[TheArchDuke]

As you know, we here in California can't be trusted with rifles that have more than one evil feature. I was wondering if a rifle stock with a thumb hole is considered a pistol grip. What about stocks like the one on the dragunov?

Thanks
mike

[XDKingslayer]

I'm not 100% positive and I'm sure if I'm not I'll be corrected, but I think thumbhole stocks are OK. That was part of the point with the MAC-90 AK version.

[AJAX22]

I'm fairly certain that the thumbhole is not ok in california, there was some controversy over sks's a while back that were imported with thumbhole stocks which were then declared to be not ok.

I would love it to be ok, I could then reconfigure a few of my guns.

but I believe it any portruding pistolgrip, including a thumbhole is disallowed. (in conjunction with a semi auto centerfire.


on closer inspection of CA DOJ gun laws anything that allows the stock to be gripped between the web of the hand (thumb and index finger) is considered a pistol grip, Thumbhole stocks are mentioned specificly.

http://fl1.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/gunlawsuits/cagunlaws/caassltlgcapmag.pdf

[Librarian]

Thumbhole stocks are NOT ok in CA for semi auto, center-fire, removable magazine rifles, unless the rifles are already registered CA 'assault weapons'.
Department of Justice Regulations for Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Magazines

Article 2. Definitions of Terms Used to Identify Assault Weapons

978.20 Definitions
The following definitions apply to terms used in the identification of assault weapons pursuant to Penal Code section 12276.1:
(a) “detachable magazine” means any ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from the firearm with neither disassembly of the firearm action nor use of a tool being required. A bullet or ammunition cartridge is considered a tool. Ammunition feeding device includes any belted or linked ammunition, but does not include clips, en bloc clips, or stripper clips that load cartridges into the magazine.
(b) “flash suppressor” means any device designed, intended, or that functions to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter’s field of vision.
(c) “forward pistol grip” means a grip that allows for a pistol style grasp forward of the trigger.
(d) "pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon” means a grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing.
(e) “thumbhole stock” means a stock with a hole that allows the thumb of the trigger hand to penetrate into or through the stock while firing.

[billwiese]

Librarian's post details the regulatory code describing what are pistol grips and thumbhole stocks.

A Dragunov stock would be legal on a fixed-mag rifle like SKS (assuming 922(r) matters are taken care of).

Really, it's a misnomer that CA allows 'one evil feature'. This is different than the now-expired Federal AWB. The detachable magazine is really not an evil feature, it's an initial necessary triggering condition: if present, NO evil features (pistol grip, flash hider, folding stock, etc.) can be affixed. If a fixed nondetachable mag is instead present, then a whole slough of evil features can be attached.

And in a perfect world, I'd wish non-Californians would not opine (read: offer wild-arsed guesses) about CA gun law threads and sluice out a bunch of bad info. The devil is in the minor details and these minor details can result in felony charges. I don't post in MA, MD, NYC threads since I don't know their laws.


Bill Wiese
San Jose