Are AR pistols CA legal? With a bullet button.

[The DRis]

I have been looking at tons of pages of pics, and I really want one. I've searched but haven't found a definite yes or no.

[CHS]

Perfectly legal with or without bullet button. Depending on configuration.

[The DRis]

Perfectly legal with or without bullet button. Depending on configuration.

Oh yeah, because it doesn't have a stock, so it wouldn't need a fixed mag. Didn't think about that.

[69Mach1]

In semi auto configuration a bullet button is always required because a magazine well outside of the grip is an assault weapon feature. If it's a bolt gun, then no BB is needed. It has nothing to do with the stock. BTW if you add a stock to a short barreled pistol you are in for a world of trouble without the right documents.

[Quiet]

As long as it is not configured to meet the definition of an assault weapon. [PC 12276.1(a)(4) and (5)]

Mag lock is required if it's semi-auto.

Mag lock is not required if it's manually operated.

Currently, they need to be imported into CA as a single-shot pistol.

Attaching a forward vertical grip or a stock without ATF approval, is a Federal felony (as well as a state felony).


Penal Code 12276.1
(a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:
(4) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
(B) A second handgrip.
(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
(5) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

[The DRis]

Yeah all the SBR stuff I know. I'm just talking straight AR pistol. No stock, no VFG, just a AR pistol with a nice Eotech on the top. how do you make it single shot?

[Quiet]

Yeah all the SBR stuff I know. I'm just talking straight AR pistol. No stock, no VFG, just a AR pistol with a nice Eotech on the top. how do you make it single shot?

It needs to be rendered as a single-shot pistol prior to it being imported into CA.

Most common method is to install a mag lock with a bobsled/+0 round magazine.

[Obviously a Plant]

(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel...

How does the front hand-gaurd fit with this reg? Can you count it as a slide?

& if you build one with a pistol lower (marked & DROSS'd as one) can you legally obtain a barreled upper less than 16" long?

If you build it in CA can you start with a BB/ tool removable mag. ?

[69Mach1]

(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel...

How does the front hand-gaurd fit with this reg? Can you count it as a slide?
Having a fixed 10 round magazine allows the evil features like a threaded barrel and barrel shroud. A detachable mag pistol with those same features is an Assault Weapon.

& if you build one with a pistol lower (marked & DROSS'd as one) can you legally obtain a barreled upper less than 16" long?
Yes. You can also be in possession of one if you don't have any AR rifles/ rifle receivers.

If you build it in CA can you start with a BB/ tool removable mag. ?
Yes

Once you get it through DROS as a single shot, you can then convert to semi auto with a fixed mag or a det. mag bolt action pistol.