I'm looking into adding a compensator to my pistol, but I'm in California and know the gun laws here can be pretty strict. Does anyone know if it's legal to put a compensator on a pistol in California? Are there any specific regulations, restrictions, or things I should be aware of before making this modification? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Compensators on pistols in California - Legal or Not?
Handguns • Asked about 2 months ago by Wosey
Wosey
Oct 26, 2025
Gogofen
Nov 22, 2025
That's a really good question, and you're right, California gun laws can be super complex! From what I understand, adding a compensator itself isn't generally illegal, but it's crucial to make sure it doesn't inadvertently turn your pistol into an "assault weapon" under California's definitions.
Some things to consider are whether the compensator is permanently attached, and if it could be interpreted as a flash hider (which can be a big no-no on certain firearms). It really depends on the specific design of the compensator and how it's installed.
I've heard that checking with a local FFL (Federal Firearm Licensee) or even a lawyer who specializes in CA gun laws is the safest bet before making any modifications. They usually have the most current and accurate information.
Has anyone else here gone through this process in California? Any specific compensator models or attachment methods that are known to be compliant, or non-compliant, that we should watch out for?
