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My First AR-15 Build- 10 Rnd Mags OK in CA??
floorguy24
Member Posts: 1,343 ✭
I've just ordered my first 80% complete AR-15 lower receiver and am starting to get a parts list for the additional parts to order over time (due to a budget).
So for now, I want to find out if 10 round mags are the max allowed in California. Anyone out there familiar with AR-15 laws in CA?
Thank You
So for now, I want to find out if 10 round mags are the max allowed in California. Anyone out there familiar with AR-15 laws in CA?
Thank You
Comments
ARs (actual Colt AR-15s have been banned in CA since 1989) are subject to extremely complex sets of laws, rules, regulations and interpretations. I gave up on trying to sort that matrix of assault weapons regulations out long ago so hopefully someone here can assist you.
This is what led me to the 80% complete lower receiver purchase, as it's still a legal way to purchase without any need to register it as long as I do all the remaining machine work which should be no problem.
I still have to find out if the 10 round mag will require a "bullet button" or some other device to lock it into place. Not sure on that one yet.
I just purchased California Gun Laws, a recommendation from a Tactical Firearms Instructor I'm familiar with. It's written by an attorney who is pro-gun and represents pro-gun clients. He updates new laws on his website regularly from what I'm told. So I hope to get more legal information from his book/website regarding the AR-15 laws/bans/etc.
This is what led me to the 80% complete lower receiver purchase, as it's still a legal way to purchase without any need to register it as long as I do all the remaining machine work which should be no problem.
I still have to find out if the 10 round mag will require a "bullet button" or some other device to lock it into place. Not sure on that one yet.
Your AR 15 will require a "bullet button" to create the CA version of a fixed or non-detachable magazine IF you plan on keeping the pistol grip as is or the FH.
You can use a standard AR mag release if you remove the pistol grip and replace the FH with a muzzle brake. Switching an FH for a brake is easy, shooting an AR without a pistol grip is a bit of a challenge. In CA we have something called the "Monster Man" grip because the grip, from the POV of CA law, modifies the AR PG to a legal configuration. There are also stock adapters that incorporate a sort of conventional "non-PG" grip that allows for use of the conventional mag release and legally owned round +10 round magazine.
The shorthand version of configuring your AR 15 so that +10 or detachable magazines can be used is called "going featureless". Most folks I know go with a fixed 10 round magazine and "bullet button".
Be careful, stay current and make certain you know what is allowed and not allowed.
quote:Originally posted by floorguy24
I just purchased California Gun Laws, a recommendation from a Tactical Firearms Instructor I'm familiar with. It's written by an attorney who is pro-gun and represents pro-gun clients. He updates new laws on his website regularly from what I'm told. So I hope to get more legal information from his book/website regarding the AR-15 laws/bans/etc.
This is what led me to the 80% complete lower receiver purchase, as it's still a legal way to purchase without any need to register it as long as I do all the remaining machine work which should be no problem.
I still have to find out if the 10 round mag will require a "bullet button" or some other device to lock it into place. Not sure on that one yet.
Your AR 15 will require a "bullet button" to create the CA version of a fixed or non-detachable magazine IF you plan on keeping the pistol grip as is or the FH.
You can use a standard AR mag release if you remove the pistol grip and replace the FH with a muzzle brake. Switching an FH for a brake is easy, shooting an AR without a pistol grip is a bit of a challenge. In CA we have something called the "Monster Man" grip because the grip, from the POV of CA law, modifies the AR PG to a legal configuration. There are also stock adapters that incorporate a sort of conventional "non-PG" grip that allows for use of the conventional mag release and legally owned round +10 round magazine.
The shorthand version of configuring your AR 15 so that +10 or detachable magazines can be used is called "going featureless". Most folks I know go with a fixed 10 round magazine and "bullet button".
Be careful, stay current and make certain you know what is allowed and not allowed.
Thank You very much for the information, very helpful!
Top notch information; you guys here are the best!
I agree. That's why I came here to ask.
Personally, I'd rather have the unorthodox grip and a conventional magazine release than the other way around, but that's pretty subjective.
Edit Don't know if these thumbhole type stocks are CA-legal, but if so, this may be a "best of both worlds" type option worth looking: Apparently in CA, these are legally considered pistol grip stocks, so that's a no go:
That is correct. Use the bullet button...10 round magazine. Do not put a 20 or 30 round magazine in a bullet button rifle...you just made it illegal.
Unless you got a .458 SOCOM [:D]. A 30 round mag. only hold 9 or 10 rounds. I got bunch of 30 round Bushmaster magazines made to fire 450 Bushmasters and it's marked 9 rounds. They pinched the bottom for some odd reason. Like to get me some 20 round straight steel mags to fix up to hold 5 for hunting. I wonder if the 10 rounders will hold 3?
floorguy24-How much did you spend on the 80%ers? I was at the gun show at Cow Palace a month back where the 80%ers cost $50 less than a stripped lower [:D]. I think regular stripped lowers are like $150 a pop again. Unless you're going to make "One" a year for a few years it ain't gonna justify the cost of a "Jig". Also be sure to blow the chips and work clean.
Oh that reminds me Anno-ing the 80% is like $50 a pop. So again not saving much cash there. Unless you're going for the "un marked" AR. Even then you're still going to play by the states rules so why?
I went with the 80% so I don't have to register it, I really don't care if it costs the same or even a bit more. This aluminum lower ran me $79.99 delivered.