Makarovs and LE-only

[juicemansam]

Hi All,

First time poster, sometime reader. I have a question about a Makarov pistol, LE only firearms, and curio/relic laws. Here's the low-down:

My dad and I were at a dealer a few weeks ago. My dad only likes older guns, and he really liked a Makarov that was on display in the LE-only section. When we asked to see it, we were asked if we were LE, but we're not. My dad just wanted to see it, you know, with his hands. It's not like we were going to buy it or anything. Well we were told they couldn't even take it out of the case if we weren't LE.

Well, I call BS. So here are my questions: If the Makarov is older than 50 years old, can we still buy it if the proper paperwork is processed? Can they still be shown to the "regular" public (at another shop, I'm regularly shown LE-only firearms for comparison)? How does one go about buying a cuiro/relic firearm? I'd ask these questions at my local shop but I won't visit it until I go pick up my G26 two weeks from now.

[ke6guj]

If it is 50+ years old, OR a listed C&R model in the C&R list, then it is exempt from the roster and may be purchased like any current rostered model.

As for not even taking it out the case if you aren't LE, I think that is just a company policy that they have, maybe to discurage lookie-loo's, that is not backed up by PC.

here is the actual PC on it:

12125. (a) Commencing January 1, 2001, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state for sale, keeps for sale, offers or exposes for sale, gives, or lends any unsafe handgun shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year.

I guess they could be trying to be safe and making sure that they don't get anywhere near GIVE or LEND, even though just letting you handle a non-rostered handgun shouldn't be an issue.

Determine exactly what make and model that Mak is and you can see if it is a listed C&R handgun. If it is, then it is exempt from the roster. However, some newer commercial models are not listed as C&R, so that is what might be in the case there.

[Sampachi]

The East German and Soviet made Makarovs are C&R by list only. If you find a Makarov that is 50 years old or older you have a real prize.

Some Makarovs are not on the drop list, notably the Chinese model, some of the Bulgarian models (e.g. Miltex & Arsenal commercial) and Russian IJ-70s.
The only one on the drop list (I think it's still on the list) are CAI imported Bulgarian military models.

It may very well be a "LE-only" Makarov. The dealer or floor help seems to be overly cautious but then again, I've heard that DOJ was really being a pain in the but when it comes to regulations. He may have just been playing it safe.

[bevmale]

Correct me if I'm wrong...I'm assumming private party transfers within Ca. involving Makarovs are OK, however, if a dealer has one leftover in inventory it can be sold only to LE.

[OHOD]

I don't know anything about Makarov pistols, so I did a bit of research. It seems they are a standard semi-auto pistol from USSR.

At least that is what I learned so far.

Why would a pistol like this be for LE-only? The prior posts make sense, but even if it wasn't 50-years old, what makes it so special.

Not on the approved list?

Educate me.

[ke6guj]

Correct me if I'm wrong...I'm assumming private party transfers within Ca. involving Makarovs are OK, however, if a dealer has one leftover in inventory it can be sold only to LE.

correct, any handgun that is CA-legal (no AWs or NFA) can be sold in CA from one CA-resident to another CA-resident through a PPT transfer at a dealer.

Any non-C&R Makarovs that are not listed on the Roster would be LE-only.

I don't know anything about Makarov pistols, so I did a bit of research. It seems they are a standard semi-auto pistol from USSR.

yup, basic com-block pistol.

At least that is what I learned so far.

Why would a pistol like this be for LE-only? The prior posts make sense, but even if it wasn't 50-years old, what makes it so special.

Not on the approved list?

Educate me.

Yup, not on the approved list (exceot for one model) so it can't be sold in CA to non-exempt people, unless the specific model is listed in the C&R books as a curio.

[IrishPirate]

^^^^this post says it all^^^^^^

go back and ask why its LE only. If it's not on the roster, not 50, and not C&R by name, then that makes sense. If they say anything else, call BS and tactfully educate them

ps. !!!!WELCOME TO CALGUNS!!!!

[cryoguy]

Good info thanks for educating me. I have been looking to get a Mak now I know what to look out for, and not look like an idiot.

[Cos]

...correct, any handgun that is CA-legal (no AWs or NFA) can be sold in CA from one CA-resident to another CA-resident through a PPT transfer at a dealer.

Same is true for a consignment sale. e.g. you should be able to buy a Makarov from a consignment.

[OHOD]

Thanks ke6guj for the lesson!

[M. D. Van Norman]

yup, basic com-block pistol.

[juicemansam]

Thanks a lot! I'll inquire more about the pistol next time I'm at the shop.