CA legal or not (Watson Brothers .50 cal upper)

[m2121]

Thinking about getting a Watson bro 50 cal upper, are they legal?

from viewing the upper it says nothing with "50 BMG"

if my knowledge is correct, which it sadly isnt very often, The ban is specific to BMG

If the upper is registered and not "BMG" is it ca legal?

if not please dont give me a one word answer, give me some details.

much apreciated.

[707electrician]

It is specifically the .50BMG cartridge that is banned and even then that only applies to shoulder fired rifles. Why would the upper be registered though?

[Librarian]

Helps to fully specify the thing in question, for those of us who don't follow big-bore rifles.

Watson Brothers .50 caliber uppers appear to be .50 BMG link.

If that's true, illegal to have a new one as an AR upper.

[Merc1138]

Helps to fully specify the thing in question, for those of us who don't follow big-bore rifles.

Watson Brothers .50 caliber uppers appear to be .50 BMG link.

If that's true, illegal to have a new one as an AR upper.

If attached to a lower in a configuration that would make it a shoulder fired rifle.

There is a guy on here who I believe is still working out a tripod mount with a spade grip on an AR lower so it has no stock(can't remember his name, and last I remember reading his mount broke).

edit: Found it. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=429917

[707electrician]

Helps to fully specify the thing in question, for those of us who don't follow big-bore rifles.

Watson Brothers .50 caliber uppers appear to be .50 BMG link.

If that's true, illegal to have a new one as an AR upper.

Only illegal if it is attached to a lower though, correct. Constructive possession does not apply

[Arkangel]

Seller's Description:
This is a consignment item. This sale is for a 50 cal. BMG upper receiver and barrel. You will need your own ar-15 lower receiver to fire this gun. The lower receiver in the photos DOES NOT go with the gun,it's there just for illustration purposes ownly. The cartridge is set in the bolt, then the bolt is screwed into the receiver, the receiver is closed then fired. I have shot this quite a few times myself. It's fun to shoot. This also comes with a supplemental hammer spring and extended take down pin. Go to watsonsweapons.com to see more about this upper. It sells for $1299.00 new. I will be selling this with a low reserve. This is a heavey item (25 lbs.) Will not ship to states where restricted. Must be 18 & proof of Age.


Says "50. cal BMG" right in the description, Buying it would be pointless because mounting it to a lower would be Illegal.

[Merc1138]

Says "50. cal BMG" right in the description, Buying it would be pointless because mounting it to a lower would be Illegal.

Wrong. Read my reply above and follow the link.

[707electrician]

Seller's Description:
This is a consignment item. This sale is for a 50 cal. BMG upper receiver and barrel. You will need your own ar-15 lower receiver to fire this gun. The lower receiver in the photos DOES NOT go with the gun,it's there just for illustration purposes ownly. The cartridge is set in the bolt, then the bolt is screwed into the receiver, the receiver is closed then fired. I have shot this quite a few times myself. It's fun to shoot. This also comes with a supplemental hammer spring and extended take down pin. Go to watsonsweapons.com to see more about this upper. It sells for $1299.00 new. I will be selling this with a low reserve. This is a heavey item (25 lbs.) Will not ship to states where restricted. Must be 18 & proof of Age.


Says "50. cal BMG" right in the description, Buying it would be pointless because mounting it to a lower would be Illegal.

In that configuration it is not a shoulder fired rifle so it is legal

[Arkangel]

In that configuration it is not a shoulder fired rifle so it is legal

True, but mounting it on a lower would be, that's why I wrote it was pointless. Unless he buys it and only uses it outside of Komifornia.

[Librarian]

Only illegal if it is attached to a lower though, correct. Constructive possession does not apply

In that configuration it is not a shoulder fired rifle so it is legal

True, but it isn't very useful until mounted on something. The OP did say "50 cal upper". But as you say, no 'constructive possession' - just an awful temptation to find out if 'it really fits my lower or do I have to send it back'.

Fine to use out of CA, though.

The trick with 'it isn't a center fire rifle' arguments is that, while likely true, it also would be very likely expensive to defend, and possibly one might lose. Speaking for myself, seems like too much risk and annoyance for the benefit.

[Merc1138]

True, but it isn't very useful until mounted on something. The OP did say "50 cal upper". But as you say, no 'constructive possession' - just an awful temptation to find out if 'it really fits my lower or do I have to send it back'.

Fine to use out of CA, though.

The trick with 'it isn't a center fire rifle' arguments is that, while likely true, it also would be very likely expensive to defend, and possibly one might lose. Speaking for myself, seems like too much risk and annoyance for the benefit.

Well yeah, you definitely wouldn't want to play the "if no one is looking will I get caught" game, but it certainly has <limited> legal use to a resident of CA.

[stix213]

Throw it on your stockless pistol lower, and tell us how it shoots lol.

[supersonic]

Says "50. cal BMG" right in the description, Buying it would be pointless because mounting it to a lower would be Illegal.

Not quite right. If you already have a RAW lower, there is nothing illegal at all about slapping that 50BMG badboy on your lower and going to raise the dead!



.....OR: If you want a .50 in this state, but don't have a RAW, get a 50DTC (like the one I am selling as a complete rifle/loading kit! )