To C&R or not to C&R?

[mhdishere]

I've been looking over the AIM and other websites and have been drooling over a number of rifles there, a bunch of which are C&R eligible. I figure if I buy a couple I can either pay to have them shipped to a dealer (who will charge me a mark-up, fees, etc), or I can spring for the C&R and just pay the price plus shipping. I'm looking for disadvantages to the C&R.

I live in New Jersey if that matters, and anything I buy would be NJ legal. I don't need the hassle of worrying about who's watching me when I go shooting. I'd be buying rifles, and I have a FID.

I know from the ATF website that I'd have to keep a record of my purchases and sales (if any). I also know I'd be giving the Feds permission to drop in unannounced to check on my collection and paperwork anytime they want. This is the part that bothers me. Do they just show up? Suppose I'm not home (very likely if they come during the day on a weekday, when I'm at work)? If my wife is home but I'm not would they make her open the safe and show the paperwork, or would they come back when I'm home? I'm assuming if nobody is home they'll come back, they wouldn't break down the door would they? For that matter, do they actually bother to visit?

Suppose I have the license a few years, until I get everything I want, then let it expire. Does ATF still have the right to come check my collection after I give up the license?

One more thing, lets say I buy a C&R rifle and decide later to rebarrel/rechamber it for (say) .308, can I do that? (Since I have the FID it's legal for me to own the rifle, I'm asking about converting the C&R rifle here).

Is the hassle of being on Federal radar worth the money you save by not having to go thru a local dealer? I'm not planning on that big a collection, an SKS, a couple bolt actions. All would be shooters for me.

 

[mack69]

RE:

There are no disadvantages that I can see so far....I just got mine a month ago and after a few purchases at Midway and a few other places already paid for the cost of the license. I just ordered an excellent grade yugo sks yesterday to try out the home delivery of a long gun. My only concern was possibly raising a flag with the Cheif LEO of my conservative town. Go for it.....mack

 

[Valkman]

The ATF does not just drop by to check your records - you're not a felon subject to unannounced searches! If they want to audit you they let you know and you choose whether it's at your house or their office. Most choose their house so they don't have to haul the guns down the the ATF office.

Once you buy a C&R rifle, you can "Bubba-ize" it all you want, as long as you don't make it full-auto or something.

If you let your license lapse I don't know how long you'd be elidgible to be audited. You do have to keep your records for a good long while though.

To me there is no down side to a C&R. You get incredible price breaks at Midway and Brownell's, guns delivered to your house and minimal paperwork. For $30 it's worth it to me!

There is that black sedan that follows me everywhere, though. Gotta make sure the tinfoil hat is on at ALL times!

 

[TimRB]

"I'm not planning on that big a collection, an SKS, a couple bolt actions."

Oh sure. That's what I said, too.

Tim

 

[The_Doc]

You say you're in New Jersey? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a C&R is pretty much useless for you then. Something about NJ not allowing you to recieve interstate shipments of C&R firearms. I don't know the ins & outs of it, but here's a couple of threads at Parallax Bill's:

http://p077.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm72.showMessage?topicID=1382.topic

http://p077.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm72.showMessage?topicID=1658.topic

I guess if you did get it, you can get discounts on accessories and such...

 

[mhdishere]

"I'm not planning on that big a collection, an SKS, a couple bolt actions."

Oh sure. That's what I said, too.

Tim

Shhh, don't say that in front of my wife!

 

[No4Mk1]

Just do it!!

The savings at Brownells and Midway alone make it worth the $10 a year even if you never buy a single C&R firearm....

 

[Steve in PA]

I sent my C&R application out a week or two ago.......just waiting for the return.

German 8mm Mauser, Yugo 8mm Mauser, Russian 91/30, M44, M38.......maybe an Enfield, a CZ-52 are just some of what I plan on getting.

I already have an M1 Garand, 1903A3 due to arrive soon and an SKS.

Man I'm gonna be broke.........but happy

 

[gggman]

I've had my C&R since May, and have yet to buy a single firearm with it. The discount from Midway and Brownells has definately made it worthwhile.

 

[Kharn]

Disadvantage: Your credit cards will be maxed out, your safe will be full and you'll forever be searching for ammo in oddball, 75 year old calibers.

Kharn

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I made up more than the cost of the C&R with my two orders from Midway USA and Brownells. And I have only ordered three rifles with it so far, just a few more and I will be done, hehe...

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've pretty much maxed out my collection

I can only think of a couple more peices I want, and may never get around to buying them since my focus has changed. But I still sent in my renewal last month. I saved $17.50 on my last order from Midway and that's over half of the 30 bucks right there. And that was a small order for me.