C&R license-worth it?

For me it has definitely been worth it. I like the older guns and it's nice having them sent straight to my house. So if I buy just two C&R guns a year I save money and convenience. Be warned though, not all 01 FFLs will accept or ship to a C&R holder.

cbourbeau32 said:

It's basically the cost of one and a half transfer fees assuming that I would have purchased the particular firearms anyway.

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There it is.

I have been licensed for 17 years. I have found my 03FFL to be very (and sometimes too) handy.

For me, and many of us, purchasing only 2 C&R firearms in 3 years is rare.

Also keep in mind that some of the online companies in this market offer discounts to 03FFL Licensees.

The BIG downside is that you may find yourself with more firearms (and less disposable income) than you initially imagined that you would have.

cbourbeau32 said:

C&R license-worth it?

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Oh, HELL yes!

Definitely worth it if you are into all steel platforms and antique firearms.

My C&R was VERY expensive... I got it back in the 90's when the surplus market was huge! I let it lapse about 15 years ago (corresponding to my first child). I haven't really seen much on the surplus market lately that makes me want to get another. But I am really spoiled from the good old days!

Is it worth it? Only you know your buying habits. I've had it for several licensing periods and have yet to use it. For me the answer was no and I probably won't renew it.

I live in a state that has a 3day waiting period on all firearms purchases. Having a C&R makes collecting so much easier. The waiting period makes attending auctions or gunshows a pain in the a$$. Not spending a bunch of money on transfer fees allows me to buy more guns! I personally will not deal with FFLs that will not accept C&R. These individuals often suffer from ignorance, laziness and paranoia. A few are just soar about not being able to gouge you on transfer fees.

I only bought 2 guns with my C&R, but it was worth it if for no other reason than to have them shipped directly to me. In some metro areas you can find a no-cost dealer if you keep asking around. In metro Atlanta it's TruPrep.

Worth every cent....While the heyday of surplus military,, any country, is pretty much over....there are 100,000 guns that qualify for C&R status every year... I’ve found many knowledgeable dealers,,,too many, in fact, so I keep buying,,,

As noted above, if you are interested in "old steel", a C&R can be a money saver. If you enjoy plastic, not so much. I have had mine for 10-12 years and will continue to renew it.

cbourbeau32 said:

Has it been worth it for you?

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Cars you don't drive, wine you don't drink, guns you don't shoot.

Keeping a C&R really wasn't worth it to me. At the time I applied, there were a lot of great deals on iconic firearms. Sadly, fewer imports mean less stock and higher prices. A lot depends on what you are collecting, who has product in stock, and what kind of condition it is in. Most of the online retailers who had a big C&R business either diversified into other products or went out of business. I found the online discounts mostly disappointing compared with even typical sales. Money is money, but don't get a C&R only for the discounts, get it because you want to collect C&R firearms, skip the transfer fee, and have them sent directly to your house.
If you do go ahead with a C&R, be aware of "gunsmith specials." All that means is that the seller either can't find the parts or it's too expensive to fix.

You can have guns sent right to you that are 50+ years old or deemed to be of historical value. It’s good for three years and costs $30 (essentially $10 per year) which is about what most FFL01s charge for a single transfer. In most cases, 1-2 guns purchased with a C&R makes up for transfer charges by FFL01s.

Beware, you will be tempted to buy more C&R items because it is so convenient.

Most people, even in this thread, relate a C&R to old milsurps, and they are.

BUT, a C&R is Soooo much more, anything over 50 years old ( in original configuration) is eligible....think about that for a second....there are Colt branded AR15's that are eligible, along with thousands of S&W handguns, and at this point, ANY gun that is unserializded ( from the factory) is C&R.

Those of you with a C&R, about how long did it take to receive it?

(Specifically, can I get it before Black Friday?)

Should be matter of just a few weeks....to get the 03 license

Demi-human said:

Those of you with a C&R, about how long did it take to receive it?

(Specifically, can I get it before Black Friday?)

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I received mine in 2 weeks! Normal processing time is 6 weeks and when I applied for my first licence it took about that long.

giggitygiggity said:

Beware, you will be tempted to buy more C&R items because it is so convenient.

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THAT ... is the real danger of acquiring an 03FFL, IMO.

Many folks going into it think that it will only cost them $30 for 3 years. 30 bucks, yeah, sure.

I was at the Smith & Wesson Symposium in Dallas last week. It was very nice to be able to buy and sell directly with other C&R holders without worrying about "crossing state lines".

I got one, took about three weeks. I let it lapse without use. I didn't like the implication in the regulations that I interpreted to mean that I must list ALL of my C&R-applicable firearms in this record and that this record is open to state and federal inspection at any time.

Maybe I'm too paranoid, but just no.

You only have to add C&Rs acquired during the term of the license to the Bound Book.

If the Feds decide to audit you (a very rare occurrence, apparently), you can choose an in-home visit or you can transport the Bound Book firearms & Bound Book to their office.

I always figured that I would have to opt for the in-home visit ... but ... I have had an 03FFL since Jan'02 and never heard anything from BATFE, so ... <shrug>

Oh, and this is the first time in my over 17 years licensed that I have read of anyone thinking the any State officials could also audit your records. I am very surprised that a State like Texas would pass such intrusive legislation.

I let mine lapse when I thought my collection was complete. Since then I’ve spent at least $200 in transfer fees.

For those worried about the ATF, there’s no obligation to maintain or turn in the bound book when the license expires.

theotherwaldo said:

I got one, took about three weeks. I let it lapse without use. I didn't like the implication in the regulations that I interpreted to mean that I must list ALL of my C&R-applicable firearms in this record and that this record is open to state and federal inspection at any time.

Maybe I'm too paranoid, but just no.

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You list only those C&R firearms you purchase while holding the license as well as any C&R eligible firearms you sell while holding the license. If you have some eligible C&R firearms that you have owned or that become C&R eligible while you hold the license you simply mark them as from your private collection when you sell them. It does mean that you need to list who you sold the item to and with their valid address.

I've thought about getting one over the years but the fear of being on the ATF's radar has been enough to keep me away thus far. I'm a very private person living in a very un-private world.

I've had a C&R license for three years. Took 20 days from application to mailbox. Having a firearm delivered to your front door is as heck. For me anyway. On the fence about renewing it next year. The mil sup business ain't what it used to be but there are rough jewels still out there to be found. Snagged a post war S&W Pre Model 10 with period correct holster six months ago. I love the hunt.