C&R holders, is it worth having?

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gym

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I can't get an FFL in my development, but can get a C&R. I have been looking at the FFL forms on my desk for a year, lol. I am still not sure if I would make use of the license or not. Can any permit holders shed any light on weather this is indeed a useful item to have.
From what I understand, you really are supposed to just be a collector, not in business of buying and selling guns. Any thoughts on this? I would like to restore older guns, and make an occasional sale. I don't really need a permit for that, but it facilitated doing that it would merit some thought.
 
gym said:
I can't get an FFL in my development, but can get a C&R. I have been looking at the FFL forms on my desk for a year, lol. I am still not sure if I would make use of the license or not. Can any permit holders shed any light on weather this is indeed a useful item to have.
From what I understand, you really are supposed to just be a collector, not in business of buying and selling guns. Any thoughts on this? I would like to restore older guns, and make an occasional sale. I don't really need a permit for that, but it facilitated doing that it would merit some thought.
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Useful only if you intend to buy C&R guns .
 
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The selection of C&R guns is drying up but having a license is handy when you run across something at a gun store.

You are correct it is a collectors license but you can sell guns for the purpose of enhancing your collection...for example replacing one with better condition or rarer version.

But the real value of the license is discounts for parts and tools from dealers you get. I paid for my C&R with my first order and have saved a fair chunk of change since then.
 
You get big discounts at places like Midway and Brownells, plus you get C&R guns delivered to your door so yes it's definitely worth it.

I made an order at Brownells that would've been $1200 but was $800 with my C&R - think it was worth it just for that? :)
 
After 12 years as a C&R Licensee, I am finally going to let mine expire in February.

While I still appreciate the discounts that it gets me at several retailers, I doubt that I will be buying any more C&Rs in the near future. Actually, I have long needed to reduce my C&R Collection/Accumulation.

If after a year, or so, I find that I should maintain an 03FFL license, I will get another one ... and startup again with a brand new & empty Bound Book. ;)
 
C&r ffl ?

GBExpat said:
After 12 years as a C&R Licensee, I am finally going to let mine expire in February.

While I still appreciate the discounts that it gets me at several retailers, I doubt that I will be buying any more C&Rs in the near future. Actually, I have long needed to reduce my C&R Collection/Accumulation.

If after a year, or so, I find that I should maintain an 03FFL license, I will get another one ... and startup again with a brand new & empty Bound Book. ;)
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Thank you ! My thoughts exactly . :)
 
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I like older firearms and It allows me to order online, from an out of state dealer that I may visit or a home state dealer where I skip the waiting period. I just got mine this year and am really enjoying it. The FFLs close to me are $75 and those 30-45 minutes are still $50.
 
BSA1 said:
The selection of C&R guns is drying up but having a license is handy when you run across something at a gun store.

You are correct it is a collectors license but you can sell guns for the purpose of enhancing your collection...for example replacing one with better condition or rarer version.

But the real value of the license is discounts for parts and tools from dealers you get. I paid for my C&R with my first order and have saved a fair chunk of change since then.
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Why is it handy in a gun store? You don't need to ship at that point
 
Because even at a gun store, you don't need to pay for a background check. Saves you money.

Most of the C&R's that I've bought have been at gun shows and then dealers, and at $10 per check it has saved me a lot on its own. Add in the savings for guns bought out of state not needing an FFL transfer ($35 for those) and I'm WAY ahead of the game.
 
OcelotZ3 said:
Because even at a gun store, you don't need to pay for a background check. Saves you money.

Most of the C&R's that I've bought have been at gun shows and then dealers, and at $10 per check it has saved me a lot on its own. Add in the savings for guns bought out of state not needing an FFL transfer ($35 for those) and I'm WAY ahead of the game.
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must be a regional thing. I have never paid for a background check at a show or in a gun shop. I have a CCW and I am in and out in 5 mins
 
What happens to all the guns you've acquired with your C&R if you let it expire? They just become part of your private collection?
 
After having mine for nearly 3 years without ordering C&R guns, I finally ordered a Mosin M44. It easily paid for itself since there's no way I could have bought this gun for the same price locally, where it would probably have cost twice what I paid.
 
I have bought several guns with my C&R license, but any that I bought with it, I could have purchased without. I do like older weapons, and also military and it does make purchasing guns easier. I don't feel it has saved me any money, and some of the smaller dealers don't like fooling with it. I am not sure if I will renew or not.
 
After your license expires the guns do become personal collection items and your bound book is turned over to the ATF.

Personally I enjoy the option having a C&R afford me. I like old wood rifles to begin with and enjoy the history and research that go along with each purchase. Not everything that you can aquire are old bolt action rifles... The SKS, M1 carbine, P38/P1 and Cz82 pistols come to mind....
 
I have spent more on renewing my license than on guns if that tells you anything. I can buy C&R guns almost as cheaply without it and don't need to record them or be bound by other regs.
 
Having one saved me hundreds, letting it expire saved me thousands. You will absolutely save more than the $30 application fee. Places like cdnn, century, southern ohio, etc do have different pricing. Midway used to be good but i soon found out that my wife could order cheaper by using thier coupons, which cannot be used for "dealer prices". It does make ordering online too easy.
 
As others have said the surplus market is drying up, it was worth getting a years ago not anymore IMO. Please remember that not all gun stores accept a C&R FFL and they are under no obligation to do so. Two local gun stores that said to me that I have to go through a background check like everyone else when asked if I can use my C&R to buy a C&R firearm. While there are gun dealers who do accept the C&R, not all of them do. I plan to let the C&R lapse when it expires.
 
The C&R is not just for "surplus guns". Anyone that likes to buy guns older than 50 years will save more than $30 easily, no waiting period, delivered to your door if mailed plus the ability to jump on finds when out of state. I just had a nice 1911 /black Army delivered. It saved me a trip to the FFL which is about 2 hours with travel, wait and paperwork plus they charge $75.
 
Mine pays for itself monthly, if not more often. I don' use it for buying stuff from dealers, I use it so I can have guns shipped directly to me without going through an FFL. Never have used it to get a discount from a catalog. As long as I'm interested in old military guns I have every expectation that I'll keep it renewed. Just too useful not to have.
 
"Why is it handy in a gun store? You don't need to ship at that point"

Ever browse in gunstores in other states? If you do, and you have a C&R, you can buy anything including handguns either on the list or more than 50 years old on the spot, and carry it home.



"After your license expires the guns do become personal collection items and your bound book is turned over to the ATF"

Uhh.... no.



"As others have said the surplus market is drying up"

ALL pre-64 firearms are C&R this year, making it a good year to start collecting Pre-64 Winchesters. Nothing surplus about them. 50 years is not that long ago for many of the arms we love.



"What happens to all the guns you've acquired with your C&R if you let it expire? They just become part of your private collection?"

Yup, just like they were part of your private collection before. The C&R IS all about letting you build a private collection. You just can't buy any more on your license and revert to being a mere mortal collector if you allow it to lapse.





Willie

.
 
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I had one years ago and let it expire. It was nice back when the C&R imports were coming in everywhere and for dirt cheap. Nowadays? Now much point.
 
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