Does anybody know the legality of using a mock suppressor or “barrel shroud” on my C.A.R. in California? MFI has a few really cool products, but before I shell out the cash, I want to make sure I’m not going to get collared for it. If anyone can help, please do. Thanks.
Fake suppressors are NOT illegal, but I would NOT trust the average CA cop from knowing the difference between a real suppressor or a fake “silencer” – without stopping you, inconveniencing you, confiscating your rifle, booking it into evidence and having it tested to be fake – all because more people in CA are professional pants poopers, including some of us who wear badges. So, be careful and exercise good stewardship of such rights.
Remember, if this bus were to go sideways – you’d be accused of having an “AK47 (sic) with a silencer (sic).” The media is not remotely interested in getting the facts “right” – they just want it FIRST. My days of being a crash test dummy are over, and I would rather spend my money on TRAINING – than more gadgets, especially those that don’t even work.
Simply, if you want a fake a suppressor, have at it, but understand the practical ramifications and potentional consequences. Further, purchasing something just for looks, will likely be met with great disdain at M4C.
Unfortunately, in a practical sense, the Constitution is “what the cop on the corner thinks it means.” While this isn’t right on a philosophical level, there are real risks involved – and the choice is yours, regardless.
Good luck, and be safe.
PRGGodfather,
thank you for the insight. I appreciate all the intel.
I thought a barrel shroud was the shoulder thing that went up?
Spikes tactical has one too.
Actually, I thought a barrel shroud was a wrap that kept the gun from freezing in cold weather.
My personal opinion… to put something on a firearm because it looks cool and only because it looks cool is asking for smirks at the local range.
The main reason I am looking into this is to use a friend’s 10.5" barrel.
Now you’re treading on NFA territory. If it can be pinned to make the OAL, it may be legal. Then again, we are behind enemy lines. 
I agree , there is no reason to put it on the rifle if it serves no purpose other than aesthetics
UH OH!! Here we go!..:rolleyes:
You would be better off with a 16" barrel and a fake suppressor then a 10.5 with a pinned fake suppressor. You would get the same appearance with either but not lose the extra velocity from the longer barrel.
Personally, I wouldn’t want the unnecessary additional weight.
For use on the 10.5" barrel wouldn’t be for looks, rather make the short barrel legal.
I understand the intent – but one would be much better off spending the money on a real 16" barrel for any number of reasons, to include terminal ballistics.
While I understand why so many love the SBR, once you get below 14.5 inches, your ballistic capability starts to approach 9mm very quickly; with the liabilities of more flash, recoil, noise and expense.
So, if you want to spend 5.56 money on something that will produce pistol ballistics (which the 5.7 fanboys seem to love), stay with the short barrel. Otherwise, if one has to live with the CA legal 16" barrel length – one may as well enjoy the terminal ballistics the longer barrel will provide.
Just my $.02 based on practical legality, with no consideration for aesthetics at all – again, it’s always up to you…
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don’t go for a 10.5" if you can’t get the advantages of a SBR.
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you’ll get a lot of good CA specific answers on Calguns.net
Like fake suppressors and airsoft AN/PEQ’s. 
Thank you for all the help…skipping the 10.5" barrel.
I don’t understand the “Airsoft AN/PEQ” comment (joke?) though.
Thanks again.
There are lots of younger people who want the look rather then the function. They want one like they used in MW2 or some other game. :rolleyes: This forum is more about the function.
There is a lot of good information but it does get buried with pointless zombie scenario threads.
In any case, good luck on your build.