C & R Holders - How Often Do You Use Your License?

What counts as a use
any time you buy
or any time you save ALOT on your order from Midwayusa or Brownells?

I do not have one or feel I need one presently but would think that the most driving factor would be the availability of $$$$ in pocket when the deals are there or it is just another piece of paper IMHO. I am sure there will be some that can use one to good advantage buying specific firearms, but to get discounts at a retailer or two that don't get enough $$ from me to cover difference of the cost of said license, why?? I have a friend that has one and went nuts buying for the first year or so (about lost his house due to lack of cash), now he has not even used it for the last 5 years.

if i only buy one gun in three years i have broke even in the transfer fees. now were i live i have a hard time finding a dealer that will do transfers. especially on c&r type stuff so for me it was a no brainier. the savings at some of the suppliers is just icing on the cake. last gunbroker purchase i had to drive 65 miles one way to pick up a star bm up from a dealer willing to do the transfer.

When I had my license....

I used it all the time. However, that was several years ago during the golden age of milsurp imports. The guns were cheap then. If I had to buy the few I have left now, I could not afford them. I let my license expire due to obummer getting elected and the ATF now comes to your house and snoops around. Besides, I am now retired and no longer have the dough to buy any more guns......I just enjoy the ones I have....chris3

Ya only need to use it once to justify the fee for it. I saved $70 on my first purchase.

I used my C&R a lot for the first couple years. After getting about 40 guns with it, then only occasionaly since feeding these things gnaws at the wallet.
Best $30.00 I've spent as it has saved me a bundle. Actually, no, it didn't save me a bundle since I likely wouldn't have bought near as many guns with all the Illinois paperwork, waiting period and dealer mark-up. But a C&R did me good.

if you count the discounts at retailers then ALOT.. firearms only? 2 or 3 a year .

Like most here, I use about 2-3 times a year for firearms but far more often if you consider dealer discounts at places like Midway. That said, I more than made my money back on my first purchase using the C&R.

Since the C&R is a non-dealer license, it seems odd that some places give dealer discounts for having one.

On the other hand: Who else besides Midway gives these discounts?

"Who else besides Midway gives these discounts?"

Grafs do for sure, & I think Brownells still do. I buy most of my accessories from either Midway or Grafs, so the C&R pays for itself quickly. Have only bought two guns with it in almost five years!

BLB68 said:

Since the C&R is a non-dealer license, it seems odd that some places give dealer discounts for having one.

On the other hand: Who else besides Midway gives these discounts?

Click to expand...

It is not a *firearms* dealer license

I wonder about how many of the people selling accessories at gun shows are using a C&R.

I had one for 12 years (two renewals). I bought a lot when there were heavy imports, I would keep what I liked and found certain things that I particularly liked. When I found out about widespread home checks by the ATF because of Obama's encouragement, I decided to let it expire. I've got a great FFL to do transfers and it is very inexpensive. I'm working on retirement planning, so I do buy much now anyway.

I've had my C&R for maybe 6 months, haven't bought any guns yet. I have take advantage of the nice discounts at Midway, though

Has anyone had the ATF come to their house? Or know of anyone that has?

C&R license

I got one two years ago with the intent of buying several military guns and not having to go the route of the FFL dealer. I bought seven guns in that first year and planned on buying more but lost my job. It was well worth the money and time to get the license. Now if I have to sell the eligible guns I can do it direct and bypass the FFL dealer on my end. If you really shop you can get some good usable guns, for hunting and defense, at reasonable prices. Although I really admire high end woodwork and butter smooth actions I want guns that I can use. Military guns are espcially rugged. The most accurate deer rifle i ever owned was a low end Remington 722 so i question the need to spend a whole lot of money on a gun used as a tool.

When I first got mine I used it a LOT. When I glanced at my log book the other day I had like 7 or 8 transfers the first year I got it. After you get what's on the market though it slows down. These days I really don't have any interest any longer in acquiring additional C&R rifles (matter of fact I'm thinking of divesting myself of most of the ones I have - I just prefer modern rifles a lot more), but I still get handguns. Just ordered a Tokarev M57 with mine earlier this week. Before that I think the last time I used it was for a CZ-82 when they first became C&R.

Overall, with $15 transfers available to me I'm not saving THAT much money, but it's a lot more convenient just being able to call up and order those guns without coordinating with the FFL. Plus, it comes straight to the house. Not bad for the trivial expense of the license.

And no, I've never been audited. From what I've gathered from most C&R holders it does happen, but it's not THAT common. Unlike most regular FFL's though, a lot of the C&R guys that were audited had their audit done over the phone.

Back in the day of $100 5fers I used mine at least once a month. Made a killing on Ebay selling parts (opps probably shouldn't admit that). Before is was over I had 137 pieces. Those days are long gone I'm afraid.

The first year I had my 03-FFL, I constantly used it.
Haven't used it after the first year.