so a little background, I am originally from Kommiefornia. There, even if you buy a AR15 lower, it is automatically a rifle.
As a pistol, it has to have been a complete pistol, the state requires you to perform a safe handling test with the FFL. This was actually on the CA roster and was a bolt action repeater. It didn't have a gas tube.
there are also more issues with rifles and pistols in CA. but that's another story.
I just want to make sure there isn't an issue doing what I plan on doing here out in CA with my builds.