Thread Handgun Barrel - gunsmithing FFL question

[CifaldiPrecision]

Can someone point me to the law regarding threaded handgun barrels?

Specifically what I am trying to figure out as a gunsmith the legality of them in ca. I am trying to determine if I can purchase a threaded 1911 barrel to permanently attach a comp for an open class build.

I believe the law was updated not to long ago and I am unaware how those updates changed things.

My understanding before was that possession was not an issue, having them installed in a functioning firearm was. If that is still the case it wont effect my work. However I believe that may have changed to possession was now an issue or similar.

Thanks in advance.

[RickD427]

No recent change to the law.

A threaded barrel on a semi-auto with a detachable magazine creates an "Assault Weapon." That's legal if the weapon is registered as an Assault Weapon, or if the possessor holds an Assault Weapon permit for the weapon. Otherwise its a felony.

No issue with a threaded barrel on a revolver.

No issue with the simple possession of a threaded barrel. But please be aware of People v Nguyen where the defendant was convicted of "Attempted Possession of an Assault Weapon" based on his having the component parts of an AW coupled with an intent to build an AW at a future point in time.

[FLDWRX]

Summary:
Threaded barrel not installed (by itself) = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a bolt-action pistol = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a lever-action pistol = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a pump-action pistol = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol with a fixed 10 round or less magazine = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol with detachable magazines = illegal [PC 12276.1(a)(4)(A)]
Threaded barrel installed on a single-shot pistol = legal
Threaded barrel installed on a revolver = legal

[ojisan]

It's in the AW laws.

A threaded barrel on a semi-auto handgun is not allowed unless a mag lock is also used.
Welding the comp to the barrel eliminates the mag lock requirement.

Since mag locks are in a gray area right now, it's best to weld the comp on and not worry about the mag lock.

Pistols (4) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following: (A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer. (B) A second handgrip. (C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel. (D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip. (5) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/awguide.pdf

[CifaldiPrecision]

It's in the AW laws.

A threaded barrel on a semi-auto handgun is not allowed unless a mag lock is also used.
Welding the comp to the barrel eliminates the mag lock requirement.

Since mag locks are in a gray area right now, it's best to weld the comp on and not worry about the mag lock.

Pistols (4) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following: (A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer. (B) A second handgrip. (C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel. (D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip. (5) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/awguide.pdf

So what I am getting by the above mentioned I can legally purchase threaded barrels, I could even thread a barrel if I so desire to then permanently affix a compensator and fit to a 1911 race gun. The barrel fitting is usually done first so the slide isnt even complete and cant be installed on a functional firearm so no worry there either.

Thank you for the info. This was very helpful.

[I Swan]

No recent change to the law.

A threaded barrel on a semi-auto with a detachable magazine creates an "Assault Weapon." That's legal if the weapon is registered as an Assault Weapon, or if the possessor holds an Assault Weapon permit for the weapon. Otherwise its a felony.

No issue with a threaded barrel on a revolver.

No issue with the simple possession of a threaded barrel. But please be aware of People v Nguyen where the defendant was convicted of "Attempted Possession of an Assault Weapon" based on his having the component parts of an AW coupled with an intent to build an AW at a future point in time.

And this is why in CA I own 0 threaded handgun barrels. Various mall ninjas here have attacked me for my position on this and have tried to justify why they own threaded semiauto handgun barrels and guns that will accept them.

Personally I don't feel that is a good idea. Just like how I will not own any sort of grenade launcher in CA. Some here seem to think it is OK if not attached to a semiauto rifle like those on a MAS 36/51 or even if a semiauto but C&R like a MAS 49/56. Playing with fire IMO.