Getting My C&R

If you do a search, there are tons of threads with great advice already available for you, incuding a pretty sizeable thread full of links to places for you to spend your money at.

Prices are still good on the Mosin Nagant 91/30's, that's what I "broke in" my C&R with, but be warned that they tend to be addicting... first you buy one, then you want one that matches from it's "sister" arsenal, then you want an M44, then maybe a Chinese Type 53 because it's "almost" an M44 too, then you see someone selling an M38, or a hex receiver one, and all yours are round receivers... you get my drift! But surplus ammo is still cheap enough, I just bought a spam can for $93 delivered to my door.

I have saved my investment many times over as far as saving on transfer fees, but it is beginning to be a very expensive piece of paper!

I hate to be the bearer of possible ill tidings, but the ATF cashes your check almost as soon as tehy get it. You may still be waiting a while until the C&R comes in the mail. The good news is that you get to use that time to plan all the wonderful things you're going to buy! It's a hard wait though...best of luck that yours arrives real quick and enjoy your C&R (you won't regret it)!

start calling them and asking about the status of your application.
when i first got mine i waited till they cashed the check then started calling to check the status. on the third or fourth call i got a hold of the guy who does the applications for my region and he finished it up while i was on the phone with him.

Took about 3 months fore to get mine after they cashed my check.

Nicely done, dirtyjim! I called a few times but I nevere seemed to get past a secretary/clerk who wouldn't give any specifics. It took about 3 months for me as well after they cashed my check. It was worth the wait though.

3 months for some of you.....wow..........i honestly think mine took less than a month.....


i have a question though......they sent me just my license......but were that also supposed to send me out a packet of information?, because i never got anything else....

i got mine last in march 2010, and it took 2 weeks. I'd be careful of calling too much, I've heard of stories of chronic callers taking longer than everyone else.

M-Cameron: definitely call them and ask them, there is quite a bit of informational paperwork that comes with it. You'll want that stuff as it consolidates any answers you may have in one place, direct from the authority.

Just buy in bulk to reduce your costs per item, and get started soon. Great C&Rs are drying up fast. The days of inexpensive C&R are quickly disappearing.

I obtained my C&R before I started shopping -- and then found that most C&R firearms are rather expensive. Mosin Nagant and a few others excepted. So I haven't made that much use of my license yet. My best-value buy on it I think was a Colt M1917 revolver for $450.

M-Cameron,
You lucky stiff! My information packet came a few days to a week after my license. I think sometimes it happens the other way around...if you don't see it before too long though, shoot them a call, the information is very helpful.

Duns,
I've gotten some great deals on C&R firearms (Yugo M24/47 and M57 being probably the best bang for the buck) but that said, C&R collecting is rather addictive so it adds up. In general though, the surplus firearms seem to have the greatest bang for the buck for me...they retain their value pretty well (because they never suffer from a "new gun being now used" price drop) and you can often find cheap ammo.

The M24/47s or M48s, Mosin-Nagant rifles, and K31s are some great deals. Nagant revolvers are cheap and fun but ammo expensive, M57s Tokarevs are just awesome. I've found the US surplus stuff though much more expensive (though my M1 Garand is my pride and joy and worth every penny).

I've had my C&R for maybe 6 months and it paid for itself with my first purchase and by now given saved transfer fees and discounts at places like midway, I think it's payed for itself 4-5 time over.

Mine just took a couple of weeks last summer...

I think my C&R only took a month to arrive.

Some good cheaper C&R guns out there right now that are readily available are the Mosin 91/30's, CZ-82's, Walther P1's, and Yugo SKS's. Check sites like www.aimsurplus.com www.jgsales.com and www.southernohiogun.com (you'll need to send you C&R to SOG before you can even see what they have).

Mine came in about 3 weeks.

For the price ~ it will pay for itself the first time its used.

Mosin nagants seem to be the best deal around right now. I'd get onboard with that right away, including stocking up on ammo - I've got a 91/30 and 880 rounds of ammo.

There are other deals to be had in the C&R world still, but usually north of $150.

Myself, I bought a Russian capture Mauser w/markings intact (third reich marking not peened out) and a 91/30.

The discounts you can get at websites for being a C&R are nice, too.

Read, read, and read some more - and enjoy it once it shows up It's pretty awesome to have stuff shipped right to your front door!

Mosin nagants seem to be the best deal around right now.

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Eh, so damn many mosins were made that they're never going to be worth all that much. Pristine Walther P1's for $320, unissued Yugo SKS's for $260... that's the type of stuff that you'll have a difficult and expensive time finding in the future. Not a mosin.

(note: everyone needs some mosins. i own 4)

Harmon- I'm gonna have to disagree with you here. Sure you will get more return on an your investment in a few years if you buy an SKS right now. They will definitely appreciate in value more than the SKS will. BUT, you are assuming that "best deal" means best investment.

I think the MN is a fantastic deal because for about $250 delivered, someone could have a rugged, accurate, and powerful rifle along with sling, bayo, stripper clip pouch etc...) and 880 rounds of ammo to get them started.

That's a TON of bang for the buck. That, to me, makes them a fantastic deal (and is one of the reasons I have several myself).
I have to say though, i think you're right about the Walther P1. I'm dying for one.

Harmon- I'm gonna have to disagree with you here. Sure you will get more return on an your investment in a few years if you buy an SKS right now. They will definitely appreciate in value more than the SKS will. BUT, you are assuming that "best deal" means best investment.

I think the MN is a fantastic deal because for about $250 delivered, someone could have a rugged, accurate, and powerful rifle along with sling, bayo, stripper clip pouch etc...) and 880 rounds of ammo to get them started.

That's a TON of bang for the buck. That, to me, makes them a fantastic deal (and is one of the reasons I have several myself).
I have to say though, i think you're right about the Walther P1. I'm dying for one.

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fair enough.

Cut up your credit cards before your C&R gets there.

Trust me, I know!

Cut up your credit cards before your C&R gets there.

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There is definitely that danger...maybe we can all claim some sort of disease ("C&R Fever" of maybe "Surplusitis") and see if we can get some of that healthcare money to help cure our ailment. In all seriousness of course, it is rather addictive but I've yet to regret a purchase made with my C&R (I find the bang for your buck factor high). That said I've had my C&R less than a year and I have tripled my collection (granted is was initially a small collection) so my gun budget is shot until the end of the summer. That's okay though because I'll just console myself by having a grand time shooting the new acquisitions.

Congrats St.Zu! Good luck with your purchases (I'm sure you're going to pleased).

Still waiting on mine

They cashed my check April 15th. Still waiting. I think I will start calling after the 60 day mark comes. I have a couple of guns that I want to order NOW!!