TargetTalk

Hello,

I've been looking for info on some info on the Steyr LP50 and crossing borders with it.

How does the USA classify these pistols? I'll be traveling (by land 90% of the time) to and from Canada and I have our regs down, it's the US that worries me. The gun will be in Montana or North Dakota, so local regs should not be an issue as far as I can tell from the local gun / outdoor shops. As a Canadian here on a NAFTA visa, are there any shoots I could get into in MT/ND, or a link to where to look?

Now into the good stuff. I'm an amateur IPSC / IDPA player and I'd like a nice airgun to compliment my others, and get some indoor / inexpensive trigger and sight work done, as well a general plinking for the hell of it. I'm leaning towards the Steyr LP50 for it's multi-shot capability, and it's reputed quality. I'll be looking for thh 1911 grip style as well to give it a whirl and compare it to my 2011 / 1911 guns.

Advice, tips, or recommendations? I'll drop a line to Pilkguns when I get a chance (damn nightshift) for details and pricing options out.

What do I need to get up and running? Gun / pump / DryPac / pellets and targets?

Thanks for any help or tips in advance.

Backwoods wrote:Hello,

I've been looking for info on some info on the Steyr LP50 and crossing borders with it.

How does the USA classify these pistols? I'll be traveling (by land 90% of the time) to and from Canada and I have our regs down, it's the US that worries me. The gun will be in Montana or North Dakota, so local regs should not be an issue as far as I can tell from the local gun / outdoor shops. As a Canadian here on a NAFTA visa, are there any shoots I could get into in MT/ND, or a link to where to look?

Now into the good stuff. I'm an amateur IPSC / IDPA player and I'd like a nice airgun to compliment my others, and get some indoor / inexpensive trigger and sight work done, as well a general plinking for the hell of it. I'm leaning towards the Steyr LP50 for it's multi-shot capability, and it's reputed quality. I'll be looking for thh 1911 grip style as well to give it a whirl and compare it to my 2011 / 1911 guns.

Advice, tips, or recommendations? I'll drop a line to Pilkguns when I get a chance (damn nightshift) for details and pricing options out.

What do I need to get up and running? Gun / pump / DryPac / pellets and targets?

Thanks for any help or tips in advance.

Do you want it just for IPSC / IDPA type practice or are you moving into bullseye?

If it's more for the IPSC / IDPA style, as another alternative, when you are here just buy an Umarex PX-4 for about 80 bucks at any decent sporting goods store -- plenty accurate for plinking at short range. If you are not allowed to take it back home with you to Canada, leave it with a friend.

I have to admit I have one and it is fun and can hit a quarter sized target at up to about 10 yds. with decent pellets.

WARNING -- do not take to New Jersey -- they classify airguns as guns.

I don't have an LP50 but I do lust after one for bullseye practice. Expensive. For that type of practice I'm leaning more toward a SCATT or RIKA instead but the LP50 is a beautiful machine.

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to pick up a Umarex type pistol aswell for fun.

As for the Steyr, I'm thinking I might give my hand a whirl at 10m competition this summer as well...so I want a target style that would do both if needed.

Thanks for the help!

So after talking with a couple US border guards at land crossings....not gonna happen. I was told and I quote "We do not let non-residents into our country with weapons unless you are going directly to a competition and then leaving right after it finishes"

So there you have it....I'll likely still buy one for at home, but so much for target shots in the US.

Backwoods wrote:So after talking with a couple US border guards at land crossings....not gonna happen. I was told and I quote "We do not let non-residents into our country with weapons unless you are going directly to a competition and then leaving right after it finishes"

So there you have it....I'll likely still buy one for at home, but so much for target shots in the US.

I have inquired about the same thing (non-resident here on visa-waiver). The info I got back from ATF was that air guns are not controlled by the Feds, just as the state level. So whilst they weren't going to prohibit anything, the states will take control. If asked if you have a gun when entering the US from Canada, I do not believe an air pistol qualifies as such. Cartridge firing guns require an ATF-6 form. Of course that's a big risk to take if they decide to frown upon your technicalities and I guess you could end up in a windowless room for a while before they figure it out.

The advice given by the border guards (USCIS?) is consistent, for cartridge firing weapons. If your pistol was a .22, as a non-resident then you would certainly need some kind of proof of being a competitor in an accredited competition etc.

However, that doesn't apply to air guns. They can and are restricted by some cities/states (NYC, New Jersey), however this shouldn't apply to ND or MT.

Did you make it clear to the border guards that you were talking about an air pistol?

Here is the relevant section of ATF-6 - which is what the USCIS officers are trained to work with.:

"5 An alien entering the U.S. temporarily may submit this application to import his personally owned firearms and ammunition. If the application is otherwise in order, the application (permit) will be approved on the conditions that It is not unlawful for the Individual to possess the firearms and ammunition in the States in which he travels and that the firearms and ammunition will not be disposed of in the United States but taken out of the United States when the Individual departs. No permit is required for a nonresident of the United States to bring firearms and ammunition into the United States for legitimate hunting or lawful sporting purposes, provided that the firearms and such ammunition as remains following such shooting activity are to be taken out the United States by such person upon conclusion of sporting activity."

Actually for non immigrant visitors they should e filling in Form 6-NIA:

http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5330-3d.pdf

There appears to be a complication because you have to put in your Canadian license details, therefore a potential free pass on air pistols may not work.

The simplest solution? Can you get a MT/ND hunting permit? This would allow you to use it as a reason to bring in your air pistols (talk about circular reasoning). In fact any hunting permit from any State is valid for this purpose.

The best source of current info for importation:

1-800-ATF-GUNS (283-4867)