange. Turning entire session. When set to target view, on the power switch illuminates lights to each bullet hole will show up as a red indicate battery and Wi-Fi signal status. dot, numbered in the sequence they hit The base station is set up at your the target. At every new shot, the bullet shooting point, and requires a clear line hole will blink to distinguish it from of sight to the camera in order to work. other bullet holes. Just turn on the power button and aim The app allows you to save individual the arrows on the receiver at the camera photos of specific shots, an entire ses- unit downrange. The free Bullseye Target sion of shots, and will also measure Manager app will connect to the Bulls- group sizes. Overall, it’s a versatile eye Camera Wi-Fi, just like it would with system which should help shooters with any network at home. When you launch sighting in, load testing, long-range the app, select and click on “New Ses- practice and just having more fun at the sion,” and tap the “Yes” button to open a range. Check out the website for more live view of your target on your smart- info and pricing: www.bullseyecamera. phone. The unit is now ready to work. com.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 23 Shooting French hiStory

24 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Shooting French hiStory Resurrecting a Chassepot needle rifle By Dean RoxBy

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 25 At the range, ready to shoot, with five close- to-authentic rounds; all made using paper from a brown paper bag.

gorgeously worked murder weap- to the early 1800s when Swiss gun- "A on, a dainty little thing…” That’s smith Samuel Johann Pauly, working what a Bavarian lieutenant is reported in Paris, developed the first self- to have said after seeing a captured contained cartridges. These cartridges French Chassepot rifle for the first contained a round ball bullet, black time. This was during the Franco-Prus- powder and a potassium chlorate sian War of 1870, when the Chassepot priming compound, and were fired by faced off against the German Dreyse a long needle-like firing pin. During rifle. I guess there’s something about this time (1809 to 1814), Pauly em- being on the receiving end of enemy ployed a young German gunsmith, fire that gives soldiers a certain respect Johann Nicolaus von Dreyse. Some for their opponents’ rifles. years later, Dreyse designed a similar system, which he submitted to the History & operation Prussian military in 1836. In late 1840, The two opposing rifles, both “needle” the needle fire system was adopted by guns, were somewhat similar in func- the , and became known tion. They were both early breech- as the Zündnadelgewehr (Ignition loading arms that used paper cartridg- Needle Rifle) M 1841. Von Dreyse actu- es containing an internal primer. As ally offered his design to the French such, each round was self contained, first; however, the French declined, not needing a separate primer or mus- as testing had revealed some flaws. ket cap. The M1866 Chassepot rifle and Building upon the Pauly and Dreyse the earlier Prussian/German M 1841 systems, a French gun designer named Dreyse Needle gun were among the Antoine Alphonse Chassepot made Handloading becomes hand rolling first service rifles to fire self-contained some important improvements to the when making ammunition for the cartridges. needle fire system. Chassepot rifle. These are the author’s tools and supplies. The origins of these arms date back While the of the

26 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Dreyse made sense when Pauly first conceived it in 1808, and von Dreyse submitted his version in 1836, it was already obsolete by the time France adopted the Chassepot in 1866. Metal- lic cartridges were starting to appear, so it seems odd that a major military force would choose a paper round at this late date. However, for France it made some degree of sense. France did not have the equipment or techni- cal ability to form brass cases by the deep drawing method. By rolling cartridges from paper, similar to roll- ing a cigar, this reliance on the deep drawing process could be avoided. Ballistically, the Chassepot had a clear advantage. It fired a larger charge of black powder to propel a smaller bullet much faster (approximately .43 calibre at 1,350 feet per second versus .61 calibre at 1,000 feet per second) to achieve perhaps twice the effec- tive range (1,200 metres versus 600 metres). As well, the Chassepot round used a standard musket cap primer at the rear of the paper case, while the Dreyse round had an internal primer attached to the base of the bullet. This change meant that the fragile needle only needed to pierce the round about six millimetres, not the full length on the powder charge. The Chassepot gun used a breech sealing method, called an obturator. The obturator was a flex- ible rubber part that deformed under firing pressure to effectively seal the gasses in the chamber and prevent them from escaping rearward past the bolt and towards the shooter’s face. The Dreyse lacked such a system, and Prussian soldiers often held their guns away from their faces when firing. It’s interesting to note that large artillery guns still use an obturator ring. In spite of having a better rifle, France was beaten badly by Prus- sia. Better tactics and commanders, a larger army and better artillery are given as reasons. Several hundred thousand Chassepot rifles were cap- tured by the Prussian forces during this conflict. After the Franco-Prussian War ended in 1871, France purchased more to replace the ones lost in battle. Most were made at the French arsenals of Châtellerault, Saint-Étienne, Tulle and Mutzig.

restoration When I bought my first Chassepot, it arrived with the needle broken and the obturator completely missing.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 27 firearms section of gunboards.com is helpful, along with several YouTube videos and a few private enthusiast sites that give loading instructions. The rolled paper cartridge is a mixed blessing in that I do not need to buy oddball brass cases (expen- sive), nor special custom dies (really expensive) to begin loading. The downside is the excessive time re- quired. I am still experimenting with components and loading techniques, but it probably takes over half an hour to make one cartridge. This includes: casting the bullet, cutting Chassepot rifles require the the paper to size, rolling and gluing replacement of the obturator washer and often the “needle.” the paper tube, filling the musket cap with 4F powder, sealing the cap with tape, gluing the cap inside the paper tube, loading the tube with 2F powder and sealing closed, cutting a paper patch for the bullet, wrapping paper patch and then attaching the patched bullet to the powder case. I am now starting to experiment with beeswax lube discs to help reduce powder fouling. That will add a few more steps to the list. Once I get the load finalized, I will work on a more efficient way of doing things. Right now, each small batch is essentially an experimental prototype. I am primarily concerned with reliable ignition, and ease of chambering. The first round tends to chamber fine, but often the following rounds get hung up on debris. So, I reduced the size The Chassepot rifle is an early breech a bit, only to have several misfires. loader that uses paper cartridges containing an internal primer. As such, I suspect this was because of soft each round is self-contained, not needing primer strikes due to the undersized a separate primer or musket cap. rounds allowing the musket cap to move slightly. I made a crude sizing gauge by drilling holes in a piece of wood. Pushing the rounds through the This is common, almost expected. My newly made replacement parts from appropriate hole checks the diameter. second one also came with a broken NAAH Tool Works in Decatur, AL. Now I need to make a case length needle, but with the obturator intact. At $15 US per item, free shipping to gauge. The forming tool for wrap- However, these are close to 150 years Canada is included. ping the paper tube has been altered old and have hardened with age. If you over time. Originally it was half an fire a Chassepot, do not use the origi- ammunition inch in diameter. This worked, but the nal! Fortunately, replacing these items What about finding ammunition? powder charge was under weight. A is not difficult. That’s easy, you don’t. Precious few slight increase in diameter allowed I made a needle from a piece of rounds have survived from when it for more powder, but made it difficult one-sixteenths-inch diameter stain- was last made. I have exactly one in to chamber rounds. It’s all part of the less steel TIG welding rod, choosing my cartridge collection and I am not adventure, and I keep telling myself I stainless to better resist corrosion. about to fire it. The good news is that like the challenge. Others have used bicycle spokes. The ammunition can be made. It takes Unlike some cap-and-ball revolv- obturator washers can be made from some research and is ridiculously time ers, the Chassepot rounds do not use three-quarter-inch (about 19 mil- consuming, but it can be done. Prior nitrated paper that burns up upon limetres) diameter plumbing faucet to buying my first rifle, I searched the firing. This tends to produce a heavy washers. They will need to be ground Internet for loading information, as I ash fouling in the chamber. Instead, down to 18 millimetres to properly fit did not want a wall-hanger, I wanted the paper case remnants are blown the chamber. That’s not difficult, but to warm it up. Once I started looking, I out the muzzle behind the bullet, a bit time consuming. Or you can buy found a surprising amount. The French because the shape of the chamber

28 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 allows gasses to get behind the paper want to experiment on a $100 set of third round in, aim … Boom. And the case and blow it forward. This is some- steel blocks. The Lee molds are about bear runs off, unharmed. what like the bore evacuator system one-quarter of that cost. Most of my testing had been at 100 found on some modern tank cannons. metres. It shoots a bit high at that Clever! Some Chassepot owners spray First Firing & Hunting range, as the original military sights the paper tube with fire retardant to It was an immense source of pride are set for 120 metres. At 50 or 60 prevent it turning to ash. I tried that, when I fired my rifle for the first time. metres, with the bullet’s golf-ball-like but it burnt up anyway. The original I recall thinking that this was likely the trajectory, it is about one foot high. I rounds had a piece of silk glued to the first time it has barked in 140 years. must have whistled the bullet right outside of the tube to help reduce the That is a feeling which firing a new gun over him. Apparently, I need to do build up of debris in the chamber. cannot match. To be fair, the feeling some more testing, and practicing. The cartridge headspaces on the bul- I got when it misfired during a black let itself, with the bullet being slightly bear hunt was unmatched, as well. tapered. It is wider at the base than I really wanted to be able to include resources the rest of the body. The forward part photos of a successful hunt here. of the chamber is similarly shaped. Alas, it was not to be. Last spring, my Active web forum Upon firing, the soft pure lead swages friend and I were hunting in southern for French firearms down to match the bore. Diagrams BC when we came across a good size http://forums.gunboards.com/ and dimensions can be found on the black bear grazing on a logging road. forumdisplay.php?11-French- Internet, so I altered a set of casting It was unaware of us as we closed to Firearms-Board molds to suit. I started with a set of about 60 metres. I took a kneeling Lee handgun molds, part # C430-310 position, aimed, and… click. Rats! I Home based machine shop, RF, and modified them by using pro- quietly made my way back to the truck source for replacement needles gressively larger diameter drill bits set to get a cleaning rod to ram out the old and obturator washers to less depth each time. This gave me a round (no rim or extractor groove, so https://naahtoolworks.com/shop/ bullet with a short but wide base band, it cannot be withdrawn by the bolt). much like the original. Being alumi- In goes a second round, make my way Aluminum bullet casting molds num, these molds are easy to work on. back, aim, and … click. The fornicating http://leeprecision.com/bullet- They are also priced right. I would not thing misfired again! Back to the truck, casting/hand-gun-bullet-molds/

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 29 istock

3 0 w w w . n f a . c a November/December 2017 A SHOOTER’S CHRISTMAS Suggested gifts for gun owners BY AL VOTH

Yes, I know, it’s only November, but Christmas isn’t that far away. And since this is the last issue of the Canadian Firearms Journal you’ll receive before the holidays, it’s a great time to look at some gift ideas. These are all items I’ve been using over the course of the last year, so I know they work well. If something here catches your eye, bring it to the attention of your signifi cant other. And don’t worry, none of these items require a fi rearms licence to purchase. The price range goes from low to high, and I’ve included pricing in Canadian dollars. If they don’t take the bait, just go buy it for yourself. Merry Christmas!

$12

Swab-Its Cleaning guns is a bit of a necessary evil, so anything that makes the job easier is welcome in my gun room. Swab-its is one of those products. Their product line is built around a durable, absorbent foam, strategically placed on various “handles” that can reach into bores, actions and other assorted fi rearm crevices. Their swabs can be used to remove gun-crud via solvents or to apply solvents and oils. They don’t leave fuzz behind like cotton swabs do, and they can be washed and reused. The Swab-its line includes bore swabs from .22 to 12 gauge, as well as cleaning swabs in multiple sizes. They’ve also recently started offering specialty items, like their Star Chamber device, designed for cleaning the chamber and barrel extension lugs of AR-15-pattern rifl es. I fi nd their Gun-tips line of cleaning swabs sees the most use on my workbench, and suggest that’s the place to start if you haven’t tried their products before. Their nine-piece gun cleaning kit of various-sized swabs costs about $12. www.swab-its.com

November/December 2017 w w w . n f a . c a 3 1 $50

Birchwood Casey Shotshell Bag I’ve been using Birchwood Casey’s new waxed canvas shell bag this summer and I’m fi nding it’s got all the features anyone could ask for in a shotshell bag. Of course, there’s a correctly-sized pouch for holding a box of 12-gauge ammunition, to which they’ve added loops for holding three spare rounds. There’s a larger compartment for those empty hulls, and it’s zippered at the bottom for easy dumping. Another pouch holds eyewear, there’s a loop for keeping earmuffs handy and the belt is wide, comfortable and has a quick-release buckle. The canvas construction looks good and it promises to outlast me. If you need a new shell bag, or don’t own one at all, I don’t see how you can go wrong with this product. Price is in the $50 range. www.birchwoodcasey.com

Light is a necessity, making S&W a good fl ashlight as indispensable as a sharp Gun Light knife. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of fl ashlights on the market these days, but they aren’t all good ones. A light that gets my approval is one offered by Smith & Wesson $82 as part of their M&P line of accessories. It’s called the Delta Force RM-10, and can be used as a handheld light or can be weapon mounted via a supplied Picatinny-compatible mount. The light uses Cree LEDs and a CR123 battery, which is also supplied. Its three modes – high, low and strobe – are controlled by the tail-cap switch when handheld, or a corded pressure switch when mounted on a fi rearm. This is a solid light with a lot of fl exibility. They are in Canadian stores, priced at $82. www.swgear.com

3 2 w w w . n f a . c a November/December 2017 $220 MantisX Trainer Even though we live in an age saturated with high-tech on a rifl e. For handguns without a rail, the company offers gadgets, occasionally one surfaces that blows me away with rails that replace or attach to magazine base plates. However, its capabilities. That’s the case with the MantisX fi rearms I found that rails aren’t necessary for dry fi ring. I was able training device. It’s a tiny gadget that attaches to a rifl e or to attach the device to rifl e and revolver barrels using a bit handgun and then generates data that can be used to improve of modeling clay as a fi ller between the device and barrel shooting skills. It does this by sensing gun movement in the and then strapping it in place with a sturdy elastic band. This time just prior to the shot, which it then delivers to your means cowboy-action shooters don’t need to put rails on their smartphone, for analysis and display. And best of all, it works Vaqueros or their lever guns to get virtual-coaching from the with live fi re or dry fi re. MantisX. If you want to learn to shoot better, this belongs on I’ve found it particularly useful in dry-fi re training. While this your Christmas list. Canadian price is $220. www.mantisx.com device doesn’t record hits, it does record arc of movement and tells me how good (or bad) my trigger pull was. It even gives suggestions on how to improve. You can shoot slowly, ignoring time, or use one of the pre-programmed timed drills to determine if your technique falls apart under pressure. After at-home training is completed, you can put the device on your gun at the range and let it tell you how you’re doing when dealing with live ammunition, and the noise and recoil it generates. If you’re fi ghting recoil, fl inching or jerking the trigger, the MantisX is unrelenting in telling you what you’re doing wrong. This is a God-send for shooters who want to work on building their skills over a long Canadian winter. The MantisX is designed to attach to the accessory rail found on most modern handguns, or to a Picatinny spec rail

November/December 2017 w w w . n f a . c a 3 3 Swagger Bipod

$275

Mount a bipod on a rifl e and it’s one of the and twists than a politician’s logic. best ways to turn an average shooter into They come in two sizes: a fi eld model which a crack shot. But as good as they are, most extends to 29 inches (74 centimetres) and bipods aren’t particularly adaptable to a tree stand model which will go all the way changes in terrain. Or if they are, it takes a lot to 41 inches (104 centimetres). The fi eld of time and fumbling movement to get them model I’ve been using is a bit bulkier than set up. The Swagger bipod is unique in that comparable bipods, and a little heavier as it’s the most adjustable bipod I’ve ever used well. Mine weighs 6.7 ounces (190 grams) and it’s also the fastest. Most of the time, as more than a comparable “conventional” the terrain under it changes, no adjustment at tripod with fold-up legs. So, if weight is a all is required. This is because it makes use of major concern, this might not be your system. heavy-duty shock-cord technology to hold its Other than that, this bipod can do things two legs in position. They call their patented others can’t even dream about. They are system Crazy Legs Technology, and that’s as made in the US and look like they can take a good a description as anything I can think of. lot of abuse. Expect to part with $275 to put This bipod’s legs are capable of more bends one on your rifl e. www.swaggerbipods.com

3 4 w w w . n f a . c a November/December 2017 Vortex Golden Eagle Ri€ escope

$2,180 The Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52 rifl escope will set you back $2,180 Canadian dollars, making it the most expensive item on this Christmas list. There’s no doubt this is a specialized optic, and if you need one, you’ll know it. Its niche is that of a competition scope, suitable for F-Class, various bench rest events and long-range shooting matches. But anyone who has a use for a scope that goes up to 60X in magnifi cation will be all over this. At 29.7 ounces (0.84 kilograms) it’s relatively light in weight, which is a good thing for competition shooters who need to stay under a maximum weight limit. They’ll also appreciate the extremely fi ne 1/8 MOA adjustments, for making precise point-of-impact changes. It’s 30 millimetres tube offers 55 MOA of elevation and 45 MOA of windage movement. And the ECR-1 MOA crosshair has additional hashmarks in one MOA increments, for “hold-off” shooting. Accessories include screw-on lens caps, a sunshade, an extra windage turret and a 35-millimetre aperture stop ring to increase depth of fi eld. I have this scope mounted on an accurate 308 Win. rifl e and it’s been tracking perfectly and holding zero fl awlessly. At 60X you’ll see a noticeably dimmer image than at 15X, but at that setting the exit pupil is less than one millimetre in size, so it’s to be expected. If you want to get optically closer to your target, this scope will do the job. www.vortexcanada.net

November/December 2017 w w w . n f a . c a 3 5 36 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 A ColleCtor SpeAkS out The need for change to our antique firearms legislation By Ken Bailey

et’s call him Bob. He doesn’t want is to protect the citizenship and serve cartridge magazine.” This means that L to use his real name in order to the public interest. Not surprisingly, the regulations around storage and help protect the security of his col- regulations impacting firearms of all transport of this rifle are identical to lection. Bob is one of Canada’s more descriptions have a particularly high those for modern rifles. As a result, if serious collectors of Canadian and profile for all the obvious reasons sur- you want to own this firearm, you must British firearms and related memora- rounding public safety. Unfortunately, have a valid PAL. bilia, specializing in the era from the said Bob, current regulations govern- Contrast that to the second firearm French-Indian War (1753 to 1764) to the ing the ownership of antique firearms he pulled out, an 1884 NWMP Enfield North-West Rebellion (1885). His col- don’t always do that in a consistent and revolver in .476 calibre. It is deemed to lection includes NWMP guns and re- easily understood manner. be an antique, as it is not on the list of lated items from the late 1800s. At first “Generally speaking, antique fire- pre-1898 handguns that aren’t granted pass, his collecting interests suggest arms are relatively rare and not com- antique status because of the cartridge the firearms in Bob’s collection are all monly available,” he said. “And they’re they’re chambered for. You do not antiques, having been manufactured certainly not the weapon of choice for require a PAL to own this firearm. Both before 1898. But are they? Therein lies criminals. As a collector, I have to deal firearms were manufactured in the the rub. The current legislation regulat- with some absurd laws that don’t ap- mid-1880s and issued to the NWMP for ing antique firearms classification is pear to be serving anybody’s interest, use in the 1885 North-West Rebellion. confusing, somewhat contradictory, and especially not those of the col- There is no readily-available commer- and poorly understood by collectors lecting or enforcement communities. cial ammunition for either of them, and other stakeholders alike. Yet, with only minor modifications, we so neither poses any practical danger The distinction between antique and could simplify the regulations for the to the public. Yet one is classed an an- non-antique firearms is important collection, storage and transportation tique, the other is not. because it has a significant impact on of antique firearms, and reduce the as- Another related example Bob showed what regulations apply, dictating every- sociated bureaucracy, all while protect- me was an 1878 Colt Frontier revolver thing from licensing requirements for ing the security of the public.” issued to the Canadian Militia during the owner, to storage, transportation the Riel rebellion. It is not considered and transaction rules for their firearms. What’s an antique an antique as it is chambered in .45 In the educated opinion of this collec- Bob pulled two firearms off his rack calibre, one of the many exempted tor, it’s time to amend those regula- to demonstrate the inconsistencies in handgun calibres. As such, a collector tions. the legislation defining what is and is would require a Restricted PAL to keep “I consider myself a collector of Cana- not an antique firearm. The first was a this gun in his collection. That same dian history as much as a collector of NWMP 1876 Winchester rifle in .45-75 firearm, if chambered to a round not on firearms,” said Bob. “In fact, many seri- calibre. It is an obsolete firearm, to be the exempt list, would be considered ous collectors of antique firearms own sure, but is not considered an antique an antique and ownership would not no modern firearms whatsoever. One simply because it happens to be a be restricted. would think that the Canadian govern- repeating centrefire rifle. If it were a There are three rimfire calibres on the ment would encourage the preserva- single shot, it would be antique. The antique handgun exemption list and 11 tion of our history and the associated legislation clearly states that when it centrefire calibres. The reason for these artifacts, but when it comes to firearms comes to centrefire rifles, one excep- calibres being exempted from antique that doesn’t seem to be the case.” tion to being granted antique status is classification, presumably, is because The primary purpose of legislation “a repeating firearm fed by any type of commercially-loaded ammunition is

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 37 38 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 available for them. As Bob points out, the average citizen that’s supposedly however, these 1880s-vintage handguns being protected by the legislation, and are not typically used by criminals, and differ for all practical purposes only in the associated administration and bu- the cartridge they fire, are classified so reaucracy impacting collectors, muse- differently. As Bob suggested, there are ums and enforcement personnel alike, thousands, if not hundreds of thou- hardly seems to justify the distinction. sands, of pre-1898 collectible long guns Further, Bob noted, while the year of and handguns that, because of the fine manufacture can usually be readily de- print in the legislation, don’t meet the termined for late 19th century firearms, definition for being an antique. Thus, calibre can be difficult to ascertain, those who collect them, including offering one more reason that date of museums and those with no interest in manufacture, without exemptions for modern firearms, are required to have calibre, should be the determinant fac- a PAL and abide by the regulations tor in classifying a firearm as antique affecting modern firearms. He feels or not. eliminating the “repeating arms” refer- To further illustrate the inconsisten- ence from the legislation and relaxing cies of the regulations, Bob showed the calibre exemptions would reduce me two similar-looking Winchester program administrative costs signifi- firearms. One was a Model 1876 manu- cantly, while not increasing the danger factured in the mid-1880s. A repeating to the general public. centrefire rifle, it is not classified as an antique. The other was a Model 1866 storage & transportation built in 1897. A rimfire, it is considered Bob advised that most collectors an antique despite being built a decade consider the storage regulations for later than the centrefire. As per the antique firearms to be reasonable, regulations, rimfire rifles are excluded specifically that which requires them from the repeating arms exemption. to be stored unloaded. With respect to Unless they’re chambered for 22 Short, transportation regulations, however, 22 Long or 22 Long Rifle, in which case the antique collecting community has they’re not considered to be antiques. issues. One anomaly impacts hand- With only minor amendments, antique firearms legislation could be clarified, It’s difficult to understand how two guns. thereby reducing administrative costs and rifles that appear nearly identical to Specifically, as per the legislation, ensuring important firearms are saved.

A NWMP 1876 Carbine in 45-75 Win. manufactured in 1884 (top) is not classified as an antique, while the Winchester 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine in 44 Henry rimfire, November/Decembermanufactured 2017 in www.nfa.ca 1897, is an antique. 39 These three revolvers issued in the Northwest Rebellion all have historical significance, yet their classifications are not the same, meaning they are subject to different ownership, storage and transportation regulations. a handgun deemed to be an antique eliminated. difficult to understand. The drafters of can be displayed, unsecured, virtually He went on to say that this regula- the legislation did not take into account anywhere – on the wall of your office, tion is often inadvertently ignored that those who own antique firearms in the window of an antique store, even by antique dealers who don’t lock or treasure them and will transport them on your dining room table for that otherwise secure these firearms in their in a safe manner. matter. Interestingly, however, if you stores, as is permitted by regulation. It’s little wonder, said Bob, that col- want to transport that same handgun, it When they sell them, however, collec- lectors, regulators and enforcement must be concealed in a locked, opaque tors are often sent home with their new officials have such a difficult time in container not easily broken into. The purchase in a paper bag, contraven- understanding the regulations con- reasons for the contradiction in how ing the regulation without knowing cerning antique firearms. He cited antique handguns can be displayed it. Further confusing the collecting several irregularities in the way various versus how they’re to be transported community, antique long guns are not police forces have interpreted and ap- are not apparent. Bob suggested the subject to this same regulation when plied the regulations over the years. At transportation regulation should be transported, another anomaly that is one point, one notable law enforcement

40 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 agency in Canada insisted that antique fi rearms.” long guns could only be displayed with Bob went on to say that Canadian Saving Historical Guns trigger locks affi xed unless they were collectors generally believe it would Another issue arises from secured fi rmly to the wall. This is not a be benefi cial to all affected parties to the regulations governing the requirement under the legislation and adopt more simplifi ed legislation. If fi rearms that law enforcement never has been, but serves to dem- it were to be abused by anyone, the agencies acquire through onstrate that few agencies, and even police always have the right to con- investigations, seizures or fewer police offi cers, are truly famil- fi scate antiques just as they would their “amnesty” programs. Law enforcement agencies are called iar with the laws governing antique any fi rearm; all are subject to the laws “public service agencies” in fi rearms. pertaining to fi rearms use in the com- those regulations and section 12.1 mission of a crime. In any case, the states: “A public service agency Learning FroM the us MoDeL available evidence suggests that even can only sell, barter, give, lend or Bob, who has transported antique fi re- under more relaxed legislation, an- rent a fi rearm to another public arms across the US-Canadian border tiques would not be a fi rearm of choice service agency.” Since a museum on occasion, has experience with the for criminals. is not a public service agency, provisions of the US legislation defi n- In summary, one of Canada’s avid it apparently means guns of ing what constitutes an antique fi rearm collectors of antique fi rearms said historical interest they acquire as per the National Firearms Act of 1934. this about Canada’s antique fi rearms cannot be donated to a museum. “At the federal level, the US has done legislation: “If our antique fi rearms While some would argue that a better job regarding antiques than regulations were just slightly simplifi ed other portions of the regulations we have here in Canada. US collectors, and modifi ed to better accommodate do allow for transfer to museums, and their law enforcement community collectors, there would be no impact the fi rearms curator of a major alike, enjoy the benefi ts of easy-to- on criminal use, suicides or accidents. Canadian museum I contacted understand regulations. Generally What we would see, however, is an said they have not received or speaking, if a fi rearm was manufac- improved and more consistent un- been offered any fi rearms from tured before 1898, the US deems it to derstanding of the regulations by all a police agency since the Public be an antique and the gun is subject stakeholders, a signifi cant reduction in Agents Firearms Regulations to considerably less intrusive regula- bureaucracy and its associated costs to went into effect. Similarly, the tions than modern fi rearms. To my the taxpayers, and a greater assurance acquisition of service fi rearms, knowledge, these relatively straight- that our history would be preserved for representing Canada’s law forward regulations have not resulted the benefi t of all Canadians, today and enforcement history, stopped at in increased criminal use of antique into the future.” 2007. The Editor. NFA Half Page.qxp_Canada NFA Ad 4/18/17 6:54 AM Page 1 WhichWhich “Dillon”“Dillon” isis RightRight forfor You?You?

Square Deal “B” RL 550C XL 650 Super 1050 illon’s Square Deal “B” was ore RL 550s have been sold illon’s XL 650 resulted from he Super 1050 is Dillon’s com- Ddesigned to produce large Mthan any other progressive Dseveral years of listening to our Tmercial grade loading machine, amounts of ammunition in the least machine in the world, and for good customers expressing their fondest featuring a frame and crank assem- possible time for just a little bit of reason: The RL 550C’s versatility is wishes. We took every good idea we bly that provides increased stroke to money. At 300 to 400 rounds per almost unlimited. It will load over and our customers ever had, tested accommodate long rifle cartridges, hour, you can produce enough ammo 160 different rifle and pistol calibers. them extensively, and then incorpo- yet the handle stroke is at a mini- for several pistol matches or practice rated them all into the design of the mum, meaning less work for the sessions in just a few hours. XL 650. operator. www.dillonprecision.com • Call 800-762-3845 for a FREE catalog, ask forfor stock # L53-14690

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 41 RANGE CLOSED

How to lose a shooting facility BY MIKE KELLY istock

42 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 n the 1700s, Edmond Burk wrote I that evil prevails when good men do nothing. Failing to heed this adage cost the shooting community in Cape Breton, NS, one of the fi nest indoor ranges in eastern Canada. A modern building with two eight-lane indoor RANGE ranges was lost and it could have been prevented.

moVinG UP This story begins in the late 1980s. The Metro Rifl e & Pistol Club (MRPC) in industrial Cape Breton was in full swing, practicing and competing on a regular basis. We had access to the local DNR range for outdoor activities CLOSED and an indoor range that was a former underground Navy range. The range consisted of a long, narrow concrete foundation, the top of which was a ground-level, concrete cap resting on the foundation walls. But the con- crete was old and cracked, not ageing gracefully, and in desperate need of repair. Heavy rain could easily result in three inches of water on the range fl oor, which would take hours to drain. A series of meetings and committees re- sulted in the idea of building a new fa- cility on top of the existing foundation. This would prevent the rain water from entering the basement range and also provide another new shooting range above it, to accommodate our growing membership. The municipal govern- ment guaranteed MRPC non-profi t status, so we would not be required to pay property taxes, thereby allowing our available revenue to go towards mortgage and construction payments. The membership was presented the idea of the construction of a new facility, the idea was put to a vote and the mem- bership voted in favour of going ahead. Our Credit Union offered us a $120,000 loan for construction. Our membership was expanding, we had cash reserves in our account and the future looked promising. Construction commenced in 1990, and one of the premier indoor-shooting facilities in eastern Canada was com- pleted within the year. It had modern washrooms, a classroom, offi ce space, kitchenette, a backstop rated to 44 Mag- num, a target retrieval system, eight shooting lanes and many other fea- tures. MRPC was growing. We had

www.nfa.ca 43 The former MRPC range, overnight, became AAA Plumbing & Heating.

At its height, MRPC had individuals indoor range was located on now prime involved in small bore industrial property. As a result, the rifle, IPSC, PPC and club’s tax bill went from nothing to ISSF (ISU) events. almost $7,000 per year. MRPC had not budgeted for this and could not afford to pay the mortgage, insurance, heating bills and a new large tax bill. The club kept up all bill payments as usual and contested our tax bill. We had an official document granting us a property tax exemption by the previous municipal- ity and felt this should be honoured. The tax exemption was the primary reason the club decided it could afford construction of a new facility. However, this document was not recognized by the new municipality. The executive of the club held exten- sive meetings with community officials to have our taxes reduced. The execu- tive even managed to get the munici- pality to vote on reinstating MRPC’s individuals involved in small bore rifle, membership dwindled to a relic popu- previously held tax-exempt status at a IPSC, PPC and ISSF (ISU) events. lation of die-hard shooters, with little monthly session. At this session, most influx of new members. Within this councillors were in favour and the The dark Times timeframe, there was also an amalga- initial vote for status was granted. But The future of the shooting sports in in- mation of the surrounding townships later, at the same meeting, one council- dustrial Cape Breton looked good, and into a large municipality, the Cape Bret- lor voiced a fear that by giving MRPC was for many years. Then things started on Regional Municipality. With a direct tax-exempt status, this would set a to change. focus on increasing revenue to pay for dangerous precedent for other clubs to In the early to mid-1990s, starting with the amalgamation, the tax system of the follow. A re-vote was taken revoking the bill C-68, new legislative requirements new municipality was fashioned. One tax-exempt status the club had regained seemed to be pushing individuals of the results of this focus to increase only moments before. away from the shooting sports. MRPC’s revenue changed the tax-exempt status MRPC left that council meeting with a membership started to decline notice- of clubs to taxable. Now all clubs with cumulative tax bill in excess of $20,000, ably. In addition, the older members properties within the municipality, which they were not able to pay. Fi- that were instrumental in guiding the even those previously tax exempt, were nances were now stretched thin, allow- club were passing. By early 2000, our required to pay property taxes. MRPC’s ing only the payment of the mortgage

44 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 The indoor range was an area of respite and historical lore for many in the shooting community. It was a place where youth listened to elders, a long- forgotten cultural benefit.

and the usual bills. Periodically, mem- went uncontested. No one was willing, ews and the children of other members bers were paying some of the club’s myself included, to run for club office will never be exposed to this positive expenses out of their own pocket. After with the tax issue looming overhead. culture. This loss of comradery has had some negotiation, in early 2000 Sport The president remained unopposed for a detrimental impact on the local shoot- Nova Scotia presented MRPC with years. The tax bill kept increasing. The ing community. a one-time grant paying most of the gyre spun wider and wider. The cycle Ageing is the process where youth tax bill; we were given a break. Many repeated. MRPC adopted the ostrich is, we hope, bartered for knowledge. meetings followed, with the member- strategy of defence and we buried our My youth is long past, and the experi- ship, local law enforcement, anyone proverbial heads in the sand, hoping ences and knowledge I have gained is that was thought might be able to help. local politicians and law enforcement immense. My greatest example of the Some ideas were raised as to how we would jump in and save us. experiences I have gained relates to the could pay our ever-increasing tax bill, The taxation department at the Cape loss of the MRPC indoor range. Quite but there was no consensus. The MRPC Breton Regional Municipality had given simply, the lesson I learned is what started allowing local law enforcement the club years to find a solution to this Burk wrote of in the 1700s, that evil pre- to train free, hoping the municipality tax dilemma, but we could not. Finally, vails when good men do nothing. The would see this as a positive function with an outstanding balance in excess local community lost the indoor range and reduce our tax bill to residential of $50,000 and no solution for paying because the membership, me included, status. It never happened. Promises this debt, the taxation department listed did nothing to rectify the taxation made by politicians, members of gov- the MRPC range in a spring tax sale. issue. After several years of dealing ernment and police officials that our The facility sold to a private individual with the issue, everyone just assumed tax bill would be rescinded or at least for $59,000 on May 21, 2009. The former if the range wasn’t listed in a tax sale, reduced were ongoing. It never hap- MRPC range, overnight, became AAA then local government officials were pened, and our tax bill kept increasing, Plumbing & Heating. “looking out for us,” as promised. Not with interest. so. If individuals don’t look after and What the MRPC needed at that Lessons Learned take charge of things that are important juncture was for members to take the I am both saddened and ashamed when in their lives, somebody else most cer- bull by the horns and find a solution. I reflect upon the loss of MRPC indoor tainly will. I implore those reading this The older, retired members that had range. The island of Cape Breton lost article to become involved in and sup- previously done this were now all not only a premier shooting facility, but port your local shooting club. Volunteer dead or in ill health. The remaining also a meeting place. Many evenings I some time for the betterment of your few non-retired members were just went to the club and ended up not fir- club. Work towards changing issues too busy with family and work obliga- ing a shot, just listening to stories over that will affect your club or the shoot- tions. No one was able or willing to do a hot cup of tea. The indoor range was ing sports in a negative way. Encourage what was needed. It appeared everyone an area of respite and historical lore and support youth training programs, was waiting for someone else to solve for many in the shooting community. as these will ensure the future of the this dilemma. At the last few annual It was a place where youth listened to shooting sports in Canada. In short, do meetings before the indoor range was elders, a long-forgotten cultural benefit. something, or as Burk noted, evil will istock lost, the vote for executive positions I am saddened my son, nieces, neph- prevail.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 45 One Gun’s Story Duane Radford

A Captured Luger Tells Its Tale

The captured Luger.

’ve always been intrigued by the owner who had the necessary license, with a weathered brown leather holster I German Luger pistol. There remains and who told me, “Unaware at the time that holds a tool to depress the spring a mystique regarding these pistols, he could have kept it because it was in the magazine to make loading it which is unlike anything else in the pre-1946, he sold it and several other easier. Most firearms aficionados will firearms world. No doubt the unusual firearms to me. Once we found out he know that Luger pistols feature a toggle toggle-type action contributes to it, but could have kept it, it was too late.” The action, an action I found a bit stiff on much has also been made of the Luger owner, who wishes to remain anony- this particular gun. in Hollywood movies and the media mous, deserves full credit for doing a The rank of the soldier who carried over the years, and this adds to its lot of research into the details sur- this pistol, when he was captured, is notoriety. Never having owned a Luger, rounding the Canadian connection and unknown. But the capture occurred when an opportunity arose to examine warrants a big thank you for research- at Vimy Ridge, France, in 1917. We do a 9 mm Luger P08 pistol that came into ing and sharing archival information know he belonged to the Bavarian the possession of a Canadian soldier related to the pistol with me. Reserve Corp and was a member of the during the First World War, I jumped According to the pistol’s owner, 2nd Telegraphen – Bataillon, Kompagn- at it. research indicates it was likely manu- nie 4, Waffen 18. This is thanks to an The story of how the current owner factured in 1908. A Military first issue, it engraved inscription on the grip frame, came into possession of it begins with has an undated chamber and was made underneath the trigger guard, which his co-worker. That co-worker’s father by DWM (Deutsch Waffen und Muni- reads, “2. J. 4. 18.” The pistol’s owner owned it and passed away, but not tions.) The pistol has a magazine with tells me he’s not aware of what rank having a restricted firearm license, the usual eight-round capacity, worn of soldiers carried a Luger pistol, but believed he couldn’t inherit it. It was bluing and finely checkered wooden has read that in the First World War a therefore transferred to the current grips. It is fully functional, and comes non-commissioned soldier on being

46 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 A soldier’s inscription on a holster flap provides the clue to unravel a Luger’s story.

The Luger’s unit markings tell the beginnings of its story. promoted to the commissioned ranks ION CALGARY.” mainly of labourers and farmers. was allowed to buy his Luger. The 50th Battalion was an infantry According to records in the Official We do know the pistol was taken battalion of the Canadian Over-Seas History of the Canadian Army in the from the German soldier by Clarence Expeditionary Force that was autho- First World War, Canadian Expedition- Leonard Larson, a member of the 4th rized on Nov. 7, 1914, and embarked ary Force 1914-1919, written by Colonel Canadian Division, 50th Battalion from for Britain on Oct. 27, 1915. The bat- G.W.L. Nicholson, C.D. (1962), Larson Calgary, Alta. Larson’s home was in talion disembarked in France on Aug. was most likely involved in a battle to Nanton, a small town located south 11, 1916, where it fought as part of the take an electric generating station on of Calgary. There’s a hand-written 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Vimy Ridge between June 3 to 7, 1917, inscription on the inside of the flap of Canadian Division, in France and Flan- when he suffered a serious leg wound the holster that reads, “Wounded 3 June ders, Belgium, until the end of the war during the capture of Hill 70. (These 1917 – FRANCE” – left hip. Also, there’s in 1918. The battalion was disbanded dates should not to be confused with another hand-written inscription on on Aug. 30, 1920. The 50th Battalion the main battle on Vimy Ridge fought the inside holster flap: “CLARENCE recruited in and was mobilized at by four Divisions of the Canadian Corp LARSON (NANTON) – 50TH BATTAL- Calgary, Alta., and was likely made up from April 9 to 12, 1917.)

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 47 Clarence Leonard Larson is fourth from the right.

Military records state that at mid- Iowa, on May 16, 1896, making him 21 She was subsequently given the chance night on June 2 to 3, 1917, after a suc- years old when he was injured in battle. to be a guide at the memorial in France, cessful gas bombardment of German He enlisted on Jan. 5, 1916, at 19 years and his other daughter took the time positions by more than 600 projectors, of age in Calgary and was single at the to visit Juno Beach in France while on the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade time. He did not belong to a local mi- a trip to that country. It may sound mounted an attack to take the objec- litia and had no prior military service. bizarre that a German Luger could tives assigned the 4th Canadian Divi- He was five feet, eight inches tall, had have brought members of a Canadian sion. The 44th Battalion on the right blue eyes and a fair complexion, with family together in commemoration of attacked La Coulotte and the brewery scars on his middle forearm and from the sacrifices of our soldiers during the to the north; the main task of the 50th an appendix operation. He belonged to First and Second World Wars, but that’s Battalion was to capture a power sta- the Methodist church. what happened. tion. In heavy fighting, both battalions The owner of the Luger told me, “It’s a I searched for additional information achieved their objectives, but couldn’t shame when executors deal with these about Mr. Larson on various web-based hold them. Before dawn on June 3, firearms and are unaware of the law resources, but couldn’t find anything 1917, the 44th Battalion was forced allowing them to possess them or give more than the owner of the Luger back to its start line. The 50th held on them to relatives. Too often they are provided. Neither of us could find an all day under what was reported to be sold or turned in for destruction, and obituary for Clarence Leonard Larson, “unpleasantly accurate shelling, which with the law enforcement mentality the Canadian soldier who fought in a observing enemy aeroplanes directed, of destruction regardless of history or brutal war in a distant country. So, for only to withdraw early in the evening other uses, they’re lost forever.” now, the German Luger he captured before a strong counter-attack.” The When I asked him, what was special will have to be his memorial. Rest in brigade reportedly took 100 prison- about this pistol to him and his family, peace. ers from the German 11th Reserve he replied, “At first it was the collec- and 56th Divisions. Its own casualties tor appeal of a First World War Luger. numbered over 550 soldiers. Nicholson Then, as I researched Mr. Larson a Editor’s Note: We’re all aware that reports the Germans did not reoccupy bit more, the story of the man, and every gun has a story to tell, so if the generating station in strength. In men of the Canadian Expeditionary you have a gun with a fascinating an attack two days later, the 102nd Force became more interesting.” The story behind it, let us know. The gun Battalion (11th Brigade) found it held owner shared some of this information can be old or new, and the story can by only a score of men who took flight, with members of his family, who also be funny, sad or historical. It doesn't but were practically annihilated by became more aware of the impor- matter, as long as it's a great tale. Canadian soldiers’ Lewis guns. tance of our armed service members, If need be, we'll help you write the According to Attestation Paper Ca- to the point that one of his daughters story, or maybe assign one of our nadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force attended the Vimy Ridge Memorial writers to tackle it. Write the editor Courtesy Glenbow MuseuM Glenbow Courtesy records, Larson was born in Whiling, celebrations a few years ago in Ottawa. at [email protected].

48 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Point Blank Matthew McBain

No Registration Equals No Grandfathering?

Ruger Mini-14: Can guns like the Ruger Mini-14 no longer be grandfathered, because they aren’t “registered?”

ith the Trudeau government allowing them to continue to possess legislation. Perhaps it could be done W hinting that it may expand firearms prohibited by regulation, if through evasive measures, such as the list of prohibited firearms for the they hold a registration certificate for a farce of warning to gun owners to first time in over 20 years, a drafting the gun on the day that the ban comes apply for registration certificates they oversight in the legislation passed into force. are not presently eligible to receive. by the Conservatives to abolish the With the gun registry eliminated, But this might also open the door to a long gun registry could have serious registration certificates for non- flood of new acquisitions. Or perhaps implications for gun owners. The CBC restricted firearms no longer exist – a cumbersome two-step process could reported last year that the RCMP has and were in fact expressly prohibited be used, requiring the guns to be first run tests on a number of firearms, under the amended Firearms Act to reclassified and individually registered including the Ruger Mini-14, and is prevent the abuse of loopholes or as restricted, then later prohibited by pushing the government to add a a back-door registry from popping Cabinet. Potentially, tens of thousands number of them to the list of banned up. This was not an unwarranted of guns would be instantly illegal, with guns. concern, as the Quebec government owners given no option but to dispose The Criminal Code permits the cabinet and the Ontario chief firearms officer’s of them. to prescribe firearms as prohibited. attempts to establish provincial While obviously made with the best Regulations passed by the Mulroney registries demonstrate. of intentions, this oversight is another and Chretien governments under this But without a registration certificate, reminder of how our firearm laws have authority remain the source of most of it appears this potential safe harbour become a complicated mess that few the problematic gun bans that owners has been accidentally lost. Even if people, even experts, can understand. still deal with today. the Liberal government wanted to A top priority for any future gun- But the Firearms Act also contains grandfather current firearms owners friendly government should be to powers – in section 12(8) – to permit – unlikely, I agree – it is unclear if repeal and replace them with a simple sturM, ruGer & Co., InC. ruGer & Co., sturM, grandfathering of firearms owners, they have the authority under present common sense set of rules.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 49 Team NFA Megan Tandy

That Wonderful Winter Weather

Who really wants to go shooting outdoors in -20 degrees Celsius with gusting wind and snowflakes falling?

ho really wants to go shooting Frozen riFles & ammunition as accurately at 15 degrees Celsius as W outdoors in -20 degrees Celsius, The first consideration, and the easiest -20 degrees Celsius. Personally, I race with gusting wind and snowflakes to adapt for, is the effect of freezing with Lapua Polar Biathlon, ammunition falling? The honest answer might be no temperatures on the rifles and ammu- that is specifically produced to perform one at all, but that isn’t always a choice nition. All race ammunition is tested reliably in frigid conditions. However, for biathletes. Of course, dealing with and selected months before the winter there are many other brands of am- freezing temperatures, wind, rain and season begins. Testing starts with the munition that perform well in cold everything else Mother Nature has to standard bench testing of a variety of conditions. offer is all part of the package for us. ammunition lot numbers. After several Like all aspects of shooting, atten- However, that winter weather has a near-perfect lot numbers have been tion to detail in terms of the weather direct impact on the shooting aspect of identified, the ammunition and bar- is crucial. In freezing temperatures, our sport, as well. reled action go into a special freezer my rifle only leaves the warmth of my As a biathlete approaching yet set at -20 degrees Celsius until both hotel room once on any given race day. another race season, including what have reached a stable temperature. This is so the rifle and ammunition will hopefully be my third Olympics, The frozen rifle is then removed from don’t go from freezing temperatures I couldn’t be more excited for winter the freezer for a few minutes at a time, back into warm conditions, thus creat- to get underway. But winter shooting during which standard bench testing ing condensation which could poten- brings certain challenges with it, some is repeated using the chilled ammuni- tially freeze once outdoors again. After of which are easier to prepare for than tion. This ensures the race ammuni- arriving at the race site, my rifle stays others. tion for any given season shoots just outdoors or in an unheated space until

50 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 Frozen everything else Other fun challenges courtesy of winter weather include slippery shooting mats, snowy sights and limited visibility dur- ing heavy snowfall. Slippery mats come with the territory, and every biathlete should practice standing shooting with a narrower-than-ideal stance, just to be prepared for those slippery days when the back ski tends to slide out. In the case of limited visibility, most biath- letes either have adjustable front sights or they manually change apertures to adjust for different light conditions. This goes for fog as well as snow, when the rule is, “Open her up!” As for snow-filled sights, it can happen, despite having the bolt, as well as the front and rear sight covers closed. A crash on course can al- ways lead to snow in places it shouldn’t be and it is the athlete’s responsibility to follow protocol and safely clear the Summer training is always more pleasant, rifle at the shooting range. Receiving a but it’s not the real thing. tool on the range is allowed, but every second counts, and generally the team’s spare rifle is used instead of losing my race is over. This is usually a three aware of, tiny factors that contribute to precious seconds with mid-race rifle to four-hour time span. Fortunately, a the best possible race. The real fun be- repairs. I have one personal experience biathlon World Cup has a lot of safe gins with the fingers. For anyone who with snowy sights and a spare rifle: The spaces for rifles. When I’m not using hasn’t tried to gently squeeze a trigger 10-kilometre pursuit race at the 2014 it, my rifle is left with a Canadian team in -20 degrees Celsius weather while Winter Olympics had wet, deep, heav- staff member who stands in the start wearing only a spandex race suit, long ily salted snow conditions on our race pen, generally located within 30 me- underwear and thin gloves to keep you course. Skiing in large groups meant tres of the shooting range, to support warm, I assure you, sometimes it is little bits of salty slush were constantly athletes and watch our rifles. While the harder than it looks. getting kicked up by skis and poles. The chances may be low that temperature The bane of all biathletes’ existence result was a tiny piece of slush landed on changes will significantly affect the are those extra cold winter days when my back sight and formed a paper-thin accuracy of the ammunition, the risk is no amount skiing, jumping jacks or layer of ice over the peep hole. When I still there. I want to know with 100 per arm swinging seem to keep that trig- reached the range, I couldn’t figure out cent certainty that when I miss a target ger finger warm. Hitting five targets why my sight picture was unclear, and it is because of my own mistake, not in under 25 seconds, with a heart rate when a few strong blows didn’t change because of my ammunition, rifle or any between 160 and 175 beats per minute, the situation I accepted the team spare other controllable factor. This means is no easy feat with numb fingers. Cold rifle for the remainder of my race. that every box of ammunition I take days often see me with stick-on heat When conditions are extreme enough into freezing temperatures gets a black packs tucked along the inside of my to be deemed unfair, then competitions ‘X’ on the box. I use the leftover ‘X’ wrists until two minutes before race will be delayed, postponed, canceled or ammunition for training, but will never start, as well as an extra pair of gloves even stopped mid-race. This includes use it in a race. kept toasty warm inside a staff mem- heavy wind, temperatures below It should go without saying that after ber’s jacket. Good finger feeling plays -20 degrees Celsius, major visibility every winter shooting session it is not such a significant role in my shooting problems or unacceptable snow condi- only critical to make sure the rifle is that it is literally worth it for me to tions. Nevertheless, the World Cup is clean, dry and condensation free as lose five seconds doing arm swings big business, and with broadcasters, soon as possible, but also to be certain during the last 30 metres of my range sponsors, fans and money on the line, the cleaning products, most important- approach than to shoot with numb it means the show must go on. Condi- ly the gun oil, are designed to perform hands. When worst comes to worst, tions have to be pretty wild or pose a in cold temperatures. The last thing I rely on routine. Having pulled my genuine safety concern before changes anyone one wants is a sluggish reload trigger for nearly 8,000 training shots, I are made. While biathlon is never bor- due to thick, cold gun oil! know exactly how to squeeze my trig- ing on even the most pristine winter ger whether I can feel it or not: I slow days, we can always count on Mother Frozen Fingers down a touch, make sure my sight pic- Nature and that winter weather to Ammunition testing and attention to ture is perfect and let muscle memory spice things up a few times a season. detail are simply jobs, things to be do the rest. Bring it on!

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 51 Legal Corner Guy Lavergne, Attorney at Law Prohibited Firearms In Canada

If rumours are to be believed, when Bill C-68 was in the works, technocrats were told to find a way to turn 50 per cent of all handguns into prohibited firearms.

f gun laws made sense, which they in the creation of the current legal However, given the direction in which I don’t, the notion of prohibited framework, the two pillars of which the political winds are blowing in Ottawa firearms would be easy to understand. are the Firearms Act and the Criminal these days, I would not recommend you It would mean something that you Code. Most importantly, Bill C-68 hold your breath waiting for something can’t obtain, possess or use. But, this is resulted in the universal mandatory like this to happen. Canada; and in Canada, “prohibited” licensing of firearms owners, as well as means a number of different things! universal registration of all firearms, WhAt constitutes A prohibited fireArm? including long guns. It also broadened The definition of prohibited firearms A bit of history the definition of what constitutes a is found at S. 84 of the Criminal Code. It In 1977, Bill C-51 passed in the House of prohibited firearm, as we shall see below. reads: prohibited firearm means Commons. It came into effect in 1978. It Most of its provisions came into effect on (a) a handgun that is mainly remembered for introducing Dec. 1, 1998. (i) has a barrel equal to or less than 105 Firearms Acquisition Certificates, but it Since 1998, the only significant changes mm in length, or also resulted in the re-classification of to that regime came as a result of bills (ii) is designed or adapted to discharge fully automatic firearms as prohibited C-19 (2012) and C-42 (2015). The former a .25 or .32-calibre cartridge, but firearms. However, there was a caveat: ended the mandatory registration of all does not include any such handgun those fully automatic firearms that had long guns, whereas the latter relaxed that is prescribed, where the been registered as restricted firearms the ATT regime to some extent. Neither handgun is for use in international before Jan. 1, 1978, remained so. Hence, bill had any significant impact upon sporting competitions governed new fully automatic firearms could no what constitutes a prohibited firearm, by the rules of the International longer be introduced to the Canadian although Bill C-042 gave the governor Shooting Union, market. in council (i.e. the cabinet) the power to (b) a firearm that is adapted from a In 1995, Bill C-68 was passed in overrule the classification of a particular rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, the House of Commons. It resulted firearm as prohibited by the RCMP. cutting or any other alteration, and

52 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 that, as so adapted, the resulting firearm is also prohibited. individual must remain licensed (i) is less than 660 mm in length, or Conversely, if the same firearm’s frame is at all times, and have at least one (ii) is 660 mm or greater in length and fitted with a barrel that, although shorter, firearm of the grandfathered has a barrel less than 457 mm in is not a shortened barrel, then it does not class registered to his name at all length, affect its status as non-restricted. If you times. This can get tricky, since an (c) an automatic firearm, whether or not think that what you read does not make individual who has only one such it has been altered to discharge only sense, you are correct. It does not! firearm and wishes to acquire one projectile with one pressure of The fourth category encompasses fully something else must acquire the the trigger, or automatic firearms, including those new firearm before disposing of the (d) any firearm that is prescribed to be a which have been converted to semi- old one. prohibited firearm. automatic. An interesting twist has to • No new prohibited licenses can do with what constitutes an “automatic be issued. Hence, the number The first category encompasses all firearm.” In R. v. Hasselwander, the of licence holders constantly short-barrel handguns, i.e. those that Supreme Court of Canada ruled that a diminishes and will eventually have a barrel length of 105 mm or less. firearm that can be readily converted become zero, once the last That number did not come about by to automatic mode is an automatic grandfathered individual dies. accident. If rumours are to be believed, firearm, irrespective of whether the As a result, the market value of when Bill C-68 was in the works, owner of same has the intent or means of prohibited firearms is in constant technocrats were told to find a way to performing the conversion. decline. The supply remains more or turn roughly 50 per cent of all Canadian The fifth and final category less constant, whereas the demand owned handguns into prohibited encompasses firearms that are diminishes and will eventually firearms. Many such handguns, “prescribed.” Please do not call your become nil, due to lack of potential including a large number of revolvers, doctor for such a prescription. What it purchasers. had barrels that were about four inches means is that the governor in council • A prohibited firearm cannot be (102 mm in length). By picking 105 mm may, in its infinite wisdom, and for any passed on by inheritance, except as the cut-off length, all such handguns reason or no reason whatsoever, pass an where: became prohibited firearms. order in council that designates certain o The person inheriting the firearm is The second category encompasses firearms as prohibited. This usually already licensed and grandfathered all .25 and .32-calibre handguns. The occurs because somebody believes that for firearms of that specific class; or alleged rationale for that category is the firearm in question looks scary. o The person inheriting the firearm is that there were a number of easily a next of kin (i.e. spouse, common concealable and cheap handguns Acquired rights law partner, brother, sister, child or available in those calibres. Those were In spite of creating new categories of grandchild) of the donor, is already generally known as “Saturday night prohibited firearms, the 1995Firearms licensed for restricted firearms, specials.” An exception was made when Act did not compel owners to surrender the firearm in question is a 12(6.1) the government realized that .32-calibre them. Instead, existing owners who handgun, and it was manufactured handguns were very popular with had previously registered their now before 1946. The 1946 cut-off date target shooters, in ISSF competition. The prohibited firearms were grandfathered. is primarily meant to allow the governor in council was given the power Pursuant to S. 12 of the Firearms Act, they passing on of family heirlooms, to prescribe guns of that calibre as being were allowed to keep them, and even to such as Luger P-08 pistols from merely restricted. The list of prescribed acquire new ones of the same category the Second World War. All of these .32-calibre handguns that are not from other grandfathered owners. Those conditions must be met. deemed prohibited is regrettably very acquired rights are shown on the back of An individual inheriting a prohibited short. The list missed some wonderful one’s firearms licence by a 12(x) mention. firearm gets a class 12(7) added to his/her handguns that were never anything There are 5 such classes: licence. But that person cannot acquire close to a Saturday night special, such • 12(2) for automatic firearms other prohibited firearms pursuant to as the Smith & Wesson Model 16, • 12(3) for converted automatic firearms the 12(7) class, except by inheritance also known as the K-32 Masterpiece. • 12(4) and 12(5) for firearms that or gift, and then only if all of the stated An elderly friend of mine had to part had previously been classified as conditions are met. with a prime sample of the S&W K-32 prohibited weapons; and To sum it up, by re-classifying several Masterpiece in recent months. He • 12(6) for short barrel handguns and firearms as prohibited, the 1995 could not find anyone willing to offer .25 and .32-calibre handguns. Firearms Act allowed the Canadian anywhere close to what that gun is The latter is by far the most common. government to attain its goal of worth, precisely because of its status as a By grandfathering individuals who confiscating a large portion of existing prohibited firearm. already owned prohibited firearms, the handguns and other firearms it viewed The third category can be summed up federal government sought to avoid as undesirable. It did so through a as sawed-off shotguns and rifles. What the uproar and potential financial cost process of slow confiscation without is peculiar about this category is that associated with outright confiscation. financial compensation. By 2070, the last it is not the length of the barrel which However, there are significant detriments remaining 12(x) licence holder will be matters, but rather how the barrel came to this scheme, although they may not at least 90 years old. There will likely be to be of that length. If an existing longer have been obvious to most people from very few, if any, prohibited firearms left barrel was shortened by any means, the outset: in Canada, except for family heirlooms the barrel is a prohibited device, and • In order to remain grandfathered, an passed on pursuant to S.12(7).

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 53 NFA Book Shelf Bill Rantz

Shooting World War II Small Arms

read easily. There Author: Mike Venturino are nearly 400 Title: Shooting World War II high-quality co- Small Arms lour photographs taken by Mike’s Publisher: Wolfe Publishing wife, Yvonne. Ad- Company 2014 ditionally, archival black-and-white ISBN: photographs 978-1-879356-91-7 depict the days Pages: 328 when these ri es were used in Size: 8 ½ x 11 inches, battles around the Hard cover with dust jacket globe. The focus of Illustrations: Shooting World 400 full-colour and archival War II Small Arms black-and-white photographs is the primary in- fantry ri es used by forces from ike Venturino is well known America, Great M throughout the shooting fraternity Britain, Russia, for his many books and articles related Japan and Germa- to shooting black-powder  rearms. But ny. In the  rst 15 the author has also enjoyed a lifelong chapters, Venturi- interest in military  rearms. This, he no discusses the explains, was ignited by his uncle James features and basic “Buffy” Virse, who served with the 3rd history of the Marines in the Second World War.  rearms chosen Be warned that Shooting World War II by each country. A Small Arms is not about collecting. Ven- separate chapter interested in reloading these cartridges turino’s passion is shooting the ri es, is devoted to both carbines and sniper will have some degree of experience. carbines, handguns and machine guns ri es, which were modi cations of the The inexperienced are wisely directed carried by soldiers in battle. But anyone original  rearm’s designs. to the many excellent manuals avail- intending to shoot Second World War Venturino shares his personal obser- able from companies that manufacture vintage small arms is reminded such vations based on both the design and reloading components or equipment. guns are all old and many have been shooting of these  rearms. The goal The author shares his experience freely, subjected to extreme conditions. Addi- is to shoot each ri e as accurately as including a table listing components tionally, parts may have been switched possible, and his targets con rm that used and velocities obtained. over the years, creating a potentially respectable groups are possible with Shooting World War II Small Arms will dangerous situation. It’s always prudent quality ammunition. For Canadians, be a welcome addition to the library of to have any Second World War  rearm it’s interesting to note that Venturino those who appreciate the history as- checked by a competent gunsmith prior chooses the No. 4 Mk 1 En eld as the sociated with vintage military  rearms. to  ring. best infantry ri e of the Second World Shooters will be encouraged to pull The book’s Table of Contents re ects War. old military ri es out of the vault and Venturino’s effort to present material in Handguns and submachine guns are take them to the range. Shooting a few a user-friendly format. The titles of each presented in later chapters, as are ri e- rounds will rekindle respect for the chapter are very speci c, which makes calibre automatics. A separate chapter soldiers that carried these ri es in battle locating information simple. Larger- is provided for reloading each cartridge, over 70 years ago. The book currently than-usual print, on high quality paper, but this information is not intended for lists at $54 US, a reasonable price for allows even those with “senior eyes”’ to beginners. Venturino assumes those such a high-quality publication.

54 www.nfa.ca November/December 2017 NOTICE OF RESULTS OF ELECTIONS FOR OFFICE OF DIRECTORS Fall 2017

The NFA is pleased to announce that the 2017 fall election for directors is now completed. We would like to congratulate the new board of directors who shall take office immediately. Welcome to the NFA team who were elected by acclamation:

Alberta – NWT and International British Columbia - Yukon Ontario Dwayne Gorniak serving a 2 year term Blair Hagen serving a 2 year term Rick Igercich serving a 2 year term Jerrold Lundgard serving a 1 year term Sheldon Clare serving a 1 year term Charles Zach serving a 1 year term Maritimes/Newfoundland & Labrador Manitoba - Nunavut SK and QC are vacant Robert Bracken serving a 1 year term Sheldon Messervey serving a 2 year term at this time.

Hmmm... CHARGE HI M! 79% I think? Let the courts decide...

Visit NFA.ca and learn what you can do to help us fight this nonsense.

November/December 2017 www.nfa.ca 55 NEW MODEL 783™ WALNUT FEATURES

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