As a new PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) or RPAL (Restricted Possession and Acquisition License) holder in Canada, prioritizing safety products and selecting appropriate firearms are crucial steps in your journey towards responsible gun ownership. Investing in quality safety equipment and firearms will not only enhance your shooting experience but also ensure the safety of yourself and others. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right safety products and firearms as you embark on this journey:
Safety Products:
- Ear Protection:
- Good: Foam earplugs – Disposable and affordable, offering basic protection.
- Better: Over-the-ear earmuffs – Provide superior noise reduction and comfort for extended shooting sessions.
- Best: Electronic ear muffs – Amplify ambient sounds while blocking loud noises, allowing for better situational awareness.
- Eye Protection:
- Good: Basic safety glasses – Offer protection against debris and impacts.
- Better: Wrap-around shooting glasses – Provide full coverage and UV protection.
- Best: Ballistic-rated shooting goggles – Designed to withstand high-velocity impacts and provide maximum protection for your eyes.
- Locks:
- Good: Trigger Key Lock
- Better: Numeric Combo Trigger Lock
- Best: Numeric Combo Steel Rope Lock
- Firearm Storage:
- Good: Locked Storage – Affordable and easy to install, providing basic firearm security.
- Better: Combination lock gun safe – Offers enhanced security and protection against theft and unauthorized access.
- Best: Biometric gun safe – Utilizes fingerprint recognition technology for quick and secure access to your firearms while keeping them safely stored.
- Cleaning Supplies:
- Good: Basic cleaning kit – Includes essential tools and solvents for routine firearm maintenance.
- Better: Brass cleaning rods – Durable and less likely to scratch your firearm’s bore compared to aluminum rods.
- Best: Bore snake – Convenient and compact tool for quick cleaning of the barrel, ideal for range sessions and field use.
- Accessories
- MagLula: A must have for fast and easy magazine reloading – will save you a lot of time and cramped fingers trying to reload magz when you want to enjoy your time at the range.
- Sights & Scopes: Finding the right sight or scope can make all the difference in enjoying repeatable finding of the bullseye from various distances. (see our post on “Optics” to learn more)
- Range Bag: you will find that many experienced firearms enthusiasts tend to like to keep their safety equipment and accessories in good condition and readily accessible in a range bag.
As a new PAL or RPAL holder, prioritize safety, education, and responsible firearms handling practices. Invest in quality safety products and firearms that align with your intended use and budget. Remember to undergo proper training and familiarize yourself with firearms laws and regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable shooting experience.