4506 California Approved Confusion

Hello All: This might make more sense to those who have dealt with California's "Roster". I recently bought a 4506-1 and had it shipped to California only to find I couldn't register it because it was not the correct gun listed in our "Roster of Approved Handguns".
Before purchasing it I looked at its features and was "sure" it was the SKU/Product code #108163 approved in the roster, even though the Roster says 4506, no -1. That was a dumb move on my part. In the Standard Catalog , the approved SKU # is shown as also applying to 4506-1s made from 1992 to 1994 (IIRC).
The characteristics of the approved SKU sound like a late -1 gun. I contacted S&W and gave the the serial number of the gun I bought and the said the SKU was different, and one not even listed in The Standard Catalog. Now I'm really confused.
Is there a 4506, no -1 that has the 108163 features, that is, 3rd trigger guard, fixed sights, etc., or is there some error in the Roster or the Catalog? Has anyone brought one into California recently?
Thanks

I'm no expert on these matters, but it is my understanding that the California roster is extremely unforgiving of deviations. If the roster says 4506 and you have a 4506-1, the DROS will be subesquently denied. For perspective, the standard 5906 is not approved but the 5906TSW is, so despite being fundamentally the same firearm only LE can purchase a legacy 5906. Unless a weapon is specifically named as approved on the Cali roster, don't bet on taking it home.

Hopefully some CA members can chime in with solutions to your predicament.

Yes, I have heard that too. I am wondering if I brought in a gun with no box and no easy way to determine the SKU, could it be registered?
Has anyone had to prove the SKU to their FFL or the DOJ to get approval?

Hello ezb.
Yes I brought a 4506-1 into CA in November. Although the roster lists a 4506 as having sku # 108163, that sku is actually assigned to the 4506-1. I was able to bring in my 4506-1 because the original blue S&W box listed the sku as 108163. The mistake is with the roster. You must prove that the gun in question is sku # 108163. If you have the original box (with the gun's serial #) you should not have a problem. If there is no box, you can probably get a letter from S&W verifying the sku # based on the serial #.
Best of luck.
Richard

I had a 4506, no dash, very late production, 1997. I bought it locally, so I don't know the sku, but it was identical to my 4506-1 exept for the laser markings instead of rollmarks. Check again with S&W.
Richard

Wow, very interesting. Thanks

This is the CA penal code that applies to the DOJ roster:

Penal Code 32015 (was 12131.)
(a) On and after January 1, 2001, the Department of Justice shall compile, publish, and thereafter maintain a roster listing all of the pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person that have been tested by a certified testing laboratory, have been determined not to be unsafe handguns, and may be sold in this state pursuant to this part. The roster shall list, for each firearm, the manufacturer, model number, and model name. (underscore added)

Note that SKU number is not included in the criteria the roster shall list.

So that makes me wonder.... is the SKU really legit criteria for making the determination of which S&W handgun is "on the roster", as far as the letter of the law is concerned?

It is not used on the roster listing for other manufacturers, such as Glock or Ruger.

I also do not remember seeing SKU numbers on previous years roster listings for S&W, and over the last few years, I've made many S&W handgun purchases from out of state FFL's and had the handgun shipped to a CA FFL and transferred to me based solely on the model number being listed on the roster.

When I bought my 4506-1 in 2007, it had to be done via a local private party sale/transfer because only the 4506 no dash was on the roster, an SKU was not included.

Also... another important thing to note regarding the CA roster. There are exemptions to the roster requirements for C&R handguns and the Olympic pistols listed in Penal Code 12132(h)(2) needing to be on it. The Olympic pistol list includes the M-41.

Why the M-41 is also included on the current handgun roster doesn't make any sense, as it is specifically excluded (by model number from that requirement in the Penal Code cited.

Non exempted off roster handgun purchases are limited to LEO's only when the purchase is made from an FFL dealer's inventory (handguns on consignment at an LGS are a different matter, they are considered still owned by a private individual ). Non exempted off roster handguns can be only be obtained by non LEO's through a purchase from a private party and having it transfered to them via a PPT (Private Party Transfer) transaction at an FFL dealer.


CA handgun laws are such fun to interpret and understand.... even for the CA DOJ.

Geez, bureaucrats making up stuff that makes not one wit of difference, it's a sickness I think. Sorry to hear you have to go through that non sense. I like the 4506, it a very well made piece.

ezb. I feel your pain. You might be able to find an ffl willing to list it as a 4506 (oops, forgot the dash).
The best of luck to you. Let me know how you make out.

Richard

This link to an older post on Calguns might help.
The DOJ roster and the S&W 4506-1 - Calguns.net

Again, good luck.
Richard

That Calguns thread was interesting but inconclusive.
My FFL has some contacts at DOJ and was willing to call them.
Maybe I'll ask them to do so.

The California "SAFE" gun roster is a hoax. It is designed and intended to interfere with honest gun owners and put as many expensive impediments into the handgun trade as possible. It is possible for police depaartments and police officers to buy "unsafe" guns (guns not on the roster) for official use.

True, but what are your options?

I really think the phone call to the DOJ is the best option, and should end the confusion, at least with regards to the 4506-1.

Good luck, everyone should have a 4506.
Richard

Well, it aint gonna happen, not with my FFL anyway. They called and were told no, the -1 isnt allowed.
So its up for sale if anyone is looking for a nice one.

I am very sorry. Smith just paid the fine and extended the on list period 1 more year to 02/08/14. The last version of the 4506 was not marked -1,
and I think this is why it is not listed. Keep looking for a no dash 4506. You will be glad you did.

Richard

Why don't you advertise it as to trade for a 4506?

ezb57 - I feel for you California guys. Weapons grade stupidity seems to reign there.

You might want to contact member CALREB. He may know some LAPD officers who are looking for a 4506-1. A clean 4506-1 was bringing close to and in some cases upwards of $1000 out there several months back.

If you have any connections at the LAPD Academy you might post it for sale there. Perhaps make a quick sale and turn a profit out of this unfortunate predicament. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

I see it was sold on the Guns For Sale Forum here on this site.