Null

[CSACANNONEER]

Yes, that does seem to be the situation. It's always best to stay in compliance, and take steps to avoid misunderstandings. My questions about "fixing" a magazine in place is of no interest to most Calgun Members. However, I'm sure there are Calgun Members that keep some things outside of California in order to avoid legal exposure. The need or desire for a fixed mag Ruger is likely to be very limited.

I'm trying to figure out how you would load it? Are you talking about removing the upper from the lower and then loading the mag while it is still fixed? If so, you've NEVER broken down a Ruger MK series. That said, I would consider fabricating some sort of fixed magazine that can be loaded while still in the firearm. Think Comp mag.

[M1NM]

So, if you took a threaded Ruger MK3 or MK4, and removed the upper receiver from the Lower, the pistol would be incapable of firing.

Tough question. Even with the lower detached the barreled upper remains the firearm since that is where the serial number is. I don't think they would look at it as just a part like they would for a Glock or 1911 barrel. It makes no mention that the firearm be incapable of firing.

(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.

[CSACANNONEER]

Tough question. Even with the lower detached the barreled upper remains the firearm since that is where the serial number is. I don't think they would look at it as just a part like they would for a Glock or 1911 barrel. It makes no mention that the firearm be incapable of firing.

(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.

Again, with the upper separated from the lower, it is NOT a "semi automatic" since, it can't accept any sort of ammunition feeding device while separated.

[Quiet]

It's an interesting argument.

1. A basic M4 rifle is an assault weapon as defined by California.
2. Seperate the upper from the lower, and it is no longer an assault weapon.
3. The lower is not considered an assault weapon despite being a serial numbered semi automatic receiver equipped with a collapsible stock, detachable magazine, and pistol grip.
4. The upper is not considered an assault weapon despite the flash hider.

Puzzle me this: The M4 Lower is a semi automatic firearm with 3 prohibited features (Grip, Stock and detachable Mag). Whereas the the Ruger MK pistol upper is also a serial numbered semi automatic firearm with one (1) prohibited feature (Threaded Barrel).

How is a disassembled M4 any different legally than a disassembled MK4?

If a Ruger Mark series pistol receiver has a threaded barrel attached to it, an unattached complete frame with it, and no parts with it that could make it into a CA legal firearm (non-assault weapon); then a CA DA's Office can prosecute it as an "attempted manufacture and possession of an assault weapon" or possession of a "broken assault weapon" (*both methods have been successfully prosecuted, felony convictions obtained, in CA).
^This is why FPC/CGRF and NRA/CRPA lawyers have always recommend that parts that would make a firearm into an assault weapon (e.g. separated AR lower and separated AR upper) should not be stored or transported together.

If a Ruger Mark series pistol receiver has a threaded barrel attached to it, an unattached complete frame with it, and parts that would make it into a CA legal firearm; then it should be CA legal to possess in CA.

If a Ruger Mark series pistol receiver has a threaded barrel attached to it and no other parts that can be used with it; then it would be CA legal to possess in CA.



*
"attempted manufacture and possession of an assault weapon" involved a case where all the parts to make a functional firearm, that would be considered an assault weapon and no parts that could make it into a CA legal firearm, were found together and the person who possessed those parts admitted to wanting to use them to make a functional firearm.

"broken assault weapon" involved a case where a semi-auto centerfire rifle with restricted features (detachable mag, pistol grip, flash suppressor) had it's bolt-carrier group removed and stored nearby the firearm. There was evidence (pictures, witness statements) that the firearm had been made functional on occasion and used in CA and in other States.

It is recommended by FPC/CGRF and NRA/CRPA lawyers that, when relying on disassembling a firearm to make it a firearm that is not considered an assault weapon, then those parts should not be stored or transported together.

[rsrocket1]

The Ruger Mk IV barrel IS the serialized part of the gun. If it is threaded, it's illegal in CA. If you had the threaded part cut off, then you could bring it into the state.

If you want to bring the Mk IV into the state, you'd have to buy a non-threaded gun/barrel. I bought a 22/45 this year ($399 OTD at Scheels) and it doesn't have a threaded barrel. There are lots of Mk IV's that don't have threaded barrels.
Standard, target, hunter, competition,22/45:

https://www.ruger.com/products/markIV/overview.html

[M1NM]

The Ruger Mk IV barrel IS the serialized part of the gun. If it is threaded, it's illegal in CA. If you had the threaded part cut off, then you could bring it into the state.

Or you can turn the threads off with a lathe or pin/weld a thread protector on it.

[Press Check]

On topic, I still have a 22/45 Lite. Back in the SSE days, I purchased it from a Vendor on GB, had it shipped to MaddMacs, had him pin and weld a compensator on it, then it was shipped to EBR Works. After DROS, sent it back MaddMacs, had him remove the compensator, then pin and weld a thread protector.

Those were the good days. Nowadays, not so much.

[CSACANNONEER]

The Ruger Mk IV barrel IS the serialized part of the gun. If it is threaded, it's illegal in CA. If you had the threaded part cut off, then you could bring it into the state.

If you want to bring the Mk IV into the state, you'd have to buy a non-threaded gun/barrel. I bought a 22/45 this year ($399 OTD at Scheels) and it doesn't have a threaded barrel. There are lots of Mk IV's that don't have threaded barrels.
Standard, target, hunter, competition,22/45:

https://www.ruger.com/products/markIV/overview.html

Please explain why you think a MKIV upper (yes, it is the legal firearm), which has no way to accept an ammunition feeding devise, can be classified as a "semi auto"? How can the upper alone be fire multiple shots?

[rsrocket1]

[dfletcher]

Please explain why you think a MKIV upper (yes, it is the legal firearm), which has no way to accept an ammunition feeding device, can be classified as a "semi auto"? How can the upper alone be fire multiple shots?

I went with "is a firearm" but admit it's worth reconsidering. Setting aside the "58 DA" scenario, is it possible this falls under the same "a broken semi is still a semi?" umbrella?

IIRC, back in the SSE days - were we OK bringing in a semi with a threaded barrel that had a single shot sled in the mag well? Seems to me if that was OK then the Ruger "upper" is OK.

I apologize to all for the sin of reconsidering my initial internet position …

[Quiet]

IIRC, back in the SSE days - were we OK bringing in a semi with a threaded barrel that had a single shot sled in the mag well? Seems to me if that was OK then the Ruger "upper" is OK.

Single-shot pistols can legally have threaded barrels under CA laws/regulations.

Pre-2015, in order to qualify for SSE, the pistol needed to be dimensionally compliant (minimum 6" barrel length + minimum 10.5" overall length) and needed to be single-shot.

A semi-auto pistol could be modified into a single-shot by modifying it so that it had a 0 round capacity sled/mag/block that could not be removed without the use of a tool. This prevented the pistol from having an ammunition feeding device and caused cartridges to be loaded/unloaded directly into the pistol's chamber, which made the pistol into a single-shot.

Post-2014, SSE was amended to SSE2 and in order to qualify for SSE2, the pistol needs to be dimensionally compliant (minimum 6" barrel length + minimum 10.5" overall length) and needs to operate utilizing a bolt-action or break-open action and needs to be single-shot and can never have been semi-auto.

Post-2016, in order to be single-shot the firearm needs to have a 0 round capacity sled/mag/block that can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action or that is permanently attached in the firearm's magazine well.

[Quiet]

Post-2020 summary for threaded barrels in CA:
Threaded barrel not installed on a firearm = CA legal*.
Threaded barrel installed on a RAW = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a shotgun = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a rifle = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a revolver = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a break-open pistol = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a bolt-action pistol = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a lever-action pistol = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a pump-action pistol = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol that has a fixed magazine with a capacity of 10 or less rounds = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol that does not have a fixed magazine = CA illegal assault weapon. [PC 30515(a)(4)(A)]
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto firearm, that is not a pistol or rifle, that has a fixed magazine with a capacity of 10 or less rounds and an overall length of 30" or greater = CA legal.
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto firearm, that is not a pistol or rifle, that does not have a fixed magazine = CA illegal assault weapon. [PC 30515(a)(9)(G)]

A barrel with lugs, that can be utilized to attach a muzzle device, is considered a type of threaded barrel.

A threaded barrel with a muzzle device that is permanently attached to the barrel, causes the barrel to no longer be considered a threaded barrel.
^Per CA DOJ BOF, if a CA LE forensic/gun unit can remove the muzzle device that was affixed in a manner that does not meet the CA regulations for permanently attachment [11 CCR 5471(d)], then it will be treated as a threaded barrel.

*Various CA firearms lawyers have advised that it is prudent to not store or transport a threaded barrel with a semi-auto pistol that does not have a fixed magazine or a semi-auto firearm that is not a pistol or rifle and does not have a fixed magazine. This is due to past cases involving arrests & convictions for possessing a "broken" assault weapon and for "intent to make/possess" an assault weapon.