Legality Question on my "self Loading" rifle.

[jdberger]

Good job, Stormy. Way to welcome a new Calgunner.

Some folks are new to forums. Give them a break. Some ate new to guns. Give them a break.

Numbers make us stronger. We won't get many new folks if there's a high barrier to entry.

[Cokebottle]

looks g2g. your main concern is keeping the rifle the correct OAL, 30" or 26"? can never remember.

OAL 30" for semiautomatic centerfire. This is California AW and is separate from the "features" law that is avoided with the fixed magazine.
26" applies to rimfire and all other rifles, 16" minimum barrel applies to all rifles. These are both NFA issues.

And 30" OAL is not a problem. My wife's AR has a 14.5" barrel with a Smith Vortex flash hider pinned and welded.
With the buttstock removed, the OAL is just under 31".
Any AR with a standard commercial or Mil-Spec buffer tube and a legal barrel will be at least 30".