Off the list pistols single shot conversion?

[PaulRPadilla]

Hello I just turned 21 my birthday was today. I want to buy a little 380, 9mm pistol but most cheeper ones are not on the approved list. If I buy one of these little auto compacts get it in single shot then convert it back is that legal? I don't want to spend over 350. Where do these conversions get done? Thanks for any help. I found a Ruger LCP at sac black rifle but I am trying to find something cheeper.

[NorCal Einstein]

Once you take possession of a pistol in single shot exempt state, you can modify it however you see fit (as long as you don't create an AW) which includes converting it back to semi-auto.

Read the sticked thread at the top of this forum, which I also believe is the first thread...

[Cyc Wid It]

Please read the sticky.

[NorCal Einstein]

Please read the sticky.

Your signature, oh soo perfect (at least in this case).

[PaulRPadilla]

Please read the sticky.

Just did sorry. Are there any shops close to sacramento that do the conversion?

[Stryprod]

Just did sorry. Are there any shops close to sacramento that do the conversion?

Tracy, CA seems to be the closest to you so far!

[PaulRPadilla]

Tracy, CA seems to be the closest to you so far!

Crap... I wish we had more gunsmiths that do this kind of thing. >_>

[SMR510]

You will also have to verify that they work on the pistol that you wish to purchase. The conversion requires a different barrel and zero round mag, if they dont have the parts then you are out of luck. Most of these shops doing single shot conversions have to make/modify parts to make the conversion possible.

Most shops arent interested in putting themselves in the position of doing these conversions and/or are not allowed to because it requires a 07 FFL license making them a firearms manufacturer. Call shops around you and see how many of them are willing to accept AR-15's, quite a few in the San Francisco area do not wish to get involved in something they think is "risky".

That being said, driving a little farther is a small price to pay to receive a pistol that California said we cant have.

Check out the sticky, great info and it opens a lot of possibilities as far as what we can get.

Another option for you may be buying a used pistol. Check out the classifieds section, quite a few nice pistols turn up for good prices in there very often. Also if you are buying used, the roster does not apply as long as you buy it from an individual rather than the shops inventory.

Good luck!

[Cyc Wid It]

Dude... the thread has a list of all the shops and their locations, contact info, etc...

[morrcarr67]

You will also have to verify that they work on the pistol that you wish to purchase. The conversion requires a different barrel and zero round mag, if they dont have the parts then you are out of luck. Most of these shops doing single shot conversions have to make/modify parts to make the conversion possible.

Most shops arent interested in putting themselves in the position of doing these conversions and/or are not allowed to because it requires a 07 FFL license making them a firearms manufacturer. Call shops around you and see how many of them are willing to accept AR-15's, quite a few in the San Francisco area do not wish to get involved in something they think is "risky".

That being said, driving a little farther is a small price to pay to receive a pistol that California said we cant have.

Check out the sticky, great info and it opens a lot of possibilities as far as what we can get.

Another option for you may be buying a used pistol. Check out the classifieds section, quite a few nice pistols turn up for good prices in there very often. Also if you are buying used, the roster does not apply as long as you buy it from an individual rather than the shops inventory.

Good luck!

Please read this post: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...=1#post6546521

There is new legal info out. If all that is required to convert to single shot or single action is a simple drop in or removal of parts an 07 FFL IS NOT NEEDED. Any FFL with an 01 FFL can make the changes.

[loose_electron]

Take a look at the Bersa Thunder 380 - it is a Walther PPK clone, the Bersa is on the roster list, and in your price window.

Widely available.
Well built mouse gun for the price.

[Klaus]

Take a look at the Bersa Thunder 380 - it is a Walther PPK clone, the Bersa is on the roster list, and in your price window.

Widely available.
Well built mouse gun for the price.

+1 here. For your price point, you aren't going to find too much or maybe anything that is worth going through the hassle of single-shot exempting because of what you'll have to pay to get it single-shot exempted.

[bwiese]

Correction/update to the above...

... FFL07 not required for conversion to Roster-exempt state if the gun is modded with 'drop in' parts and is not machined itself.

The only time an 07 is required is if the handgun started from a bare receiver that wasn't a complete handgun w/mfg tax already paid ("Pitman Robertson"), or that these changes required major gunsmithing work to the gun itself.

The initial worries propmpting calls for use of an 07 only were initial cautiousness.

[robcoe]

Hello I just turned 21 my birthday was today. I want to buy a little 380, 9mm pistol but most cheeper ones are not on the approved list. If I buy one of these little auto compacts get it in single shot then convert it back is that legal? I don't want to spend over 350. Where do these conversions get done? Thanks for any help. I found a Ruger LCP at sac black rifle but I am trying to find something cheeper.

At that price point, Bersa .380(.380ACP obviously) or Ruger P95(9mm) for a new gun. For a little bit more money(400ish for a used or on sale one) I would look at a Ruger SR9 or SR9c. Also check out the for sale section here, you can often find a good deal.

For a first gun I would recommend the P95, I shoot .357 magnum and .460 rowland a lot, and the Bersa .380 hurts my hand more than either of those. Also the 9mm ammo is cheaper.

[tacticalcity]

Take a look at the Bersa Thunder 380 - it is a Walther PPK clone, the Bersa is on the roster list, and in your price window.

Widely available.
Well built mouse gun for the price.

+1 I have owned one of these and was very impressed with it. I sold it because I picked up as part of a PPT trade where the end goal was to fun optics for a rifle...but it was easier to trade my expensive item for several not-so expensive items than to wait for somebody to come along who could afford what I was selling.

For the price, it is one heck of a little gun. It also had several improvements over the Walther. Not the least of which is the improved beaver tail on the frame. It prevents hammer bite. And if you have ever experienced the hammer bite on a PPK, you know just how great an improvement that is. The only complaint I had was its weight. For its size, it has a surprising amount of heft to it. Run out of bullets and you can always beam sombody in the head with it.

.380 pistols are not my first choice for a primary. But there are times when they are the best tool for the current job. Since I view them as a backup pistol I will tolerate a lot of extra safety features I don't like in my primary side arm. And when it comes to safety features, the Bersa Thunder .308 is packed full of them.

Just bear in mind, these guns are very difficult to shoot when compared to a full size handgun. James Bond might make it look easy...and effective...but that is just a movie. Besides you shouldn't be getting your gun advice from somebody who orders watered down drinks in a snooty tone anyway. These are meant to be last ditch weapons. For use when a full size gun in a full size calbiber is either not an option, or you emptied it already and now you are reaching for your ankle gun.

The duo-tone version I owned is really sexy as well.