Single Shot AK variant Build

[MagnumDweeb]

Hello, new member, long time gunny, long time hobbyist gunsmith and I guess you would say machinist (I've used my equipment and skills to refurbish various pieces of equipment and machines, as well as make some of my own).

I've been trying to get up to speed and understand the exception and exemptions for firearms in California. I'm keeping my handgun inquiries separate for the time being as this one question has been nagging me for quite some time.

I do my own AK builds, legally in Florida. I'm gearhead and something of a techno (I don't want to say anarchist because I'm not into the whole Cody Wilson thing, he kind of ticks me off with what he has done and how he went about) let's say techno-libertarian type (technology should insure liberty, not hamper it).

And I just love finding ways to break a piece of lawful protest in the government's side when I can. So I was looking at my drawings and CAD files from when I did my PSL 8mm build (surplus Mauser 8mm barrel, PSL parts kit, had to do my own trunions which was the biggest PITA) and at one point I found that a classic rifle stock could be made to work (essentially an overgrown Saiga rifle minus the scope). I opted for the stock the parts kit came with instead because I was so used to it with my Romanian PSL. And then I forgot about it.

Now I'm all reved up to find lawful solutions to California's various bans (antis call them loopholes). So I was wondering if Saiga rifles were legal in California. They don't have a pistol grip or any of the other no-no parts as I understand it. If they were then I'd work on creating California compliant stock conversions for AK rifles. I plan on becoming an FFL holder by the end of the year (buying a house, etc. etc. etc.).

I'm not really concerned if there is a market for such an item (though it'd be nice if there), I just want to know if it can be legally done and if anybody was aware of Saigas being allowed to be sold in California. As I understood it SKS were not allowed be to sold so I don't hold a lot of hope out.

Thanks ahead of time and sorry for any frustration I may cause.

[MagnumDweeb]

My bad, I got real excited about this last night and I'm jacked on AMP while writing an Appellate Brief (not due for a week so I have plenty of time to proof read it) and listening to Krillex so I left out something.

If it turns out I can't sell it then it'd be my intent to sell the rifle as a Single shot construction. Anyone who knows anything about stamped receivers knows turning a single shot rifle into a semi-auto rifle when dealing with an AK, can be managed with a few carbon files from Home Depot and an hour of your time. I would build the rifle with a "dummy magazine" being a solid block of printed plasitc or polymer (still working out how to print polymer objects and that may be an addition printer build and those take me at least three months at a time with trouble shooting and such) that was "permanently" adhered to the rifle that allowed for zero bullets to be added plus the one daintily place in the chamber.

I'm thinking a VZ 58 bastard hybrid for the upper portion would be the answer for ease of loading single shots into the rifle. And the Plastic dumby mag plus a well placed piece of aluminum just below the breach to prevent feeding of additional rounds would all for the aesethic appearance of a fully functional mag well. The mag well being setup for AK mags of course and not VZ 58 mags so if someone wanted to make fake AK mags for their rifles could just follow the AK mag pattern. I'm thinking the Yugo M70 style.

The issue I then face, well I question, is if someone were to take a file to the aluminum piece in the rifle, removing it, and then inserting a lawful ten round mag, would someone have then violated the law?

[RobGR]

Okay, trying to make sense of your question or questions, but it seems you are confused about the laws, which are indeed confusing for anyone addressing them for the first time from a free State.

Saigas imported in sporter configuration are legal in CA, just as they are legal to be imported in to the US. It's once you start converting sporterized Saigas that we have to deal with 922r, per the Feds, and also CA's evil features list, which is based on the configuration of the firearm. The following list defines an AW in CA:

California Penal Code Section 12276.1

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:

(1) a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:

(a) pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(b) thumbhole stock.
(c) folding or telescoping stock
(d) grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(e) flash suppressor.
(f) forward pistol grip.

SSEs apply to pistols, not rifles.

So, lets say you convert a Saiga with the necessary 922r compliant parts and have some of the "evil features" listed above. If you sell it to a CA resident, you would need to attach a bullet button, in this case an AK bullet button, to the firearm. It would be shipped to their FFL. The CA resident has to pay taxes, a DROS fee ($25-$35) and a transfer fee ($0-$100 depending on store). All this adds up substantially onto of the cost you are charging.

Lastly, if you are converting Saigas for resale, I hope you have your paperwork and your Federal license in order. Not something to **** around with.

[MagnumDweeb]

Thanks, that helps clear some things up I was looking at the SGUSA website I believe and I got the impression you couldn't have a pistol grip on semi-auto rifles anymore. I guess you can have a pistol grip if you have a bullet button on it as well. If not please clear that up for me, I really appreciate it.

I wouldn't do anything till I had all the necessary and legal licenses and such from the ATF with letters to confirm what I wanted to do from the ATF and California DOJ (any other necessary entity). Based on what I'm seeing it'd be interesting to build my own AKs here in the U.S. under a manufacturer's FFL. In all probability though I'd go with PSL style rifles since the mag capacity limits it down to ten rounds and the fewer rounds your limited to, the bigger the bullets might as well be. I'm already seeing this with .308 semi-auto rifles though so I might skip all the same as I'd only being doing it part. I guess I should really just focus on the handguns side of things.

Appreciate the info.

[coma13]

Thanks, that helps clear some things up I was looking at the SGUSA website I believe and I got the impression you couldn't have a pistol grip on semi-auto rifles anymore. I guess you can have a pistol grip if you have a bullet button on it as well. If not please clear that up for me, I really appreciate it.

I wouldn't do anything till I had all the necessary and legal licenses and such from the ATF with letters to confirm what I wanted to do from the ATF and California DOJ (any other necessary entity). Based on what I'm seeing it'd be interesting to build my own AKs here in the U.S. under a manufacturer's FFL. In all probability though I'd go with PSL style rifles since the mag capacity limits it down to ten rounds and the fewer rounds your limited to, the bigger the bullets might as well be. I'm already seeing this with .308 semi-auto rifles though so I might skip all the same as I'd only being doing it part. I guess I should really just focus on the handguns side of things.

Appreciate the info.

All your questions (as far as I understuand) are answered here: http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf