If I remove the grenade launcher from a Yugo SKS, will it be legal in CA?

I've linked you the actual CA DoJ page below that addresses the SKS. To quote the DoJ:

"Based on the information in the factory brochure, this grenade launcher is a destructive device... Possession of such a device can be a felony."

So they would seem to indicate that it is the grenade launcher itself that is the DD, not the entire rifle. Although it is confusing because in the first line they state "Zastava SKS Carbines 59/66 are considered destructive devices in California", which implies that the entire rifle model (whether or not it has been modified) is a DD. I believe that their second line though is more what they wanted to say.

The actual definition of a DD is found in the California Penal Code 16460, which reads in part:

"Any rocket, rocket-propelled projectile, or similar device of a diameter greater than 0.60 inch, or any launching device therefor, and any rocket, rocket-propelled projectile, or similar device

containing any explosive or incendiary material or any other chemical substance, other than the propellant for that device, except those devices as are designed primarily for emergency or distress signaling purposes."

For this it's just a question of whether the grenade launcher is the "device" or whether the entire SKS is the "device". That confusion is reflected in the CA DoJ page as well.

There's also debate here about whether you must remove the grenade launcher sight as well. Some people feel that removing the grenade launcher is enough. Others feel that it's safest to eliminate the sights too.

Practically speaking, no matter the stance of the CA DoJ, there are quite a few modified SKSs coming in. The general process is to unpin the launcher and twist off the grenade launcher. These are then sold as "CA-Legal" SKSs.

But as the CA DoJ site says it best, "Please contact us if you anticipate purchasing this weapon."

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RE:

If I remove the grenade launcher from a Yugo SKS, will it be legal in CA?

I know I can call CA DOJ, but anyone have experience with this? Statutes and links would be appreciated.

If you need to buy the grenades for this weapon, do yourself a favor and FIRST comply with the applicable Federal, state, and local laws which govern possession of these things! You'd likely need the ballistite blanks for the launching. Good luck finding them.

Man these YUGOs must be something. Removing one part will not make it legal. What I don't get is how someone is selling 922r non compliant over the counter as operating weapons. When I see something it will say right on the ad "Not legal in CAL" BIG LETTERS

I got a FN HB and it had to come in parts because it wasn't 922r compliant. It shoots fine, not legal though.

There is another question on here and the guy list all the 922 stuff for YUGOs. In short I think you have to put on 10 parts or can't have more than 10 import parts. I'm done outta my league (see child with guns) it's just how can they sell non compliant guns as shooters?

Yugo 59/66s were imported as Curios and Relics (C&R) - if you make any modifications to a C&R gun you render it liable to the 922r regulations, and the gun is not compliant with those regs unless you also remove the bayonet, bayonet lug, and night sites.

That means 10 years in club fed if you get it wrong.

Put the hacksaw away.

Avoid yourself a big problem and get a flare launcher. It looks like a granade launcher but is 100% legal to own. Im going to get one that costs $300. I most likely will never fire it but it looks amazing. And again 100% legal.

The gun is CA approved for sale or it is not. There is no after the fact fiddle with this or that to make it legal.

I believe that you have to replace it and weld or pin it in place AND have it approved to be both CA legal and 922r legal.