Acquiring SA 1911 Loaded MC Operator

[mojambo]

Hi all,

New gun owner here in CA. First gun is a G17, but my question is about a Springfield 1911. After shooting a friend's SA 1911, I decided I wanted to get my own 1911. Springfield lists 3 different handguns that are called "1911 Loaded Marine Corps. Operator", with the following model numbers:

PX9110ML18
PX9105ML18
PX9105MLCA18

So it looks like only one of these is on the CA handgun roster (obv. the PX9105MLCA18). And of course, the one I really like is not on the roster (PX9110ML18). I really like the checkering they did to the front strap on that particular model. The CA roster model has fairly nice Pachmayr rubber grips, but for the money involved, I would much rather get the exact model I want.

My father lives in Kentucky where things are a bit easier, so I am thinking that my best bet would be to convince him to buy me this gun as a gift and then go through steps to get it transferred via the intra-familial transfer method. Is that correct? If so, can anyone briefly summarize the steps. Is it as simple as:

1. Convince my father to purchase this gun for me as a gift.
2. Find a CA FFL who would be willing to facilitate the transfer from my father in KY to me in CA.

If it is pretty much this simple, would any of this involve him having to travel to CA, because that would not be something I would ever ask him to do.

Also, can anyone tell me why the particular gun I want is not on the roster? Is it just too new and would need all the additional requirements (microstamping, et al) that grandfathered guns do not need for inclusion on the CA roster?

Thank you so much to anyone who can help me navigate this mission.

[Kada85]

Hide your dogs everyone

[rodralig]

Hide your dogs everyone

My father lives in Kentucky where things are a bit easier, so I am thinking that my best bet would be to convince him to buy me this gun as a gift and then go through steps to get it transferred via the intra-familial transfer method. Is that correct? If so, can anyone briefly summarize the steps. Is it as simple as:

1. Convince my father to purchase this gun for me as a gift.

_

[mojambo]

Not sure I understand the "dogs" reply or your series of emojis. Before posting, I did some research. From this very site, from a user named "Dvrjon", I found the following post from 04/18/2018:

Quote:
Originally Posted by BAJ475 View Post
So does the transfer by "other means" mean that my out of state son can sell me some of his off roster pistols that he purchased for himself? I understand that he cannot purchase a firearm with the intention of selling it to me, without violating federal law (straw purchase). So my question is limited to handguns that he already has that he purchased for himself. If this has previously been answered, please point me to the thread.
A gift is not a straw purchase.
A gift is not a straw purchase.
A gift is not a straw purchase.
A gift is not a straw purchase.

Your son can purchase a firearm as a gift to you, and transfer it to you as a gift. You can’t provide him compensation for the purchase. See ATF Form 4473, Question 11a, Instructions (Page 4, at: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/44...53009/downloadhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/fed.../opinion3.html
End Quote

This led me to asking about this. Is the joke that I could convince my dad to purchase this for me as a gift? If so, let's assume that that is not a problem. Is the problem that I would attempt to provide compensation to him, thus violating the law/regulation quoted above? I definitely would not. Is there something else I'm missing? I asked because I know that the laws here in CA can change from year to year, and rarely for the better for people who would like to legally own and responsibly use firearms.

I guess I just don't get the joke, or maybe I'm just too new here.

[fmunk]

Hi all,

New gun owner here in CA. First gun is a G17, but my question is about a Springfield 1911. After shooting a friend's SA 1911, I decided I wanted to get my own 1911. Springfield lists 3 different handguns that are called "1911 Loaded Marine Corps. Operator", with the following model numbers:

PX9110ML18
PX9105ML18
PX9105MLCA18

So it looks like only one of these is on the CA handgun roster (obv. the PX9105MLCA18). And of course, the one I really like is not on the roster (PX9110ML18). I really like the checkering they did to the front strap on that particular model. The CA roster model has fairly nice Pachmayr rubber grips, but for the money involved, I would much rather get the exact model I want.

My father lives in Kentucky where things are a bit easier, so I am thinking that my best bet would be to convince him to buy me this gun as a gift and then go through steps to get it transferred via the intra-familial transfer method. Is that correct? If so, can anyone briefly summarize the steps. Is it as simple as:

1. Convince my father to purchase this gun for me as a gift.
2. Find a CA FFL who would be willing to facilitate the transfer from my father in KY to me in CA.

If it is pretty much this simple, would any of this involve him having to travel to CA, because that would not be something I would ever ask him to do.

Also, can anyone tell me why the particular gun I want is not on the roster? Is it just too new and would need all the additional requirements (microstamping, et al) that grandfathered guns do not need for inclusion on the CA roster?

Thank you so much to anyone who can help me navigate this mission.

If you've researched the laws regarding intra-familial transfer, then surely you can research what it takes for a manufacturer to achieve on-roster status? Short answer is the laws are written so that basically none of the manufacturers will try to get certification. Micro-stamping is one of the reasons. The roster is effectively a backdoor ban of almost any new offerings since it became law.

As for the newer version MC Operator... I have one example, legally obtained through PPT a couple years ago, in Orange County. It's a safe queen and it's gonna cost you an arm and leg. Especially in today's market.

As for getting one from your father, you best talk to your local FFL(s). It won't require your father to travel. But, you do need to find a willing FFL to handle the transfer. Not all are knowledgeable or willing participants of such transfers.

[mojambo]

Thanks fmunk, you pretty much confirmed everything I suspected. A bit more research has shown me that what I want to do (my father giving me this as a gift) is entirely possible and legal. I think the hard part is finding a LGS in Louisville, KY that can special order this gun. I would have to get my dad to walk into the LGS, arrange a special order, put down a deposit, wait (and wait, and wait) for the gun to arrive, and then pay the balance and take ownership.

Once that was done, I feel like the actual transfer would be a relative cake walk - I have an old acquaintance who is an FFL who could very likely facilitate the transfer.

I don't know why I will be so disappointed if I have to settle for the older version of the MC Operator - maybe it's the challenge / rarity of the whole thing. I'm not one to show something "cool" like that around at the range either - I'd probably just look at it a lot at home and shoot it rarely.

I think I'm just a little nutty

[sseric75]

[mojambo]

Was it something I said?

[ChampCarStar]

Not sure I understand the "dogs" reply or your series of emojis.

I guess I just don't get the joke, or maybe I'm just too new here.

They are most likely referring to reported incident(s) of ATF agents visiting people at their homes for some offense and then shooting the homeowners dog which they perceived as a threat.

Just google "ATF shoots dog" and you'll find news reports and memes.

So the lesson is, don't do anything to draw the ATFs attention...so they won't shoot your dog.

[lordmorgul]

[mojambo]

They are most likely referring to reported incident(s) of ATF agents visiting people at their homes for some offense and then shooting the homeowners dog which they perceived as a threat.

Just google "ATF shoots dog" and you'll find news reports and memes.

So the lesson is, don't do anything to draw the ATFs attention...so they won't shoot your dog.

[mojambo]

Thanks for the input. I would imagine that there are a lot of solutions that would provide a better functional grip along the front strap, so maybe it's just shallow of me to really dig on the look of the "octo-grip checkering". I fear I have fallen prey to aesthetics and marketing hype

[Mr. Blue]

Nice try, but we are all legal here.

[mojambo]

Nice try, but we are all legal here.

What do you mean? Not once have I asked about how to skirt the law or do anything that wasn't 100% legal.

[jmatt511]

If the selling point for you in the checkered front strap, just buy the CA version and send the frame to the Springfield custom shop for machine checkering and high grip trigger guard modification. Then put VZ grips on it. While it was expensive and took some time, it was exactly what I wanted. Or youciuld find a local GS to do the mods.