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California Gun Roster, Walther PPK .380 & Best Snubnose Revolvers for Carry
[0:01] Welcome Back: Live and Taking Calls
The crew kicks things off in full swing, coming off a spin of Crosby, Stills and Nash before diving straight into listener calls. This is a live show, and the hosts make that plain from the jump: if you have questions about guns, paperwork, auctions, or a collection left behind by a loved one, the phone lines are open. Call-in number is 866-870-5752. The usual pattern holds – calls come slow at first, then flood in near the end. The advice: call early if your question needs more than thirty seconds of air.
[1:08] Caller Mark, Woodland Hills: California DOJ Criminal History Lookup
Mark calls in with a two-part question. The first concerns his in-law, who caught a marijuana possession charge back in the 1980s – more than the allowable amount at the time – and now needs to know how that old conviction might affect his ability to legally own a firearm. The host points him to oag.ca.gov, the California Office of the Attorney General, where the criminal history information lookup lives. Mark plans to sit down with his in-law and walk through it together. That is exactly the right approach: check first, then act. Do not guess at your legal standing when the state offers a public tool to verify it.
[2:07] The California Handgun Roster: Why Your Options Are Limited
Mark’s second question lands on the California Handgun Roster – specifically, he notices that the only Walther pistols listed are chambered in .22 Long Rifle. The host confirms it: the Walther P22 is the lone Walther on the roster at the time of the show.
For anyone unfamiliar with the roster, the host gives the straight account. California passed the handgun safety roster law in 2000, framed as a measure against Saturday night specials. In practice, it requires any manufacturer who wants to sell a new handgun in California to submit three sample guns of each model, pay a fee to the Department of Justice, and pass a list of testing requirements. If the gun clears the process, it goes on the roster and can be legally sold new in the state. If it does not, no sale. The roster shrinks over time as older models age out and manufacturers decline to pay the recurring fees for updated designs. It functions as a slow, quiet restriction on the new handgun market – one that does not touch used guns or private party transfers in the same way.
Mark wanted a Walther in .380 ACP for concealed carry – something like a PPK or PPK/S. The host’s solution: skip the new gun counter and look used or on consignment. As it happens, Gunslinger Auctions has at least one PPK or PPK/S available in their upcoming Saturday auction. To find it, go to gunslingerauctions.com, click the Bid Now button, and search PPKS in the search bar. The PPK/S is a double-action .380 – exactly what Mark is after. There is also a .32 ACP variant in the mix for anyone looking for that caliber, though Mark passes on the smaller round. Hard to argue with him.
[5:56] Caller Mark, Phoenix: Snubnose Revolvers for Concealed Carry
The second Mark of the evening calls in from Phoenix. He carries a Ruger .380 as his everyday gun but is looking to add a hammerless snubnose .38 revolver to the rotation – something short-barreled, reliable, and suited for close-quarters carry in the Arizona heat.
Top Pick: The Kimber K6S
The host does not hesitate. The Kimber K6S is his first call, and he carries one himself. It is a stainless, six-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special and capable of handling .357 Magnum as well. The host loads his with .38 Special +P rounds and walks five miles a day with it in a belly band – through sweat, summer heat, and everything else Arizona can throw at a person. He has had no problems with it. The stainless finish handles moisture without rusting, and the balance and slim profile make it comfortable against the body. Street price runs around a thousand dollars.
Budget Option: Smith and Wesson Model 442
For the caller looking to spend closer to four or five hundred dollars, the host drops to the Smith and Wesson 442. It is a five-shot, hammerless, .38 Special revolver – lightweight, widely available, and proven in carry use. It loses one round compared to the Kimber, but for most defensive scenarios, five rounds of .38 +P from a few feet away is more than adequate. The 442 is the hammerless variant; the 640 series offers an exposed hammer for those who want the option of single-action fire. The S&W Bodyguard also comes up as a solid blue-steel alternative in this price range, and it ships from the factory with a built-in Crimson Trace laser – a practical addition at no extra cost for that configuration.
The host closes this segment with the same point he makes every week: a firearm is an investment. Paying a few hundred dollars more for something built to last a lifetime is a better deal than replacing a cheaper gun in five years. The Kimber is more money, but it earns it.
[4:32] An Armed Society: Memories of the Pomona Gun Show
Between calls, the hosts take a moment to reflect on the culture around gun ownership. The observation is simple: gun shows, by and large, attract polite, courteous crowds. The host attributes that to the nature of people who take personal safety seriously – they do not need to be aggressive because they are not afraid. When someone did act up at a show, it got handled quickly. The atmosphere was civil because the people were prepared.
The Pomona Fairgrounds gun show gets a fond mention as a landmark event in its day. The show ran across every building on the fairgrounds – enormous hangar-sized spaces, especially Building Four. It ran Friday through Sunday, and three days was not enough to see everything. The host recalls crossing paths with Judge Ito, and a seven-foot-two basketball legend with a sky hook for a jump shot, and Tom Selleck, best known as Magnum PI. They were just people walking the tables, same as anyone else. The show had that quality. Zevier eventually ended it, and the host makes clear that was a loss for Southern California’s gun community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Handgun Roster and how does it affect what guns I can buy?
The California Handgun Roster, established in 2000, requires manufacturers to submit sample firearms, pay testing fees to the California Department of Justice, and pass safety criteria before a handgun model can be sold new in the state. Guns that pass are listed on the roster; guns that are not on the roster cannot be sold new by licensed dealers in California. The roster shrinks over time as older models age off and manufacturers decline to pay recurring fees for updated designs. Used guns and private party transfers operate under different rules, so buying a used off-roster pistol from a private seller through a licensed dealer is often a legal option.
Is the Walther PPK chambered in .380 ACP or 9mm?
The Walther PPK and PPK/S are chambered in .380 ACP, also known as 9mm Kurz or 9mm Short. “Kurz” is the German word for short, which is why the marking on the barrel may read “9mm Kurz” rather than “.380 ACP.” They are the same cartridge. The PPK/S is also available in .32 ACP for those who prefer the smaller round, though .380 is the more popular choice for defensive carry.
What is the best hammerless snubnose revolver for concealed carry?
The Kimber K6S is a top-tier choice: stainless steel, six-shot, double-action, and chambered for .38 Special or .357 Magnum. It runs around a thousand dollars and is built to hold up under daily carry conditions. For a budget-friendly option in the four to five hundred dollar range, the Smith and Wesson Model 442 is a well-proven five-shot, hammerless .38 Special that has been a carry standard for decades. The S&W Bodyguard is another solid alternative, shipping from the factory with a built-in Crimson Trace laser sight.
How do I check if a prior marijuana conviction affects my right to own a firearm in California?
California residents can look up their criminal history information through the California Office of the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov. The process may require personal identification information, including a Social Security number. It is best to go through the lookup with the individual in question present, since they will need to provide their own identifying details. This check gives a clear picture of what is on record before attempting any firearm transaction.
Can I buy an off-roster handgun in California?
Yes, with important conditions. While licensed dealers cannot sell new off-roster handguns to the general public, used off-roster pistols can legally transfer through a licensed FFL dealer via a private party transfer. Guns acquired through estate sales, consignment, or auction are a common route. Working with an established auction house that handles firearms legally in California is one of the most reliable ways to find specific makes and models that are no longer on the roster as new production guns.
Sources, Credibility, and Continuing the Conversation
The recommendations and observations here rest on decades of hands-on experience: auctioneering, retail firearms, daily carry, and time on the show floor at some of Southern California’s largest gun shows. Practical advice holds best when tempered by your own research – verify your legal standing with California DOJ resources before any transaction, handle a gun before you buy it, and talk to your local FFL if you have questions about the transfer process.