Most of you know me as being primarily interested in USGI .45's as my main handgun interest. On the wheelgun side I'm mostly a S&W man. Just discovering a new interest... mixing the "GI" side with the revolver side.

Just acquiring my first S&W "Victory" model wheelgun. This one is not US Property marked although it does have the flambing bomb proof on the butt. And it's in .38 Special, unlike a lot of the Victory model we see up here in Canada, that are in .38 S&W [as it was one of the service cartridges of Commonwealth countries in WWII]. Hope this will be the first of a few to come my way:

I gotta say, they are way more 'economical' than USGI 1911 .45's are these days. Anyone else into collecting "Victory" models?

Regards, Marcus.

Looks like a piece of history that would make a good shooter, or bedside home protector.

What is the current "deal" on Canadian residents owning pistols?  Permits, etc. hassle?

BEAR

BEAR wrote: What is the current "deal" on Canadian residents owning pistols?  Permits, etc. hassle?

Hi Bear - Not really too much hassle. Maybe more than you are used to as a US citizen, though. In Canada all criminal law is federal law, including the Firearms Act which controls the ownership of firearms. Basically, as an adult you can own firearms if you apply for & receive a Canadian federal Possession and Acquisition Licence [PAL]. There are different "classes" of PAL's which dictates what type of firearms you can acquire & possess.

In Canada "long guns" like rifles & shotguns are generally considered "non-restricted" firearms. Handguns are usually considered "restricted" firearms. Handguns with barrels less than 4.14" and anything in .25 or .32 cal are classed as "prohibited" firearms. To be able to acquire & possess each "class" of firearm you have to have that desigation on your PAL. So, if your PAL allows say, non-restricted, restricted and prohibited handguns [must be "grandfathered" for prohibs] you can acquire/possess them [legally].

The Victory model above is considered a "prohibited" handgun in Canada because the barrel is less than 4.14" but I have that desigation on my PAL to acquire/possess it. I could only sell/trade it to another "grandfathered" PAL holder though.

To be able to shoot handguns legally in Canada you must be a member in good standing of an approved gun club. Transport to & from the range is by what's called a long term Authorization To Transport [ATT] which, like the PAL, is a federally authorized permit good for 5 years. Handguns must be transported unloaded, secured with a trigger lock & in a locked containter . Generally, there is no CCW in Canada for private citizens, either.  

With a PAL can could you legally hunt in Canada?

I tried to organize a caribou hunt for 20 guys in Quebec with T/C Contenders.  When I talked to Revenue Canada (federal) people they were totally against it.

BEAR

BEAR wrote: With a PAL can could you legally hunt in Canada?

A PAL only allows you to acquire & possess firearms legally in Canada. In Canada hunting is covered under Provincial law & regulations. So a PAL does not allow you to hunt in and of itself. Here you must purchase a yearly hunting licence in your individual Province to legally hunt. In B.C. you have to have a Provincial "hunter number" [completed a hunting course] first, though. That hunter number stays with you for life and allows you to buy your licence and also apply for "limited entry draws" for certain species. When hunting however, legally you are required to be in possession of your PAL and firearms registration certificates [all our firearms are required to be "registered" with the federal government] if you are using firearms to hunt with.

BEAR wrote: I tried to organize a caribou hunt for 20 guys in Quebec with T/C Contenders.  When I talked to Revenue Canada (federal) people they were totally against it.

I do not believe that you can legally hunt in Canada with what is considered a "handgun" [restricted firearm] which a TC Contender would be classified as. However, there are individual permits issued Provincially for carrying certain handguns in the bush for personal protection to persons such as registered trappers, etc.

I'm not surprized that Revenue Canada would be against your hunting proposal. They are the tax [collecting] people and have nothing to do with [federal] firearms or [provincial] hunting.  

Kingpin wrote: I had one in .45 Auto Rim that also handled .45ACP with moon clips. The dumbest thing I ever did was trade it................Kingpin

You must be thinking of the larger frame S&W Model 1917 wheelgun. It is equivalent to the modern "N" frame revolvers.

The "Victory" model was on the smaller frame [similar to the "K" frame] and usually chambered for .38 S&W or .38 Special.