Off List or Not Off List? (a grey area?)

[loose_electron]

Sorry if this question has been asked before.

I am looking to purchase a Sig P226R in 9mm, which has
many variants on the approved list.

However - More specific, I am looking at buying the Elite variant,
because its got nice grips, but is otherwise pretty much the same
as all the others on the list.

I should be able to tell the broker to keep the
15 round magazine, and I can get a CA compliant magazine locally.
Which should keep that aspect of this legal.

Specifics - P226R 9mm, Sig Model E26R9BSE

Any thoughts if this is official on/off the CA list?

[Bill Carson]

There is no grey area on the roster list. It is either approved or not. You might want to contact Sig or the FFL that you would have the gun transferred to. My G21 that was not approved simply because it had an ambidextrious magazine release was accidently sold to me by Turner's. A couple of month's later I got a letter from the DOJ and they wanted me to trade out the gun for the approved version.

[jtmkinsd]

I don't see why not. This is listed:

P226R (Blued) / Stainless Steel, Alloy Pistol 4.4" 9mm 7/17/2011
P226R (Stainless) / Stainless Steel Pistol 4.4" 9mm 3/11/2011

Elite fits all the criteria

[jtmkinsd]

There is no grey area on the roster list. It is either approved or not. You might want to contact Sig or the FFL that you would have the gun transferred to. My G21 that was not approved simply because it had an ambidextrious magazine release was accidently sold to me by Turner's. A couple of month's later I got a letter from the DOJ and they wanted me to trade out the gun for the approved version.

Turner's must have dropped a dime on you...lol How else would DOJ even know your gun was not on the list? As when it's DROSed, the type of gun is selected from the drop down list (approved handguns).

[Bill Carson]

Yeah they actually had to drop a dime on themselves too. I was given the option of trading it out or keeping but was told I would not be able to sell it.

[loose_electron]

Hmm... You seem my confusion - the P226R listings seem to make it OK,
because the ones on the list are there, but the actual variation is not explicitly listed.

Variation in this case is wood grips and not much else.

Talking with my local FFL is where I am going next.

[jtmkinsd]

Hmm... You seem my confusion - the P226R listings seem to make it OK,
because the ones on the list are there, but the actual variation is not explicitly listed.

Variation in this case is wood grips and not much else.

Talking with my local FFL is where I am going next.

look at the model number: P226R

This is what matters. The model number on the box will say "P226R 9 Elite"

P226R is the model, 9 is the caliber, Elite is the "sub model".

There's nothing saying we have to find everything on the box in the list. As an example, there is nothing on the list regarding "Nitron" finishes...I DROS them day in and day out.

[halifax]

Even SIG knows this model was never submitted and approved:

CA Compliant No
MA Compliant No

[loose_electron]

Not CA compliant because of the 15 round magazine or something else?
If you dont take delivery of the magazine is it then OK?

Thus the "grey area" - so I got an inquiry in with my FFL, and will go from there.

[jtmkinsd]

Apparently it comes with either 10 or 15 round mags...and a "friendly" FFL may do it for you, but you may have problems even finding someone to ship it into CA. You could send it to someone like Valkyrie Arms in Milpitas, who will convert it to single shot...then DROS as single shot exempt. You can convert it back once you own it.

[loose_electron]

According to the FFL - It should be ok, as long as the high capacity magazine is not part of the deal.

There are so many P226 variants on the CA approved list and it seems a little silly to re qualify the firearm just because they change the color of something.

Dealer seems to be willing to send, FFL seems to be willing to receive and generate DROS.
All good!
Thanks all for the feedback - this one seemed a bit of a grey zone, so I wasn't expecting a black and white answer.

[yzErnie]

None of the Elite series are approved for California. There are many variables to the P226s which are not on the Cali approved model list...a different frame (beavertail) and SRT trigger group are just the major items the Elite that the approved models do not have. The Elite line is off-list, period.

[loose_electron]

Ernie - You do a huge amount of firearms trading here in CA so I totally respect your opinion here.

My local FFL says he can bring the P226 in and generate a DROS - but I don't want to spend the $$$ and then get a call from the DOJ or the AG office (or whoever) saying I got to get rid of the handgun.

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

None of the Elite series are approved for California. There are many variables to the P226s which are not on the Cali approved model list...a different frame (beavertail) and SRT trigger group are just the major items the Elite that the approved models do not have. The Elite line is off-list, period.

[kemasa]

The Elite is NOT approved. I have quite a bit of experience with Sigs and it is quite clear that it is not on the list. The firearms listed, P226 stainless, is a different firearm. I have talked to Sig about this issue, the Sig website confirms this and the CA DOJ will confirm it.

As was said, there is no shades of gray with the list.

[loose_electron]

Hmmm... OK, well I believe the wisest thing to do here is move on to something that is approved and explicitly on the list.

I suspect that I will be going to one of the other P226 9mm variants that is on the list and getting aftermarket grips for it.