Corporation prototyping a firearm in California

[jimh]

Hello,

If a corporation were to design and build a (semi-auto/non-NFA) firearm in Ca solely for prototyping what permits/licenses are needed to be obtained first?

Can anyone recommend a good attorney to handle the manufacturing permits/licenses?

Thanks!

[HowardW56]

What part of cal?

[ASD1]

you will need a 07 FFL (manufacture)

[zhyla]

you will need a 07 FFL (manufacture)

Are you sure? He didn't say it was manufacturing for sale, just that a corporation would be doing it. If Joe Schmoe wants to make a prototype gun that's legally possessable he doesn't need an 07. Why is a corporation different? Or is it because (we're assuming) the corporation intends to make a business from the resulting prototype?

[glock_this]

Do it on a 3D printer.

[subscriber]

Are you sure? He didn't say it was manufacturing for sale, just that a corporation would be doing it. If Joe Schmoe wants to make a prototype gun that's legally possessable he doesn't need an 07. Why is a corporation different? Or is it because (we're assuming) the corporation intends to make a business from the resulting prototype?

A company would be in the business of developing firearms, with the intent to sell - why else would they invest in such development? In the process of prototyping, the company would be manufacturing multiple functional test models that could arguably be sold at some point.

Then there is the matter of SB-374. If that becomes law, manufacturing "assault weapons" in the state without permission and declared intent to sell only to govt would be a huge problem.

[3.1Kfps]

"Then there is the matter of SB-374. If that becomes law, manufacturing "assault weapons" in the state without permission and declared intent to sell only to govt would be a huge problem."

Perhaps someone is getting smart and designing a tube fed semi-auto center-fire rifle that skirts the PRK's definition of "assault rifle". Think lever rifle without the lever... A true "People's Carbine" :-P

[ASD1]

My thoughts are a corporation is different from a "person". A person can build any gun they want for personal use. But with that said must be carful not to build a "zip gun" or a gun that violates Fed or state law IE a SBR, SBS Full auto and so on. A Corporation is a Business their for it would not be for "personal use".

[G21Shooter]

you will need a 07 FFL (manufacture)

This, no question.

[subscriber]

Perhaps someone is getting smart and designing a tube fed semi-auto center-fire rifle that skirts the PRK's definition of "assault rifle". Think lever rifle without the lever.

That is a very good point.

Speaking of points, straight tubular mags have the bullet tip of one round rest on the primer of the round in front of it. The most common solution to prevent the rounds in the mag from setting each other off during recoil is to use flat nosed bullets. Why else do you think there are lever guns with box magazines? It is to allow the use of spire point ammo with a better ballistic coefficient.

Spiral tube mags have also been used that have the bullet tip rest on the case head next to the primer to prevent contact - this may be the way to go; if a tubular mag is a must.

If you are thinking that a .223 does not recoil hard enough to ignite rounds in the mag (an open question); it is not just heavy recoil that can set off rounds this way - dropping the rifle on its butt or muzzle will also do it.

[NorCalAthlete]

That is a very good point.

Speaking of points, straight tubular mags have the bullet tip of one round rest on the primer of the round in front of it. The most common solution to prevent the rounds in the mag from setting each other off during recoil is to use flat nosed bullets. Why else do you think there are lever guns with box magazines? It is to allow the use of spire point ammo with a better ballistic coefficient.

Spiral tube mags have also been used that have the bullet tip rest on the case head next to the primer to prevent contact - this may be the way to go; if a tubular mag is a must.

If you are thinking that a .223 does not recoil hard enough to ignite rounds in the mag (an open question); it is not just heavy recoil that can set off rounds this way - dropping the rifle on its butt or muzzle will also do it.

What about an (admittedly bulkier/wider) AR platform with an FN PS-90 style feeding system? Maybe instead of loading @ 90 degree angle load at 45 degree to minimize width of mag? Seems to me you could still manage 30 rounds fairly easily, let alone 10 round mags.

edit - yes I realize that's no longer really a tube mag. But the thought's crossed my mind and now I'm wondering if it would be feasible.

[Spyguy]

As soon as someone develops a tube-fed semi-auto center-fire firearm, the statists in Sacramento will write a bill to declare it an "assault weapon" and ban it.

[schneiderguy]

That is a very good point.

Speaking of points, straight tubular mags have the bullet tip of one round rest on the primer of the round in front of it. The most common solution to prevent the rounds in the mag from setting each other off during recoil is to use flat nosed bullets. Why else do you think there are lever guns with box magazines? It is to allow the use of spire point ammo with a better ballistic coefficient.

Spiral tube mags have also been used that have the bullet tip rest on the case head next to the primer to prevent contact - this may be the way to go; if a tubular mag is a must.

If you are thinking that a .223 does not recoil hard enough to ignite rounds in the mag (an open question); it is not just heavy recoil that can set off rounds this way - dropping the rifle on its butt or muzzle will also do it.

Hornady solved the problem already, with their Flex Tip bullet that allows for a pointy bullet in a tube mag.

[UberPatriot]

My thoughts are a corporation is different from a "person". A person can build any gun they want for personal use. But with that said must be carful not to build a "zip gun" or a gun that violates Fed or state law IE a SBR, SBS Full auto and so on. A Corporation is a Business their for it would not be for "personal use".

"Corporations are people my friend" Mitt Romney

[subscriber]

Hornady solved the problem already, with their Flex Tip bullet that allows for a pointy bullet in a tube mag.

I am aware of that. If you are thinking strictly hunting rifles and hunting calibers, then projectile choices are larger than for semi-autos in 5.56 x 45 and 7.62 x 39. If the latter, you may wait a while to see vendors replacing the hard pointy bullets already loaded into the stock of more affordable FMJ ammo that many people prefer to use.