Transferring gun ownership

[tntmo 887]

Who can give me some info on getting a gun transferred into my name? The last gun that I got I picked up at a yard sale for $50 in Minnesota and no paperwork changed hands, that's how it works most of the time back there.

I'm picking up a 1911 Springfield from a guy at work and want to do it legally.....what do I need to do and what will it cost?

Thanks!!

[Badfish2 0]

You need to have the transfer done through someone with an FFL(Federal Firearms License). El Cajon gun exchange can do it, I think they charge between $30 and $50 for the transfer paperwork.

[dirt dame 559]

Having worked at a firearms store I can tell you the procedure.

You both have to go to the gun store together. DROS paperwork requires signatures of both seller and buyer.

Make sure you have current ID with current address. Seller needs to have license there, too.

You will need to provide proof of residency also. This would be something along the lines of a utility bill from within the last 90 days. Bring your military ID too.

I don't know how much the laws have changed lately, but it used to be that you could buy a handgun without a handgun safety card if you were active or retired military. I don't know if that is still true. Otherwise you will need to take the handgun safety card test and get your card before buying the gun.

[tntmo 887]

I'm not a California resident, wonder if that will be an issue? I can swing by the gun store in El Cajon and see what the story is. Thanks for the info so far.

[dirt dame 559]

I'm not a California resident, wonder if that will be an issue? I can swing by the gun store in El Cajon and see what the story is. Thanks for the info so far.

Bring a copy of your permanent orders.

[Zenosan 2]

Who can give me some info on getting a gun transferred into my name? The last gun that I got I picked up at a yard sale for $50 in Minnesota and no paperwork changed hands, that's how it works most of the time back there.

I'm picking up a 1911 Springfield from a guy at work and want to do it legally.....what do I need to do and what will it cost?

Thanks!!

Is it really a 1911? If the firearm is over 50 years old it will qualify as a Curio and Relic firearm. Anyone with a Federal C&R collector's licence can buy and sell collectable legal military weapons.

[dirt dame 559]

Is it really a 1911? If the firearm is over 50 years old it will qualify as a Curio and Relic firearm. Anyone with a Federal C&R collector's licence can buy and sell collectable legal military weapons.

1911 is really more of a popular type of gun based off of a really old model. Lots of manufacturers make 1911 models and most are .45 single action trigger automatics. They come in a few other sizes as well. There are guys out there that won't own anything other than 1911s and they have dozens of them. Some by Wilson, S&W, Para Ordinance and Springfield, to name a few. A very popular type of firearm....

[Bbg.will 0]

Is it really a 1911? If the firearm is over 50 years old it will qualify as a Curio and Relic firearm. Anyone with a Federal C&R collector's licence can buy and sell collectable legal military weapons.

1911 is really more of a popular type of gun based off of a really old model. Lots of manufacturers make 1911 models and most are .45 single action trigger automatics. They come in a few other sizes as well. There are guys out there that won't own anything other than 1911s and they have dozens of them. Some by Wilson, S&W, Para Ordinance and Springfield, to name a few. A very popular type of firearm....

I've got a kimber 1911. Its nice.

[Zenosan 2]

Is it really a 1911? If the firearm is over 50 years old it will qualify as a Curio and Relic firearm. Anyone with a Federal C&R collector's licence can buy and sell collectable legal military weapons.

1911 is really more of a popular type of gun based off of a really old model. Lots of manufacturers make 1911 models and most are .45 single action trigger automatics. They come in a few other sizes as well. There are guys out there that won't own anything other than 1911s and they have dozens of them. Some by Wilson, S&W, Para Ordinance and Springfield, to name a few. A very popular type of firearm....

I've got a kimber 1911. Its nice.

Lots of manufacturers made various Gov't models. The 1911 is called that because that is when it was first introduced. It isn't the model but the date of manufacture that determines C&R qualification. The 1911 and parts for it have been made by various mfgs up to modern times. During WWII many manufacturers got Govt contracts to produce all kinds of equipment. eg.. One of the most popular models of the the M1 carbine was made by Singer sewing machine co..

[Moto Toad 0]

The way you did it in Minn is the way gun ownership is conveyed in most states. However, you are now fortunate enough to reside in Ca, and we have the most onerous gun/ammo regulations to be found. One might argue that you'd be wise to simply avoid the paperwork; especially in light of the continuous on-slaught of new restrictive regulations that continues to be promulgated by our elected officials!

[tntmo 887]

The way you did it in Minn is the way gun ownership is conveyed in most states. However, you are now fortunate enough to reside in Ca, and we have the most onerous gun/ammo regulations to be found. One might argue that you'd be wise to simply avoid the paperwork; especially in light of the continuous on-slaught of new restrictive regulations that continues to be promulgated by our elected officials!

Don't want the gov't to know I have a gun, so keep it under wraps. I like your style!

[bikeslut 1]

two observations; one-man Don got excited when he heard it was a 1911... It reminded him of the old days

Two- I agree with toad... But I'm a ornery old constitution toting bastige

[Zenosan 2]

two observations; one-man Don got excited when he heard it was a 1911... It reminded him of the old days

Two- I agree with toad... But I'm a ornery old constitution toting bastige

No argument from me.

Stainless is nice but it is pretty hard to not admire the aesthetics and quality of the Bluing, workmanship and finish of a old Smith and Wesson.

The shabby is transient

Quality will endure the test of time.

I have a suggestion for you on the Helmet Thread Bob.

[tntmo 887]

I guess I'll do the "right thing" and get it registered, although I don't like the idea. Just seems like more government intrusion to my life. Where's my tinfoil hat??

On a side note, here is a bunch of informtion on the 1911 pistol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911

You can't argue with a design that's been around for 100 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I think Don has to agree with that.

[Zenosan 2]

I guess I'll do the "right thing" and get it registered, although I don't like the idea. Just seems like more government intrusion to my life. Where's my tinfoil hat??

On a side note, here is a bunch of informtion on the 1911 pistol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911

You can't argue with a design that's been around for 100 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I think Don has to agree with that.

Well...I was an Infantry Officer in the Army 40 years ago and I carried one issued to me. Had no problems with it. The Beretta replaced it shortly after I got out of the Army but it seemed like a worthy replacement. Pretty hard to argue with twice the number of rounds in it.

[RogerTOWM 0]

Well...I was an Infantry Officer in the Army 40 years ago and I carried one issued to me. Had no problems with it. The Beretta replaced it shortly after I got out of the Army but it seemed like a worthy replacement. Pretty hard to argue with twice the number of rounds in it.

Oh Don, you hit a sore spot with me on that. I don’t believe that the 9mm Beretta is a worthy replacement at all. What is the advantage it carrying twice the rounds if they don’t do the job? The Beretta is a robust 9mm. But it is very heavy for a 9 mm. The basic design of the Beretta goes back to the WWII era as well. If they wanted a modern high capacity pistol in 9mm there were much more modern pistols to choose from. Heck even the Glock with it’s polymer frame, striker instead of exposed hammer and no bunches of safety levers would have been a better chose.

The Beretta is such a great decision that all the special military units that use a pistol as a primary weapon have gone back to some version the 1911. That includes Delta Force. The reason for this is the caliber and not just the weapon. A 45 will stop the threat much better then the lighter smaller 9mm. The Army wanted to go with the 9mm because our NATO allies had standardized it as the pistol round. The 9mm ammo is lighter and smaller so you can buy ship and store more of it in the same space. It made it better for the supply officer but how about the private driving a fuel truck that has just been attacked?

Back at the beginning of the century (no not this one the last one) the army was using revolvers. They had replaced the big heavy Colt and Schoffeld 45 caliber pistols with Smith and Wesson 38 caliber revolvers. Pistols in 38 Smith & Wesson are not made any more. The bullet case is shorter then today’s 38 special. Think of it as the 380 (9mm short) of the 38 line.

The army was fighting the Moro in the Philippines (that era’s Muslim terrorist). The 38 Smith was not stopping the Moro fighters. They would ambush a patrol, get shot with the 38, and still come on to get close enough to stab the soldiers with their Bolos. This did not help troop morale any.

To make a long story short the army decided to go back to a heavier more powerful bullet like the 45. They also decided they wanted a modern high capacity auto loading pistol. This is where John Browning entered the picture with his automatic pistol of 1903, later modified in 1911, in caliber 45 ACP (automatic colt pistol). One of the best designed pistols ever invented.

I guess my biggest beef with the Army’s decision to replace the 1911 is the chose of caliber not the pistol itself. The 9mm ball ammo will punch a hole in a person and kill them. But it doesn’t have the energy and shock effect of a 45. Look at people who use pistols as their primary weapons, i.e. law enforcement officers. Just a few years ago San Diego Police officers had to carry 9mm pistols. You would routinely read about where they shot someone 15 times. They question was always asked why did they have to shoot the person some many times. The result of this is the person would eventually bleed out and die. The answer as to why the person was shot so many times is because they were still a threat. They kept coming even though they were shot. Sort of like the Moros one hundred years ago.

Deputy Sheriffs in San Diego carry a 40 caliber pistol and they also have to shoot bad guys once in a while. But you rarely hear of them emptying their pistols into a person. Why, is it because they are braver then police officers, or better shots, or trained different? Both are trained to the same standards and follow the same basic guidelines. The deputy sheriff, besides being better looking then the police officer, is armed with a larger caliber round that stops the bad guy. If a person is shot many times with a small caliber bullet they are most likely going to bleed out and die no matter what the doctors do. If that same dirt bag, I mean person, is shot just a couple times with a heavier bullet that stops them they have a much better chance of survival.

Back to topic. California law requires you to register the change of ownership of your pistol. As Mimi said you both need to go to a gun shop, fill out the paperwork, pay the filing fee and then wait two weeks for the background check. During which time the gun shop should be holding your pistol for you. Then if the stars are right you get to keep you pistol in California (for now at least).

[Zenosan 2]

I'm sure you have plenty of support Roger. The trade off was probably the problem of having to carry all your supplies including ammo yourself on foot in the jungle for days on end.

[Strega 0]

Well heck, I learned something new today. Sweet!!

[blind_in_1_ear 0]

TMYK...*cue shooting star*

[Joliet 0]

Here are a few examples of the different 1911 style pistols.

From left to right

Detonics .45 ACP (6 + 1 rounds)

Colt Gold Cup National Match .45 ACP (8 + 1 rounds) I installed a Clark match barrel.

Caspian Hi-Cap. Currently a .45 ACP with a Wil Schuemann designed Hybrid barrel. I built this gun and in the past is has been a 38 Super. Holds 13 + 1 rounds of 45 ACP, and 19 + 1 rounds when wearing it's 38 Super top end.

STI 38 Super race gun. Holds up to 24 rounds of 38 super that are loaded to exceed the muzzle energy of a factory 357 magnum. I did a lot of the work on this one myself also. It has been accurailed by Kreiger and currently sports a 3 port Hybrid barrel and a 3 chamber compensator along with a C-more optical sight. I also have a skeletonized lightweight top end for it for shooting the steel challenge.

[toddrh 0]

That pic is the sweetness.

We need to do a SDAR gun fun weekend sometime soon. I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning.

[RogerTOWM 0]

I'm sure you have plenty of support Roger. The trade off was probably the problem of having to carry all your supplies including ammo yourself on foot in the jungle for days on end.

Don in a prior life I was a Marine infantryman, so I understand what you are saying. But I would rather hump one bullet that will do the job then two that will not.

Now for Fakey:

Definition of “Hump” to march while carrying everything you own and need to live over long distances and long periods of time. With spare ammo for crew served weapons your pack usually weighs in excess of 90 pounds.

[RogerTOWM 0]

Well heck, I learned something new today. Sweet!! :lol2:

Roger what was it you learned today? That Deputy Sheriffs are better looking then city police officers? Heck everyone knows that!

[paulmbowers 236]

Now for Fakey:

Huh? How did I get dragged into this? I was still laughing a the "better looking" remark. Is it because I've photographed firearms? I was a body-armor photo specialist? Because I'm a Sallie?

[use Freddy's voice] What'd I do now? I carry a map! I'm smart! Not like everybody says![end Freddy's voice]

[tntmo 887]

I got the gun transfer started, thanks for all the pointers. Mimi gave some great advice, I brought my military orders with me which made life easy. Active duty doesn't have to take the handgun safety exam, although I'm sure it's common sense stuff and wouldn't be too difficult.

I went to Wholesale Guns in Santee, they were extremely helpful and it cost a total of $35 to do the paperwork. In ten days I will have my .45 and will be ready to take out some targets. Who wants to shoot??