Selling a rifle from Canada to the US?

[browningautorifle]

22 October 1968

Ours was different...and is still different.

[Brian Dick]

I imported quite a few surplus US military firearms over the years including a half dozen of those 1897 trench guns I bought from a dealer in Ontario. Yes, it was a bit of a hassle to jump through the retransfer hoops, but I had and still have a good relationship with the Department of State and ATF Imports Branch. Retransfers of US C&R military firearms weren't possible until 2005. The tradeoff being the surplus military barrel ban which is still in place. There's always a trade off! Even the Enfield Pattern 1914 requires a retransfer authorization. I imported a couple from England and a P'14T sniper from Ontario for a U.S. Naval officer over the past few years.

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------

I forgot to mention that I imported a nice 1941 Johnson rifle out of Canada way back when the air was clean and sex was dirty! I still have one I bought in Florida with an original bayonet and scabbard. They are interesting rifles but I wouldn't trade an M1 Rifle for one if I had to carry it in anger.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't trade an M1 Rifle for one if I had to carry it in anger.

I did a demonstration one time years ago for Recon pl in Victoria and brought in an M1 compared to the Johnston. They all agreed J was interesting but the M1 was the better choice for an infantryman stripping and handling in the field. The small parts and complex fit of the barrel to jacket would be a problem. I'm sure you'd see Brian as a para, doing a roll over a barrel jacket with barrel out could cause an issue replacing in a dented jacket. Anyway, they didn't want one either. On the range it was OK except it pitched my brass out of sight into the woods and dented the rims in beyond repair.

[Brian Dick]

I agree on all points. I've noticed over the years as I've seen quite a few Johnson rifles, that the butt is very fragile where it's thin around the tang. They are almost always chipped or cracked. The recoil operation beats it pretty hard in that weak area. Much like a Browning A5 shotgun. It's definitely not for the reloader either Jim. The obvious difference between gas and recoil operation. Adoption of the M1 Rifle instead was a no-brainer IMHO. I can't imagine rolling around on a hot DZ trying to get the barrel in place either. Even if it the jacket wasn't damaged.

[Aragorn243]

So what happens if a Canadian citizen with permanent resident status brings a firearm from Canada into the United States. Is he permitted to sell it, does he need to go through an importer. Do they track it to ensure it is returned to Canada. I'm assuming he can bring it but maybe not.

[Brian Dick]

If he wants to bring it down permanently, it needs to be imported on an ATF Form 6 and transferred through a dealer just like any "new" import. There is a method for an individual bringing personal firearms across from Canada for trade shows and shooting competition, but it requires paperwork on the Canadian side and inspection/checks on both sides round trip.

[HHollow]

..... Retransfers of US C&R military firearms weren't possible until 2005. The tradeoff being the surplus military barrel ban which is still in place. .....

Please give more info. How can the rifle be importable while the barrel is banned?

I am experienced with Form6's bringing in misc parts for personal use. Always wondered about the barrel ban.

[Brian Dick]

There's not much info to give. The importation of surplus military barrels was banned in 2005 during the Bush administration. There are organizations likr FAIR and NFATCA that have petitioned to overturn the barrel ban since with no success.

Complete and original Curio and Relic military firearms are importable by licensed importers and has been the case since 1986. They were banned between 1968 and 1986. C&R military firearms that have been altered from original configuration are not importable.

[HHollow]

There's not much info to give. The importation of surplus military barrels was banned in 2005 during the Bush administration. There are organizations likr FAIR and NFATCA that have petitioned to overturn the barrel ban since with no success.

Complete and original Curio and Relic military firearms are importable by licensed importers and has been the case since 1986. They were banned between 1968 and 1986. C&R military firearms that have been altered from original configuration are not importable.

So it seems that an entire original 1941 Johnson is importable, but its barrel is not importable by itself?!

[Brian Dick]

That's correct.