Factory Vepr 54r: Do I have to ditch the thumbhole?

[cognitdiss]

Hey Folks,

I have a factory Vepr 54R w/ a 23" barrel.
I haven't shot it in a few years, but have heard things have tightened up a bit regarding assault rifle registration since then- I just want to stay on the bright side of the law next time I tote it to the range, so I thought I would check here.

It has the factory thumbhole stock, factory bullet button mag release, two 5 round and two 10 round mags, and birdcage flash hider that I am pretty sure it came with but not positive (though it looks like I replaced it with a muzzle brake).

If I am reading the Calguns centerfire flowchart correctly, because my magazine has a bullet button it seems like I can get away with having the thumbhole and flash-hider (which I would prefer to run). Can I get a few seconds on this? Other Vepr owners?

I really like this rifle, and would like to take it to the range and not catch crap from the RO, or the PD for that matter....

Thanks In Advance!

[Quiet]

It has the factory thumbhole stock, factory bullet button mag release, two 5 round and two 10 round mags, and birdcage flash hider that I am pretty sure it came with but not positive (though it looks like I replaced it with a muzzle brake).

If I am reading the Calguns centerfire flowchart correctly, because my magazine has a bullet button it seems like I can get away with having the thumbhole and flash-hider (which I would prefer to run). Can I get a few seconds on this? Other Vepr owners?

Post-2016, the flowcharts are out of date and should no longer be relied on.

Starting 01-01-2017, "bullet button" style magazine releases are no longer CA legal devices that make a "fixed magazine".

If your semi-auto centerfire rifle has a "bullet button" style magazine release and a thumbhole stock, then it is considered an assault weapon and if you owned it before 2017, you were granted an exemption that allowed you to continue to legally possess it until 07-01-2018.

From 01-01-2017 to 07-01-2018, you were legally required to do one of the following:
A. Register it as an assault weapon (BBRAW).
B. Modify it so that it was no longer considered an assault weapon.
C. Transport it out-of-state for storage or transfer through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
D. Destroy it.
E. Surrender it to law enforcement for destruction.

If you have not done any of those options, then starting 07-01-2018, you are in possession of an illegal assault weapon.

[cognitdiss]

Excellent info Quiet.

Currently the rifle is apart, it appears I had left it that way for safe keeping, I must have had an inkling about this. I was feeling like it had been more like 5 years, maybe I was right... I was just glad to see that there was no rust in any of my barrels.

I asked because I have a piece of factory furniture coming in the mail tomorrow, at $25 it was too cheap to ignore. My plan was to rout out the bevel to the point where I could carve in a plug, but I didn't want to waste the time if not necc. After hearing your concise point of view, it sounds like it won't be time wasted. I don't like any of the fins or stocks out there that I can find, so I think blocking it off myself is my path forward.

Is it your understanding that if I have a non-thumbhole stock that my rifle will be in compliance?

Could you tell me, at that point do I still need to ditch the birdcage or can I run it? And I assume I must retain the bullet button release?

Thanks again for the prompt and concise reply!! It is pretty hard getting back up to date when I've been off of the range for as long as I have...

[c good]

Go featureless. Ditch the birdcage. Get a muzzle break that is recognized as a muzzle break. Fill the thumbhole. Get rid of the "bullet button" and go back to standard mag release.

[cognitdiss]

Makes perfect sense c good, also concise.

And so when featureless I gather I'll be able to use the standard mag release, just like my rimfire- how cute. The Vepr is my first and only semi-auto centerfire, I've never thought of ever running it without the bullet button before.

Thank you both, I am feeling pretty straightened out.

Any other opinions are still welcome.