I'm communicating with a guy on a bushcraft forum who is looking for a .38 revolver to take on hiking and hunting trips. He was thinking of a Model 10. I suggested a Model 10 or Colt Official Police. He says neither revolver is on the California approved list so he can't bring one into the state.

First off, how on Earth are these two guns not on the approved list; and second, where do you California guys find your guns?

I assume he is not in California already.

He can bring in a gun from another state as the legal owner.

The list applies only to new retail sales.

Consignment guns sold in California do not have to be on the list.

Bruce

Smith & Wesson did not to pay for the handgun safety drop test.

Each model has to be approved even if it just has a different barrel length or material.

If the Model 10 or any other double action revolver or autoloading pistol was made in 1963 or earlier, it doesn't need to be on the approved list.

+1 to all the above

He can also use SSE, single shot exemption, if he lives here and is importing one he does not already own. It's easy on S&W's just remove the DA sear.

But it sounded like he will just be visiting, which I don't believe any of those rules apply to him, I don't know of any rule that prohibits a visitor from bringing a handgun provided, no evil threaded barrels or mags over 10. I don't think he can carry without a permit while hiking though, he'll need to check it. I *think* he's ok while hunting and he'll have to check with DFG.

I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear before. He is a resident of California and has hoped to get something from Gun Broker.

It costs thousands of dollars to have a gun tested and maintained on the list. It has nothing to do with safety, it's all about extorting money from gun companies. If a gun is not a currently manufactured model it will not be on the list as there is no financial incentive for someone to pay the cost.

Each model must be tested and listed. A gun made in 2" and 4" barrel lengths must have both models separately tested. It's a hideous situation.

Once a gun is C&R qualified it is exempt from the list requirement.

A CA resident is limited in his options. He cannot have an unlisted gun imported into the state and an FFL cannot sell him one. He can buy one from an individual and transfer through a CA FFL if he can find one.

Buying from Gunbroker is almost impossible for a CA buyer. There are very few CA FFLs willing to do transfers and the few who do charge several appendages for the service. Also, many Gunbroker sellers refuse to ship to CA buyers because they are afraid of breaking one of the millions upon millions of state gun laws or they think they are protesting the bad laws by refusing to sell there.

Realistically his best option is to buy a currently made gun that is listed from a local dealer or maybe get lucky and find one on consignment at a dealer.

CA makes it as difficult and expensive as possible to exercise one's 2A rights. Ask me why I left CA in 1992. NY is now worse.

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No life story has happy end.

This is Absolutely Correct, and pretty much covers it all.. Tell your friend to check on the Calguns website in the Classifieds for a Private Party Transfer deal on any revolver.. Be prepared for Sticker Shock..