This is a dumb question, but an M4 upper and AR15 upper is similar right?

[Geofois]

I know M4 is a variant, but is it literally interchangeable? I see complete M4 kits minus the receiver, so if I buy an AR receiver I can order the M4 kit right? Thanks everyone in advance.

Edit:
I read that M is for mil spec, and that M4 has 3 rould bursts yada yada, but I see kits calling them M4, but that must me just marketing since only AR 15 is available to the public right?

[Kerplow]

yes, it is interchangeable. why don't you post a link to what you are looking at?

[cali_armz]

I know M4 is a variant, but is it literally interchangeable? I see complete M4 kits minus the receiver, so if I buy an AR receiver I can order the M4 kit right? Thanks everyone in advance.

Edit:
I read that M is for mil spec, and that M4 has 3 rould bursts yada yada, but I see kits calling them M4, but that must me just marketing since only AR 15 is available to the public right?

yes you're right. technically, an M4 is a select fire AR rifle with a 14.5" barrel with a distinct notch in it, for the purpose of mounting a grenade launcher. if you look closely at this pic, you can see it. i believe the full name is M4 government profile upper receiver

alot of companies will advertise their civilian model semi auto AR15s as M4's because they have the notched barrel. however, this is simply to increase sales because the name M4 seems to attract attention.

[Geofois]

yes you're right. technically, an M4 is a select fire AR rifle with a 14.5" barrel with a distinct notch in it, for the purpose of mounting a grenade launcher. if you look closely at this pic, you can see it. i believe the full name is M4 government profile upper receiver

alot of companies will advertise their civilian model semi auto AR15s as M4's because they have the notched barrel. however, this is simply to increase sales because the name M4 seems to attract attention.

Thanks you, that's exactly what I was thinking, but wanted to make sure. Now I need to decide if I want a 14.5 inch or 16 inch barrel. It's not how long it is, but where you point it=P

[cali_armz]

definitely man, im glad i could help.

one thing though, if you want a 14.5 barrel on your AR, its gonna need SBR registration, which stands for short barreled rifle. it costs a few hundred dollars, and takes several months to go through. it would be easier and cheaper to go with 16" barrel.

[MrPlink]

definitely man, im glad i could help.

one thing though, if you want a 14.5 barrel on your AR, its gonna need SBR registration, which stands for short barreled rifle. it costs a few hundred dollars, and takes several months to go through. it would be easier and cheaper to go with 16" barrel.

and you failed to mention the important part, which is you CANT get a SBR tax stamp in California.

which leaves with one of two options

The first, being the most popular and practical is to get a 14.5in barrel with a PERMANENTLY pinned or welded flash hider or comp to the barrel that is long enough ( >1.5in ) which will bring the total length of the barrel to over the 16in minimum.

OR

You could buy / build an AR pistol, in which you can legally use a barrel that is < 16in. This has its own set of legal hurdles, and if you only want to go down to 14.5 probably isnt as good as option 1.

[cali_armz]

and you failed to mention the important part, which is you CANT get a SBR tax stamp in California.

which leaves with one of two options

The first, being the most popular and practical is to get a 14.5in barrel with a PERMANENTLY pinned or welded flash hider or comp to the barrel that is long enough ( >1.5in ) which will bring the total length of the barrel to over the 16in minimum.

OR

You could buy / build an AR pistol, in which you can legally use a barrel that is < 16in. This has its own set of legal hurdles, and if you only want to go down to 14.5 probably isnt as good as option 1.

im almost positive i remember reading on some .gov website that it is legal to own an sbr in california if you have the approved paperwork. let me see if i can find it

[cali_armz]

state of california dept of justice, official page. yes you can own an SBR in california...

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12095.php

2008 Dangerous Weapons Control Law

12095 thru 12099 Short Barreled Rifle/Shotgun Permits

ARTICLE 6. PERMITS

12095. (a) If it finds that it does not endanger the public safety, the Department of Justice may issue permits initially valid for a period of one year, and renewable annually thereafter, for the manufacture, possession, transportation, or sale of short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles upon a showing that good cause exists for the issuance thereof to the applicant for the permit. No permit shall be issued to a person who is under 18 years of age.
(b) Good cause, for the purposes of this section, shall be limited to only the following:
(1) The permit is sought for the manufacture, possession, or use with blank cartridges, of a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun, solely as props for a motion picture, television, or video production or entertainment event.
(2) The permit is sought for the manufacture of, exposing for sale, keeping for sale, sale of, importation or lending of short-barreled rifles or short-barreled shotguns to the entities listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 12020 by persons who are licensed as dealers or manufacturers under the provisions of Chapter 53 (commencing with Section 5801) of Title 26 of the United States Code, as amended, and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.
12096. Applications for permits shall be filed in writing, signed by the applicant if an individual, or by a member or officer qualified to sign if the applicant is a firm or corporation, and shall state the name, business in which engaged, business address, and a full description of the use to which the short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles are to be put.
Applications and permits shall be uniform throughout the state on forms prescribed by the Department of Justice.
Each applicant for a permit shall pay at the time of filing his or her application a fee determined by the Department of Justice not to exceed the application processing costs of the Department of Justice. A permit granted pursuant to this article may be renewed one year from the date of issuance, and annually thereafter, upon the filing of a renewal application and the payment of a permit renewal fee not to exceed the application processing costs of the Department of Justice. After the department establishes fees sufficient to reimburse the department for processing costs, fees charged shall increase at a rate not to exceed the legislatively approved annual cost-of-living adjustments for the department's budget.
12097. (a) Every person, firm or corporation to whom a permit is issued shall keep it on his or her person or at the place where the short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles are kept. The permit shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or any other person designated by the authority issuing the permit.
(b) Every short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle possessed pursuant to the provisions of this article shall bear a unique identifying number. If a weapon does not bear a unique identifying number, the Department of Justice shall assign a number which shall be placed or stamped on that weapon.
12098. Permits issued in accordance with this article may be revoked by the issuing authority at any time when it appears that the need for the short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles has ceased or that the holder of the permit has used the short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles for purposes other than those allowed by the permit or that the holder of the permit has not exercised great care in retaining custody of any weapons possessed under the permit.
12099. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the Department of Justice shall, for every person, firm, or corporation to whom a permit is issued pursuant to this article, annually conduct an inspection for security and safe storage purposes, and to reconcile the inventory of short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles.
(b) A person, firm, or corporation with an inventory of fewer than five devices that require any Department of Justice permit shall be subject to an inspection for security and safe storage purposes, and to reconcile inventory, once every five years, or more frequently if determined by the department.

[MrPlink]

ok smart guy, show me your permit.
Unless you are in the prop biz, GOOD LUCK.
Might as well try to get registered FA receivers...

[cali_armz]

ok smart guy, show me your permit.
Unless you are in the prop biz, GOOD LUCK.
Might as well try to get registered FA receivers...

i didnt say i had a permit, i said it was possible to get one

[Mr.Caketown]

An M4 is actually a 14.7in barrel if memory serves. Everything you can get on an M4 Upper you can prolly get on an AR-15 upper (minus the grenades)

[rromeo]

i didnt say i had a permit, i said it was possible to get one

Just like FA weapons, silencers, and most other NFA item, we just say you can't get it in California because it isn't like other states. Yes, you can get one, but not just because you want it.

[i1800collect]

i didnt say i had a permit, i said it was possible to get one

Is this the next thread you're going to derail by attempting to convince people that they can't say something with absolute certainty?

Go ahead and apply for a permit. Do keep us updated on how much money and time you end up wasting before giving up.

[email]

14.5" barrels are much more dangerous than 16.1" barrels. it's for the children.

[JayBeeJay]

im almost positive i remember reading on some .gov website that it is legal to own an sbr in california if you have the approved paperwork. let me see if i can find it

I don't know how long you been around or how much you know, but it's highly unlikely the average joe is gonna get a tax stamp for an SBR in this state. Your post to the OP made it seem like he'd be able to get an SBR if he wanted and applied for a tax stamp. IMO that's very misleading for someone new to black rifles and not knowing CA's very complicated laws. Which in turn can lead to someone getting tangled with our jacked up laws.