22LR AR conversion with mag release legal?

[shaocaholica]

I know that in CA you can have a functional mag release and pistol grip on a rimfire rifle but what if its an AR15 conversion? Especially the CMMG type where its just a BCG swap?

Whats the general gun owner consensus or legal precedent/opinion on the matter?

If I have an AR15 with both a 5.56 BCG and also a 22LR BCG and I convert my lower to have a magazine release, does it become an illegal AW when I remove the 22LR BCG? Or only when a 5.56 BCG is installed?

What if I'm at a public range and I have a functional mag release on my lower shooting the 22LR BCG. Then I need to clear a jam or clean the BCG by removing it from the upper? Now the upper has no caliber specific BCG and no mag but a functional mag release.

Just curious both practically and academically when these configurations 'may' or 'definitely' become illegal.

['ol shooter]

That's a very good question.

[boopiejones]

Interesting. You don't need a "tool" to remove the BCG or to install a 556 BCG. But I'd assume you'd be ok, as an upper without a BCG doesn't shoot any caliber.

[shaocaholica]

By that logic, is a lower by itself with FCG, pistol grip, stock and mag release not an AW yet without a center fire upper?

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

"RadLock"

[boopiejones]

By that logic, is a lower by itself with FCG, pistol grip, stock and mag release not an AW yet without a center fire upper?

I would argue that it is not yet an AW. Although if you try to buy that very combination from PSA, they will require you to add a bb to your cart before shipping to CA.

[Chunky_lover]

if its rimfire it needs no lock
does it shoot rimfire with the bolt placed inside, yes


this is why on mine I use the prince 50 mag lock (which totally locks out the button so you will have to top load) , or you can use a bullet button lock and that little screw in button for rimfire
I cant get the bullet button lock to work well with my rifle for some reason but since I only shoot rimfire from it anyways the prince 50 is fine

I also dont keep that bolt carrier anywhere near that rifle too


its also no different then buying a dedicated 22lr ar15 type rifle
they have no mag lock at all on them
so if your going off of looks no one would know yours is a conversion compared to buying a dedicated one

just use common sense when switching back to centerfire and make sure the mag lock is active first

[junior40er]

good question

[Raralith]

I know that in CA you can have a functional mag release and pistol grip on a rimfire rifle but what if its an AR15 conversion? Especially the CMMG type where its just a BCG swap?

Whats the general gun owner consensus or legal precedent/opinion on the matter?

If I have an AR15 with both a 5.56 BCG and also a 22LR BCG and I convert my lower to have a magazine release, does it become an illegal AW when I remove the 22LR BCG? Or only when a 5.56 BCG is installed?

Just curious both practically and academically when these configurations 'may' or 'definitely' become illegal.

I think you run the risk of causing a problem. The thing about the law is that it's enforced by people so if 20 officers see this, 19 may not have a problem but 1 might; now you could be in trouble. Personally, I bought a dedicated 22 upper as I had an unused lower, and I found a dedicated upper for a good price so it was worth removing the bullet button and dedicating it as a rimfire AR-22.

With that being said, is replacing an AR conversion BCG that much harder than just swapping a whole new upper since the steps are nearly identical? The difference though is perspective, and unfortunately, having a conversion bolt is just blurring the lines too much.

What if I'm at a public range and I have a functional mag release on my lower shooting the 22LR BCG. Then I need to clear a jam or clean the BCG by removing it from the upper? Now the upper has no caliber specific BCG and no mag but a functional mag release.

The lower itself doesn't matter, per say, until it's mated to a top so you are fine in this case.

[MauserMike]

I took off my BB when i knew i would be shooting a lot of 22lr out of my midlength. rimfire doesn't need a BB. dont be scured.

[G21Shooter]

Rimfire firearms are exempt from the CA AWB, period. Keep your .22 lr bolt in the gun, its a .22 lr.

Just to be safe keep the 5.56 BCG and bullet button eparate from the gun.

[JackRydden224]

This question has been brought up before but we never seem to have a black and white conclusion. From a practical / realistic matter you should be fine with a mag release because at the time whoever questions the legally of your rifle you are indeed with in the confines of the law. Nobody can say that your rifle that's shooting a 22 is actually not a 22. Just because it's capable of firing a center fire cartridge with mods it does not make it one.

Just my 2 cents.

[Neanderthal]

This question has been brought up before but we never seem to have a black and white conclusion. From a practical / realistic matter you should be fine with a mag release because at the time whoever questions the legally of your rifle you are indeed with in the confines of the law. Nobody can say that your rifle that's shooting a 22 is actually not a 22. Just because it's capable of firing a center fire cartridge with mods it does not make it one.

Just my 2 cents.

An officer once told me that it falls under "constructive possession". If the gun is capable of firing center fire with a bolt swap then it is still going to be ruled as modified center fire gun, even if it holds a conversion bolt.

[shaocaholica]

Isn't constructive possession only applicable when you have no legal combination of parts?

For instance, you can own an AR pistol and AR rifle and not be constructive possession of an SBR.

So if you own a 22 BCG and a centerfire upper, you should be covered as there is a legal combination of parts.

[shaocaholica]

Think of how many people would be illegal if constructive possession was interpreted not by the lack of legal configurations but the possibility of a single illegal configuration.

Anyone with a fore grip for their rifle and a pistol with an under rail would have an unassembled constructively possessed illegal AOW.