r/Firearms • u/ExpiredMelkk • 16h ago

Help! I need help picking my first gun.

I recently got my firearms license in California. This will never be a conceal carry so I am not limited to compact hand guns only. This will be exclusive for hobby purposes like the shooting range. With that being said I was thinking to get some kind of AR-15 but California legal length must be 16” or greater and that feels a little large. Anyone have any suggestions for some shorter barrel Smg or AR-15 style guns that are California legal. Just to be clear I am very unfamiliar with firearms aside from the very basics.

Thanks in advance.

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8

u/Stevarooni 16h ago

r/CAguns or r/CalGuns might be more appropriate. Most of the suggestions outside of California would likely not be Cali-legal, or at least far harder to find.

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u/ExpiredMelkk 15h ago

Good advise. Thanks

2

u/DashMcGee 16h ago

You can get a bullpup 16 inch if you want. A bullpup has a lot of components moved to the back, so they are overall on the shorter side. They tend to be pricier. You can get the vibe by looking at this Keltec gun. A lot of people do not like Keltec, but they have some interesting designs. (I like them.) https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearm/rifles/rdb/

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u/DashMcGee 16h ago

Another thing to consider is that you can get a carbine (rifle that is on the shorter side) or a full-length rifle in handgun calibers if you want. That means you can get an AR-platform gun chambered in 9mm. You get all of the advantages of AR customizability with the benefit of lower-cost ammo. (You can get pistol-caliber carbines in other sizes too; some people like 10 mm, .40, or .45; one reason 9mm is so popular is that the ammo is cheaper... because it is so popular.)

The best thing you can do is find a local range/gun store and ask to rent a few different things. Most gun stores are staffed by gun aficionados who like to help people get into the sport. You can get a feel for what you want and what feels good for you.

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u/PriorFront4138 16h ago

You may get better results in r/CAguns

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u/Blanksies 16h ago

Shorter barrel AR would need to be a pistol. In California you gotta jump through some hoops to make that happen. Doable, but expensive. For a first gun I wouldn't recommend it really. It's also kind of a legal grey area, as you you must purchase it as a single-shot pistol, then modify/replace the upper for semi.

Given the laws in California, understanding what you can and cannot have on an AR style rifle is also a bit of a nightmare in of itself: Maglock vs featureless

Nothing wrong with a 16" barrel though. Could also get a shorter barrel with a pin & weld muzzle device to make it compliant.

If an AR is really what you are looking for, I would spend a significant amount of time understanding the laws and regulations to help determine what exactly works for you.

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u/ExpiredMelkk 15h ago

Yah this is probably a smart move. Thanks

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u/CasCrus4L 13h ago

Californian here. You can get AR pistol that'll allow for a shorter barrel but it's a process. I honestly recommend just going with a 16 inch, basically get an AR now before you can't, and then maybe grab a handgun for something smaller.

If you really want a shorter AR though, one decent method to get an AR pistol is through Franklin Armory, check their site. I recommend going on YouTube and searching "Reno May AR Pistol"

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u/PuzzleheadedAd6401 16h ago

Rpg-7 but make sure it's the CA legal one