C&R Question For You C&R Junkies.....

[cslinger]

I realize that for a gun to be considered C&R it must be in it's original configuration and cannot simply be an action. So for example a Yugo SKS with a polymer stock is illegal and say a sporterized whatever is not a C&R and could not be purchased using your license.

Ok now for the question.

What about firearms that have been refinished but where replicas of the original military stocks and are in military configuration. M1 Garands made by Orion 7, Fulton, DGR etc. come to mind. All of them say that a C&R license is ok to ship to but none are technically in original shape but they are in their original configuration with the exception that some may wear a different type of wood.

Anyway so what is the definition of configuration in this example. Could say a Yugo SKS be kept legal by changing the stock to a new, but identical in configuration stock that may be a different type of wood? I keep using this example because Yugos become illegal with changes since they would not have imported them if not for their C&R status but I am really interested in the above mentioned Garands.

Can I legally take delivery of one of the Garand fluff and buffers products using a C&R license?

If nobody else has run into this, this probably warrants a letter to our master.......ahhh I mean the BATFEABCDEF.

Thanks
Chris

 

[DMK]

It's certainly a judgment call for the ATF/courts, but one has to consider the spirit of the law. The C&R licence was created for the historical collector. Buying cheap surplus guns and sporterizing is obviously not the intent.

However, there is nothing in the law that says you can't repair or restore a C&R firearm. Restoring a firearm to original condition using reproduction parts (ie. new parts that are identical to the originals) should be within the spirit of the law as long as you used an original reciever and kept the same caliber.

If I was to take an original Garand, rebuild it with a new Douglas 30.06 barrel and a new Wenig stock, the rifle should still be C&R. However, if I converted it to .308, it would not be. I mean think about it, even when they were in service, they were rebuilt a number of times with parts from a large number of different manufacturers. Just keep it all to orginal spec.

If you have a specific situation in mind, certainly do write the ATF tech dept. for a CYA letter.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I agree with DMK...

The key word is configuration. As long as the gun is in it's orginal configuration, regardless of replacement parts, it remains a C&R.

This also follows ATF's rulings on NFA machineguns, pre-ban semi-automatic assault weapons and pre-ban high-capacity magazines. In all cases, ATF allows for their repair without that repair changing their previous status. So, as far as they are concerned, replacing a broken auto sear in a registered M16 with one made after 1986 does not constitute making a new machinegun. The same applies to C&Rs.

 

[outdoorman63]

c&r

i have to agree once the weapon is changed it is no longer a c&r...but i agree aftermarket parts which are reproductions of the original in my opinion would be okay....i am usually pretty careful when i buy...and when i sell if i am unsure i go thru an o1 dealer

 

[Kharn]

If the reciever is older than 50 years (dating the reciever by the serial number), configuration does not matter.

If its C&R due to being a curio (ATF-listed as C&R, but not older than 50 years), it gets a little more complicated.

Kharn

 

[Chipperman]

I don't think that's right, Kharn.
You can't buy stripped Garand receivers with a C&R, and they are >50 yrs old.

 

[Kharn]

I meant with regards to functional rifles. Bubba might have converted a 1945 Garand to .17DoItAll and made it use BAR mags, but it'd still be C&R from what I understand.

Kharn

 

[DMK]

You can't buy bare recievers or frames with a C&R, only complete firearms. How Century Arms and others get away with selling some of their barreled action U-Fixems to C&R holders, I don't know.

Not that I'm complaining of course.