Moving to California what off roster would I regret not buying?

[shooterMcGavin]

Used police trade-ins Glock gen5
M&P’s you could sell those easily and make a little money on them

 

[tradersarmory]

So either buy:
1. Compmag and have whatever accessories you want minus vertical grip = magazine release can't be used
2. AR Maglock/Kingpin and have whatever accessories you want minus vertical grip = modified mag release where the kingpin opens receiver
3. Fingrip (B5 Fin Grip is a good one) OR Juggernaut Tactical grip + Strike Industries fixed stock stop + Muzzle brake/no muzzle device = Can have normal mag release

This is accurate, but it might just be easier to get a rifle once you're here to avoid any confusion about features or maglock devices, or especially avoid any confusion about Category 1 Assault Weapons banning specific models, like Colt AR-15 or Bushmaster XM-15. But, you will pay excise tax if you do that. otherwise follow this and be sure you're not building a scary assault weapon before you bring it in. or buy/build a rifle, transport it into CA with upper/lower separated, then take it to a shop and have them make it compliant once you get here.

as others have mentioned, I would definitely recommend getting a few AR pistol lower receivers, those are very useful and potentially valuable if you wanted to sell private party once you get here. Also, as others have mentioned, get the high-dollar off-roster stuff (2011's, CZ Shadow 2, Beretta M9A4 or competition models of the 92 semi-custom 1911's, etc) and bring it in to avoid paying excise tax and to avoid paying the PPT off-roster premiums for most in-demand stuff. just don't get any handguns with threaded barrels, as that would still be considered an assault weapon

 

[Calibreeze]

This is accurate, but it might just be easier to get a rifle once you're here to avoid any confusion about features or maglock devices, or especially avoid any confusion about Category 1 Assault Weapons banning specific models, like Colt AR-15 or Bushmaster XM-15. But, you will pay excise tax if you do that. otherwise follow this and be sure you're not building a scary assault weapon before you bring it in. or buy/build a rifle, transport it into CA with upper/lower separated, then take it to a shop and have them make it compliant once you get here.

as others have mentioned, I would definitely recommend getting a few AR pistol lower receivers, those are very useful and potentially valuable if you wanted to sell private party once you get here. Also, as others have mentioned, get the high-dollar off-roster stuff (2011's, CZ Shadow 2, Beretta M9A4 or competition models of the 92 semi-custom 1911's, etc) and bring it in to avoid paying excise tax and to avoid paying the PPT off-roster premiums for most in-demand stuff. just don't get any handguns with threaded barrels, as that would still be considered an assault weapon

I don't blame the kids. Moving to a different microclimate is really hard on the mind. It can literally make or break a family. I hope everything works out for you and the family..

I would definitely invest in off roster Sigs and HK's. You will never go wrong in stocking up on high quality firearms.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

I recommend buying up used guns that are off roster here. You can get much better deals out of CA on used guns that would be outrageously priced here in CA because of the roster. Think about used 1911s, Sigs, HKs, Colts, S&Ws, Walthers, Berettas, CZs, FNs, Glocks, Caniks, Tanfoglios... pretty much every brand. For example, bring as many 3rd-gen S&W semiautos as you can find. They are dirt cheap outside CA, like $300-$400. But are easily worth twice as much here like $700-$800.

 

[sjb323]

I recommend buying up used guns that are off roster here. You can get much better deals out of CA on used guns that would be outrageously priced here in CA because of the roster. Think about used 1911s, Sigs, HKs, Colts, S&Ws, Walthers, Berettas, CZs, FNs, Glocks, Caniks, Tanfoglios... pretty much every brand. For example, bring as many 3rd-gen S&W semiautos as you can find. They are dirt cheap outside CA, like $300-$400. But are easily worth twice as much here like $700-$800.

This... I've had/ have most of the pistols listed minus HK, Canik, and Tanfoglios. If I could only keep a couple, it would be my Walther PDP steel frame and one of the 2011s. That said, buy as many of the popular models as you can. If there are any that you don't like, you can sell them at the going California off-roster rate.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I would say HK vp9a1 and cc9s for polymer guns. If you like DA/SA I’d say legion 226/229s, esp that 226 x5 legion if you want something nice.

 

[cheapie408]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I just warned my wife that I'm about to drop up to 10k on firearms. She looked at me weird but didn't twitch so I think I'm good.

I guess this is one of those scenarios where buy first, think later. As long as I can break even should I change my mind on some of them in the future, I'd be ok.

I got 5k rounds of range ammo ready to go, probably need to double that qty now since I won't be able to ship to my door anymore.

 

[ar15robert]

since you may not be aboe to try them all i suggest buying as many as you can as you couldnt buy them in ca.Whatever you dont like you can always sell them off later

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Probably won't regret until you move here and then something new is released and it's too late.

 

[cheapie408]

Probably won't regret until you move here and then something new is released and it's too late.

I'm doing my best to not have too many regrets.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Then buy what you were planning on waiting for or putting off. Like some said, I would get one AR-15 semi auto pistol lower just because.

 

[cheapie408]

Then buy what you were planning on waiting for or putting off. Like some said, I would get one AR-15 semi auto pistol lower just because.

I don't own any AR and have zero experience with them. If anyone have a specific, I'd buy what yall recommend so there is no regrets! Everything in the used market here will not be CA compliance.

Searching through the used market, one example is a Dignity Defense DB4 that I can get for nearly 50% off retail. If I purchased that, what do I do to make it CA compliance?

Dignity Defense DB4 16″ 5.56 NATO AR15 - Dignity Defense

Dignity Defense DB4 16″ 5.56 NATO AR15 Designed & Manufactured in the USA Upper Receiver Features: Dignity Defense Billet Standard Charging Upper Machined from 7075 T6 aircraft grade billet aluminum Dignity Defense Slim Profile 15″ Hand Guard Dignity Defense M16/AR15 BCG 5.56 Billet Extractor...

dignitydefense.com

I'm also seeing things like ADM ADM4 Stripped Lower Receiver in the used market. Any restrictions on the type of lowers?

or do I just buy a CA compliance range ready from something like S&W.

 

[mattw665]

Stacatto’s……

You’ll hate it, so I will buy it from you.

 

[Khellen27]

Spend the money to get your ffl03+coe so you can ship ammo to your door. It's a huge break on cost.

 

[cheapie408]

Spend the money to get your ffl03+coe so you can ship ammo to your door. It's a huge break on cost.

I did have one when I was living there. Will likely do it again when I move back.

 

[44smit]

ARs with more features than a Tesla, and ammo by the pallet... a diesel generator, a gas stove and leaf blower, and a bag of plastic straws—just to watch California and HOA boards weep. I kid.. Godspeed!

 

[CZsguns]

If it were me, I would go CZ Shadow series and Dan Wessons for 1911's.

 

[tradersarmory]

I don't own any AR and have zero experience with them. If anyone have a specific, I'd buy what yall recommend so there is no regrets! Everything in the used market here will not be CA compliance.

Searching through the used market, one example is a Dignity Defense DB4 that I can get for nearly 50% off retail. If I purchased that, what do I do to make it CA compliance?

Dignity Defense DB4 16″ 5.56 NATO AR15 - Dignity Defense

Dignity Defense DB4 16″ 5.56 NATO AR15 Designed & Manufactured in the USA Upper Receiver Features: Dignity Defense Billet Standard Charging Upper Machined from 7075 T6 aircraft grade billet aluminum Dignity Defense Slim Profile 15″ Hand Guard Dignity Defense M16/AR15 BCG 5.56 Billet Extractor...

dignitydefense.com

I'm also seeing things like ADM ADM4 Stripped Lower Receiver in the used market. Any restrictions on the type of lowers?

or do I just buy a CA compliance range ready from something like S&W.

ADM is good stuff, very pricey but there are very few full ambi AR lowers on the market, and the others are just as, if not more, expensive (LMT, Radian). That could be a great option if you want to build a featureless rifle, because the featureless grips tend to make traditional AR controls very hard to use, so having ambi everything is very useful. if you want to go with a magazine lock, ambi usually gets in the way, especially with AR Maglock + Kingpin, unless you just throw in a comp mag and call it a day.

if you want to buy a high quality AR out of state, look at Daniel Defense (hugely popular, arguably a little over-priced), Geissele (my personal pick), LWRC (especially if you want piston), BCM (quality and slightly more affordable), Radian (full ambi, very expensive), or new production Colt models like the Enhanced Patrol Rifle (stay away from older Colts, those are assault weapons).

if you want more budget friendly, the S&W Sport 3's are good but are available as CA-compliant models here already. you can probably get away with a PSA upper/lower and make it compliant once you get here, but the chances are higher of getting a lemon. If you can find Aero Precision in a store somewhere, they're still decent quality, but IMO have dropped from what they once were, and don't have great customer service (and don't order anything from them online, you'll be waiting an eternity.)

There are no restrictions on lowers, other than the Category 1 AW's that are banned by make/model. If you want to get pistol lowers, stick to mil-spec, get them out of state and bring them in and you can build them without paying excise tax on all the parts, and you can potentially sell them for good money on PPT here. if you build a pistol here, it must be fixed mag, no featureless pistols. If you want to buy a lower to build into a rifle, you'd be paying minimal excise tax on a $100 lower here in CA and you could build it compliant from the ground up with no wasted money and no leftover parts.

Featureless means no pistol grips, no vertical foregrips, no flash hiders, no barrels shorter than 16", no grenade or flare launchers, and no collapsible, telescoping, or folding stocks. Fixed mag means while the firearm is operable, the magazine is not removable. if the firearm has been disassembled to the point it is inoperable, then the magazine can drop. featureless/fixed mag is honestly easier to see in person to feel the weird ergos with featureless and see how magazine locks work.

Just remember, if you are bringing firearms into the state, CA requires you to declare them to DOJ Bureau of Firearms, or sell them, within 60 days of you moving here.

 

[AaronV54]

Left CA several years ago but things didn't work out here for the kids so we're moving back.

I didn't have to deal with the roster in my state so I've been just buying things as I find fit. Before moving back, I wanted to make sure I use my freedom to buy all that I can and if anything it'll save me from the 20% tax in hearing about.

So if you were me, and moving to CA, what would you buy?

A ton of staccato’s then sell them for double the price

 

[GeeQ87]

"Separate upper and lower". Does this remind anyone else of the Seinfeld (?) episode where he & George draw a chalk line of the floor to define boundaries? Mighta been another show, mad cow and stuff.

Yea!! It was with Kramer though lollll