Are Linear Compensators Legal in California?

[Unbekannt]

Every company is making these things now. They direct the muzzle blast forward but do not hide it. Are they legal here?

[AlienHobo]

Yes.

[Califpatriot]

[autoduel]

If it's advertised as not reducing flash, I'd use it.
Ask yourself in what situation that your rifle would be placed under such scrutiny for possibly be in violation pending further testing of a questionable muzzle device?
Do you think anyone would go through the effort of laboratory testing to convict you for crushing some eggshells underfoot?
When career felons plead out of weapons charges regularly, I doubt a they go through the trouble to convict a squeaky clean gun owner on a possible technicality.

[God Bless America]

Every company is making these things now. They direct the muzzle blast forward but do not hide it. Are they legal here?

I have seen one advertised as reducing flash. I don't recall which one. So, read the product literature first.

[tony270]

(r) “Flash suppressor” means any device attached to the end of the barrel, that is designed, intended, or functions to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter's field of vision. A hybrid device that has either advertised flash suppressing properties or functionally has flash suppressing properties would be deemed a flash suppressor. A device labeled or identified by its manufacturer as a flash hider would be deemed a flash suppressor.

It's not designed or intended to reduce muzzle flash. It's not designed to redirect it from the field of vision. And if muzzle flash is reduce in some theoretical way, it's not perceptible.

I'd say yes, fairly confidently.

I'm a trained Infantry Rifleman, a flash suppressor is to keep the flash hidden from the enemy, and to help the shooter from being blinded when shooting at night, nothing to do with a brake or compensator, all do a different thing.

[tony270]

I have seen one advertised as reducing flash. I don't recall which one. So, read the product literature first.

I think so too, all three.

[sonofeugene]

The muzzle blast it going forward anyway. What's the point of a device that does the same thing the barrel does anyway?

[tony270]

Every company is making these things now. They direct the muzzle blast forward but do not hide it. Are they legal here?

All the definitions that I see say that a compensator directs the blast away from the shooter, mostly related to sound.

[quote]The KVP linear comp, collects and redirects muzzle gases away from the shooter. This redirection helps reduce the perceived decibels the shooter experiences at his or her ear.[\quote]

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Kaw-Valley-Precision-22cal-Linear-Comp-1-2x28-Blac-p/kvp-linear223-blk.htm

[tony270]

The muzzle blast it going forward anyway. What's the point of a device that does the same thing the barrel does anyway?

The berral doesn't redirect the blast. The compensator redirects the sound by redirecting the blast. Now a days they have the muzzle brake, muzzle compensator, and the flash hider, all redirect the blast one way or another.

[Unbekannt]

If it's advertised as not reducing flash, I'd use it.
Ask yourself in what situation that your rifle would be placed under such scrutiny for possibly be in violation pending further testing of a questionable muzzle device?
Do you think anyone would go through the effort of laboratory testing to convict you for crushing some eggshells underfoot?
When career felons plead out of weapons charges regularly, I doubt a they go through the trouble to convict a squeaky clean gun owner on a possible technicality.

When career felons plead out of weapons charges regularly, I doubt a they go through the trouble to convict a squeaky clean gun owner on a possible technicality.

Career illegal alien felons for sure but I don't fit that category which is why I am asking.

Thanks for your answer and thanks to you all.

I only wish I could find a linear compensator which would clamp over my existing muzzle break.

[lordmorgul]

I'm a trained Infantry Rifleman, a flash suppressor is to keep the flash hidden from the enemy, and to help the shooter from being blinded when shooting at night, nothing to do with a brake or compensator, all do a different thing.

[AregularGuy]

When career felons plead out of weapons charges regularly, I doubt a they go through the trouble to convict a squeaky clean gun owner on a possible technicality.

Career illegal alien felons for sure but I don't fit that category which is why I am asking.

Thanks for your answer and thanks to you all.

I only wish I could find a linear compensator which would clamp over my existing muzzle break.

No, maybe not go through trouble of convicting. But they will likely let you "compromise" by giving up your rifle and possible firearms ban. Why not? It's California.

[lordmorgul]

No, maybe not go through trouble of convicting. But they will likely let you "compromise" by giving up your rifle and possible firearms ban. Why not? It's California.

Exactly. Gun banners win when you are no longer a gun owner, ever again, anywhere you move in the US. Pleading you down to prohibited is enough.


Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / NAGR / NRA-ILA contributor, USCCA member

[jimbo74]

The flash hider isn't about giving the shooter's position away [most people don't know this and think it is to hide the shooter's position]. It is about allowing the shooter to not be blinded and get back on target faster for follow up shots.

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