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A lot of bad information is contained in this thread. Lets go back and look at the specific statutes.
In the olden days, only .50 BMG "Rifles" were banned. Weapons, other than "Rifles" that fired the .50 BMG cartridge, and that were not otherwise illegal, were perfectly fine to use and possess. The Semi-Auto version of the Browning M2 being a good example of such a legal firearm. The key here is a rifle is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder (refer to Penal Code section 17090).
But that changed with amendments to Penal Code section 30515 expanding the definition of an "Assault Weapon." In 2020, as a result of SB 118, semi-automatic, centerfire weapons other than rifles, pistols and shotguns that have listed features were added as "Assault Weapons." A heat protecting shroud, and the ability to accept a magazine outside of the handgrip are among these features. The M2 has such a shroud (I've heard arguments that it isn't a shroud because the military does not use that nomenclature, but when you look at the location of the shroud in relation to the barrel, it meets California's statutory definition, and that's what counts). California also defines "Magazine" as any ammunition feeding device. The belt of an M2 is therefore a "Magazine" within the statute, and it is located outside of the handgrip.
That makes the Semi-Auto Browning M2 illegal, not as a .50BMG "Rifle", but as an "Assault Weapon."
Some folks have suggested that the Semi-Auto M2 could be made legal by converting the weapon such that the belt is made a "Fixed" magazine. Those proposals typically involve changing the cover latch such that a tool is required to open the over, and then using a fixed length belt of no more than 10 rounds. But that don't work either. The definition of "Fixed" magazine is such that a tool is required to REMOVE the magazine, not that a tool is required to mount a magazine. Such an effort would not produce a "Fixed" magazine. As a test - fire all ten rounds from such a magazine, then look to see where the magazine went (remember California's definition - the "magazine" is the belt). If the magazine is still in the weapon such a tool is needed to remove it, you're OK. If the pieces of the magazine are on the ground, then they were removed without a tool and you're outta luck. California also makes it very difficult to make a 10 round "Magazine" using a disintegrating link belt. The problem is that a "Large Capacity Magazine" is defined as one having the "Capacity" to hold more than 10 rounds. You can make up a 10 round magazine using disintegrating links, but as long as you have the capacity to add additional links, your 10 round (or 5 round, or even a 2 round) belt is still a "Large Capacity Magazine."
In the olden days, only .50 BMG "Rifles" were banned. Weapons, other than "Rifles" that fired the .50 BMG cartridge, and that were not otherwise illegal, were perfectly fine to use and possess. The Semi-Auto version of the Browning M2 being a good example of such a legal firearm. The key here is a rifle is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder (refer to Penal Code section 17090).
But that changed with amendments to Penal Code section 30515 expanding the definition of an "Assault Weapon." In 2020, as a result of SB 118, semi-automatic, centerfire weapons other than rifles, pistols and shotguns that have listed features were added as "Assault Weapons." A heat protecting shroud, and the ability to accept a magazine outside of the handgrip are among these features. The M2 has such a shroud (I've heard arguments that it isn't a shroud because the military does not use that nomenclature, but when you look at the location of the shroud in relation to the barrel, it meets California's statutory definition, and that's what counts). California also defines "Magazine" as any ammunition feeding device. The belt of an M2 is therefore a "Magazine" within the statute, and it is located outside of the handgrip.
That makes the Semi-Auto Browning M2 illegal, not as a .50BMG "Rifle", but as an "Assault Weapon."
Some folks have suggested that the Semi-Auto M2 could be made legal by converting the weapon such that the belt is made a "Fixed" magazine. Those proposals typically involve changing the cover latch such that a tool is required to open the over, and then using a fixed length belt of no more than 10 rounds. But that don't work either. The definition of "Fixed" magazine is such that a tool is required to REMOVE the magazine, not that a tool is required to mount a magazine. Such an effort would not produce a "Fixed" magazine. As a test - fire all ten rounds from such a magazine, then look to see where the magazine went (remember California's definition - the "magazine" is the belt). If the magazine is still in the weapon such a tool is needed to remove it, you're OK. If the pieces of the magazine are on the ground, then they were removed without a tool and you're outta luck. California also makes it very difficult to make a 10 round "Magazine" using a disintegrating link belt. The problem is that a "Large Capacity Magazine" is defined as one having the "Capacity" to hold more than 10 rounds. You can make up a 10 round magazine using disintegrating links, but as long as you have the capacity to add additional links, your 10 round (or 5 round, or even a 2 round) belt is still a "Large Capacity Magazine."
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