Earlier this week, I got a phone call, and an email to let me know that my new gun came in. I was very excited. Since I got into this, I wanted my own equipment. I have been waiting for my new Glock 19 Gen4, but due to a series of issues, it hasn’t appeared yet.
A few weeks ago I decided I wanted a Daniel Defense AR15 semi-automatic. I’d been training on one for a few weeks, and it made sense to get my own. But since the rise of speculation around possible gun legislation changes in Canada, they seemed to be harder to get. I tried several places, and went to my gun range a few weeks ago as it appeared they had one in stock. But they’d sold it.
“We usually have them in stock,” the guy behind the counter told me, “But as soon as they come in, someone buys them.”
So I ordered one. For someone waiting with anticipation, it seemed to take a long time to come in.
But on Monday I got an email from the store’s Operations Manager to say it was in. One of the other guys who works there also called me to let me know, as I’d talked to him a few times and he knew I was waiting.
Very excited, I went down to look at it. I took a friend with me as he had been following along on the journey to acquiring this firearm, and it really was the culmination of a lot of anticipation and patience.
The staffer brought the black plastic case out, and opened it for me. It was an exciting moment to see it for the first time. Wrapped in heavy ply plastic, was my brand new, all black, Daniel Defence MK18 M4, 10.3” AR15 Carbine.
It was still heavily oiled, and one of the guys behind the counter pulled out a rag to wipe up the excess. He safety checked it and passed it along to me.
I had just spent the previous week’s training with Sancho on this same model. We had practiced loading and unloading and switching between primary and secondary firearms, so I had more confidence with it than I might have had a few weeks before.
In Canada, firearms acquisition is not easy. Especially with something they categorize as a restricted firearm. The retailer will initiate a transfer as the Seller. Once that is started, you can call the RCMP to confirm you are purchasing the firearm, then request your “Buyers Transfer” paperwork emailed to you. But it doesn’t quite end there. You still have to wait for your firearm registration to arrive in the mail, which is automatically issued once the transfer is complete.
Once you have your Buyers Transfer emailed to you, that document allows you to take it home. But it can’t travel back to the range, or anywhere, until you get the registration in the mail. Because I planned to store it at the range, once I had the email, I made another trip to the range to “make it mine”.
I went over the carbine carefully at this point, and put everything back in the case so they could lock it away. Since it’s stored at the range, I can go shoot it anytime before the registration arrives. That’s usually within couple weeks.
The sad part is that I still haven’t shot it yet as I don’t have any ammunition! The range was out of stock, so I need to make a trip to the sporting goods store before I can try it out.
I already know I want to make some upgrades. A new buttstock. And optic.
But my first two modifications would be a Magpul MAG980 B.A.D. Lever (Battery Assist Device) Ambi Bolt Release. And to replace the plastic safety.
Then of course, you need more magazines. And everyone you talk to has an opinion on what should be updated, upgraded or added.
One guy I was talking to recently suggested it was like buying a sports car….you were never done with the additions and upgrades you could make. And I think they might all be correct. Because next on the list is a new Charging Handle. And back up iron sights. And maybe a modified trigger.
So you see where this is going?!
