PCSing to California, what about my guns?

Former gun dealer here.

It is best not to bring them into the state at all if you can avoid it.

Things to consider:

1) The magazines are illegal (over 10 rd). Period. You are not allowed to have them. Don't get caught with them.

2) California has an approved firearms list. If the firearm is not on the list by Model# (not class of weapon), you aren't allowed to have it.

3) There is a registration requirement. See #2.

Using out of state storage is generally the best option.

You may be able to store your weapons on base (contact the Provost Marshall), or you can store them outside of the State. Unfortunately, there is no active duty exemption. New York and Hawaii are also tough states to PCS to because of gun control laws.

Military exempted
Since orders to California are not necessarily permanent, military are exempt from the new-resident handgun registration. If the service member separates in California such registration would be appropriate at that time. PC 17000(a) (old 12001(n))

(6) He or she moves into this state on or after January 1, 1998,
as a resident of this state.
and PC 17000 (b)

(b) For purposes of paragraph (6) of subdivision (a):
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), residency shall be
determined in the same manner as is the case for establishing
residency pursuant to Section 12505 of the Vehicle Code.
(2) In the case of a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States, residency shall be deemed to be established when the
individual was discharged from active service in this state.

Source:
https://www.atf.gov/file/117166/download?fbclid=IwAR3StwwVcGJST03NTCYkrEQji70IbpKyRC8EgUgNltcJ96GZrCbfffXvmnA

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Handguns are exempt from Roster
Handguns moved here from out of state are exempt from California's Roster of Handguns

Handguns must not be 'assault weapons'
Handguns must not be California 'assault weapons' per Penal Code 30515 (old 12276.1)

(4) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a
detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor,
forward handgrip, or silencer.
(B) A second handgrip.
(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely
encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon
without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the
barrel.
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location
outside of the pistol grip.
(5) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the
capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

Magazines must be 10 rounds or fewer
With the law as it is in December 2008, it is illegal to bring large-capacity magazines, magazines holding 11 or more rounds, into California, even if the magazines and gun using them were legally owned outside of California, and even if there are no 10-round or fewer magazines made for your gun.

This is true for both long guns and handguns.

Source(s):
http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php?title=Moving_to_California_with_firearms
http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php?title=The_Safe_Handgun_List#Process
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=17000