Fixed featureless grips ?

[Buffalo Dude]

I just got my FAL, and I can't swing open the two halves with the magazine lock in place. I have a grip wrap to make it featureless so I can take off the mag lock and open the halves enough to access the bcg. I like the standard pistol grip feel, and I dont mind the magazine lock, except when it interferes with cleaning.

Does the featureless grip need to be "fixed"? By which I mean am I required to use tools to remove it? Or can I use wing nuts to speed along the process? Doesn't seem to be covered in flowchart or other topics.

[Bug Splat]

I have mine secured with a few wood screws and keep a tiny keltec screw driver in the grip.

[gwgn02]

i use velcro between the two halves

[Buffalo Dude]

i use velcro between the two halves

Have you ever run into problems at ranges or elsewhere?

[gwgn02]

Have you ever run into problems at ranges or elsewhere?

Never. I don't see why it would be any different than using screws. Screws arent fixed or permanent. The grip wrap functions as it was designed to do with the velcro. Do 3 little easily removed screws prevent someone from removing the wrap in less than 30 seconds? The velcro holds firm and keeps the wrap in place and that's all the law prescribes.

[Fate]

Not needing a tool of any kind to switch your rifle from legal to illegal configuration might end you up defending yourself in court should you encounter a hard charger. I wouldn't use velcro or wingnuts, but hey, free will, do as you please.

[gwgn02]

Not needing a tool of any kind to switch your rifle from legal to illegal configuration might end you up defending yourself in court should you encounter a hard charger. I wouldn't use velcro or wingnuts, but hey, free will, do as you please.

The law states nothing about requiring a tool to install or uninstall. The screws only serve one purpose, to keep the grip in place, not to make it permanent. If that were the case, then most fin type featureless wraps would be riveted and epoxied to the grip, not supplied with easy to remove screws. Its not a bullet button. Velcro is the same deal. If the grip wrap cannot be rotated out of the way (not possible if formed to the grip), or slid down, but prevents the thumb from wrapping around the grip, its doing its job.

[Fate]

As one of the first in CA to actually create and use fin grips, yeah, I know all about the legal issues. I'm also not Pollyanna.

While permanence isn't required, tools and time are your friend. You don't think things ever go missing in evidence? You think a DA looking for a quick conviction couldn't bully a jury into believing that you had the ability to rip off that fin in a half a second and were just moments from gunning down the entire neighborhood and thus weren't really complying with the law?

Like I said, "free will" - it's your choice to play fast and loose. I'm the old guard, one of the featureless pioneers. Things are easier now, but don't for a minute think you are "safe" if you encounter somone with a badge that wants to ruin your day. Why make it easy for them? Because you want to save 60 seconds?