Canadian Airgun Forum

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great Christmas. I’ve been tossing something around in my head for quite some time now. I really want to purchase a pcp air pistol, but I’m not sure whether or not, it’s “safe” to do so. I like the idea of something compact to carry in a backpack for hunting. I know the regulations say you can hunt small game with an air gun, but I wonder if that applies to pistols too. I’ve been to my local MNR office, but there never seems to be a CO there that I can talk to. I’m also concerned with all this confusing C-21 stuff going on. If I would be better off just getting a rifle, i’ll do so, but I really want a pistol. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Ron

I think the provinces have differing MNR rules. What province do you live? Check the regulations for that province. In Ontario we can use air rifles, non-PAL air pistols, bows, firearms, rocks, slingshots, etc to hunt small game.

You need to get close to your game when using an air pistol and .22cal gives the most punch at sub 500fps. The Cr1322 with a bit of a tune can get you into the mid-high 400s and should work for careful head, neck and spine hits. A steel breech and red dot is a nice addition for precision shots.

I'm here learning so take what I offer with a grain of salt.

The word pistol, right off the bat tells me non-carry if it is over 500fps.....If under, then I believe it can be carried. Anything over 500fps pistol is a classified firearm, and you will need your restricted firearms designation and thus can only be used at the shooting range?

Exactly. A PAL rated air pistol is like having a powder burner pistol. Hence my suggestion of a hard hitting Crosman 1322. Stay just under the limit so it's non-PAL.

As noted, different Provinces have different rules regarding air rifles and pistols.
In BC it is illegal to hunt with a pistol. They do not differentiate between air pistols or powder burning pistols. No pistols for hunting in B.C.
A P.A.L. rated pistol is a restricted firearm & restricted firearms cannot be used for hunting, whether long guns or pistols/revolvers.
The PP700-SA is a great shooting PCP handgun that is sub 500fps, thus not a restricted handgun/firearm.
They shoot very well and if scoped or red-dot sighted, if legal, could be used for close range grouse and bunnies, in .22. Mine shoots OK to
20yards with the old red-dot sight.
It preferred the heavy H&N pellets to all others. This was H&N 21.3gr. Match and 19.09gr. Barracuda Hunter Extremes. The Predators did fairly
well, but in subsequent group shooting, did not hold up the accuracy displayed here.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

Good advices given here!

Ronnie you could discuss your needs with Wes @ Airgun & Archery Fun, he may have something you'll like.

https://airgunarcheryfun.ca/air-pistol/

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If everything's so lovely yeah, then why don't I, why don't I, why don't I, why don't I feel lovely?

If Bill C-21 comes into effect then things get a bit complicated. At that point, in Ontario, it appears that we could use certain prohibited airguns (rifles & pistols) for hunting but we can't use a prohibited powder burner for hunting. But don't use a restricted for hunting and don't get your prohibs confused ...lol.

It's just simply not going to work... Because the limit to the air pistol is under 500fps, if your air pistol going over it, like 501fps, just imagine it's a 9mm powder burner or just a.50 AE Desert Eagle. In law, they are no different.

And can you bring your.50 DE with you to hunt in the brush??

That's a RPAL weapon, you even need a special premit for bringing it from your home to the licensed shooting range with it locked in a case and stored in the trunk of your car.

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~Plinkers~
FX-M3-22 Compact#PP700-Carbine#Diana48-177#XS28M-25@26fpe#HW45 Beast#AW-Custom Z-Killer DE
~Competitors~
FWB300SU#Tau-7#IZH-46M#FWB-65#CP88-C
~Target~
HW 30s/35e/97k/40+Extender/P3+Scope/70#CZ200s Laminated@10fpe#AA ProSport-177@12fpe

I would also suggest a .177 pistol or revolver is not powerful enough for grouse (morally), just like a sub 500fps air rifle.
When I was a kid, I used to kill black and grey squirrels with a sub 500fps .177 air rifle. Oft times, the squirrels would escape
wounded or need 2 or 3 hits. Today, this sort of thing is frowned upon - I do as well. If I knew then, what I know now, I would
not have done it. I did borrow a school mate's RWS .177 that was WAY more powerful than my rifle. It was GREAT for the same
make of squirrels. (dairy farms of South Western Ontario, 1950's and 60's)

_________________
Best Wishes
Daryl

IDK what qualifies as a "pistol" for your purposes, but perhaps something like my Artemis PP750 carbine would serve?

Mine weighs:
4.2 lbs w/scope UTG 3-9 AO Bugbuster

14.3 gr Crosman Premier HP @ 474 fps

Accuracy is good enough for small game beyond 25 yards, assisted by the extendable stock.

Maybe that kind of option would suit your needs?

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Slavia 618 .177
Webley Senior .22
Jelly SUPER 4.5 mm
Webley Viscount .177
Kral Mega Marine Walnut .22
Artemis PP750 .22
FX Streamline .22 walnut
FX Streamline .22 composite
FX Dynamic 500 .22

Many of us are in that same boat.

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I have some airguns.

You would need to check the hunting regs first. I suspect they all say no hunting with a handgun as that was banned some time ago. You may get lucky and find they have an exception for airguns, but I doubt it.
The only guys I know who get to carry a pistol for animals are trappers and miners.

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"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson.

Here in BC, guides as well could get a 'carry" permit. I do not know if that is possible now, though.
A friend of mine has his guide permit-to-carry. I never applied, but suppose I should have done so,
10 years ago. I just packed my .458.

_________________
Best Wishes
Daryl

When I worked in the bush for forest companies here in BC and in Manitoba cruising and reccy'ing timber, I got a Permit to Carry from the police each year. I packed a .45 for a long time, then a .44 mag. It all stopped when the forest companies decided there was too much risk (?).
JD

Hi Ronnie... let us know which PCP air pistol you decide to get for smallgame in Ontario.

"Air and pellet guns are not permitted for hunting big game, but may be used for hunting small game."
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario ... egulations