Legality of SKS copy with detachable magazine???

[J.D.Allen]

Someone posted a while back in the center fire rifle forum that since most SKS clones don't actually say SKS anywhere on them, they are not considered named on the banned list (which says SKS with detachable magazine) and therefore would fall under the same requirements as an OLL AR or AK.

I examined a couple of Russian models though and didn't see "SKS" stamped or engraved anywhere on them either. Does anyone know for sure if for example a Yugo 59/66 with detachable mag would be considered banned by make and model?

[Kauf]

I have a Russian and noticed it doesn't say SKS on there either. I'd love to hear an answer to this

[CitaDeL]

Or perhaps an SKS 'pattern' rifle, were there any market for such a thing...

[bwiese]

Practical guide: most SKSes are likely gonna be SKSes... Russian and Chinese.

Formal names/models used in Fed law/importation could be helpful (or not)

There could be useful defenses in lack of labelling but I prefer more affirmative status to clearly stay on safe side of Harrott.


A gun like a Yugo M59 or M59/66 is indeed not an SKS, as even the CA DOJ BOF says it's a Zastava Arms M59... carbine.

I believe the Albanian SKS had a model number/mfgr of some kind that would pull it out of true "SKS" categorization too, but don't count on that.
[This may also apply to the E. German and N. Korean ones as well but those are hardly if ever found in USA.]

For now I would safely assume ONLY the Yugo M59/66 is NOT an SKS and not 'game' others based on missing marks.


Remember aside from all CA law, 922(r) still applies.

[phrogg111]

The ban on "rifle grenade launchers" and the bulletin that lists the banned versions of the SKS list a "Zastava SKS", and not a Yugoslavian SKS. Nowhere is Zastava actually printed on my SKS that I could find, either, but after looking at some really old papers I got with the rifle, that was, in fact, the factory that it came from.

Realistically, the model is still SKS, but that's an acronym for the russian words for it... I wouldn't risk putting a detachable magazine on your SKS, especially if it's Russian.

Now, if you machined your receiver yourself, you'd be fine. I don't think you've done that, though.

[automatikdonn]

SKS rifles with a detachable mag must comply with the same laws that an AR rifles must... it shoots a centerfire round, so if it has a detachable mag, then it cannot have any other evil features...PERIOD, the law applies to centerfire rifle without discrimination as to the flavor of such rifle.

[Mesa Tactical]

SKS rifles with a detachable mag must comply with the same laws that an AR rifles must... it shoots a centerfire round, so if it has a detachable mag, then it cannot have any other evil features...PERIOD, the law applies to centerfire rifle without discrimination as to the flavor of such rifle.

Except for this crucial part of the Penal Code:

12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
(a) All of the following specified rifles:
. . .
(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

SKS doesn't even need any evil features to be an assault weapon, just a detachable magazine (in contrast to, say, a Mini-14).

Problem with the handwaving about what is and isn't an SKS is that there is little doubt your Yugo SKS was advertised by Turner's as an SKS and it says "SKS" on the 4473 and sales invoice. So if a prosecutor wanted to prove your Yugo is indeed an SKS, he would have plenty of documentation at his disposal to make his case.

[taperxz]

Except for this crucial part of the Penal Code:

12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
(a) All of the following specified rifles:
. . .
(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

SKS doesn't even need any evil features to be an assault weapon, just a detachable magazine (in contrast to, say, a Mini-14).

Problem with the handwaving about what is and isn't an SKS is that there is little doubt your Yugo SKS was advertised by Turner's as an SKS and it says "SKS" on the 4473 and sales invoice. So if a prosecutor wanted to prove your Yugo is indeed an SKS, he would have plenty of documentation at his disposal to make his case.

So FFLs are now misrepresenting what the firearm is?

[Mesa Tactical]

So FFLs are now misrepresenting what the firearm is?

Look at your paperwork.

[taperxz]

I don't own a Yugo, but DOJ certainly identifies the Yugo as a zestava.

[J.D.Allen]

A gun like a Yugo M59 or M59/66 is indeed not an SKS, as even the CA DOJ BOF says it's a Zastava Arms M59... carbine.


For now I would safely assume ONLY the Yugo M59/66 is NOT an SKS and not 'game' others based on missing marks.

Thanks Bill, this is enough for me.

[Johnnyfres]

Except for this crucial part of the Penal Code:

12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
(a) All of the following specified rifles:
. . .
(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

SKS doesn't even need any evil features to be an assault weapon, just a detachable magazine (in contrast to, say, a Mini-14).

THIS^^^^^^^^^

Any SKS with a detachable magazine is Illegal.

[J.D.Allen]

Problem with the handwaving about what is and isn't an SKS is that there is little doubt your Yugo SKS was advertised by Turner's as an SKS and it says "SKS" on the 4473 and sales invoice. So if a prosecutor wanted to prove your Yugo is indeed an SKS, he would have plenty of documentation at his disposal to make his case.

Except I didn't purchase this rifle at Turner's. I bought it at a consignment dealer in AZ that didn't advertise it at all. I have no idea what he put on the 4473 or invoice. I don't have copies of either one. As a resident of AZ I can do whatever I want to the damn thing. I just want to make sure that I can bring it to CA without having to put the fixed mag back on.

Besides I think that what the DOJ classifies it as would be controlling over a newspaper ad or inaccurate entry by the dealer on some forms...

[J.D.Allen]

This is disturbing though...

http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/zastava

I don't know if things have changed recently, but this memo says the 59/66 is a destructive device. It doesn't mention anything about the grenade launcher being removed, just says that the Zastava SKS carbine 59/66 is illegal.

Also, it seems every time the Yugo is mentioned it is referred to as the "Zastava SKS carbine". I can't find anything that states it is not an SKS. Anybody have any recent info to the contrary?

[dantodd]

This is disturbing though...

http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/zastava

I don't know if things have changed recently, but this memo says the 59/66 is a destructive device. It doesn't mention anything about the grenade launcher being removed, just says that the Zastava SKS carbine 59/66 is illegal.

Also, it seems every time the Yugo is mentioned it is referred to as the "Zastava SKS carbine". I can't find anything that states it is not an SKS. Anybody have any recent info to the contrary?

If you read the documentation that you linked to it is clear the reason the rifle shown is considered a DD is the grenade launcher. If that is removed/welded etc. you should be good to go. Sadly, in CA having a legal rifle can still get you arrested.