Applying for Handgun Ownership

What I wonder is...what will you do with that handgun? (other than enjoy it and shoot it at the range like everybody else, I understand, just asking from a strictly utilitarian/practical perspective)

To me, personally, 95% of the usefulness of a handgun is the ability to take it with you on your person (usually concealed).

10 round pistol mags is not just for Canada. We have them in some States too. And I think in some other States, you even have to have some kind of device to make it a REAL HASSLE to unlock and release your long-gun magazine.

17+1 or 10+1 doesn't make much difference if the target isn't hit. So, decide which caliber you shoot best with, instead of just going with more gunpowder, would be how I would go about this decision.

DefiantDad said:

10 round pistol mags is not just for Canada. We have them in some States too. And I think in some other States, you even have to have some kind of device to make it a REAL HASSLE to unlock and release your long-gun magazine.

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Yes, there are a few states with 10 magazine restrictions. We even have states that require a license to purchase a handgun. Not the norm, though.

I had to make that sort of decision not too long ago. First things first, I decided I am going to get a Glock, for sure. I would get a Glock sooner or later anyway even if I got any other gun. So, why not get it first.

The second gun was a harder decision. All in all, I would say it was more that I was sold the gun by the store, than me picking it, and it is the Beretta 92. The only decision I had to make was, 1913 rail or not. So I picked rail, and thus it is the Beretta 92A1.

The only other 9mm I might have bought would be the Sig Sauer. But I didn't.

The Glock (I got the 19) is nice. Feels handy.

The Beretta 92A1 feels much bulkier, but sturdier and more reliable, than the Glock. It is also a battle weapon trusted by soldiers everywhere. The Glock is trusted by LEOs everywhere.

The Beretta is easier to field strip. The Glock is not THAT much harder to field strip but the Beretta is VERY easy to just press a button and release the slide and clean the gun. The 92A1 makes it even easier than the 92FS. With the Glock you need to hold down two latches with two fingers while pulling the slide back a bit. I hardly ever get it right the first time. The Beretta is a no brainer.

So, that's all the advice I can share, since I don't have any other handgun. And my opinion is mostly that from a new gun owner standpoint.

Oh, Glock has no safety. Rack the slide and you are good to go. Beretta has a safety (which you can leave turned on or off as you like); the Beretta safety acts as a decocker so you don't HAVE to pull the trigger on an empty chamber like the Glock.

If you want a centerfire handgun that isn't "limited," think about a Glock 26 (10+1 standard capacity) or a SIG P239 (8+1).

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g26gen4

http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p239.aspx

The Glock is a polymer-framed striker-fired subcompact. The SIG is an alloy-framed hammer-fired double-action/single-action compact. I have both of them, and I like them very much. The SIG is heavier but more comfortable to shoot.

I don't know that I would want to buy a sub compact like a Glock 26 when I couldn't even carry it. That compact size doesn't seem like it would have any advantage, only disadvantage.

I'd consider a Glock 30 if wanting an un "limited" model, personally.

For Glocks, I'd just get a full size. 17, 21.

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I had a Glock 19 for a while, but I live in one of those 10-round states, and it just irked me to have a gun with a 15-round capacity that I could only use 10-round mags in. So I sold it. We're grandfathered on older guns and mags, so I have a couple of CZ-82s that hold 12+1. That will have to do.

dak0ta said:

You need an Authorization to transport if you take it out of your house to the range or comp. Government needs to know where the handgun or AR is at all times.

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I did not know this. Besides being ridiculous, it sounds like a huge pain in the rump.

Is there a handgun barrel length restriction in Canada? Are Canadian LE's allowed high capacity mags? If you live out in the country can you step out on your back porch and shoot at a gong in the backyard? Can you carry a handgun on your hip if not concealed in public or out hunting?

Sorry for all the questions but I had no idea guns in general were so restricted by your government. It seems like they're afraid of their citizens or they want their citizens to fear them!

I'd never really thought about how mag limits would alter the purchasing behaviors of gun-owners with regards to caliber. Very interesting...

I agree with HSO... I'd go with a full size for target shooting and not worry about a 10 round limit. Then again, I also have a Kahr cw9 that I use stricltly for target work and its made for carry.... All guns are fun I say! =D

Nice scores on the tests. I hope you get approved.

DefiantDad said:

.....in some other States, you even have to have some kind of device to make it a REAL HASSLE to unlock and release your long-gun magazine.

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Yes.....in California of course. I'm not familiar with all the intricacies but suffice it to say you pretty much can't have an AR unless it's got a bullet button mag release. Big reason why I'll be buying an M1A instead.

You have many options without resorting to reduced capacity magazines.

Browning Hi-Power in four-tay
SIG P220, 239, 232
Glock 26, 27, 29, 30, etc

I heard that too, barrels had to be a minimum length...something like 5".

I don't think you could go wrong with a CZ75b.

ATBackPackin said:

I did not know this. Besides being ridiculous, it sounds like a huge pain in the rump.

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I agree. I was surprised when I saw that. It almost makes the whole thing moot, which might be the point.

Remllez said:

Is there a handgun barrel length restriction in Canada? Are Canadian LE's allowed high capacity mags? If you live out in the country can you step out on your back porch and shoot at a gong in the backyard? Can you carry a handgun on your hip if not concealed in public or out hunting?

Sorry for all the questions but I had no idea guns in general were so restricted by your government. It seems like they're afraid of their citizens or they want their citizens to fear them!

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We have it very good in the United States (of America).

My UK and Australian friends have hardly a clue. They think it was fantastic that their countries outlawed all citizen-owned firearms.

Snag said:

Nice scores on the tests. I hope you get approved.



Yes.....in California of course. I'm not familiar with all the intricacies but suffice it to say you pretty much can't have an AR unless it's got a bullet button mag release. Big reason why I'll be buying an M1A instead.

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Not to pull this off too much on a tangent but (and I don't live in CA), why would a M1A change the situation? Doesn't the M1A also use a detachable magazine?

Remllez:

Their barrel length must be 4.15 inches or longer. They have no way of carrying a sidearm, unless you're one of the extremely lucky people who have a CCW. I think I read somewhere that there was less than 10 people in the entire country who have one.

I was visiting my dad up in Canada, and we were hanging out with a bunch of his hunting buddies. Concealed carry came up, and they were all amazed that I had my CPL, and asked a bunch of questions. Made me grateful that I live here, now.

To the OP, congrats on your passing your tests!

It's funny you bring this up because I just finished the Canadian Restricted Firearms Training Course in Quebec (where they call it the CCSMAFAR) and took both tests as well. The class was actually pretty informative and well taught. I didn't really know what to expect for the practical part of the class, but they had actual guns we could play with whenever there was a break (a Ruger Single-Six, Ruger Security Six, an Uberti of some kind, Browning High Power, S&W K22, Norinco 1911, Glock 17 and a Norinco knock-off of a SIG P226.)

As an American, it was an interesting experience--I'll probably start a thread on it when I get a minute.

Buy lots of magazines and practice, practice, practice.

Some of my most very favorite guns have 10 round standard magazines, or less, and I never feel unprotected carrying one: Glocks 26, 27 and 30SF. My 1911 is less than 10 rounds as is my Ruger KP90.

It's nice to have hi-cap magazines, but they are not a necessity to be fully prepared. Training and practice makes you a formidable foe, not the ability to fill the air with lead. I'm a marksmanship kind of guy and not a spray and pray sort by any stretch.