My first airgun was purchased at Canadian Tire. Which is maybe a medium-box store, i.e. not quite big-box by modern standards. It was a Benjamin springer. I don't know any dedicated airgun shops that sell that model, it's sort of a minimalist, very cheap gun. All our dedicated airgun shops tend to sell higher-end gear. I had little idea if I'd really get much usage out of an airgun at the time, so cheap and quick was the way I went. I didn't know dedicated airgun shops existed, or that high-end PCP rifles were a thing. The main thing is that the airguns sold at places like Canadian Tire are de-tuned so that they don't require a permit.
The gun worked great. After a little bit of tweaking of it I found out about the Crosman P1322, and shortly after doing some P1322 tweaks I discovered this site and high-end PCP rifles. I also discovered that if you tweak a P1322 "too much" in Canada you can easily create what is called a "prohibited firearm" so I realized it's a bit of a dangerous airgun to own in Canada, as small modifications can easily turn it into something completely illegal -- if your 1322 at any time can fire over 500fps, you are a criminal. Airguns that shoot over 500fps in general are not illegal, provided you have the appropriate permit. The issue with the P1322 is the pistol format.
Airguns aren't used very much in Canada. You need to get a permit to own a powder-burning gun, even to buy an airgun that shoots over 500fps. So for most people and what they need guns for, if you go all the way to sit through a 2-day course, pass an exam, pay to get your photo taken, have a background check, fill out government forms and wait months to get your permit, you might as well buy a powderburner. I think that's the main reason airguns have so little backing infrastructure in Canada. The only airguns you come across day-to-day, would be the detuned springers you see at Canadian Tire.
