Can a Compmag on an AK be removed without removing the recoil spring?

[avocado213]

There is an out of state FFL who is willing to install a Compmag on an AK and send it to a CA FFL. But upon asking a few FFLs if they will transfer it to me, they're doubting if the Compmag is legal, as they're thinking that the Compmag can be removed if the dust cover is simply removed and the screw loosened.

Can anyone who has a Compmag on an AK confirm if that's the case or if you also need to remove the recoil spring in order to access the screw that fixes the mag to the receiver?

[TKM]

Of course it can be removed if the screw is loosened. That is what the screw is for.

Who are these geniuses?

[avocado213]

No, you misunderstood me. I think I could have explained it better.

The FFLs I spoke to in my area were doubting the legality of it because they believe the screw can be accessed by simply lifting the dust cover, meaning it isn't disassembled far enough to be an acceptable fixed mag solution

[CheapBloke]

No, you misunderstood me. I think I could have explained it better.

The FFLs I spoke to in my area were doubting the legality of it because they believe the screw can be accessed by simply lifting the dust cover, meaning it isn't disassembled far enough to be an acceptable fixed mag solution

I doubt the legality of those FFLs you spoke with.

guesstimator, opinionator, and commentator.

[dvs762]

it requires a tool to remove the mag so its california compliant. screw the dust cover..it needs tools..thats it..

[bugsy714]

[SkyHawk]

it requires a tool to remove the mag so its california compliant. screw the dust cover..it needs tools..thats it..

No, that ship has sailed. 'Needs tools' is exactly the description of a bullet button, which was made illegal when the law was changed to read:


http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...ctionNum=30515.

(b) For purposes of this section, “fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.

[SkyHawk]

No, you misunderstood me. I think I could have explained it better.

The FFLs I spoke to in my area were doubting the legality of it because they believe the screw can be accessed by simply lifting the dust cover, meaning it isn't disassembled far enough to be an acceptable fixed mag solution

What constitutes "disassembly of the action" is a gray area, and interpreting it comes with some risk. But at minimum you would think that disassembling the action renders the firearm unusable.

If the firearm can be fired with the dust cover removed (and yes you can fire the AK without a dust cover all you want), then IMO that is not disassembling the action. Or put another way, if it still has action - then you have not disassembled the action.

Do not trust these compliance parts manufacturers to always get it right. There are several that come to mind that are a complete bust IMO.



The AK Compmag instructions do say that the bolt/carrier/recoil spring needs to be removed - if true then it puts you on better legal ground IMO

[naz]

Op you need to find other FFL to do the transfer

[Sure Shot 45]

You could remove the screw with the recoil spring assembly left in the reciever using a ball end hex wrench.

[SkyHawk]

You could remove the screw with the recoil spring assembly left in the reciever using a ball end hex wrench.

then that seems like a fail that could get someone into serious trouble.

[Sure Shot 45]

then that seems like a fail that could get someone into serious trouble.

The way I see it the rifle is disassembled by removing the dust cover and a proper tool is used to remove a screw to remove the magazine, seems legit to me. You'll have more room to work with a standard hex key by removing the recoil spring assembly.

[ar15barrels]

The AK Compmag instructions do say that the bolt/carrier/recoil spring needs to be removed - if true then it puts you on better legal ground IMO

I'm pretty sure you can access that screw by simply pulling the carrier to the rear.
If you can, that would definitely fail the "disassembly of the action" test.
Compmag probably wants people to think that removal of the top cover on an AK constitutes disassembly of the action, but that surely fails the CA state test of disassembly which requires the gun not to be able to function while disassembled.

[ar15barrels]

The way I see it the rifle is disassembled by removing the dust cover and a proper tool is used to remove a screw to remove the magazine, seems legit to me.

Too bad you are not the one who wrote the CA state definition of "disassembly of the action" because the state definition requires the gun not to be able to function in order for it to be considered disassembled.

Here is a fun test for you sometime.
Remove the top cover of your AK and see if it will still function.
If it won't, then YOUR AK is disassembled when the top cover is removed.

[Quiet]

There is an out of state FFL who is willing to install a Compmag on an AK and send it to a CA FFL. But upon asking a few FFLs if they will transfer it to me, they're doubting if the Compmag is legal, as they're thinking that the Compmag can be removed if the dust cover is simply removed and the screw loosened.

Can anyone who has a Compmag on an AK confirm if that's the case or if you also need to remove the recoil spring in order to access the screw that fixes the mag to the receiver?

The dust cover of an AK style firearm is not a part of the firearm's action.
Because it being removed or not installed does not disable the firearm's action.
^AK style firearm can still operate without a dust cover installed.

Once the AK Compmag is installed, either strip the screw heads so the screws can no longer be removed or epoxy/weld over them, so the screw heads are filled in and can not be utilized to remove the screws. After screws are permanently affixed, it will then meet CA's definition of a fixed magazine.