Yet Another Legality Question - Saiga Sporter AK's

[Eisengratz]

Hello everyone,

So I've been eyeballing a sporter Saiga in 5.45x39 for a while now, and finally managed to snag one of gunbroker for a decent price. I'd seen these, new, on shelves of various gunstores around CA, so I had assumed them to be legal to own (and the bevy of pics on here seemed to insinuate as such). However, upon contacting my local FFL dealer, he went into this massive hissy fit, yelling about how I'm trying to get him in trouble, what am I thinking, etc.

I've spoken with an out of area FFL, and he said he'd be willing to do it. But it makes me wonder if I'm missing something - the last thing I want to do is piss off the fuzz. Not sure who's in the right, here, I being under the impression that unconverted Saiga's were legal.

Any help is great, and if this is the wrong forum, I apologize.

[joe_gman]

A standard Siaga with regular stock and no "evil" features without a magazine lock is GTG in CA. Any "evil" features require a magazine lock to be CA compliant. The CG flowchart is a good go to feature regarding what is an AW and not an AW in CA. It sounds like your local FFL is just angry that you bought a rifle from someone other than them.

[Eisengratz]

A standard Siaga with regular stock and no "evil" features without a magazine lock is GTG in CA. Any "evil" features require a magazine lock to be CA compliant. The CG flowchart is a good go to feature regarding what is an AW and not an AW in CA. It sounds like your local FFL is just angry that you bought a rifle from someone other than them.

I mentioned that, and how it lacked any horrible child-endangering features, but he stated that Saiga's are explicitly stated on the AW ban list. Couldn't find it there, but figured I'd ask you folks.

[joe_gman]

They are not on the Robert-Roos AW list, nor do they meet the definition of an AW based on characteristics. The Kalishnikov USA hunter rifle was banned under the original list. The current example shows the Kalishnikov USA hunter rifle/saiga as a banned rifle. Unless the rifle you bought was from Kalishnikov USA and listed as the hunter rifle model, I fail to see how it is banned in California.

[Eisengratz]

Hrm. Makes logical sense to me, I'll throw it at him and see what he says. Thanks.

And if he says no, I'll just go to another FFL. He's a bit of a price gouger anyways.

[Eisengratz]

Whelp, spoke with the local FFL holder again, and mentioned having spoken to other FFL's (hell, Big 5 sells them). His response was that it wasn't the question of selling them here, but having them shipped into the state period. He then quoted a law that doesn't exist.

Summary: he doesn't know, and is covering for it by being an ***. His loss. In any case, appreciate the info, many thanks.

[sl0re10]

Hello everyone,

So I've been eyeballing a sporter Saiga in 5.45x39 for a while now, and finally managed to snag one of gunbroker for a decent price. I'd seen these, new, on shelves of various gunstores around CA, so I had assumed them to be legal to own (and the bevy of pics on here seemed to insinuate as such). However, upon contacting my local FFL dealer, he went into this massive hissy fit, yelling about how I'm trying to get him in trouble, what am I thinking, etc.

I've spoken with an out of area FFL, and he said he'd be willing to do it. But it makes me wonder if I'm missing something - the last thing I want to do is piss off the fuzz. Not sure who's in the right, here, I being under the impression that unconverted Saiga's were legal.

Any help is great, and if this is the wrong forum, I apologize.

Some FFLs are just brow beaten into being afraid to import scary black rifles... even if they're technically featureless / sporting riles.

I had to show a retail FFL a picture of my Vepr before he calmed down and agreed to receive it for me from out of state. He kept the picture also... to attach to my paperwork (had nonscary walnut furniture and a montecarlo stock.... otherwise he wouldn't have gone for it)....

[Eisengratz]

Some FFLs are just brow beaten into being afraid to import scary black rifles... even if they're technically featureless / sporting riles

Seems to be the trend, lately. Still, talked with a very pleasant guy at Santa Cruz Armory, who's going to do the transfer for much less. So good day overall.