AR-15 handgun?

[Wizard99]

Assuming one had an AR-15 handgun lower in the state, could you build an SB-23 compliant semi-auto handgun?

[leelaw]

Short answer: no.

AR pistols are assault weapons in California. handgun AR receivers are (with very little exception) not legal in CA, due to the safety requirement.

[Sal]

there is a way

you'd have to build up from an 80%, and have it stamped PISTOL before its ever really been built into a rifle.

then you'd have to have a fixed magazine no handguards and a non threaded barrel.

i have a DOJ letter stating that the drop test is only for pistols that are to be sold through a dealer, and that its ok to build your own as long as they comply to the guidelines.

[Wizard99]

Assuming you had possesion of the AR pistol lower in the state. Or you moved into the state with a pistol lower. There should be no problems with the "not unsafe" handgun list as it would apply.

If you put a bullet button on the magwell that should take care of that issue.

(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.

[Rumpled]

This has been discussed a lot.
Try search for more info.
I think the only legal way is for someone out of state to take a single shot pistol receiver and build it with a 6 1/2"+ barrel and then ship it to your willing FFL.
But, as a single shot, what's the point?

[blkA4alb]

Also handguns cannot have the magazine well outside of the pistol grip, or else it's an assault weapon.

Yes they can if the magazine is fixed.

[blkA4alb]

then you'd have to have a fixed magazine no handguards and a non threaded barrel.

The handguard and threaded barrel are allowed on a fixed magazine pistol. If you were to make an AR pistol it would have to be a fixed magazine, so it could have the handguard and threaded barrel.

[AJAX22]

You can also make the AR pistol Bolt action,

I'm working on getting the tools/parts together to build up an 80% for specifically this reason. Its an easy job to turn an AR barrel down shorter than the gas tube.

[JHC]

there is a way


i have a DOJ letter stating that the drop test is only for pistols that are to be sold through a dealer, and that its ok to build your own as long as they comply to the guidelines.

Would you mind posting a copy of this letter up?

[saki302]

JHC- you beat me to it! That's the first I've heard of that rule.

-Dave

[Jason_R]

If you had a pistol lower what would you do with the handguards!?

[blkA4alb]

If you had a pistol lower what would you do with the handguards!?

You wouldn't need to do anything. For it to be legal it would have to have a fixed magazine, and since it has a fixed magazine it can have handguards on it.