Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
If you live in the Golden State, you’re aware that there are significant limitations on which firearms you’re legally allowed to possess. That means Californians interested in exercising their Second Amendment rights must pick and choose from a CA-compliant roster of handguns (and go through a lot of other legal hoops). We’ve checked out the most recent roster and selected the top five handguns you can own in California. Streamlining is where it’s at, and we’re here to help.
Table of contents
The Roster of CA-Compliant Handguns
Before we get into the guns themselves, let’s run through a quick explanation of California’s Roster of Certified Handguns. In 2001, the state enacted the Unsafe Handgun Act (originally SB 15), a bill that created a list of requirements for all handguns being sold in the state. It was sold as a common-sense gun safety bill and championed by former California State Senator Majority Leader Richard Polanco.
Before being added to the handgun roster, guns must have specific features. If they have the necessary compliance features, testing is done by the California Department of Justice. Guns that both have the correct features and pass testing can then be added to the roster. Although it isn’t easy for a new gun to be added, the roster is updated monthly. To be considered for the handgun roster, a trio of identical pistols is submitted by the manufacturer. Those guns’ features must include:
- Capacity at or below 10 rounds
- Chamber loaded indicator or magazine disconnect on centerfire models made after January 1, 2006
- Chamber loaded indicator and magazine disconnect on centerfire models with detachable magazines made after January 1, 2007
- Magazine disconnect on rimfires with detachable magazines made after January 1, 2006
- Microstamping capabilities become mandatory for all handguns being sold by dealers in California on January 1, 2028
The Number of Guns On The CA-Compliant Handgun Roster
At the time of this writing, there are 979 handguns on the Roster of Certified Handguns. To stay on the roster, manufacturers must do certain things, such as paying an annual fee to the state. That means if you check the handgun roster, you’ll notice all handguns are marked with an expiration date of January 1st of the coming year. Assuming the handgun continues to meet compliance requirements—because those can change—and the manufacturer pays the fee, the gun’s place on the roster should renew annually.
Glock 19
Listed on the roster as Glock 19/Steel, Polymer, the G19 is a clear frontrunner among the available handguns. The G19 is a classic that’s been around since 1988. This CA-compliant model has a 10-round capacity and is chambered in 9mm. It’s a compact model designed for easier concealment—a must for self-defense—and it’s made for superior durability.
Features of the Glock 19 include a 4.02-inch barrel, an overall length of 7.28 inches, and an empty weight of just over 21 ounces. This model comes standard with white front dots and white outline rear sights. It has a trio of independent safeties, as expected from the popular manufacturer. The backstrap is modular, and there are multiple grip sizes included so the user can more carefully fit the gun to their hand size. If you’re interested in a Glock 19, I can attest to its reliable performance and accuracy. It’s not ammo finicky, either, and thanks to its polymer construction it can handle all kinds of abuse.
One detail to know about all Glocks on the list is that the state of California is deciding whether to drop them all. This is going on under AB 1127, authored by assembly member Jesse Gabriel. If AB 1127 becomes law, any handguns the state feels could “easily” be converted to full-auto will be banned. Glocks are the main focus.
Heckler & Koch VP9L OR
California lists a few variants of the VP9 on their handgun roster, shown on the state site as the VP9 Match/Steel; Polymer, VP9 OR/Steel, Polymer, VP9 Steel/Polymer, VP9L OR Steel/Polymer, and VP9SK OR Steel/Polymer. The VP9L OR (Optics Ready) has a detachable magazine, so the capacity is 10 rounds. It boasts quite a few features that were added after the immense popularity of the first VP9, and that makes it one to consider getting if you’re a resident of California.
This gun has a 5.0-inch barrel, which can make concealment more challenging, although not impossible. It could mean this is the gun you’d lean toward for home defense. Heckler & Koch added an o-ring bushing to the barrel for improved lockup, something that also translates to greater accuracy. The optics cut is compatible with most red dot sights, and you can get additional optics plates separately. There’s a rail ahead of the trigger guard, which is fantastic for lights, and deep-cut serrations at the back of the slide make racking the gun smoother. This gun checks all the self-defense boxes for reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, and quality. You really can’t go wrong with HK guns.
Rost Martin RM1C
Although Rost Martin is a newer arrival to the gun world, it’s a brand that’s made its mark fast. It’s another plastic fantastic pistol, but it lives up to the hype. It’s shown on the roster as the Rost Martin RM1C Black OSP/Steel; Polymer, RM1C FDP OSP/Steel; Polymer, RM1C Gray OSP/Steel; Polymer, and RM1SBLKOSP10CA/Stainless Steel; Polymer. As you can see, it’s mostly the color that changes. The Rost Martin RM1C is a compact pistol chambered in 9mm with a 10-round capacity. It’s the first model to be made by the gun maker, and it’s proven itself, fast.
The hammer-forged barrel of the RM1C is 4.0 inches in length, putting it at a good size for concealed carry. An ambidextrous magazine release increases its usefulness for those who are left-handed or simply have a right-handed injury. Front and back serrations make manipulating the slide easier. This pistol is comfortable to shoot and delivers repeatable accuracy on paper. I’ve run the Rost Martin RM1C in classes and on my own at the range, and it’s done well. Just because Rost Martin is a newer manufacturer isn’t a reason to avoid it, not this time.
Smith & Wesson Model 686
The lone revolver on this CA-compliant list has to be the Smith & Wesson Model 686 (not that I’m biased or something). This specific model is listed on the roster as the Smith & Wesson 686-6 7 Shot SKU 164194A/Steel (there are other 686s listed as well). Not only is the 686 a spectacular revolver that’s fun to shoot, but it’s also ridiculously rugged. This 686 is chambered in 357 Magnum—but you can run it with 38 Special if you prefer—and has a 7-round capacity.
This is a heavier pistol due to its being stainless steel, and it weighs in at 39.2 ounces. That weight comes in handy to mitigate felt recoil and muzzle rise with 357 Magnum rounds. Rubberized grips with finger grooves also help with recoil control and comfort. Although you can get another variant of the 686 in California with a longer barrel, this one’s at 4.0 inches because we’re choosing with carry in mind. It ships with a red ramp front sight and an adjustable blacked-out rear notch sight. This is an excellent revolver and a solid option for defensive use.
READ MORE HERE: Guide to Buying Second-Hand Handguns
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
Another polymer pistol? Yes, because they’re awesome. The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 is shown on the CA-compliant roster as the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0-14033/Polymer; Stainless Steel. It’s the full-sized model, but there’s also a compact version on the list (the barrel is a quarter-inch shorter). This M&P 2.0 features a 4.25-inch barrel, and if you’re thinking that quarter-inch doesn’t matter, I can tell you it does. As surprising as it may be, having a little extra length on your pistol’s barrel can change the feel for balance and enhance accuracy. The 9mm gun’s capacity is 10 rounds.
The M&P M2.0 offers a lot of self-defense-friendly features, like an aggressively textured grip and a nice, crisp trigger. If you don’t like how rough the grip is, you can always add a sleeve or tape to soften it a bit. It’s largely a plus, though, because it makes it easier to hold on if your hands are wet or sweaty. The gun comes with four interchangeable grip inserts so you can fine-tune it to better fit your hands. This is a gun that’s proven itself reliable under high round counts and continues running well dirty.
Take the time to keep up on what guns are—and aren’t—on the California handgun roster. It changes regularly, and it’s your responsibility to know and follow the laws.
Check out the roster here.
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Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a prolific outdoor writer based in North Texas. Her love and enjoyment of firearms extends to both self-defense and hunting, and she’s driven to teach safe gun handling. Kat’s the author of several books and thousands of articles as well as a successful editor with more than a decade of experience in marketing. With experience in everything from defensive handgun use to field dressing a deer, Kat’s background is varied and extensive. She firmly believes in the importance of protecting the Second Amendment as well as the First.
When she’s not behind a gun or processing her own game meat, Kat can be found trapping, boating, doing yoga, and mudding. The outdoors and the Lone Star State are where she belongs.
Experience
Author:
Handgun Hunting and anthologies including The Deer Shot Back: And Other Hunting Tales and How Not to Shoot Fish and Other Deer That Got Away.
Dedicated Outdoorsman:
Year-round enthusiast of hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Advanced Training:
More than 1000 hours of training in defensive handguns, long guns, edged weapons, self-defense law, force-on-force, handgun retention, and related topics.
Focused Specialty Skills:
Expert witness. Massad Ayoob Group certified Deadly Force Instructor and graduate of Active Self Protection The Practice & Preparation of Being an Expert Witness.