Well, my restricted and unrestricted papers are in the mail. So does this mean in about 6mo I need to start planning like a prepper? :)

Got 'em both for fun and another hobby. For long guns, I'm simply going to start with my Grandfather's collection as I'm the only family member who will be licensed. Anyone have some suggestions for a first handgun? I've used a few in the USA, but limited use. Out of the ones I've tried I liked the Sig Sauer P226. Can buy it in .22RL, and add a 9mm barrel/magazines to it to give it some versatility and cheap ammo.

I agree - but if you look at the conditions, I think most of the off-limit areas are 400m from the roads, so you will just push more of those idiots into the bushes, where it isn't so obvious if there are other users in the vicinity. I can see Squamish back roads becoming a gong show soon.

Hand guns are totally personal in my opinion. What one person likes the looks and grip of, another wouldn't like it at all. For example, I am not a 9mm fan - I like big calibres and big bangs. I only shot .357 revolvers for years and just recently got a few .45ACP 1911s.

I have heard many people like their Sig P226s, and I also hear many people liking their CZ Shadows in 9mm. As for a .22LR pistol - most people that have conversion kits never use them; they start off with the intent of swapping out barrels and mags, but inevitably most shooters buy a specific .22LR pistol.

For a .22LR I read a lot of info before buying, then tried and liked the grip of the Ruger MKIII Hunter, so I bought one of those as they have a good reputation for being accurate and there are a lot of aftermarket parts available. I swapped out all the internals to Volquartsen parts and it now has a 1.25# trigger with no creep and shoots like a laser beam; everyone that tries it loves it. I also have an old Colt semi-auto that I rarely shoot as the trigger sucks.

i loved the FN Five-seven when i was in washington shooting with an american friend of mine.. but they are just soooo damn expensive up here lol.

just got my PAL!! getting my restricted on wednesday! woohoo!

Awesome!
My buddy was telling me that there are some good ranges in the Kamloops area. The backcountry shooting is supposed to be really good too.

Enjoy!

And so it begins....if you thought car mods added up, you haven't seen anything yet. Hopefully you like the sport - I'm hooked.

:awwyeah:

i got my pal while i was in kamloops for work back in december :D

:pokerface:

I own an SKS and a 12 guage. I know what you mean though :lol

Unfortunately yes. After a big cleanup at the unofficial range north of Kelowna someone made a nice wooden sign asking people to please clean up their garbage and nailed it up a tree. Within a couple weeks some dipshit had shot it, and with the location of the sign there's no way to hit it and have a safe backdrop unless you climbed way up a tree. I love shooting, but like most things I have no interest it being near other people.

Oh ya. Lots of my buddies head into the woods. Lots of great shooting out here

so i was given this shotgun, it has no barrel however and there isnt much for marking. Was told it might be a winchester but hard to tell.. is it even worth trying to track down a barrel for it?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...r.jpg~original

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...s.jpg~original

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...k.jpg~original

The hand guard looks like an old Ithaca 37, and the engraving is similar to other Ithacas, though I don't know too much about older Winchesters. If it is an Ithaca, based on the serial number puts it at 1960. Cheap shotguns but work well. Ithaca Gun Serial Numbers

These old 37's can slam fire; meaning if you pull the trigger and hold the trigger down, as you pump it will fire without having to release the trigger. They were designed like this to 'clear the trenches'.

I like these old Ithacas and you might be able to find a cheap barrel, but it may take some time. In poor condition they sell for $250 and in good condition up to $500 - but usually they are not in good condition. I have always wanted a 37 and am waiting for the right one to come along.

so it would be moreso a wait and see type deal as opposed to hunting one down probably?

Are you asking me about wanting one, or you finding a barrel? For me, it is low priority - I have enough shotguns that see little use. If the right deal came along, I'd consider it.

I have been looking up other Ithacas - and that is indeed what yours is, not a Winchester.

Here is a pic of another one in better shape:

http://www.snapagogo.com/uploads/sou...haca5Large.jpg

sorry, meant for me in terms of getting a barrel. Probably wont be somthing that i'll find until it just pops up for sale etc?

Start putting the feelers out there with different shops and gunsmiths. If you come across one, buy it. I passed on a barrel for one of my old rifles and kinda wished I hadn't.

Are you on CGN? I looked up Ithacas on that forum and there were a few, some "rare" overpriced models, some at $500 and not selling, another at $350 and not selling. Perhaps a WTB ad will shake a barrel loose?

Part of the gun buying process is patience, and I kind of like that aspect of the sport. However, it also involves getting what you can when you can up here in Canada, as availability is limited.

perfect, thanks for the help, i plan on refinishing it if i can find a barrel, it's kinda scratched up but would be a decent little project

It will be a great project as it will not hurt any value whatsoever and these are easy guns to work with. You don't need to wait for the barrel if you are going to reblue the action, just make sure you keep some of the same bluing product. In the meantime, you can strip and refurbish the wood. The rear butt stock may not be easy to unscrew, so be prepared to soak the bolt a bit.

what can i do for the screws in terms of new ones? some of are kinda turned/stripped, still easy enough to get out but ugly to replace with..

just a matter of finding the same bolt/threads?

fuken eh!

:awwyeah:

I would try to clean them up with a wire wheel and some elbow grease, they may be hard to find. Western Gun Parts in Edmonton is the best place for old gun parts, though I don't know if they have Ithaca parts. I would try contacting them and also ask about a barrel - who knows?

Just an FYI - WGP guys on the phone are kind of grumpy and sometimes they try to tell you to order through a shop. Just be polite, be prepared with the serial number and info, and see what they tell you. Minimum order of $35 with them.

Exactly, you can always sell it later if you find a better one, but you can't go back in time if you don't. Which is partly how my cabinet has ended up the way it has :lol

And that's a good thing. How's that K31 treating you?

Not when it's already overflowing! My PAL wasn't even a year old before the racks were full and I'm out of space for ammo.

The K31 has been great, I'd love to find another one and put a scope on it but with the way prices have been I haven't been looking too hard. Ideally I'd like to find one that's been modified or damaged already as I wouldn't be able to bring myself to modify an original one.

Realistically I should get a clamp on scope mount for the one I already have. What's a fair price for one of those?

I think I paid $100 for my clamp mount - it works well. You get used to the scope on the side, but it uses 11mm rings (.22 rings), so make sure you don't cheap out there. I bought Burris signature rings and shimmed it over a bit.

The scope mounts that replace the rear blade (at CSC) look silly because they are so damn high - you would need to add a cheek riser. The side mount still lets you use your irons at the 100m setting.