Would I be able to make this Mini-14 CA legal?

[Arislan]

I live in WA and will likely move back to CA in less than a year.

I'm considering purchasing this Mini-14.





If I do, will I be able to make it legal to own in CA? Any idea of the steps needed?

Thanks!

[ojisan]

1. go to a standard fixed stock
2. replace flash hider with muzzle brake.
3. get a 10 round mag.

Folding stock, pistol grip and flash hider are considered to be evil AW features.
You can no longer register an AW in CA.

Or

Add a magazine lock, plus it must be 30" minimum length with the stock folded.
If you can't get to 30" with the stock folded, the stock should be pinned open, or find a long enough muzzle brake to make 30" folded.

Do look at the AW Flow Chart in the header area.

Notes:
You cannot use over 10 round mags in a gun with a mag lock.
You cannot bring over 10 round mags into CA.

[230infantry]

Pin your mags, wood stock (what I'd do) and swap out the flash hider.

[stix213]

Welcome to Calguns. Lots of people in CA have mini 14's, but they don't usually use that stock because of our minimum 30" overall length in the shortest position.

So to use that stock you'd need a magazine lock AKA bullet button, and you'd need to make sure you get to the proper overall length, which probably means pinning the stock in the open position but you can also get an extra long muzzle device like a fake can or something.

Most people with mini 14's in CA run a traditional stock and no evil features so they don't need to install the magazine lock. For more information see the CA AW flowchart link toward the top of every page here.

http://www.goldenstatetactical.com/Ruger-Mini-14-Mini-30-Bullet-Button-Mag-Lock-p/gstbbmini14.htm

[brianm767]

How long is that barrel? it looks short in that pic? looks like an SBR (short barrel rifle) you will need to remove FH and install a muzzle brake, sleeve or a longer barrel, if you barrel is shorter than 16'", the sleeve/brake will need to be permanently attached.

Other than that ojisan has your two options above, option A go to a featureless rifle, No pistol grip, folding stock or flash hider, must be 30" overall, or option B, install a mag lock and must meet 30" overall length in shortest configuration in can be fired in.

If that flash hider is not permanently attached, even in WA that would be a felony unless it is registered as a SBR.

[ojisan]

Yeah, the barrel looks a little short to me, too.
If the flash hider is welded on to make Federal minimum of 16", then probably a different Mini is a better place to start.
Are there any muzzle brakes long enough to replace that flash hider?
Maybe have to custom make one.

[Japsican]

All good advice above. Unless that thing is dirt cheap, you're probably better off buying one that's already compliant.

[Arislan]

Yeah, it's going for $575 so a good deal...but not if I can't take it with me.
Also comes with 2x Mags and Red Dot site attached. Barrel has Pinned Flash Hider making it 16". So its a very compact folder.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm waiting to hear back how long the whole thing is.

[Stanze]

Yeah, it's going for $575 so a good deal...but not if I can't take it with me.
Also comes with 2x Mags and Red Dot site attached. Barrel has Pinned Flash Hider making it 16". So its a very compact folder.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm waiting to hear back how long the whole thing is.

I suggest taking that money and buy an AR with bullet button with 10 round mag. More accurate and more accessories available.

[peppermintman]

I suggest taking that money and buy an AR with bullet button with 10 round mag. More accurate and more accessories available.

I agree with you 100%. Why spend all that money on mini 14!?

Spend your money on a nice AR

[dfletcher]

I live in WA and will likely move back to CA in less than a year.

I'm considering purchasing this Mini-14.





If I do, will I be able to make it legal to own in CA? Any idea of the steps needed?

Thanks!

The flash hider is a Choate slip over, held in place with a pin usually. So long as the barrel makes 16" with it off, I'd say remove the FH and separate the rifle from the stock. Toss the mag. That's it.

[union thug]

I used to work gun shows with "Jack" a legendary dealer from Sacramento and we had just had the "assault weapons ban" foisted upon us. It was totally illegal to buy and or sell anything not previously registered as an "assault weapon" with a folding stock yadda yadda and this kid walks in to a gun show with a beautiful early example mini 14 with a factory folding stock.

None of the dealers would even talk to him about his rifle, thinking it a set up (CalDoj was out of control back then) and as the young man approached Jacks table my head was about to explode with ideas on how to buy this piece. As the kid approached I could see it was an early 80's example with a finish so smooth it looked polished. As he neared the table I asked him whether he knew why no one wanted his rifle, "no, I am from Idaho and just need cash". I explained the technicalities and why no one would talk to him.

After reassuring him I was a buyer ai asked him how much he wanted for his stock. He bristled and finally got it. "$150." Was his reply. I peeled off $150. and handed it to him, took my new factory folder off the mini and handed the rifle back to the young man. The previously busy room was almost silent.

I put the stock in my bag and asked him how much he wanted for his now California legal mini 14. "$300" was his reply. I peeled off another $300 and handed it to the young man. You could hear the air being sucked out of the room. I handed the mini to Jack the FFL and told him I would be back for it latter and left with my new factory folder.

I do not know what that rifle was worth back then, factory folders were rare and the finish on this rifle was finer than any I had seen. In the end the two pieces still live apart. I did an accurizing job on the mini and both still live in my collection.

Michael
707.580.6309

[Stanze]

I used to work gun shows with "Jack" a legendary dealer from Sacramento and we had just had the "assault weapons ban" foisted upon us. It was totally illegal to buy and or sell anything not previously registered as an "assault weapon" with a folding stock yadda yadda and this kid walks in to a gun show with a beautiful early example mini 14 with a factory folding stock.

None of the dealers would even talk to him about his rifle, thinking it a set up (CalDoj was out of control back then) and as the young man approached Jacks table my head was about to explode with ideas on how to buy this piece. As the kid approached I could see it was an early 80's example with a finish so smooth it looked polished. As he neared the table I asked him whether he knew why no one wanted his rifle, "no, I am from Idaho and just need cash". I explained the technicalities and why no one would talk to him.

After reassuring him I was a buyer ai asked him how much he wanted for his stock. He bristled and finally got it. "$150." Was his reply. I peeled off $150. and handed it to him, took my new factory folder off the mini and handed the rifle back to the young man. The previously busy room was almost silent.

I put the stock in my bag and asked him how much he wanted for his now California legal mini 14. "$300" was his reply. I peeled off another $300 and handed it to the young man. You could hear the air being sucked out of the room. I handed the mini to Jack the FFL and told him I would be back for it latter and left with my new factory folder.

I do not know what that rifle was worth back then, factory folders were rare and the finish on this rifle was finer than any I had seen. In the end the two pieces still live apart. I did an accurizing job on the mini and both still live in my collection.

So I ask, how much do you want for your folding stock?

Michael
707.580.6309

The first rifle I ever owned was blued Mini-14 Ranch Model bought used from someone who inherited it from his brother in '93. It had a Butler-Creek folding stock/pistol grip, cheap Tasco or Weaver scope, Harris Bi-Pod and factory Ruger 30 round mag.

I bought some saucer dishes at Pic-N-Save (now Big Lots), took it by the border by Donovan's State Prison and proceeded to death ray obliterate each saucer dish at 100 yards. I loved loading the magazine, loading it into the rifle with a audible click, effortlessly charging it, listening to the action work, seeing the targets react and watching the spent brass in awe get launched into the next county! That was the most fun I ever had with a rifle! Way before the internet told me that Mini-14s can't hit ****. Border Patrol would just smile and wave as they drove by while I had my rifle in my hand. Way different times back then. Thinking I could replace it anytime (as equipped or better), I ended up selling it to a buddy who sold it to another buddy that same year.

Man, I miss that rifle. I can honestly say my ARs haven't been as satisfying to shoot on boring paper targets. Good ol' days indeed. Gonna have to put a Mini-14 on my short list now. They were around $500 brand new in the early 90's.

Congrats on your factory folding stock! That's a Mini-14 holy grail item for sure!

Cheers!

[CWDraco]

I live in WA and will likely move back to CA in less than a year.

I'm considering purchasing this Mini-14.





If I do, will I be able to make it legal to own in CA? Any idea of the steps needed?

Thanks!

If you are coming back to CA... dont buy this. Its not worth the effort since you will have to butcher it more than it already is to bring it in here.

[gogohopper]

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