Is my SA-85M Legal in CA.?

[doctor_evil]

I purchased a KBI Hungarian SA-85M in 1994 from Turners Sporting Goods. From what I understand this gun is basically a post ban sporterized AK-47.
What is the legal status of my gun?
1) Does the state consider this gun an SKS?
2) If I change the stock to a ugly thing without a pistol grip or thumbhole will I still have to register it?
3) What are the penalties for not registering the gun in the year 2000?
4) Are there any penalties for using hi-cap mags or drums after the year 2000?
Thanks.
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I didn't go to 8 years of evil medical school to be called mister!

[This message has been edited by doctor_evil (edited 10-27-1999).]

[Albert]

If Turner's sold it to you in 1994, then it was not covered by the original California Assault Weapon Ban and did not have to be registered. However, under the new California law, it will have to be registered after the new year. According to the California Dept. of Justice, the registration forms will be out at the start of the new year and you'll have one year to register it. At least you bought one while you still could.

[LAgunman2K-3]

NO-its not apart of the SKS buyback--only detachable mags for sks are banned, the chinese ones with detach ak mags specificly
your gun is kalif legal but MUST be registered in the year 2000 if you want to keep it

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and on the 8th day GOD made the AK-47 and saw that this was good

[Albert]

Your gun is not an SKS and the gun buy-back program only applies to a limited number of SKS with detachable magazines in any event--those "sporters" allowed into california for sale when they shouldn't have been. As for your rifle, the new law requires it to be registered whether it has a thumbhole stock or a pistol grip and buttstock. Be aware that to change your rifle from a thumhole stock to a pistol grip does not violate California law, but would violate federal law unless you reduce the number of foreign parts on the gun to 10 or less. If you don't register the gun or take it out of state, you face criminal prosecution if you get caught with it. It's difficult to tell if mere possession is a misdemeanor or a felony, but it is certain that the gun will be confiscated and you will have to deal with the criminal justice sytem. In addition, you may never be able to own a gun again if you plead guilty or are convicted. I plan to register mine and move them out of state if they ever start confiscating them. good luck.

[Gun Plumber]

I'm doing the same thing as Albert. I will register all of mine so I can bring them to the range and enjoy them without having to worry. If they ever come for them I will either move them out of state or who knows, they could get stolen (wink!)

[gopher29]

If you register them they will take them away from you !!!


gopher
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sometimes we must come full-circle to find the truth

[Gun Plumber]

If you don't register them and try to shoot them at the range or anywhere else they will be taken away FOR SURE! I don't know about you but I enjoy going to the range. Every gun I have bought is registered and I still own them? What do you think the paper work and instant check is for when you buy a gun? I'm sure I'm already listed as a "evil california gun owner" anyway!

[This message has been edited by Gun Plumber (edited 10-27-1999).]

[The Beez]

If you take an unregistered ugly-gun to a range after 1/1/01, how is anyone going to know it's unregistered? Will we be required to bring registration papers along everywhere we take our ugly-guns?

--The Beez

[Jakexx]

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[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 12-10-1999).]

[Jakexx]

x

[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 11-15-1999).]

[Jakexx]

x

[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 11-15-1999).]

[gopher29]

If you register them they will confiscate them. Otherwise, why would they spend all those tax dollars to start another beaurocratic office for gun registration and enforcement? They aren't going to all that trouble to register every firearm in the state simply because they're taking a census...

gopher
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sometimes we must come full-circle to find the truth

[LAgunman2K-3]

hey doctor evil, what did you pay for that SA-85 from turners?

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and on the 8th day GOD made the AK-47 and saw that this was good

[REDHORSE]

Sorry guys, newbie to this BBS... I tried the search function at the General forum.

This crap about having 10 US made parts in order to install a pistol grip stock is NEWS to me. I need to find out if my SA-85 is breaking any State or Federal firearms laws. Putting the thumbhole stock back on for now, until I find out.

I guess I'm buying a US made 10 parts kit at the next Gun show or look for one online. Someone know where I can get a high quality AK (US made) parts kit??

Anyone have an official link to the Federal 10 parts law (or whatever this falls under)??

I too have a SA-85 (purchased Feb '93 $499), and I replaced the thumbhole stock with a pistol grip version. The guy at the gunshow said (at the time of the stock kit purchase) that it would be legal to put on my rifle as long as I didn't put a flash supressor (thread the barrel etc..) or replace the front site with one that still had a bayonet lug on it (mine has no lug). I've seen him at the Gun show circuits for years and he specializes on AK & HK (used to sell UZI stuff also) , so I figure he knew what he was talking about. He sold complete rifles (Hungarian & Yugo stuff) with the pistol grip stock kits installed (also the US made parts), but he said that my gun was still good as long as I didn't make the above mods to the flash supressor or bayonet lug.

I'm going to talk to him at the next show. Find out what his story is now... Thanks.

[This message has been edited by REDHORSE (edited 11-19-1999).]

[NetJunkie]

He's wrong. You need a full US parts kit to put on a pistol grip. I hear all kinds of stuff at shows. "Sure it's legal as long as the pistol grip/stock are made in America!" blah blah.

Get a good parts kit. I recommend Soupbowl Enterprises kits.

[REDHORSE]

The other sad thing was that it was a Russion stock kit (But it sure looks awesome!). High quality wood, good staining + color, grain is perfect (picked the best of the litter). The rifle is a beauty with the red bakelite magazine in it.

I spent nearly $200 for it: butt stock, top & bottom forend (nice palm swell), bakelite pistol grip, + hardware. Had to do a little fitting to make it fit the SA-85. Fits it like a glove, nice and tight. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

I wanted a new top quality AK-type firearm and thats why I got the Hungarian + the Russian stock kit.

I'm not even sure if the US made parts is going to help me on this one.

[This message has been edited by REDHORSE (edited 11-20-1999).]