Folding Mini Ruger

[dfletcher]

I have a conventionally stocked Ruger Mini 14 and a stainless factory original Ruger wood folding stock. I get to use the folder often enough in Grants Pass, but would like to figure a way to use it in state.

As it happens, I had replaced the issue mag release with a longer one & the thought occured to me, if a mag release were ground flush with the stock (or just below) and a small hole drilled in the flush fitting end of it - requiring a small pin to be inserted to pivot the mag release & drop the mag - this would comply with CA the non - detachable mag requirement.

Now replacing the mag release & spring is a bit of a pain, using a slave pin set up makes it easier, so I don't see folks routinely switch back & forth. Also, I believe the use of preban +10 mags - while OK in the conventional stocked Ruger - are not OK in the folder.

Am I missing something with respect to the law or practicality?

[wilit]

Even if you were to fix the mag, you'd be well under the 30" limit with the stock folded. To meet that, you'd need to permantly fix the stock, thus defeating the purpose of the folding stock.

[snobordr]

I wonder........

just how long that muzzle brake would have to be?

[Wildhawk66]

Thought the federal overall length only had to be 26", not 30". This particular rifle might still not be legal folded, but you might want to remeasure(and double check the fed minimum length requirement to make sure I'm not sending you up the river).

[dfletcher]

Cal OAL is 30", but I'm not certain if that is with the presumption it has a detach mag which, I believe, this would not be considered to have.

[Stanze]

Cal OAL is 30", but I'm not certain if that is with the presumption it has a detach mag which, I believe, this would not be considered to have.

The CA 30" OAL law only applies to centerfire rifles. Rimfire rifles are exempt and must comply with the 26" Federal law, which is why you might not want a Ruger 10/22 with a folding stock and 16" barrel (They usually come with 18.5" barrels).

[ask80]

last time i checked, a mini 14 is a centerfire rifle and not a rimfire.

[wilit]

Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:
1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
a. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
b. A thumbhole stock.
c. A folding or telescoping stock.
d. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
e. A flash suppressor.
f. A forward pistol grip.
2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.

Doesn't matter if it's a fixed mag or not. Semi-auto centerfire must be 30" in the state of CA.

[NeoWeird]

You could always just get a Ciener kit for it and take the easy way out...

[Stanze]

OK, so what if it is over 30" extended and he just doesn't fold it unless he is out of state? Isn't this similar to the Prince-50 concept? It may have the "capacity to be less than 30 inches" but it isn't unless it is folded?

Nice try, but CA measures OAL with the stock folded(presuming you have a fixed 10 round mag setup). Federal measures OAL with the stock extended, in both jurisdictions the barrel must be at least 16", unless you have a permanently attached muzzle brake or flash hider that makes "barrel" length 16" or have NFA tax stamp.

Point being, regardless wheter the stock is folded or not, it better be 30" OAL at all times in CA unless you have a registered "Assault Weapon" or rimfire semi-auto rifle.

[dfletcher]

The statute posted doesn't state how CA measures it - maybe there's more info on that elsewhere? I'd be inclined to agree if the statute referenced a "minimum" or "when folded" OAL but it simply states overall length. That would lead me to think that so long as I don't fold it I'm fine.

Unfortunately the damn stock alone is probably worth more than the gun and that's one of the reasons I don't modify it so it can be locked in the open position. I was surprised as hell to see them on EBay for $300.00 to $450.00.

I'll probably just limit myself to out of state fun with it.

[wilit]

The statute posted doesn't state how CA measures it - maybe there's more info on that elsewhere? I'd be inclined to agree if the statute referenced a "minimum" or "when folded" OAL but it simply states overall length. That would lead me to think that so long as I don't fold it I'm fine.

It's your life. If you want to risk a felony charge, go ahead. You being the test case would certainly put to rest the arguement of how CA measures the OAL.

[NeoWeird]

Unforuntealy, even though the California Penal Code does not specifically mention how the stock is measured, and even though Federal law dictates that the stock is measured open, the 1993 court case People v. Rooney established case law in California that for the purpose of measuring length, rifles with folding stocks are measured in their shortest possible configuration. Sorry, no dice in California.

[bwiese]

Unforuntealy, even though the California Penal Code does not specifically mention how the stock is measured, and even though Federal law dictates that the stock is measured open, the 1993 court case People v. Rooney established case law in California that for the purpose of measuring length, rifles with folding stocks are measured in their shortest possible configuration. Sorry, no dice in California.

Thanks for the reference.

That likely would carry forward as a standard into SB23-related stuff, although SB23 was not in place or in force when Rooney was decided.