Yugo SKS for California

[TimRB]

I have applied for my C&R, and have been drooling over the various dealer websites....

Interordnance seems to think that a Yugo SKS can be sent to the PRC if they perform a mod that removes (I guess) the grenade launcher. My read of the California law is that an SKS *without* detachable magazine is legal here even with a grenade launcher, since the fixed magazine holds no more than ten rounds. On the other hand, AIM surplus will not send a C&R rifle to PRC unless it's over 50 years old. I think the Yugo SKSs were built in the 60s and 70s, so it wouldn't qualify.

Anyone know what the deal is for California?

Tim

 

[El Rojo]

It is the grenade launcher. I believe outside of the SB23 (Assault weapons ban) there is a ban on grenade launchers. You have to get the non-grenade launcher version. I do not believe it has anything to do with the age of the weapon.

 

[Destructo6]

Here's the relevant page on CA DOJ's website:

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/zastava.htm

 

[DougB]

The grenade launcher is the issue. I believe it is the size of the grenade that caused the issue - I heard from a DOJ employee that the Yugo SKSs probably would never have been an issue here, except an importer touted the grenade launcher in its marketing literature and specified the size of the grenade (38mm or something). Aparantely that size is too large, and this caught someone's attention. The DOJ employee said that if the importer hadn't specifically mentioned this, it is unlikely that anyone at the DOJ would have given a second thought to the muzzle device (its not like we can get the live grenades) and we'd be able to buy these just like in other states.

I've seen the Yugos modified by removing the grenade launcher and treads (leaving the barrel in its original length. This works fine, but the bayonet doesn't lock open as tightly (because the barrel is a little thinner where it normally locks in place). I have one that has a muzzle brake installed in place of the grenade launcher. This looks and works nicely (preserves more or less the original look and the bayonet locks in place fine), and there is some recoil reduction (though it's not really necessary). Also, at least one company slides a steel tube over the grenade launcher and welds it in place. This also looks okay, but I don't think its quite as nice as the muzzle break. But, I believe you can get rifles in excellent condition with the sleeve. The muzzle brakes were done by Century, and they only did them on good and very good rifles (I got one of the latter). I suppose you could just cut the barrel and grenade launcher off, though I don't think I've seen any like this (it might effect functioning if there isn't enough barrel past the gas port).

Doug

 

[railroader]

Here's how I understand it. All C&R rifles must 50 years old to be shipped to someone with a C&R license in cali regardless of whatever the federal law says. C&R rifles less than 50 years old are supposed to be shipped to a regular FFL. Yugo sks's aren't 50 years old. Yugo sks's can't have the functioning grenade launcher and be shipped to california. This is why they have been shipping them in with tack welded muzzle breaks, sleeves welded over the grenade launcher or the grenade launcher cut off and the barrel recrowned. Technically altered yugo's are no longer C&R rifles. Aim's yugo's aren't converted so they won't ship to california. I have an interordnance yugo and one from century. The I/O one has the sleeve and the century has the muzzle break. I think interordnance will ship to california anyway(with a C&R) but they are out of yugos right now and they are in hot water with the BATF right now over some so called machine gun sales. I heard on another forum I/O said they would be getting more in april. I would pass on them right now untill they get this mess straightened out. Mark

 

[Destructo6]

I believe it is the size of the grenade that caused the issue - I heard from a DOJ employee that the Yugo SKSs probably would never have been an issue here, except an importer touted the grenade launcher in its marketing literature and specified the size of the grenade

The diameter is NATO standard 22mm, but all grenade launching attachments are prohibited in CA, including the type attached to a Garand.

 

[DougB]

Destructo6,

You are probably correct - I can't speak from first hand knowledge on this, since I haven't researched it at all, but I was in a meeting with some California DOJ folks, and when the question came up about the Yugo SKSs, one of the DOJ people said that if the marketing literature hadn't mentioned the size of the grenade launcher, it probably would't have been a problem (buy maybe he was misinformed - or I misunderstood his response).

Doug

 

[The_Antibubba]

Yugo SKS in the PRK

Saw these at a local gun shop. The grenade launcher is the issue. According to California law, they have really bad Karma. Also, by substituting a lookalike muzzle brake, the Feng Shui of the entire unit is better balanced, as long as the original wood stocks are left intact.

Like, you know?


The Antibubba

 

[BamBam-31]

Also, the 50 year thing is not set in stone. The Yugo SKS is classified as a C&R no matter when it was made. Goes by characteristics. Same applies for my Fazakerly No. 4 Mk. II--made in 1955, but California DOJ still considers it a C&R by virtue of its characteristics. Gotta read the list closely.

Where the Yugo SKS runs afoul of the DOJ is with it's grenade launcher, a destructive device. Definitely a no-no, despite the fact that actual grenades can't be bought anywhere. Maybe you can impale a potato on it and launch that instead.

I have a California-legal SKS. It came w/o the launcher or brake. I installed a Smith Enterprises brake myself. Very soft shooter.

 

[TimRB]

First, THANKS! to all who took the time to reply. Looks like an Albanian SKS is in my future.

On a related note, I just found this on the California Attorney General's site:
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AB 2080 (Stats. 2002, ch. 909) (Steinberg)

Pending availability of funding, requires the DOJ to develop a system that identifies persons who, in addition to California licensed firearms dealers, are federally licensed/authorized to receive firearm shipments in California. Effective January 1, 2005, any person who ships a firearm to a person in California must utilize the DOJ system to verify that the individual receiving the firearm(s) is expressly identified by the DOJ as a person who is authorized to receive firearm shipments. The person making the inquiry will be provided with a unique verification number that he/she must provide to the person receiving shipment of the firearm(s), who in turn must keep a record of the information and make it available to inspection by the DOJ. In the event the intended recipient is not authorized to receive firearm shipments, the DOJ system would notify the person making the inquiry of that fact (PC §§ 12071-12072).
--------------------------------------------------

Looks like 2004 will be a busy C&R year for me (and probably many other Calfornia subjects as well).

One more question, if I may:

As a C&R FFL holder I am allowed to go to another state and buy a C&R firearm in person. My question is what records are kept in the seller's state? (Probably it depends on the state...) I suppose the seller must at least record the sale in his bound book. Anything else?

Tim

 

[El Rojo]

Technically, yes you can go to another state a buy a rifle. However, that doesn't always happen. I tried to buy a K-31 over at a Nevada Big 5 and ran into a problem. The store clerk found on the Big 5 form where a C&R holder was exempt from the normal process. However, I was from the PRK so he had to call Carson. He called Carson and the woman up there had her head up her butt. She said they couldn't sell to anyone in the PRK, period! I tried to explain to the clerk to explain to her that I have a FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE (C&R, but still a FEDERAL license), but she again, had her head up her butt. So my friend legally bought the K-31 and then using my C&R license, I bought it from him. I paid way too much for that K-31 compared to what they are going for now, but oh well. It is a great shooter. If you don't have a K-31 yet, you need to get one. They should be able to make it to your door for just about $100-$110. Most accurate surplus gun I have.