How to Buy an Off-Roster Handgun in California (2026 Guide)

Cal Gun Roster Editorial Team on October 30, 2026

You can legally buy an off-roster handgun in California, just not new from a dealer. The main route is a private party transfer (PPT): a California resident who already owns the gun sells it to you, and a licensed dealer processes the sale with the usual background check and 10-day wait. Here is how that works, what it costs, and the other exemptions that apply.

What “off-roster” means

A handgun is off-roster when its exact version is not on the California DOJ Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. Dealers cannot sell it new, but the roster does not ban owning it or transferring it between Californians. Common off-roster handguns include:

Newer Glocks (Gen 4, Gen 5 and later models). Since July 1, 2026, AB 1127 also bars dealers from selling Glock-style convertible pistols new, but it does not stop private party transfers.
Newer versions of popular pistols that were never submitted for testing, often with different sights, optic cuts or finishes.
Handguns that were removed from the roster, usually because the maker stopped paying the annual fee.

See our answers for popular off-roster handguns, including the Glock 19 Gen 5, FN 509 and Canik TP9 SF Elite.

Before you shop off-roster, check whether a version of the gun you want is on the roster. For example, see every California version of the Glock 19 or browse all models.

How a private party transfer works, step by step

Make sure you qualify. You must be 21 or older, a California resident with a California driver license or ID, and hold a valid Firearm Safety Certificate. Bring proof of residency, such as a recent utility bill.
Find a California seller. Look in dealers’ consignment cases, at gun shows (sales still go through a dealer), and in classified listings from California sellers. The seller must also be a California resident.
Meet at a licensed dealer. Both buyer and seller go to the dealer in person with ID. Call ahead: some dealers only do PPTs on certain days.
Pay the fees. State fees total $37.19 (including the $31.19 DROS fee), and the dealer may charge up to $10 per firearm for a private party transfer. The price of the gun is between you and the seller.
Pass the background check and wait 10 days. The same 10-day waiting period applies, and the transfer counts toward the limit of three firearms in any 30-day period.
Pick up your handgun after a safe handling demonstration, with a DOJ-approved lock or proof you own an approved safe.

Other legal ways to get an off-roster handgun

Sworn law enforcement: qualifying officers can buy off-roster handguns new. Many later sell them through private party transfers, which is where much of California’s off-roster supply comes from. Buying through an officer as a front for you is a straw purchase and is illegal.
Single-action revolvers: exempt from roster testing if they have at least a 3-inch barrel, measure at least 7.5 inches overall and hold at least five rounds.
Curios and relics: handguns classified as curios or relics, generally 50 years or older, are exempt from the roster.
Moving to California: new residents can bring handguns they already own, including off-roster models, but must report them to the DOJ within 60 days. Starting in 2028, new residents will also need a Firearm Safety Certificate within 180 days.
Family transfers: a parent and child, or a grandparent and grandchild, can transfer a handgun without a dealer. The person receiving it must be 18 or older, hold a valid FSC and report the transfer to the DOJ within 30 days. Transfers between spouses or registered domestic partners are also exempt from the dealer requirement.

What you cannot do

Buy an off-roster handgun new from a California dealer.
Buy one from an out-of-state dealer or out-of-state private seller, even if it is shipped to a California dealer.
Have a law enforcement officer buy one for you to resell. That is a straw purchase.
Skip the dealer in a private sale, unless it is a parent-child or grandparent-grandchild transfer.

Why off-roster handguns cost more

Supply is limited to guns already in California, so off-roster models usually sell for more than the same gun costs new in other states. Prices rise when a popular model leaves the roster or new dealer sales stop, as happened with Glocks after AB 1127. Before paying a premium, compare against California legal handguns you can buy new: many current models offer similar features at retail price.

Frequently asked questions

Can you legally buy an off-roster handgun in California?

Yes, through a private party transfer from another California resident, completed at a licensed dealer. Dealers cannot sell off-roster handguns new, but private party transfers are exempt from the roster.

Can I buy a Glock 19 Gen 5 in California?

Not new from a dealer, but you can buy one from a California resident who already owns it through a private party transfer at a licensed dealer. AB 1127 stopped new dealer sales of convertible pistols but did not stop private party transfers.

How much does a private party transfer cost in California?

State fees total $37.19 (including the $31.19 DROS fee), and the dealer may charge up to $10 per firearm to process a private party transfer. You also pay any price you agree on with the seller.

Is there a waiting period for a private party transfer?

Yes. Private party transfers have the same 10-day waiting period and background check as any other purchase, and they count toward the three-firearms-in-30-days limit.

Can I buy an off-roster handgun from another state?

No. A California resident cannot buy an off-roster handgun from an out-of-state dealer or seller. Off-roster handguns can only come to you from another California resident through a private party transfer, or through another exemption.

Why are off-roster handguns more expensive in California?

Supply is limited to guns already in California, many of them originally bought by law enforcement officers, so off-roster models usually sell for more than the same gun costs new in other states.

Sources

This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the details of any transfer with a licensed California dealer. Last reviewed October 30, 2026.

Category: California Firearms Law