"Moonrocks" are pre-1989-ban collectible firearms — rifles banned by name or feature under the 1989 federal assault weapons ban. They're legal under federal law but restricted in California, which makes surviving pre-ban examples a frozen piece of firearms history. Here's the registry our expert reviewer curates, and why each one matters.
How Moonrocks are sold on TGX
G3 / roller-delayed blowback pattern · Imported before the 1989 import ban (pre-ban date codes and import marks).
The roller-delayed G3 battle rifle in civilian trim — HK's last major import before the 1989 ban, prized for its engineering and now restricted by name in California.
AR-15 / Stoner pattern · Semi-automatic carbines manufactured before the 1994 federal ban era; pre-ban markings (e.g. 'Sporter') with period-correct serial ranges.
The original civilian AR-15 as sold in the 1960s–80s — the rifle that started America's modern sporting-rifle tradition, banned by name in California but legal federally once properly transferred out of state.
AK-47 / Kalashnikov pattern · Imported before the 1989 import ban on Chinese semi-automatic rifles.
Chinese-made Kalashnikov imported in the 1980s — cut off by the 1989 import ban, making surviving pre-ban examples a frozen piece of Cold War history.