How To Import Off Roster S&W to California!! Instructions

[kmas]

Thanks for all the info.

It's a shame we can't get Trump into the White House, or even more effective, a Pro-gun advocate as Governor.

[Tahoeshooter]

Originally Posted by ColdDeadHands1

A brand new 686 or Python may be on the roster but the classics of the last 40 years most certainly are not. The SA conversion process is used to import these classic wheelguns into this terrible state, controlled by our liberal democrat, tyrannical masters.

Thanks for the response CDH. But what is the difference between a newly manufactured Python of 686 vs. one made 30 years ago? Both are DA/SA, no?

[simonp]

Originally Posted by Tahoeshooter

Thanks for the response CDH. But what is the difference between a newly manufactured Python of 686 vs. one made 30 years ago? Both are DA/SA, no?

I can't speak for a newly manufactured Python as Ive not seen one but a S&W no dash 686 compared to a current production, worlds apart. The old 686 is silky smooth out of the box, beautiful trigger, no lock - sorry the lock and LCI on california guns are a pet peeve of mine. The old 686 was still hand assembled and high quality QC, no MIM parts. I have a couple of the old 586/686 no dash wheel guns, they aren't going anywhere ever.

[ptgarcia]

The Python hasn't been in production for more than a decade.

And I wouldn't say new and old S&Ws are "worlds apart." Most people wouldn't know the difference between them, save for the obvious lock.

[simonp]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

The Python hasn't been in production for more than a decade.

And I wouldn't say new and old S&Ws are "worlds apart." Most people wouldn't know the difference between them, save for the obvious lock.

Difference of opinion, I think most people if they dry fired the two side by side would feel & know the difference. Definitely very noticeable to me.


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[2FFords]

My LGS says the SAE went out the window with the SSE, so he is out. I really would like to pick up a few S&W Model 10s from JGSales due to the great price for a good quality gun. If the Single Action Exemption is still in play will somebody recommend a Local FFL in Fresno to get this done at?

[phdo]

Originally Posted by 2FFords

My LGS says the SAE went out the window with the SSE, so he is out. I really would like to pick up a few S&W Model 10s from JGSales due to the great price for a good quality gun. If the Single Action Exemption is still in play will somebody recommend a Local FFL in Fresno to get this done at?

To the best of my knowledge, your FFL is wrong. SAE is still in play. I don't know any FFLs in Fresno that will do it for you but my FFL in San Jose will do it. PM me if you want his contact info.

[Baboosh]

Originally Posted by 2FFords

My LGS says the SAE went out the window with the SSE, so he is out. I really would like to pick up a few S&W Model 10s from JGSales due to the great price for a good quality gun. If the Single Action Exemption is still in play will somebody recommend a Local FFL in Fresno to get this done at?

He is wrong, SAE is good to go.

[FresnoRob]

Originally Posted by 2FFords

My LGS says the SAE went out the window with the SSE, so he is out. I really would like to pick up a few S&W Model 10s from JGSales due to the great price for a good quality gun. If the Single Action Exemption is still in play will somebody recommend a Local FFL in Fresno to get this done at?

Who is your FFL?
I am not sure who does them just wondering who told you no.

[2FFords]

Thanks for the replay on an old thread. I'll start looking around town for a shop that will entertain my ideas.

[OffTheX]

Super helpful.

[FPL]

Hi everyone new new here. Looking into purchasing my first handgun and asked about SAE this morning at a gun shop in fresno and was told it stopped a couple years ago. Even gave me A look like I should not have asked about it. So for sure SAE still going? Thanks!

[ke6guj]

SAE (single-action (revolver) exempt) is still going. however, many gunshops do not even know that SAE exists. if you mention where you are located, you may get some suggestions about recommended gunshops that are familiar with SAE and get you hooked up.

SSE (single-shot exempt) was stopped a few years ago. and even that is technically SSEv1 (semi-auto pistols converted to single-shot) was stopped. there is still a limited SSEv2 that is still valid, but less known.

[rdavenport]

Any suggestions for a shop(s) around the 94549 (SF East Bay) area that does SAE's?

[Baboosh]

We convert them and ship them to many FFLs

[joeymfd]

Originally Posted by FPL

Hi everyone new new here. Looking into purchasing my first handgun and asked about SAE this morning at a gun shop in fresno and was told it stopped a couple years ago. Even gave me A look like I should not have asked about it. So for sure SAE still going? Thanks!

a lot of shops think you are talking about Single Shot Exemption (SSE) which is gone. I have had this happen. Single Action Exemption (SAE) is still valid.

[Gryff]

With the changes in picture hosting, it would be great if the OP could repost the pics.

[scroman]

Originally Posted by Gryff

With the changes in picture hosting, it would be great if the OP could repost the pics.

I'm not the OP but recently converted one from out of state and snapped some pics (actually took pics after the transfer was complete so I was converting from single action back to double however all the same). As OP states it is HIGHLY recommended you have a single action hammer assembly ready to deploy when converting. Don't want to mess with punching out the double action sear. Much easier to simply drop the pre-altered hammer assembly in the revolver. As ColdDeadHands1 notes below it is not required to have the 2nd hammer assembly in the ready however it certainly is a convenience (especially for me as I'm not mechanically inclined however many CalGunners are).

OK...here are some pics.

Picture of Factory N Frame hammer (with double action sear) next to Hammer that has the double action sear removed. Green Arrow shows the double action sear.



This is from a 625-6 that I recently converted at a local FFL




Remove grips and unscrew 4 screws as OP recommends (I only do screws 1, 2, and 3 here. I remove the 4th screw later. The first three hold the side plate. The 4th holds the leaf spring. Please make note of which screws come out of which holes as they are all different.



Now remove the side plate. See OPs notes on this from his original post. Tap the frame as noted with rubber gunsmith hammer or rubber screw driver.



Once side plate is removed it should look like this.



Remove transfer bar safety and remove the 4th screw which will relieve the leaf spring (see prior pic for leaf spring).



Now the double action Hammer Assembly can be removed and replaced with the sear less Hammer (single action). Just drop it in.



Then reverse steps to put revolver back together. Start with the leaf spring and screw #4, put the transfer safety bar back in carefully so it will align with the side plate. Tap the side plate back on with your rubber tool. Affix your screws 1-3 and you are done. Finished product below...



Let me know how this works for folks!

[Gryff]

Nice pictures!

[ColdDeadHands1]

Great pics and tutorial!!! I've done this several times and never had a challenge pushing out the double action sear pin. It would be a convenience to have another hammer assembly but not a necessity.

[Al45Cal]

The people who cry for "common sense gun laws" don't actually require those laws to make sense.

[mwhite49]

So is there still a Single action exemption for revolvers like a Ruger Bisley? I have been looking at an out of state one, new and not listed in the DOJ site.

[scroman]

Originally Posted by mwhite49

So is there still a Single action exemption for revolvers like a Ruger Bisley? I have been looking at an out of state one, new and not listed in the DOJ site.

The law says that a single action revolver that holds 5 or more rounds with a barrel of over 3 inches and an overall length of 7.5 inches is roster exempt. Best to review on the DOJ website to confirm.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wozniak]

Great post, thanks for the info!

[kmas]

Shooting 4life - you are truly a gunophile.

Thanks for your detailed steps - much appreciated .

[dfletcher]

Originally Posted by mwhite49

So is there still a Single action exemption for revolvers like a Ruger Bisley? I have been looking at an out of state one, new and not listed in the DOJ site.

Every once in a while someone will ask a gun store to order a SA revolver, western style type, and the store owner will respond "they're not on the list" and decline to order. The best response to this is usually is to point to the row of Ruger SA revolvers in his showcase and ask "find those on the list". Nicely of course.

[dfletcher]

Originally Posted by scroman

I'm not the OP but recently converted one from out of state and snapped some pics (actually took pics after the transfer was complete so I was converting from single action back to double however all the same). As OP states it is HIGHLY recommended you have a single action hammer assembly ready to deploy when converting. Don't want to mess with punching out the double action sear. Much easier to simply drop the pre-altered hammer assembly in the revolver. As ColdDeadHands1 notes below it is not required to have the 2nd hammer assembly in the ready however it certainly is a convenience (especially for me as I'm not mechanically inclined however many CalGunners are).

OK...here are some pics.

Picture of Factory N Frame hammer (with double action sear) next to Hammer that has the double action sear removed. Green Arrow shows the double action sear.

Remove grips and unscrew 4 screws as OP recommends (I only do screws 1, 2, and 3 here. I remove the 4th screw later. The first three hold the side plate. The 4th holds the leaf spring. Please make note of which screws come out of which holes as they are all different.


Now remove the side plate. See OPs notes on this from his original post. Tap the frame as noted with rubber gunsmith hammer or rubber screw driver.

Remove transfer bar safety and remove the 4th screw which will relieve the leaf spring (see prior pic for leaf spring).



Now the double action Hammer Assembly can be removed and replaced with the sear less Hammer (single action). Just drop it in.

Then reverse steps to put revolver back together. Start with the leaf spring and screw #4, put the transfer safety bar back in carefully so it will align with the side plate. Tap the side plate back on with your rubber tool. Affix your screws 1-3 and you are done. Finished product below...



Let me know how this works for folks!

I removed some photos to save space.

Although the above represents the "non-MIM" internals of Smiths most folks like to get in to CA, I suppose there are some MIM Smiths that are desirable too. There are slight differences, one helpful and the other a bit of a challenge.

The DA sear on newer MIM Smiths (using frame mounted firing pin) uses what I would call a geometric fit. It's not pinned and can be wiggled out easily. Just be careful to not lose the spring. I doubt there's any fitting of the DA sear to a specific revolver, so if it's lost another one should just drop in.

Although fiddling with it shouldn't be part of the DA to SA conversion, the hand spring in newer MIM revolvers is much different than the machined internals' version. It's not captured on the trigger, it doesn't stay in place if you remove the hand from the trigger. When I did my first MIM revolver I casually removed the hand and heard that God-awful "sproing" as it flew off to parts unknown. I found it, and thought that was a good thing, until I tried to refit the damn thing. It took a few hours of poking, bending, pushing, swearing and a tear or two before that "silly-straw" styled spring found its way back in to the trigger.

There are s few other changes that make viewing a YouTube on the MIM types worthwhile.