is there a DETAILED step by step on building an 80% AR Pistol

[oneGhostRider]

legally?

i've been trying to follow the MANY threads on here that give various advice but it's so hard since everything gets so convoluted with data.

i'm reeling over the "must be built first as a single sled shooter" then there's the "handrail over barrel" issue
then on and on...

i bought a short barreled gas piston upper 2 years ago with the intent to make an AR Pistol but never got around to drilling out my 80% lower...

i think i read that i can't have a hand rail? or that i can't have a gas piston set up? then there's the "install a dowel in your buffer tube..."

so confusing....

can anyone please point me to a step by step from 80% to completion with strict 100% adhesion to CA law?

[JDW67]

Is the 80% already built out and assembled?

[SLO1911Fan]

Shoot me a PM in the morning. I'll walk you through the process.

[oneGhostRider]

Is the 80% already built out and assembled?

no it is still in it's 80% form

[oneGhostRider]

Shoot me a PM in the morning. I'll walk you through the process.

pm sent.
thanks!

[Quiet]

First issue... (making a CA legal AR style pistol)

The handgun needs to be made into a dimensionally compliant bolt-action single-shot pistol or a dimensionally compliant break-top/open single-shot pistol.

Because the firearm can never had been semi-auto prior to creation, you will most likely need to build your own upper, instead of buying an existing upper and modifying it. This is because existing uppers are typically test fired by the manufacturer as a semi-auto.

In addition to installing a non-detachable 0 round mag/sled*, the following must be done depending on the type of upper...

If the AR style pistol normally operates via direct impingement, then:
1. Do not install a gas tube.
2. Do not install a gas block or plug the gas block.
This makes it a straight pull bolt-action single-shot.

If the AR style pistol normally operates via gas-piston, then:
1. Do not install a gas piston.
2. Do not install a gas block or plug the gas block.
This makes it a straight pull bolt-action single-shot.

If the AR style pistol normally operates via blowback, then:
1. Install a dowel in the buffer tube, which prevents the buffer from moving.
This makes it a break-top/open single-shot.

The upper will also need a minimum 6" barrel length and the handgun will need a minimum 10.5" overall length.

*non-detachable 0 round mag/sled...
^Until 12-31-2016, a "bullet button" style maglock + 0 round mag/sled will comply with this requirement.
^Starting 01-01-2017, a 0 round mag/sled that can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action or a solid magazine well will be needed to comply with this requirement.


Second issue... (keeping an AR style pistol CA legal under the new assault weapons laws)

Starting 01-01-2017, in order for it to be considered a fixed magazine, the magazine can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

If a AR style pistol is semi-auto and utilizes a "bullet button" style maglock, then it will be considered an assault weapon.

In order to make it legal, one of the following options must be done before 01-01-2018:
A. Register it as an assault weapon.
B. Replace the "bullet button" maglock with a maglock that does not allow the magazine to be removed without disassembling the firearm's action. (example... ARMagLock & BB Reloaded/Patriot Mag Release)
C. Install a fixed 10 round magazine that can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action. (example... Franklin Armory DFM)
D. Take it out-of-state for storage or to be transferred through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
E. Make it permanently inoperable (destroy it).
F. Surrendered to law enforcement for destruction.


Third issue... (required markings)

In order to register it or transfer it, it must be properly engraved/marked.

Markings must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.
Markings must use Roman letters (A, B, C, etc.) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc).

Markings must include:
1) Serial Numbers (can not be just a name, must contain numerals)
2) Model
3) Caliber
4) Manufacturer's name
5) City & State where the Manufacturer is located

Since you made the receiver, you are the manufacturer.
So, your name (first & last) and city/state needs to be engraved on it.

If you do not properly mark/engrave the firearm before 07-01-2018, then you must apply to CA DOJ BOF for the required markings for home built firearms. [PC 29180(b)]

Starting 01-01-2019, possession of a home built firearm without identifying information will be illegal. [PC 29180(f)]
In addition, it will also be illegal to transfer home built firearms, unless it is to surrender them to law enforcement. [PC 29180(d)]

[Whiterabbit]

I don't understand why the action cannot unlock via firing the gun. All the flow charts, all the PC I have seen define a semi auto as a gun that fires a bullet with each pull of the trigger. With a 0 round sled the gun cannot in any way fire more than one round with one pull of the trigger, and that's it without user intervention (load another round by hand, manually close the bolt)

Why does automatic unlock mean "semiauto", in legal terms? is there a definition for this in the PC?

[Quiet]

I don't understand why the action cannot unlock via firing the gun. All the flow charts, all the PC I have seen define a semi auto as a gun that fires a bullet with each pull of the trigger. With a 0 round sled the gun cannot in any way fire more than one round with one pull of the trigger, and that's it without user intervention (load another round by hand, manually close the bolt)

Why does automatic unlock mean "semiauto", in legal terms? is there a definition for this in the PC?

In order to qualify under SSE2, the handgun can never have been semi-auto. [PC 32100(b)]

If the pistol has a semi-auto operating system (even if non-functional), then it's proof (in the eyes of CA DOJ) that the pistol was semi-auto and does not qualify under the single-shot pistol exemption.



Penal Code 32100However, Article 4 (commencing with Section 31900) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 32000) shall apply to a semiautomatic pistol that has been temporarily or permanently altered so that it will not fire in a semiautomatic mode.

[Kwikvette]

Mill out and build lower.

Build upper in single shot config.

Gain knowledge and experience.

Shoot at the range and enjoy, rinse, repeat.

[Whiterabbit]

In order to qualify under SSE2, the handgun can never have been semi-auto. [PC 32100(b)]

If the pistol has a semi-auto operating system (even if non-functional), then it's proof (in the eyes of CA DOJ) that the pistol was semi-auto and does not qualify under the single-shot pistol exemption.



Penal Code 32100However, Article 4 (commencing with Section 31900) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 32000) shall apply to a semiautomatic pistol that has been temporarily or permanently altered so that it will not fire in a semiautomatic mode.

I'm not doubting you, but how can an upper be semi automatic if the lower receiver does not have the capability to accept more than zero rounds? The moment you marry the two, it is constructed, and though the buffer is operational, the firearm never had the capability to be semiautomatic.

I think PC like you quoted is found all over the place in the PC and even the flow charts. Then looking at the definition of semiauto, it's "can fire one bullet with each pull of the trigger"

Does DOJ consider JUST the upper to be "a semiautomatic pistol"? Because if you mill an 80, lock in a 0 round sled, and marry an upper to it, how can that be a "temporarily altered semiautomatic pistol"? It's a built and functional singleshot, yes?

To remove the zero round sled would, at that point, technically be considered "temporarily or permanently altering a singleshot pistol to be semiautomatic", wouldn't it? It seems to me the order of operations are critical. Did DOJ issue a statement saying zero round sled doesn't count?

[oneGhostRider]

Third issue... (required markings)

In order to register it or transfer it, it must be properly engraved/marked.

Markings must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.
Markings must use Roman letters (A, B, C, etc.) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc).

Markings must include:
1) Serial Numbers (can not be just a name, must contain numerals)
2) Model
3) Caliber
4) Manufacturer's name
5) City & State where the Manufacturer is located

Since you made the receiver, you are the manufacturer.
So, your name (first & last) and city/state needs to be engraved on it.

If you do not properly mark/engrave the firearm before 07-01-2018, then you must apply to CA DOJ BOF for the required markings for home built firearms. [PC 29180(b)]

Starting 01-01-2019, possession of a home built firearm without identifying information will be illegal. [PC 29180(f)]
In addition, it will also be illegal to transfer home built firearms, unless it is to surrender them to law enforcement. [PC 29180(d)]

so by way of the above quote...

you're saying that regardless of whether i plan on transferring ownership or registering my home built ar pistol, i HAVE TO get the required engravings on it?

if i have the engravings on the pistol do i still need to register it even though i have no plans to sell or transfer the pistol to anyone?

which goes into the next question....so only with these markings will i be able to drive to the range or BLM approved areas to shoot in 2019?

thank you for the help.

[oneGhostRider]

In order to qualify under SSE2, the handgun can never have been semi-auto. [PC 32100(b)]

If the pistol has a semi-auto operating system (even if non-functional), then it's proof (in the eyes of CA DOJ) that the pistol was semi-auto and does not qualify under the single-shot pistol exemption.



Penal Code 32100However, Article 4 (commencing with Section 31900) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 32000) shall apply to a semiautomatic pistol that has been temporarily or permanently altered so that it will not fire in a semiautomatic mode.

so this means i would need to waste money on parts to create a piston less upper as the single shot...and then later after documenting it well as a single shot, then i could use my gas piston upper?

[oneGhostRider]

In order to qualify under SSE2, the handgun can never have been semi-auto. [PC 32100(b)]

If the pistol has a semi-auto operating system (even if non-functional), then it's proof (in the eyes of CA DOJ) that the pistol was semi-auto and does not qualify under the single-shot pistol exemption.



Penal Code 32100However, Article 4 (commencing with Section 31900) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 32000) shall apply to a semiautomatic pistol that has been temporarily or permanently altered so that it will not fire in a semiautomatic mode.

also i read that ar pistols may not have a handrail on them?
is this true?
so in order to have a legal ca ar pistol it will have to live with exposed barrel?

[centerimpact]

Has anyone actually legally built an 80% AR pistol and registered it in 2016 as a single shot? Can you still do this? My local gun store says it is not even legal anymore

[Victor346]

tag.