Hello everyone, great forum you have here.  First of all I want to purchase an AK-47, this will be my first firearm.  I think it played a huge part in history and it is an excellent weapon.  I have been doing a lot of reading and searching on this forum and others and I gathered a few things, but I still have a lot of questions.

I want to buy an AK-47 for around $300 – so I take it that means I am pretty much forced to go with the Romanian model (correct me if I am wrong).  I am willing to build one, but I have no idea what parts to get or where to get them all. I just want to get the best product I can get for the money.

I found this one online:

www.impactguns.com/store/RI1166-N.html

But it is out of stock, and I doubt they will get more in. If I find something like this should I buy it? Is there anywhere in the LA area that sells AK’s?

Now for the legality issues: I am 20 years old and living in California, do I have anything to worry about? Another thing I was wondering about is if you can change the AK’s stock to a folding stock. If so, could you just remove the stock completely and still have it registered as a long gun? (I am under 21 so I am not allowed to own any hand guns)

If you guys could point me in the right places, I have no problem spending the money or the time.

Thanks a lot guys, any input/suggestions/links would be great!

Tony

First off, welcome to the site <--------for those who are over 21

California banned AK's and AR's and many other "evil" rifles (the Kiessler decision notwithstanding.. for more info about the Kiessler decision go to the California hometown forum on this website)

$300 would probably limit someone to a Romanian AK

Many here will suggest that you get something other than a semiautomatic [somewhat]-high power rifle as a first firearm.

AK's with folding stocks are considered long guns. You cannot just remove the stock of a rifle without running afoul of laws concerning overall length. I think that the minimum overall length requirement is 26" with the stock extended.

It is so difficult to change a fixed stock AK over to a folding stock that it is rarely done.

Don't know what CA considers an "AK"...what about a Saiga? (basically an AK action but with a normal riflestock...detachable mag but not hi capacity).

I would have to agree though, that for a first firearm I'd stick to a bolt action or pump action rifle. I like surplus Mausers myself.  

AK's with folding stocks are considered long guns.

...except if you live in MI, and then they considered to be a handgun (along with any other shotgun or rifle with a folding stock, measuring under 30" with the stock [bold]folded[/bold]).  Kinda stinks...but on the up side, if you had your CCW

--Otter

Yeah...my only suggestion is to move. NOW! RUN!

If you pick up a current copy of shotgun news, most ads for guns will say something like,

CA OK!  which means they can ship to CA and that the gun is Kali legal.  Do your window shopping thru SGN, find something you like that is Kali legit,, find a FFL to handle the ordering and paperwork, you should be good to go.

Good luck!


I can't stand folks that say how bad Kali is, you guys got a lot of other cool stuff out there.  

I smell a bit o jealousy.

Hey I am a bit jealous, I live in PA!   and I am freezing my nads off!  

Well this is a huge disappointment.  I just purchased an Armscorp AK-22 (don’t laugh – it was only $180) to hold me over. Does anyone own one of these and could give me suggestion on how to update it or extend the magazine?

It’s been great hearing all the input from you guys, it’s just a shame I cannot get an real AK-47.

Thanks a lot for your help,
Tony

Magazines that hold more than like 10 rounds are illegal in CA, so don't go trying to make it hold more ammo.

Welcome!

check local laws!

Quoted: You live in CA, no AK for you! You may be able to find one of the Romy pump action abominations that would be CA legal, but why? Edited to add: It is a silly state law you have, here in GA you can pretty much any thing you want, think about that next time somebody in your area cracks wise about us hillbilly rednecks. The state of Georgia believes its citizens are capable of owning simple arms, The state of California thinks you would be a hazard to yourself and others based simply on the appearance of the weapon you might want.

Here in the People's Republic of Oregon you can pretty much own anything you want to.

Just a minute there good buddy!

If you live in California, having an AK is a big no-no. You will not pass go, you will not collect $200. You will go to JAIL.

If you move out of state, try to find a Romanian AK that was made during the ban in good used condition. it wont have the slant break or bayo lug, but it will only cost you about $250 in a private sale. Dont even think about it in Cali though. If you live in California, and want to buy a gun...move.

Your best bet is to not buy guns, save your money, and move the hell out of Kalifornistan.

I think it’s childish and stupid that everyone suggest moving out of CA at the first hint of gun issue.  They need as much gun support people voting there as possible… I think people should know that the anti-gun states are something of a breeding ground for federal anti-gun regulation.  If you let CA run wild with anti-gun regulations… sooner or later, it’ll be in your state or worst, become a federal matter.  Help them support pro-gun rights in CA… don’t tell them to move out

So you can’t have a AK/AR, or a AWB… that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the shooting sport.  If all you care about is ‘black’ rifles, than yeah… CA sucks.  But I personally have more enjoyment shooting my M1 or Garand at the range than shooting my AR.  Yeah, having a black rifle has cool factors… but it’s just another tool.  And gathering from the conditions I’ve seen ARs at the range, they look more like safe-queens than anything else.  

There are still plenty of military type rifles to be had in CA that are legal… SKS, mini-14, M1A, fixed magazine semi’s.  Work with what you have and enjoy the sport of shooting… not collecting safe-queen.


~nb

EDIT: please be careful while buying from SGN... some dealers don't know the laws of other states nor do all FFL is knowledgeable in their own state law.  When you get busted, pleading ‘dumb’ is not an excuse for breaking a law.  If in doubt… call CA DOJ or ask in your hometown forum.

While this is out of your stated price range you might want to keep it in mind for the future.  A few companies make a fixed 10 round magazine AR-15.  Here is one by Bushmaster:

www.bushmaster.com/shopping/Carbon15/azc-c15rm4ft.asp

A good alternative for the restrictive CA market.

Amusing replies in this thread.  It actually is possible to own AKs in California but there are rules to abide by.  

First, the AK must not be listed by make AND model on this list:
ag.ca.gov/firearms/infobuls/kaslist.pdf

Second, find a FFL willing to complete the transaction

Third, the AK should be field stripped with the barreled receiver (just to be safe-- the AK can just be sent without pistol grip, flash hider) sent to the FFL and rest of parts sent to you directly

Last, you have to build up the rifle to be CA-compliant (this is the stupid part).  You can either take off the grip, flash hider, and fix the stock to have a removable magazine or you can fix a 10-rd magazine and have the PG, FH, etc.

Quoted: I cannot get an real AK-47. Tony

Don't feel bad neither can we.

Don't forget the 10 day waiting period I think they have.
CA sucks - not just for gun laws.
Taxes are high, etc, etc.
All that socialist stuff goes hand in hand.

Learn to use the term "Semiautomatic AK47 variant".  In reality what you likely want is a "semiautomatic AKM variant". If it has a stamped steel receiver, and is in 7.62x39 it is an AKM or AKMS variant. AK47s had milled receivers.

None of us can buy an AK47 or AKM legally unless we want to fill out a form 4, spend $10,000 and wait 6 months.

Move out of Kaliforniastan into a free state, and you too can buy a semiautomatic AK47 or AKM variant if you are not a felon.

Quoted: Don't forget the 10 day waiting period I think they have. CA sucks - not just for gun laws. Taxes are high, etc, etc. All that socialist stuff goes hand in hand.

Oregon is a fairly "socialist" state yet we have no sales tax (although we have income tax and high property taxes) and can own any gun that folks in any red state can have.  

Parts of CA are great to visit (I hate SoCal though) but living there is a different story.  I lived on the central coast of CA until I was 20.  It used to be a great place to live until the late 1980's.

Also, it was former Republican Governor George Deukmejian that signed into law California's crazy assualt rifle ban.