Unallowed spoons in CA
 

I was considering one of the new Fort Smith Walther PPK/S .380s and discovered it's not on California's approved list. Are there any strictly legal scenarios where one can purchase a non-banned, non-approved gun used in CA? Does the seller have to be in CA as well? I'm assuming this route won't pan out, so the next question is what is the best quality version of this gun, without getting into collector pricing, say under $1K? Interarms import from the Fatherland?

You can buy the gun legally from another CA resident by making the transfer on the premise of an FFL, providing the seller bought the gun legally before it fell off the list. If the gun is coming from a seller out of state...it's a no go.

Here's a good flowchart on handguns.
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/hgflowchart.pdf

+1 on what CraigT said look on Calguns they come up once in a while but do go quickly or if you have a parent out of state they can gift it to you, only Mother/Father to their children, I did this for my Ruger 1911 and LCP.
Also I've heard if you have a PD friend and he buys once then doesn't like it he can sell it to you.

I watch CalGuns or Lock Stock and Barrel Investment's auctions. They come up all they time on LS&B auctions from other CA residents.

The only guns I know anything about are muzzle loaders.....So if I have ANY question about ANY other type of gun, I use the longest serving FFL in the San Diego are who also happens to be the SBRGC president. He gets checked once or twice a year, never an issue or even an "I" that was never doted!

I would suggest finding one local to you, that can be trusted and is not in it just for the $$$$$ and become his customer. Then use that person for any transfers.

Muzzle loaders are not even spoons. A real spoon has to have at least a 7 round detachable magazine...15 rounds is more like it...dontcha know anything..pssshaw.

Tabs- you'll be glad to know that in CA can get a some of Ed Brown's jewels.

I agree Craig T has it right- buy only from a CA resident through an FFL. I believe non-roster guns purchased while off list can be purchased from a LEO who wants to sell. There's relative exceptions, which I won't qualify for either.