14.5 Upper - Is that legal here?

[AWARCORP]

Every AR I have has a 16 inch upper. Looking to build something either shorter or longer. I have seen 14 inch uppers for sale at gun shows but thought AR barrels needed to be at least 16 inches to be legal in CA. Is this correct?

Also, looking for a dealer who sells stripped lowers in the Los Angeles area. Please let me know if you have any recommendations, thanks!

[Gio]

Federal Law mandates 16" and no less. Now you can order a 14.5" upper and have a permanently pinned and welded flash hider and or brake added to make it over 16" also you cannot possess a 16" barrel or upper if you own a lower that is a rifle.

[West coast]

Federal Law mandates 16" and no less. Now you can order a 14.5" upper and have a permanently pinned and welded flash hider and or brake added to make it over 16" also you cannot possess a 16" barrel or upper if you own a lower that is a rifle.

What he said.....

[rtorc]

I don't know how close you are to Riflegear (located in Orange County), but I always recommend them. They're worth the drive.

Riflegear's stripped lower receivers

RT

[slomofo]

Time to fork over the $200 for a tax stamp.

[odysseus]

Every AR I have has a 16 inch upper. Looking to build something either shorter or longer. I have seen 14 inch uppers for sale at gun shows but thought AR barrels needed to be at least 16 inches to be legal in CA. Is this correct?

You can find very short AR uppers often, for example for AR pistol builds which are another topic. As mentioned your rifle needs to have a 16" upper, most pin and weld a brake or hider on a 14" to get there.

[707electrician]

also you cannot possess a 16" barrel or upper if you own a lower that is a rifle.

I am confused by this

[B Strong]

Federal Law mandates 16" and no less. Now you can order a 14.5" upper and have a permanently pinned and welded flash hider and or brake added to make it over 16" also you cannot possess a 16" barrel or upper if you own a lower that is a rifle.

I believe you meant to say that you can't possess an upper with a barrel shorter than 16" unless you have a tax stamp for an SBR, or have a lower registered as a pistol.

[Cyc Wid It]

I am confused by this

Constructive possession.

[AWARCORP]

Hey guys, that answers my question so thank you for the post. As far as building an AR pistol, are there any specific restrictions or do I just pay the extra tax? Hope this has not gone off topic...

[Gio]

Hey guys, that answers my question so thank you for the post. As far as building an AR pistol, are there any specific restrictions or do I just pay the extra tax? Hope this has not gone off topic...

AR Pistols are a little tricky. One they are not on the Safe Roster List so you will have to A.) Buy a Single Shot Exempt one from a 07FFL, B.) Buy a already Registered Lower, C.) Find a LEO that has a lower or complete AR Pistol or D.) Finish an 80% lower and make a Pistol out of it.

I might not of got it all covered correctly but it is pretty much what I know.

[Write Winger]

I just realized... Learning our ways around CA gun laws must be what it's like for businesses trying to figure out tax laws (and/or finding ways around them).

[pyromensch]

I believe you meant to say that you can't possess an upper with a barrel shorter than 16" unless you have a tax stamp for an SBR, or have a lower registered as a pistol.

thanks, that threw me off

[resident-shooter]

NO or u will get arrested for at least 10 years in jail

[PlacerTactical]

NO or u will get arrested for at least 10 years in jail

What part are you referring to?

+16" is OK without any lower. Less than 16" is not OK without the tax stamp or unless you have a pistol lower. Constructive possession is ok if you have a barrel or upper less than 16" if you have a legal pistol lower.