The AR Rifle Platform
The AR-15 has been produced in many different versions, including numerous semi-automatic and select-fire variants. It is manufactured with extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials. AR does NOT stand for assault rifle. It is based on the AR-10, which stood for Armalite Rifle. In 1963 Colt introduced the AR-15, a civilian version of the M16 rifle. Due to its component-based approach, its accuracy, and its weight, it has become a popular civilian rifle for competition shooting, hunting, and home defense.
CA-Legal AR Rifle Requirements
It is 100% legal to own and use an AR-15 style rifle in California. There are several requirements in how the rifle is setup, and potentially even registered. In California, you will not see new AR Pistols (barrel shorter than 16.1” OAL and has a brace rather than a stock) for sale at dealers because they are not on the CA Handgun Roster. Stripped lowers are also registered as “Rifles” since even a stripped lower cannot be registered as a “Pistol” in California. Due to this legality you will most likely be deciding on a 16”-18” barrel upper, or something shorter that has a long enough muzzle device pinned and welded onto the barrel to meet the 16.1” OAL requirement. If you are searching for a 12.5” or shorter upper to put on your rifle receiver, you have essentially assembled an SBR (Short-barreled rifle) which is not legal in California. After you select your barrel length, you can buy or build a rifle in 2 different California-Legal variations.
FIXED-MAGAZINE RIFLE
FEATURELESS RIFLE
For more information the rules and legalities around Assault Weapons in California, please see the DOJ Site for more information.
Choosing A Rifle
Peninsula Guns carries some of the finest factory-built AR rifles on the market. Whether you want something entry-level or top of the line, there's a Brand and model that will suit your needs. Peninsula Guns carries Colt, Aero Precision, Smith & Wesson, Daniel Defense, Sig Sauer, Spikes Tactical, Juggernaut Tactical, LWRCI, and many other rifle brands. Most AR rifles are not proprietary, so you can upgrade or change parts with good reliability. The AR rifle can be broken down into two main components; the upper receiver and lower receiver. The lower receiver is the one part of the rifle that has a serial number, so it is considered “the firearm” for registration purposes.
FULLY BUILT UPPER RECEIVERS
A fully built upper receiver comes with the upper receiver and all parts needed for it to be pinned to any lower receiver of your choice. The upper receiver holds the barrel, the handguard, the charging handle, the forward assist, the bolt carrier group, and the dust cover. Fully built upper receivers come with all of those parts installed.
FULLY BUILT LOWER RECEIVER
A fully built lower receiver comes with the lower receiver and all parts needed for it to be pinned to any upper receiver of your choice. The lower receiver houses the trigger, the grip, the buffer tube and buffer, the stock, the bolt release, and the magazine release. It isn't common to find fully built lower receivers because most people will build up a stripped lower receiver with a simple parts kit, the grip and stock of their choice, and a performance or match trigger.
STRIPPED RECEIVERS
A stripped receiver means that is just the metal receiver with no other parts installed. If you want to build an AR for the lowest cost possible, you can buy an inexpensive stripped lower receiver made from aluminum alloy as the starting point for your build. Stripped receivers are not just for budget builds! If you wanted to do a premium custom build, there are companies that provide matched receiver sets. A matched receiver set is usually machined from one piece of forged 7075 aluminum. The upper and lower receiver are cut and finished from the same block of aluminum. Remember, the lower receiver is the serialized part of the firearm and is treated as any other firearm purchase. The rest of the components are accessories which can be purchased over the counter at the store any time you choose and can be taken home the same day.
