30-30 medicine gun

[Adam Helmer]

YukonGirl,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is only your 8th post.

I would like to hear what your gun control laws are like in the Yukon. We may get an unpleasant dose of the same here in the USA after January 20, 2009.

Again, welcome to this site.

Adam

[Larryjk]

Yukon Girl, You stated the Mossberg 500 in 12 gauge set your shoulder back about 5 inches. Does it have a recoil pad taht hasn't turned to wood? See if you can get a Pachmayr Decelerator (1'") installed. That should take most of the bite out of it.

[YukonGirl]

Adam, I’ll be happy to answer your question, but there may be others on this forum more qualified than me. And they may end up jumping in to correct me on something, but I’ll do the best I can. Apologies in advance for the length of my reply.

Before I could buy my first gun in Canada, I had to take a training class in the safe use of firearms. I also had to pass a written and practical test. I had to complete additional training and pass a separate set of tests to purchase and possess handguns. Of course, you also have to pay money for each class and application… I now have the legal right to purchase and possess rifles, shotguns, and handguns, providing that each falls into approved categories—for example, not too short, not fully automatic, etc. There’s a whole other category for what they call Prohibited guns.

I’ll admit that though taking the classes was a pain, I learned stuff and I feel like I’m less likely to be a dork and shoot someone by accident. And if they hadn’t made me take the class I probably would never have gotten around to it on my own. But then they get a bit ridiculous. Take handguns for example. No wait, let’s start with ammunition. I can’t legally go into a store and just buy ammo. No, I have to have my firearms license on my person to buy even one shotgun shell. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at the local sporting goods store and remembered I need a brick of .22’s and nope, forget it. Go home, get your license, and then drive all the way back to the store.

Let’s get back to handguns now. Though I’m legally allowed to purchase and possess them—there are many restrictions. For one thing, in order to actually buy one, I have to be a registered member of a recognized gun club. I also have to be on a competitive shooting team. That sounds like fun, shooting competitively, but maybe I don’t feel like doing that. Maybe I just want to have a handgun. Not good enough. And in the Yukon, though there are a few gun clubs in the territory, most of us just go into the bush and shoot. (I take my truck down a deserted road and set up my targets and away I go. Quick note: total population in the Yukon is about 31,530 people. We’re spread out over 186,272 sq miles.) Basically, almost any road is deserted. :-)

I can’t take a handgun with me into the bush because it wouldn’t be for an official handgun competition. And each time you want to transport your handgun (which you’re only allowed to do to and from your home and the gun club at which the competition is being held, or else to the gun club for shooting practice) you have to get official government permission (which you can now do online) every time, and you must display a certificate to that effect on the dashboard of your vehicle when transporting your handgun.

I’m a woman who often travels through the bush on my own—hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, whatever. I live in country that’s thick with grizzlies but sometimes I don’t want to lug my heavy shotgun around or I don’t have the room. I’d like to have the option of carrying a .357 magnum for bear protection while I’m climbing up rock faces or just out fishing. Nope. Can’t do it. I guess they’re worried I might rob a bank while I’m out there in the middle of nowhere.

Another thing. You’re not legally allowed to own a gun for the purpose of home or self protection. You can’t use a gun to defend yourself unless you have done everything in your means to protect yourself and you’re likely to be killed if you don’t shoot them. So if a rapist barges down the door of my home, I can’t defend myself with old Bessie (my Mossy 500). And I’m five foot nothing. Am I supposed to sucker punch him? If I shot the guy, he’d probably go free or almost free (that’s yet another thread), and I’d go to prison. I have a problem with that. But them’s the rules.

I seriously don’t think it’ll get as bad as any of this in the States, regardless of who’s president. Two reasons why:

1. The NRA: they’re powerful and vocal and will do everything in their power to prevent more restrictive gun control such as a national handgun ban.

2. The average anti-gun American doesn’t care enough to flood the government with letters and protests if Obama doesn’t push the ban of handguns or similar legislation. Now picture what will happen if he does try to ban handguns across the country. He’ll have the wrath of the NRA and a lot of individual Americans who will be very angry and very, very vocal about how we feel. Obama is all about Can’t We All Get Along? For what it would cost him to pass more restrictive gun legislation, his return on investment would be in the negative. So instead, he’ll focus on things that won’t be so divisive and will make lots of people happy-- and give him a better chance at re-election. He’s got lots and lots of stuff to choose from that he can do that will make him look like a good guy to the majority of Americans. Gun control will be at the bottom of his list. During another time in our history, and under different circumstances, I’d be more worried than I am right now.

Just before I moved from Denver to Canada, I bought a handgun. Bad timing. I had the chance to take it to the range exactly once and then I had to leave it with a friend in Colorado. I wish I had it, but it’s way too difficult and expensive to import it into Canada. I’m left with the option of selling it. (Anyone in Colorado want to buy a barely-used .40 Ruger P94 with an extra clip? PM me! You can help fund my .30-30 purchase.)

If you’d like to get a sense of what it’s like to hunt and fish in the Yukon, check out my YouTube video. It might explain why I love the Yukon so much: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkWK80ZNqfM It’s really spoiled me for hunting and fishing.

[scalerman]

The gun control laws in the Yukon are the same as the rest of Canada. There is no difference. So changing out a smooth shot gun barrel for a rifled one is not a problem. Getting that barrel might be a problem. Yukon Girl- check out Wholesale sports- they have a store in Edmonton- mail order is out ofCalgary- if it is availible they should be able to get it for you.

[YukonGirl]

Hi Larry, I can't remember the stock pad that came with it-- it might be Mossberg's and I'm too lazy to get up and check, but the guy at the gun store talked me out of buying a pachy because he said the one on there is about as good. I think the real problem is that I'm five foot nothing. A 12 gauge (as you know) is more than you need for upland game, but I went with the 12 instead of a 20 or .410 because I'm in grizzly country. I cross their tracks all the time and so every third round is a slug. And if I'm lucky enough to be able to take a second shot (no shots have yet been necessary-- keeping my fingers crossed) I keep more slugs in my pocket.

But when you're aiming at something you hope to eat later for supper, for some reason you just don't mind the recoil, even if it's excessive, such as it is in my case. With that in mind, I never take my 12 gauge out for plinking purposes-- that's what my .22 rifles are for.

[YukonGirl]

Scalerman, you're exactly right of course. That's why I'm interested in buying some used barrels from someone in Canada, or new if necessary. I'll check that place out. I called all over Alberta and BC but no one carried Mossy extra barrels. It's crazy.

[scalerman]

I will check their catalogue to see if those barrels are listed.

[YukonGirl]

Thanks, Scalerman. I appreciate it!

[scalerman]

Model 500 barrels are listed separately in the Wholesale Sports catalogue. They are about $160.00 each. herew is the link right to the page. http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlin...egory=10120008

[YukonGirl]

Scalerman-- a big thank you. I'll have to check my list but I don't think I've called them already. Can you suggest which barrel(s) might be best for me? Do you think one of the all-purpose barrels with the Accu Set choke would do well for waterfowl as well as for deer? I've never used chokes so I'm in unfamiliar territory here. Thanks again.

[Adam Helmer]

YukonGirl,

Many thanks for sharing your fine Video with us.

I am a Pennsylvanian who spent 4 great years in Denver in the service. My farm in rural PA is my "Yukon." To prove it, we will endure -5 and -10 degrees this week in Tioga County. All is well, we still have 2 cords of good hardwood on the woodpile for the woodstove in the living room.

Are you still an American citizen or have you become a Canadian? I would have gone to Alaska if I were to leave the Lower 48. That way I would have still been in the U.S. and nearer to Sarah Palin. LOL!

You did a fine job on your video. I would like to listen to you read a telephone book; you have a great voice. Be well.

Adam

[YukonGirl]

Gee, Adam, you're making me blush!

Wow, -10 is colddddd!!! The only good side is it makes splitting wood easier. Other than that... Yeah, I'd say you've got your own personal Yukon going on there. What kind of wood stove do you have? I traded in my old Blaze King for a new one, and it uses a third less wood than the old one and it burns really clean.

To answer your question, I'm an American. You'd probably do well in Alaska. You're certainly getting some practice with colder temperatures!

[scalerman]

Yukon Girl I am sorry I am of no use to you when it comes to deciding which barrel to purchase. i have absolutely no experience in that area. There must be someone on here that can help. Sorry about that.

[YukonGirl]

No problem. I'll check the shotgun posts. Thanks for the tip on who to call though-- that was a big help!

[scalerman]

One does what one can- that is what we are here for.