minmum length of a semiauto rifle?

[MrTuffPaws]

My reading of the CA law leads me to believe that the minimum length of a semiauto rifle is 30". 26 being the minimum length of an other rifle.

Are there any permanency requirements. If one were to build a semiauto rifle that met the length requirements but used a screw on muzzle break to do so, would it still be considered legal?

[kobra]

My reading of the CA law leads me to believe that the minimum length of a semiauto rifle is 30". 26 being the minimum length of an other rifle.

Are there any permanency requirements. If one were to build a semiauto rifle that met the length requirements but used a screw on muzzle break to do so, would it still be considered legal?

CA state law: 30" minimum length

federal law: 26" minimum length

??? I believe

[Fjold]

The 30" CA minimum length applies to semi-auto, centerfire rifles only.

[Lateralus]

centerfire : 30"
rimfire: 26" (federal)

[gcvt]

Yup, 26" is for rimfire.

[Vin496]

Barrel has to be 16 inches minimum. If less than that must be made that lenght with a permenately attached muzzle device.

[D-FENS]

I believe the federal requirement has a standard of permanency but the state does not. So ALL rifles must be "permanently" over 26" but a screw on brake/extension/fake suppressor would be OK to get you over the 30" required by the state on semi-auto, centerfire rifles.

The risk is that if it's too easy to remove it's like to get removed by accident or possibly in the evidence room. At a minimum I'd go with torqued and locktited.

[MrTuffPaws]

Now are you saying that some DA would be scrupulous enough to alter a weapon beyond the limits set by the law

Thanks for all of the feedback.

[NeoWeird]

A good example is the Butler Creek folding stocks for the Ruger 10/22. All that 'pins' them open is a plastic washer so the stock can not be pushed down (to close it). That's it. You take out the set screw to remove the hinge pin, the plastic shim slides out, and the pin goes back in.

The ONLY permanent requirement for length is barrels that are under 16" in length are required to have their muzzle attachments permanently installed. All other length requirements are simply install and be done.

The ONLY thing you need to keep in mind is that it is measured in a line parralel to the bore of the weapon. So if your stock is slanted, like those new Tapco Fussion stocks, or an AK stock, etc. then the measurement goes through the air to be inline with the end of the stock.

Imagine it this way, if you have hatch markings on the wall to measure height, you placed the barrel parallel to the wall, then set the buttstock on the ground, where the muzzle was would be the length. That means if you've measured your rifle from the tip of your buttstock to the tip of the muzzle and it's 30" you would be in the wrong as the diagonal is longer than the parallel line. This is rarely ever a problem as there are few configurations for any rifle that will make it fall into that length where it is legal on the diagonal and not on the parallel but it should be noted.

Also, keep in mind that Federal law is from the "extreme ends" of the weapon so the stock is measured open; California has case law that requires the weapon to be measured in it's shortest functioning configuration without disassembly of the firearm. Neither Federal nor California require anything to be permanent though.

[Harrison_Bergeron]

I seem to remember it said at one point that the federal barrel length regulations do not require permanence, only the CA law does. Am I imagining things again? This would be for something like bolt action krink or other non semi auto centerfire build.

[EBR Works]

I seem to remember it said at one point that the federal barrel length regulations do not require permanence, only the CA law does. Am I imagining things again? This would be for something like bolt action krink or other non semi auto centerfire build.

The only requirement for permanence is barrel length at 16" for all states. There is no permanence requirement for OAL. I have an AKM with a folding stock that is a 30" Cali legal OAL with the stock folded because I have an extended muzzle brake which is removable.

[Harrison_Bergeron]

I mean permanence in the sense that if a muzzle device is used to achieve the 16" it must be pinned on an SB23 rifle, but can just be screwed on a federally regulated rifle.

The only requirement for permanence is barrel length at 16" for all states. There is no permanence requirement for OAL. I have an AKM with a folding stock that is a 30" Cali legal OAL with the stock folded because I have an extended muzzle brake which is removable.

[motorhead]

the 16" bbl. length requirement is federal and requires permanant mounting of any extension used to acheive 16". amd 65's are a perfect example. removable extension=sbr.