Magazines: all the answers you need UPDATED April 2019

[Librarian]

Fixed the wiki - now says

Yes - BUT you cannot bring them back to California. It is no longer (2014 and forward) legal to import large-capacity magazines as disassembled parts kits.

Thanks for pointing it out; apologies for not fixing it earlier.

[inbox485]

This is insane.... every LEO or gun shop you ask has 100% different answers. How can a state uphold laws that they dont even know or understand. how are we supposed to follow the rules when everything is in the gray? isnt legal but its not illegal so that means its legal right???? F- that SH!!!!!T,

so does anyone think they know anything about magazine in california and if you can use them or not without getting peppersprayed and tazed?

Really not that complicated. Read post 1. Read it a couple times if you need to. Use your best judgement, and keep your mouth shut if approached by law enforcement about it. Fact is even actual clear cut violations are 99% unenforceable unless you open your mouth and say something stupid (which is usually anything at all). So if you stay legal to your best understanding, don't volunteer for a finger fornication of everything you own, and don't open your mouth to explain to officer friendly when/how/what you acquired, you'll be fine.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[coleschmidt]

What would be the legality of ordering normal capacity magazines from an online seller, having them shipped directly to an out-of-state location to be blocked, then shipping/bringing them back to Kalifornia? Would this be legal? And if so, does anyone know of a shop or business that would provide a service like this?

[Librarian]

What would be the legality of ordering normal capacity magazines from an online seller, having them shipped directly to an out-of-state location to be blocked, then shipping/bringing them back to Kalifornia?

Would this be legal?

And if so, does anyone know of a shop or business that would provide a service like this?

Is it legal to import 10-round magazines? Yes.

[SNBI]

So here is my question; and you will have to forgive what is perhaps my ignorance (I am new to all of this), but I, having read all of the posts in this thread up until this point, including the first post and the wiki, have not seen asked or answered the following question:

Assuming that sometime at least 3 years ago (given the 3 year statute of limitations), perhaps 5 years or maybe 10 years ago but after 2000 (which would make them legal so long as they were possessed in California at the time), an individual imported, manufactured, received, purchased, etc., either intentionally or unintentionally, a "large-capacity magazine", and given that-

It is perfectly legal - no restrictions at all in the Penal Code - to own and possess and use those "large-capacity magazines" in any gun*(see footnote), at any time, under any circumstances where it is legal to use a gun. Ownership, possession and use of "large-capacity magazines" are not crimes in PC; there is no section under which you could be charged.

Wouldn't all such magazines be now, for all intents and purposes, legal or at least unprosecutable? And by extension any magazine that lacks identifiable date specific markings as to manufacture, assuming you weren't caught red handed in some sort of sting operation (or a magazine belonging to a gun that is itself not at least three years old), be fine as well?

Or perhaps I'm completely misunderstanding how this works..?

Please don't misconsrue this question to be encouraging or condoning the breaking of the law in any way, but take it for what it is, an attempt to more perfectly understand a grievously imperfect law.

[eMerG636]

Can you Still sell, trade, give individual parts for example just base plates?

[cantdance]

Quick question, but first a scenario. I have a Glock 20 that I bought in '93 came with 2 15 rnd mags. I know I can legally own them and use them to this day. I even purchased 5 more mags, albeit at black market prices, after 1994 but before 2000.

I'm considering buying a Glock 29. It will accept G20 mags. Would it be legal to use the 15 round mags in it if I so chose? I don't see any practical reason for it, just curious.

[36Ford]

I'm considering buying a Glock 29. It will accept G20 mags. Would it be legal to use the 15 round mags in it if I so chose?

There is no PC that I'm aware of that would prohibit this. The mags themselves are regulated not the guns you use them in (assuming it doesn't have a BB). Matter of fact Glock mags are only stamped with caliber and capacity not model number, and we're originally designed to be interchangeable with different models anyways.

I don't see how this would be any different then using grandfathered AR mags in a featureless different brand or non AR rifle Sig, IMI, etc...

[calimstng66]

Is it legal to have just the covers of a 30 round magazine sent to california with the springs and such removed?

[Librarian]

Is it legal to have just the covers of a 30 round magazine sent to california with the springs and such removed?

Covers?

Bodies, perhaps?

We don't know what is the minimum to satisfy the definition of an illegal 'conversion kit'.

[inbox485]

Covers?

Bodies, perhaps?

We don't know what is the minimum to satisfy the definition of an illegal 'conversion kit'.

Parts that are the same for 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, etc. should be fine. Parts specific to >10 I agree are a grey area. I personally would bring in complete 10/30s or nothing and even then, discretion and silence.

[Citadelonline]

Is it legal to have just the covers of a 30 round magazine sent to california with the springs and such removed?

If by covers we mean + 10 magazine bodys, then this should help:

Section 32311.

"(b) For purposes of this section, a "large capacity magazine conversion kit" is a device or combination of parts of a fully functioning large-capacity magazine, including, but not limited to, the body spring, follower, and floor plate or end plate, capable of converting an ammunition feeding device into a large-capacity magazine."

Although poorly stated, a +10 magazine body is "capable of converting an ammunition feeding device into a large-capacity magazine." Importing one could be easily defined by the DOJ/AG/DA as manufacturing a large capacity magazine where none previously existed prior to January 1, 2000. See section 32310 - the original large capacity mag ban law:

"(b) For purposes of this section, "manufacturing" includes both fabricating a magazine and assembling a magazine from a combination of parts, including, but not limited to, the body, spring, follower, and floor plate or end plate, to be a fully functioning large-capacity magazine."

There is plenty of room for interpretation in both Sections 32310 and 32311 for the state to make a case.
Importing an unblocked "large capacity" magazine body could open up a legal can of worms.

[calimstng66]

Thanks for the info I appreciate it

[inbox485]

True, that's why when I go to a public range, I use 10s. Save my high caps for the desert, even if legal. For some funny reason, no one blinks at my USGI M1 Carbine with a 15 rounder... They must look like they go together.

People are accustomed enough to limited mags that even the fuddy duddies don't whine about them anymore. But there is always that tool counting your shots to see if it is really just 10...

[Darryl Licht]

Is it legal to have just the covers of a 30 round magazine sent to california with the springs and such removed?

Why bother when you can still legally purchase a 10/30 mag here and online?

FYI- a 10/30 is a 30 round magazine that has been limited to only holding 10 rounds!