Ordering a handgun online

[KDTS]

About ordering a handgun online: If a gun that I want is on the roster, but the online vendor only has the package with standard cap (hi-cap) mags, can I still have it sent to a local FFL?

[Kilibreaux]

Chances are the short answer to your question is "no."
Most California models have specific sku's or model number identifiers. For example a Glock is a Glock expect for magazine capacity but you will find that one specified as "15+1" CANNOT be redirected to CA by simply substituting a "10+1" magazine.
Even with 1911's where virtually all are damned near identical, and certainly within manufacturer basically the same gun, only models specifically submitted to Cal DOJ for safety testing are legal for sale.
This holds true for double action revolvers as well. For example there are models of Smith & Wesson's M500 that are not "Cal DOJ authorized" even though they are IDENTICAL to all other models save for barrel length!

Bud's Gun Shop does a good job of maintaining a California legal page which makes it easy to shop without having to keep referencing the CA DOJ page. However, when I ordered my first S&W M500 they actually sent me an email to tell me it was not an "on roster" gun...but I had checked the sku and knew it was...so even then confusion can occur.
Gallery of Guns makes it real simple...click on "request for quote" and if it's not CA legal you'll get a message telling you so. If it IS CA legal you'll get a bunch of quotes! Never had any confusion on GoG's site, though in the last few years it seems they're acting more as a distributor to retail outlets than private orders...everything is "allocated."

So, while one can never say never, unless the gun you're interested in specifically states it is CA legal, or has an sku that is listed on the CA DOJ website...it's not.

Single action revolvers such as 1873 clones and Ruger's are exempt from the DOJ's testing requirement, as are single shots.

[mobbology]

Chances are the short answer to your question is "no."
Most California models have specific sku's or model number identifiers. For example a Glock is a Glock expect for magazine capacity but you will find that one specified as "15+1" CANNOT be redirected to CA by simply substituting a "10+1" magazine.
Even with 1911's where virtually all are damned near identical, and certainly within manufacturer basically the same gun, only models specifically submitted to Cal DOJ for safety testing are legal for sale.
This holds true for double action revolvers as well. For example there are models of Smith & Wesson's M500 that are not "Cal DOJ authorized" even though they are IDENTICAL to all other models save for barrel length!

Bud's Gun Shop does a good job of maintaining a California legal page which makes it easy to shop without having to keep referencing the CA DOJ page. However, when I ordered my first S&W M500 they actually sent me an email to tell me it was not an "on roster" gun...but I had checked the sku and knew it was...so even then confusion can occur.
Gallery of Guns makes it real simple...click on "request for quote" and if it's not CA legal you'll get a message telling you so. If it IS CA legal you'll get a bunch of quotes! Never had any confusion on GoG's site, though in the last few years it seems they're acting more as a distributor to retail outlets than private orders...everything is "allocated."

So, while one can never say never, unless the gun you're interested in specifically states it is CA legal, or has an sku that is listed on the CA DOJ website...it's not.

Single action revolvers such as 1873 clones and Ruger's are exempt from the DOJ's testing requirement, as are single shots.

I question this, I bought my XD with High Cap mags from my LGS. They didn't swap out the mags at all, just disassembled and gave it to me. And its my understanding that Handguns on the roster is identified by the Model Number, not the SKU. SKU is for retail purposes only.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Oldmandan]

I have tried to do what you are asking about.

In my situation, XD40 Tactical was on the roster, but impossible to find in CA. Could be found online everywhere with 12-round mags.

I found out it is technically legal for the FFL to transfer, however I could not find one that would do it.

Apparently, the issue is that when they receive the gun and the mags, they have to log it in their log book in whatever configuration they receive the mags in, when they log it out of the book they have to log them out as parts. Some FFL's are not willing to do this. Maybe if they they know you really well, they'll make an exception. Or maybe you can find an FFL who doesn't have an issue with it.

You'll probably need to visit your local FFL's and discuss if they'll do it for you.

[cc426]

About ordering a handgun online: If a gun that I want is on the roster, but the online vendor only has the package with standard cap (hi-cap) mags, can I still have it sent to a local FFL?

It depends on your ffl. Call them and ask. Make sure to ask their policy on high capacity magazines. Some ffls confiscate them and some will disassemble for you. Also after this month bringing in the high cap disassembled or not will be illegal

[Quiet]

Can be done only if the CA FFL dealer you are using has a large capacity magazine permit.

Otherwise, they can not legally accept the firearm.

However, depending on the CA FFL dealer...
You may get no magazines with the handgun or 10 round magazines with the handgun or magazine parts with the handgun.
Whatever you get is up to the dealer to decide upon, not you.

[smittty]

I would only order a gun if its from Gallery of Guns thru my FFL's link on their website. This is my preferred way to buy a gun, period!

[nahpungnome]

Best way is to call your FFL as others have mentioned. I bought my SP-01, which had the normal capacity mags, from kygunco and had them remove the mags before shipping to my FFL. During my waiting period (I bought it earlier than my 30 day wait), the roster updated with a specific part number, which was for the kit with the 10 round mags.

I called a couple of FFLs and they said they'd be able to do it since I didn't have the 18 round mags shipped with the gun and the gun itself is exactly the same. YMMV, some FFLs go strictly by the part number on the case.

[Firerescuebatt07]

depends on the gun. The XD only has one SKU number for each color so when I ordered my XD45 Compact there was no california version... All had a 10 round mag and a hi cap 13 round mag. I got around this by having the seller remove the hi-cap mag (some will send it and your FFL can break it into a parts kit) So I was able to get the gun sent here and DROS'd without any issues.

[e90bmw]

I was able to DROS my XD40 with high cap magazines as parts. I immediately ordered standard cap mags from Midway.

The FFL I used does LEO work so could take possession of hi cap mags.
No issues. I told them the gun I wanted and they found one, didn't matter to them what mags it had since I only got parts, and had to sign a release that they would only ever be used for parts.

[GuillermoAntonio]

Sometimes the VENDOR will remove the high caps, add 10 rd mags and send with an edited SKU.

[missiontrails]

I question this, I bought my XD with High Cap mags from my LGS. They didn't swap out the mags at all, just disassembled and gave it to me. And its my understanding that Handguns on the roster is identified by the Model Number, not the SKU. SKU is for retail purposes only.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Um ya, ditto that.