Hi, DevLcl..
I'm looking here at the MagLok kit from sportingconversions.com and IIRC the kit allows you to 'fix' or remove a magazine with an allen wrench. In Kali, the actual law on the matter states that for a magazine to be considered 'fixed' it must require a tool for removal.
You are apparently talking about some sort of AR lower. Using such a kit indeed allows a fixed mag to be legally considered not a detachable magazine in CA as per DOJ regulatory definition (Calif Code of Regulation, section 978.20).
You might wanna go further and use a lockwasher (maybe it's included) and a touch of green ThreadLok for "just in case". (This is the light stuff, and minor applied heat can cause it to loosen.) You just don't want that screw to loosen during firing where it can spin loose and be thumbed off by hand.
Now, going further, it depends on what kind of lower you have as to whether this is even important. I couldn't tell from your post so for the sake of completeness I'll discussion the 'variations on a theme':
If your lower/gun is ALREADY a legal, pre-2000 registered assault weapon, you really don't need to affix a nondetachable magazine. Since such a lower is more than likely a specifically-named Category II assault weapon on the Kasler list, affixing this or removing this would not affect its assault weapon status. (If such a named lower were not a registered assault weapon in your name, it would still be banned at the bare lower level even if you had no features attached - and it is thus illegal for you to possess!)
[However, if registered as an AW but your lower is one of the very, very few pre-2000 brands/model combinations that did NOT appear in the Kasler list (thus making it a Category III AW), then affixing a nondetachable magazine would indeed allow this Category III rifle to be treated like a normal rifle for the duration that evil features combo not present. This is relatively unlikely however if your lower is a common model from one of the common manufacturers.]
Now, if you have just recently acquired one of the "off-list"/"non-Kasler" lowers that are all the rage in CA for a very short time right now, then the situation is different and your question is very important:
So my question is this: With this kit, do I have to 'fix' a single magazine and keep it that way (break open and load from top ) or can I use the tool and switch magazines?
If you have one of these off-list lowers it is VERY IMPORTANT to NEVER remove or change such fixed magazines WHILE a pistol grip, and/or a telescoping, folding or collapsing stock, and/or an upper w/flash hider are attached. Otherwise you've illegally created a 'by features' Category III assault weapon.
These off-list lowers can ONLY legally exist as either (1) a bare stripped lower, or (2) having a fixed nondetachable mag FIRST before any other evil features attached.
This way the CA definition of assault weapon is not violated: "a semiautomatic rifle with detachable magazine and [list of evil features]".
Thus ALWAYS have a fixed nondetachable mag affixed BEFORE adding pistol grip or other evil features; and always REMOVE all evil features (pistol grip, etc.) BEFORE servicing/removing/changing fixed nondetachable magazine.
If such off-list lowers are declared as AWs (as we think fairly soon) and you receive your reg papers back, the detachable mag issue is moot and you can do as you please.
Note that the fixed nondetachable magazine MUST be 10 rounds or less otherwise you have created an illegal assault weapon by one of its other definitions ("a semiautomatic rifle with a fixed magazine holding more than 10 rounds").
Please check my AR/AK FAQ at the top of Calguns.NET tool bar (in red text) for more info on this and related subjects. There is much activity/discussion on Calguns about this, by the way.
Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA
) or can I use the tool and switch magazines?