1740 West La Veta Ave, Orange, CA 92868
357 Magnum 1911 and Prewar Colt Ace Auction Preview, Inherited Gun Consignment & CA DOJ Self-Registration
[1:41] Auction Preview: 357 Magnum 1911, Prewar Colt Ace 22s, and a Chiappa Rhino
Saturday’s auction at Gunslinger is stacked with unusual pieces. Leading the list is a 357 Magnum 1911-style semi-automatic pistol, a configuration that raises immediate questions about engineering. Running a 357 Magnum through a semi-auto platform requires a recoil spring built to handle significantly higher pressure than the 45 ACP the 1911 frame was designed around, and whether the gun cycles reliably on 38 Special loads is an open question. It is a rare configuration and, as Jeff puts it, a real kick to shoot with no apology for the pun.
Two prewar Colt Ace pistols are also on the block. The Colt Ace is a 22 Long Rifle version of the 1911 built from the factory in that caliber, not a slide conversion kit dropped onto an existing frame. Both examples in this auction come with Colt factory letters confirming original shipment details. One dates to 1934 and has a Coast Guard provenance. Both are documented with the correct two-tone magazines that are original to the model. Factory-lettered, documented prewar Colt Ace pistols with known military and government service histories do not come through often. The lot also includes a Chiappa Rhino revolver, which fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder rather than the top, putting the bore axis lower and reducing muzzle flip. It is an unconventional design that has built a following among shooters who have actually run one. Rounding out the preview is a collection of approximately thirty collectible pocket watches and a pair of Accuracy Arms precision rifles, one in 338 Lapua Magnum and one in 308.
[6:51] Dean in Burbank: How to Consign an Inherited Firearms Collection of 400 Guns
First-time caller Dean from Burbank has inherited a collection of approximately 400 firearms as the executive trustee of an estate trust. The guns are all registered and legal. He wants to know how consignment works when the pieces are not yet in his name, and whether Gunslinger will come to him given the size of the collection.
Jeff’s answer is direct. The California Department of Justice cares about where firearms are going, not where they came from. As long as the guns do not pop as stolen in the system, the transfer side is straightforward, and all Jeff needs is an ID from someone with authority over the collection. In twenty-eight years of doing this, stolen guns do surface occasionally, and most of the time it is because the original owner reported the firearm missing decades ago and never removed it from the stolen list. That is an administrative issue, not a criminal one, and it gets sorted.
On the question of whether Gunslinger will travel for a 400-gun collection: yes, without hesitation. Jeff notes that Jimmy recently picked up a collection of 1,400 firearms out of Sacramento, so 400 is a routine run. They have a van and a truck and will be in and out before Dean has to think too hard about it. The shop number for follow-up is 714-939-1172.
[8:22] California Assault Weapons List: Can You Still Transfer or Auction Pre-Ban Compliant Firearms?
Dean’s collection includes firearms that appear on California’s so-called assault weapons list but that met the legal requirements of that list at the time they were registered, meaning they were properly registered under the original Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act. He wants to know whether those pieces can still be transferred or sold at auction.
Jeff confirms that there are legal pathways, but the details are specific to each firearm’s registration status and the nature of the transfer, and explaining it properly takes more than a radio segment. He tells Dean to call the shop on Tuesday and they will work through it. The short version: properly registered pre-ban California assault weapons are not necessarily dead ends, and there are both in-state and out-of-state options, including buyers in Nevada where the regulatory environment is considerably more straightforward.
[10:03] California DOJ Self-Registration for Inherited Firearms
Dean also asks whether he can keep some of the guns for himself rather than selling everything. Jeff explains the path. If Dean is not a direct descendant of the original owner, he cannot simply take possession of the firearms as an informal inheritance. He will need to go through California DOJ’s self-registration process, which is handled online at DOJ.ca.gov. The form is a self-registration submission, the fee is $19 per firearm at last check, and the DOJ will respond with a determination. It is not instantaneous, and patience is required, but the process is functional. For a collection of this size, calling the shop Tuesday and working through the specifics in detail is the right move before touching anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Colt Ace pistol and why are prewar examples valuable?
The Colt Ace is a factory-built 22 Long Rifle pistol built on the 1911 frame, produced by Colt in small numbers beginning in the early 1930s. It is not a conversion kit or aftermarket slide unit but a complete pistol manufactured from the ground up in 22 caliber, with a floating chamber system designed to simulate the recoil of a 45 ACP for training purposes. Prewar examples are particularly sought after by 1911 collectors because of their scarcity, historical significance, and the documentation that sometimes accompanies them, including Colt factory letters and government or military service records. Matching two-tone original magazines are considered correct configuration for the model and add to collectible value.
How do I consign an inherited firearms collection to an auction house in California?
To consign an inherited firearms collection through a California licensed auction house, you generally need to provide identification and documentation establishing your authority over the collection, such as a trust document naming you as trustee or executor. California DOJ is primarily concerned with where firearms are going, not where they came from. The auctioneer will run each firearm through the DOJ system at the point of transfer to a buyer. If any firearm appears as stolen in the system, that item will need to be addressed separately before it can be transferred. For large collections, established auction houses like Gunslinger Auctions will travel to the collection location rather than requiring the consignor to transport hundreds of firearms. Contact Gunslinger Auctions at 714-939-1172 to arrange an on-site evaluation and pickup.
Can California-registered assault weapons be sold or transferred at auction?
Firearms that are properly registered under California’s assault weapons registration requirements are not automatically prohibited from all transfers, but the legal pathways are specific to the registration status, the type of transfer, and the relationship between the parties involved. Registered assault weapons can in some cases be transferred to licensed dealers, passed to immediate family members, or sold out of state to buyers in jurisdictions without similar restrictions. The specifics are complicated enough that each situation should be reviewed individually by a dealer with California FFL experience. Contact Gunslinger Auctions at 714-939-1172 for a case-by-case assessment before making any decisions about registered assault weapons in an inherited collection.
How does California DOJ self-registration work for inherited firearms?
If you inherit firearms in California and are not a direct descendant of the deceased owner, you are required to register those firearms in your name through the California DOJ self-registration process. The process is completed online at DOJ.ca.gov using the self-registration submission form. The fee is $19 per firearm as of the date of this episode. After submission, the DOJ will review and respond with an approval or a request for additional information. The turnaround is not immediate, so plan accordingly before taking physical possession of inherited firearms that have not yet been transferred into your name. Direct descendants have a different and somewhat simpler path, so confirm which category applies to your situation before beginning the process.
What is the Chiappa Rhino revolver and what makes it different from a standard revolver?
The Chiappa Rhino is a double-action revolver that fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder rather than the top chamber used by conventional revolvers. Because the bore axis is positioned at the bottom of the cylinder, the barrel sits much lower in the hand relative to the shooter’s grip. This lowers the point at which recoil force is applied, reducing muzzle flip and keeping the gun on target more easily between shots. The design is unconventional in appearance and takes some adjustment for shooters accustomed to traditional revolvers, but it has earned a following among competition shooters and enthusiasts who prioritize controllability. The Rhino is manufactured in Italy and is available in several barrel lengths and calibers.
Sources, Credibility, and Continuing the Conversation
The firearms transfer and consignment guidance in this episode reflects Jeff’s twenty-eight years as a California licensed firearms dealer. California DOJ self-registration requirements, assault weapons registration status, and inherited firearms transfer rules are subject to change, and anyone dealing with a significant inherited collection should confirm current requirements directly with the DOJ or a California FFL dealer before taking action. To arrange an on-site collection evaluation contact Gunslinger Auctions in Orange at 714-939-1172 Tuesday through Saturday.