[Ricochet]

For the replica ruling, the gun would have to be highly altered. Can you do it to a real firearm and have it not be a real firearm? The potato masher idea is pretty stupid, so either that agent was an idiot, or you're being fed some crazy BS.

Airsoft guns for all intents and purposes are not considered replicas, they are considered firearms. The CBSA simply has their own rules/guidelines they follow on what can come in and it has nothing to do with legal ownership laws, so trying to find a cheap way around that system is asking for trouble. If an airsoft gun shoots 366 - 499 FPS it's supposed to be okay for importation, but they usually require paperwork from manufacturer, retailer, etc, or they'll test it themselves. The last option can take time like crazy and if everything isn't square, you can get it trouble. But nearly for any reason they can seize and/or destroy an object they deem unfit for entry, even if to you, you've followed all their rules and its legal to bring in. So, follow their rules to literal compliance, crossing all T's and dotting all I's and there's a 99.9% chance you'll be fine. Try anything else, and well, you're playing with a firestorm.