Building a Polymer 80 Glock 43 clone legal in CA?

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Is it possible to build a Glock 43 clone here in CA? I ask because an actual Glock 43 is not on the roster, but is this possible legally if a person bought the Polymer 80 lower, applied for a serial number from the DOJ and had it engraved, drilled and milled it, and did everything according to the law? Or is owning a clone of an off-roster handgun not allowed?

[edgerly779]

No. Have to embed 3.7 ounce stainless plate in frame so that removing it destroys frame. Cannot make a semi auto anyway. About 50 threads on this already.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

No. Have to embed 3.7 ounce stainless plate in frame so that removing it destroys frame. Cannot make a semi auto anyway. About 50 threads on this already.

Great. Now there's 51.

[Spyder]

In theory, yes, it COULD be done. But to do it all in compliance with the law, up to and including DOJ approval through steel plate, paperwork, drop testing and microstamping ability, etc etc etc., it ain't feasible.

[SkyHawk]

Let me try and put this in simple terms:

NO

[hermosabeach]

https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/consumer-alert.pdf

Attorney General Xavier Becerra reminds Californians that state
and federal laws govern the possession, manufacture, and sale
of firearms,


2. Self-made firearms must be legal weapons:
If you intend to manufacture or assemble your own firearm—you must ensure that the firearm is legal to possess or manufacture in California.


California law prohibits individuals from manufacturing or assembling certain classes of firearms, including assault weapons and machine guns.

Additionally, California law generally prohibits the manufacture of unsafe handguns. A selfmanufactured handgun must meet certain design features under state law. A self-manufactured
semiautomatic handgun, even if temporarily altered for single-shot firing, must include safety and
security features, including:
 The firearm must incorporate a manually-operated safety device.
 The firearm must meet California’s drop safety requirements.
 The firearm must be able to imprint certain identifying information on two locations on each
cartridge case when fired.
Some exceptions apply to these rules. For full details and definitions of unsafe handguns and
required features under California law, see Penal Code Sections 31900-32100.

[Quiet]

Is it possible to build a Glock 43 clone here in CA? I ask because an actual Glock 43 is not on the roster, but is this possible legally if a person bought the Polymer 80 lower, applied for a serial number from the DOJ and had it engraved, drilled and milled it, and did everything according to the law? Or is owning a clone of an off-roster handgun not allowed?

Short answer...

It's not legally allowed.



Long answer...

Starting 07-01-2018, self-made (80%) firearms require CA DOJ approved information engraved on the firearm in order to be CA legal [PC 29180(b)] and a requirement for self-made firearm with a non-metallic receiver/frame is to have the CA DOJ isssued serial number marked on 3.7oz of PH 17-4 stainless steel embedded in the receiver/frame (in such a manner that removal with significantly damage or destroy the receiver/frame) [PC 29180(b)(2)(B) and 11 CCR 5519].

No commerically available 80% polymer receiver/frame meets the 3.7oz PH 17-4 stainless steel requirement.

In addition...
1. All self-made firearms must comply with CA assault weapons laws and generally prohibited weapons (AW, DD, MG, SBR, SBS, etc) laws. [PC 29182(e)(1)]
2. All self-made handguns need to be made in compliance with the above and CA unsafe handgun laws. [PC 29182(e)(2)]

Which means, in order to be CA legal...
1. A self-made revolver needs to pass CA DOJ safety testing. [PC 31910(a)]
2. A self-made manually operated repeating pistol needs to pass CA DOJ safety testing. [PC 31910(b)]
3. A self-made semi-auto pistol needs to have all CA mandated safety features (chamber load indicator, magazine disconnect mechansim, microstamping array) and pass CA DOJ safety testing. [PC 31910(b)]

In order to avoid all that...
1. A self-made revolver needs to be a dimensionally compliant single-action revolver. [PC 32100(a)]
2. A self-made pistol needs to be a dimensionally compliant bolt-action single-shot pistol or a dimensionally compliant break-open single-shot pistol. [PC 32100(b)]
^In order to remain CA legal, a dimensionally compliant bolt-action single-shot pistol or dimensionally compliant break-open single-shot pistol needs to remain configured as such while it is in CA. Modifying it into another type of pistol would be viewed as manufacturing a new unsafe handgun.

Starting 01-01-2019...
1. It is illegal to transfer the ownership of self-made firearms in CA [PC 29180(d)(1)], only exemption is for transferring to law enforcement for destruction. [PC 29180(d)(2)]
2. Non-exempt unregistered self-made firearms are subject to confiscation, and destruction, as evidence of violating CA self-made firearm laws. [PC 29180(d)(3)]