CA shotgun regulations

[DLA]

Sorry if this has been discussed I can't seem to find it. I'm more of an AR guy than a shotgun guy but my friend wants to buy a beretta 1301 tactical and is wondering what the regulations are as far as adjustable stock and pistol grip on a semi auto. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

[xblax619]

all the info is in the link in the upper right corner of the page under “CA shotgun ban id flowchart”

https://www.calguns.net/caawid/sgflowchart.pdf

[DLA]

Thanks guys!

[xblax619]

Adjustable stock and pistol grip are 100% okay on a semi-automatic tube fed shotgun in california. Where you start running into issues is if you have a detachable magazine. Any shotgun that is semi-automatic with a detachable magazine regardless of the grip in the stock is considered an assault weapon by California law unless you permanently disable the gas system so that it acts as a single shot bolt-action where you have to cycle each round manually

not true. if u look at the flowchart that i posted in #2 having both folding or telescoping stock and pistol grip, it becomes a CA assault weapon. thats why we have to pin an oem benelli m4 telescoping stock so that its no longer adjusts.

[RickD427]

not true. if u look at the flowchart that i posted in #2 having both folding or telescoping stock and pistol grip, it becomes a CA assault weapon. thats why we have to pin an oem benelli m4 telescoping stock so that its no longer adjusts.

^^^THIS^^^

Please note that the CalGuns Flowcharts are only an aid, and that the Shotgun Flowchart is outta date with the current Penal Code.

Always go back to the statutes and regulations to determine what is legal.

For the answer to the OP's shotgun questions, one should consult Penal Code section 30510 and 30515.

[newbutold]

No more than I've had to use a shotgun on intruders, my trap or skeet guns will work just fine.

[Librarian]

^^^THIS^^^

Please note that the CalGuns Flowcharts are only an aid, and that the Shotgun Flowchart is outta date with the current Penal Code.

Always go back to the statutes and regulations to determine what is legal.

For the answer to the OP's shotgun questions, one should consult Penal Code section 30510 and 30515.

Which says, in relevant part, these make a shotgun into an illegal 'assault weapon'

(6) A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:

(A) A folding or telescoping stock.

(B) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.

(7) A semiautomatic shotgun that does not have a fixed magazine.

(8) Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

The flowchart has the path and features correct, but the code references are now 11 years out of date - the 12000s were re-organized for 2012.

[Quiet]

CA shotgun regulations

Sorry if this has been discussed I can't seem to find it. I'm more of an AR guy than a shotgun guy but my friend wants to buy a beretta 1301 tactical and is wondering what the regulations are as far as adjustable stock and pistol grip on a semi auto. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

All semi-auto shotguns with a folding/telescoping stock and a pistol grip or a vertical grip are considered assault weapons in CA. [PC 30515(a)(6)]
^Having a fixed magazine does not make it CA legal shotgun.

All semi-auto shotguns that do not have a fixed magazine are considered assault weapons in CA. [PC 30515(a)(7)]
^It does not matter what other features the semi-auto shotgun has.

All shotguns that utilize a revolving cylinder are considered assault weapons in CA. [PC 30515(a)(8)]
^It does not matter how the shotgun operates (bolt-action, lever-action, pump-action, semi-auto) or what other features the shotgun has.

All shotguns that have a less than 18" barrel length are considered SBS in CA. [PC 17180(a)]
^It does not matter what other features the semi-auto shotgun has.

All shotguns that have a less than 26" overall length are considered SBS in CA. [PC 17180(b)]
^It does not matter what other features the semi-auto shotgun has.


It is illegal for a non-exempt person to make, import, advertise for sale, transfer, or transport an assault weapon in CA. [PC 30600(a)]
It is illegal for a non-exempt person to possess an assault weapon in CA. [PC 30605(a)]
It is illegal for a non-exempt person to make, import, advertise for sale, transfer, or possess a SBS in CA. [PC 33215]



Penal Code 30515
(a) Notwithstanding Section 30510, “assault weapon” also means any of the following:
(6) A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:
(A) A folding or telescoping stock.
(B) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.
(7) A semiautomatic shotgun that does not have a fixed magazine.
(8) Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

Penal Code 17180
As used in this part, “short-barreled shotgun” means any of the following:
(a) A firearm that is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell and has a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(b) A firearm that has an overall length of less than 26 inches and that is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
(c) Any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(d) Any device that may be readily restored to fire a fixed shotgun shell which, when so restored, is a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive.
(e) Any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended to convert a device into a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, or any combination of parts from which a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, can be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

[Capybara]

As a 1301 Tactical owner, save yourself the headache, pistol grip shotguns are sub-par compared to regular stocks, they noticeably increase wrist pain and fatigue, especially when fired with heavy loads, especially on a tactical course where you will shoot lots of rounds quickly over long periods of time. Not sure who thought they were a better idea, IMHO, they aren't. The don't make you more accurate, make you shoot faster, and if you are carrying on a sling and doing other physical things, the PG is a snag hazard, it seems like one of those things that was mainly done for cosmetics because it "looks cool".

[ErnstHatAngst]

And I like the PG on my M4 stock because I found it easier to hold and control the shotgun during slug selects and reload drills. I know of someone else who preferred them because he felt it carried over easier from his experience with AR's.

To each their own...

I'm still happy and capable with standard stock, and might still prefer it based on the locations of controls (590A1).

I've heard, but have not personally verfied, that the Magpul stock is kind of the best of both worlds.