Out of State Purchase and Gunsmith Question

[Fishi]

Hey everyone, I have a purchasing/shipping question:

What is the process for purchasing a non-compliant semiautomatic rifle from an out of state shop and having it sent to a gunsmith to be modified before entering California?

I called an out of state shop that has a rifle I am trying to purchase and they also happen to be a gunsmith. I asked if I could pay their gunsmith to make the rifle CA compliant (either throw on a comp mag or change out the stock/remove the pistol grip) before shipping it to my FFL. They told me that I would have to receive the rifle first then send it back to them. I tried to explain that I have to have it modified before it enters CA.

I saw a post about an out of state individual here that has been helping out some members over the years with modifying their rifles before entering CA--I think I am trying to do something similar (if I am not understanding this correctly please let me know).

Thanks all!

[9Cal_OC]

Audiophil is your guy, although he may be busy.

He’s the middleman FFL that can help you with making it CA compliant.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Can try new frontier armory. They have CA compliant services. My goto ffl in Vegas https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/pr...arts-services/

[Fishi]

Thanks for the replies!

That's the guy I was thinking of.

So say you are going to use that ffl/gunsmith in Las Vegas--do you order your rifle as usual but just use their FFL certificate and then once they receive it and do whatever mods you have them ship to the FFL you DROS at?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. And eliminate a middle man if possible by ordering from a shop/gunsmith that has what I'm looking for.

[sfe187]

Contact the middleman to see what are the actual process, procedures and current time-frame are?

Good luck if you want to QB this endorsor yourself.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Thanks for the replies!

That's the guy I was thinking of.

So say you are going to use that ffl/gunsmith in Las Vegas--do you order your rifle as usual but just use their FFL certificate and then once they receive it and do whatever mods you have them ship to the FFL you DROS at?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. And eliminate a middle man if possible by ordering from a shop/gunsmith that has what I'm looking for.

Call New Frontier Armory, see if the can help you with your particular firearm to Californicate it. They have on-site gunsmith. If they can help, have your purchasing FFL send the firearm to NFA, they will do the work and send to your CA FFL of choice.
OR see if NFA can order your firearm, do the services at their shop and send it out.

Pricey, but if it's hard to get firearm, maybe worth it.

[SkyHawk]

Thanks for the replies!

That's the guy I was thinking of.

So say you are going to use that ffl/gunsmith in Las Vegas--do you order your rifle as usual but just use their FFL certificate and then once they receive it and do whatever mods you have them ship to the FFL you DROS at?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. And eliminate a middle man if possible by ordering from a shop/gunsmith that has what I'm looking for.

The rifle must be compliant before entering CA. So you must buy it from a source who will do that, or you must have it sent to a middle man. The middle man FFL will make mods then send the gun to your CA FFL.

It sounds like the seller you spoke with did not want their gunsmith doing any work that could be construed as 'manufacturing'. When gunsmiths do work on guns that have not been bought yet, they can be accused of manufacturing without a 07 FFL manufacturers license. It would not happen in this case (installing a Compmag) but ATF has sent enough confusing letters in the past so a lot of gunsmiths are scared off.

Find another seller or use a middle man.

[Fishi]

Got it.

So it seems that the shop/gunsmith is more concerned with the rifle not being accepted by my FFL even after "modifications" are made--and they don't want to get stuck with a modified rifle being returned (because it would be harder to sell). Even though it's a 2 min reversible modification--oh well.

I'll look into a middleman for this situation.

I appreciate the information!

[Quadzilla]

[Fishi]

Ehh, It's a Galil Ace Gen 2 that I'm trying to get.

Thanks for the suggestion

[beanz2]

Don’t forget EBR Works in Prescott, AZ

https://www.ebrwebstore.com/middleman-ffl-services/

Mike was my go-to guy when I was in CA. Prompt service and reasonable rates.

[ar15barrels]

So say you are going to use that ffl/gunsmith in Las Vegas--do you order your rifle as usual but just use their FFL certificate and then once they receive it and do whatever mods you have them ship to the FFL you DROS at?

That's correct.

[M1NM]

Audiophil is retiring so he may not be taking on new work. I'm sure in the long term some other FFL will take pity on CA and take on the vital roll he has played but that won't happen overnight.

[edgerly779]

Audiophil pulled the plug while still young enough to walk and chew gum without store bought teeth. Good for him he is a good guy.

[Tractionavant]

Check with Wilde built tactical in SoCal. They usually have them but are currently out of stock. Sparks black rifle in NV can probably help as well...