Pros and cons of having a C&R

[Dave223]

Ok fellas,
  Im considering and have sent away for the packet to obtain my C&R license. Im interested in procuring a few antique firearms, both pistols and rifles.What are the pros and cons of having the license? Does it help at gun shows? Do I still have to do a background check if I buy a new firearm? What happens if or when i decide not to renew it?  Anything I may have missed, please let me know!  Thanks, Dave

[TribReady]

The pros are many...and you'll get a ton of posts on that.
The con=your bank account will dwindle quickly      

You will have a background check done by the BATF and that will allow you to purchase C&R items directly, including at gunshows.  It has no bearing on a purchase for a modern firearm and the normal NCIS procedure must be followed.

[torpedoman]

you'll fall in love with the big brown truck, It could be either + or- but the wife may run away with the driver she gets to know so well.

[TribReady]

 
 I loved the sound of that truck coming down the street!  It was pretty awesome.
Come to think of it, my wife didn't complain about the purchases.....I just assumed it was because I was saving on the FFL fee 

[NRAJOE]

You'll go broke "saving" money...

[GrassLakeRon]

If you like older firearms and like the idea that you can get them at a reduced cost most of the time.  If you like the idea of these firearms being shipped to your door...... Then get one.  The downside is ATF can come visit you and you have to do a small amount of paperwork.  Case in point, a polish Tok.  Local retail is $340, C&R from Century $250.  Ammo for said handgun, local retail is $175, C&R from Century $98. 

Ron

[Czech_too]

+1 to what Ron states.
I've only had mine for a couple of years and even with the C&R firearms out of the picture, I've 'saved' the cost of the license several times over in the discount on components and accessories that I've purchased through Graf's & Brownell's.  For me it's well worth having.

Brian, in Ohio

[1911crazy]

I would never be without it even if my collecting stopped because of the discounts on gun accessories/ammo too.

PRO's;

You get C&R guns delivered to your door by the BBT.
......................(you save gas and time)............................................

You miss the insults at the local dealers when you ask about buy a surplus military rifle.(less agrivation & BS  & I even been heckled about surplus guns)..

You cut out the middleman(local dealer) who isn't interested in your wants anyway and they have no idea how much money they lose by there additude.      (we save many $$$ its our gain / there loss)

You get discounts on reloading supplies, ammo, gun parts and accessories.
......................................(delivered to your door by the BBT)...............

You save more than the $30 cost of the C&R FFL on your very first purchase.
......................................(its a win/win situation for everyone involved)....

They will only increase in value they never will go down in price.


THE CON's;

Your always broke but you have something to show for it. It could be worse i could of drank the money and p!ssed it away.

The misses sees the plastic's bill.

The misses sees the amount of C&R guns you have purchased in your log book. You had her fooled because they all look the same to her when you take one out until she sees the number of pages in your log book.

The misses sees the BBT stopping by all the time with the long brown boxes.

The family dog sounds the alarm everytimme the BBT stops to deliver.

Of course the BBT driver times it to deliver when the misses gets home from work.

The BBT backs up in the driveway to deliver many packages with the blue warning label on them.

You need to figure out where to hide all those long brown boxes because someday you may sell someting so you will need the boxes even if you move too.

There's no packages for the misses its only your stuff.

The police chief knows the misses (co worker) and he says your hubby
 has a lot of guns when he gets a C&R renewal copy of your license. Or i didn't know he had that many.  Of course your the only guy in town who has a C&RFFL03 license too.

[Dave223]

Thanks for the replies fellas,
 I think I may get the license when the packet comes in. I too have a dealer that always wants to sell whats in stock instead of what I want. i always get the "why do you want that, for a hundred more you can get this." I dont like weatherbys or brownings, they are overpriced for what they are.
 The discounts for ammo, is that only for antique rifle ammo or calibers like 243 an such?  Thanks again, Dave

[1911crazy]

Thanks for the replies fellas,
 I think I may get the license when the packet comes in. I too have a dealer that always wants to sell whats in stock instead of what I want. i always get the "why do you want that, for a hundred more you can get this." I dont like weatherbys or brownings, they are overpriced for what they are.
 The discounts for ammo, is that only for antique rifle ammo or calibers like 243 an such?  Thanks again, Dave

You get dealer discounts at most places like grafs,  midwayusa, brownells ect like on all there products wether its new ammo, reloading supplies or accessories. You can save a lot by following there sales and clearances too.

Some local dealers can be like car salesmans and offer only what they have instock.  I made a list of options once on the net of a special jeep wrangler i wanted with all the drivetrain bells and whistles and had a price in my hand with the options and the owner of the dealer said let him pick from the lot.  Needless to say i ordered what i wanted in the end after a hassle.  But the local gun dealers won't commit to get what you want. They lose big time if your into collecting its the dollars the'll never see.  So the joke is on them for sure.

[budman46]

nrajoe probably had the best comment on a c&rffl...you go broke saving money! 

i don't know if my my affliction with milsurps is benefited or enabled with my 03...

budman

ignorance if fixable, stupidity is forever

[1911crazy]

Your broke but you have toys to play with its not like drinking the $$ and p!ssing it away you have something to show for it.  I only buy whats affordable.

[mrussel]

They will only increase in value they never will go down in price.

 I absolutely agree with this with the typical milsurps that people (including me,I'm running out of room for more,but I will find it somehow) I wonder if the very expensive guns are like other antiques though. I'm talking the kind of guns that go for 10 grand or more. If they are like other collectibles,say 1800s doll houses or early american furniture you have to be somewhat careful as prices can fluctuate depending on many variables. Of course its also possible I dont know what Im talking about becuase the whole of my antique knowledge comes from watching Antiques Roadshow.      The most important thing I learned is not to take something 150 years old covered in a patina that shows its age and try to spiff it up so it looks "like new" and think its going to increase the value. I dont know how many times Ive seen where the expert says "One of these in good condition will sell at auction for around 5000 dollars. Did you do anything too this before you brought it here?" The owner then explains that they cleaned it up with silver polish or used a peice of sandpaper on it. The expert then goes on to say "Thats very unfortunate. The cleaner/sandpaper/dremel tool stripped the patina and the original finish off. In this condition would bring only around 50 dollars."

[1911crazy]

For an example checkout the prices on c&r's at sites on the net like gun broker and auction arms and then go to www.aimsurplus.com or www.samcoglobal.com to compare them.
Checkout the list prices too.

[dynomike1x1]

What do you mean keeping a book? Do you have to keep a log on every gun you buy? I got my C&R with no info. I guess it's because i already have a blaster of high explosives lic.

[mrussel]

What do you mean keeping a book? Do you have to keep a log on every gun you buy? I got my C&R with no info. I guess it's because i already have a blaster of high explosives lic.

 First,dont trust what you read here. The people here are knowledgeable but your dealing with stuff that could get you in a lot of trouble if you screw it up. Go up to the ATF website and read what they say and if you are still not clear on the requirements,you should call them.
 
 Second,you do not buy stuff WITH the license,instead you ARE licensed. As such ANY C&R you buy while you are licensed MUST be logged into a logbook with all the required information. (again,dont listen to us,read the exact requirements directly from the horses (or other animal that is kind of similar to horse or a donkey) mouth at the ATF website) Similarly any that you sell must also be logged. Essentially,getting that license imposes special requirements on you for tracking the purchase and sale of firearms that qualify as C&R. In return you get special privileges. You can have the big brown truck bring C&R directly to your doorstep. It makes buying that WWII Browning Hi Power with Nazi proof marks very easy. So long as they have your license on file,its point,click, enter the credit card and like magic a guy in a brown shirt and shorts brings a box to your doorstep in a few days.

[mrloring]

What do you mean keeping a book? Do you have to keep a log on every gun you buy? I got my C&R with no info. I guess it's because i already have a blaster of high explosives lic.

I use a 3 ring binder with sheet protectors.  It gives you a place to keep the receipts and copies of other FFL's license as well.  If you want a copy of the page I use I can email it as a PDF file. 

Dang I didn't notice how old this post was until after I posted, but if anybody needs the sheet send me a message.

[1911crazy]

"LOGBOOK"

All my guns are logged in one book.  I have aq C&R section and a modern section too.

Here are my catagories;

C&R Handguns

Modern Handguns

C&R Rifles;

1.bolt actions;
a. 6,5 mm
b. 7mm
c. 8mm
d. 30cal

2. semi auto's

3.Modern rifles

4. Shotguns

Its good to have a neat book with everything logged in thats in the safes.

[mrloring]

"LOGBOOK"

All my guns are logged in one book.  I have aq C&R section and a modern section too.

Its good to have a neat book with everything logged in thats in the safes.

I do the same thing but I only have two sections C&R and Non-C&R.  If I were to ever be checked by the ATF the Non-C&R section would be removed!

[bigbird09]

not to steal the topic, but is there any reason for someone that isn't really into collecting firearms atm to get a C&R?

[mrloring]

You get dealer discounts at most places like grafs,  midwayusa, brownells ect like on all there products wether its new ammo, reloading supplies or accessories. You can save a lot by following there sales and clearances too.

[tcencore3006]

Dave good question.  I have been debating whether or not to get mine as well.  Good discussion here.

[MGMorden]

not to steal the topic, but is there any reason for someone that isn't really into collecting firearms atm to get a C&R?

MidwayUSA and Brownells both give you dealer discounts with a C&R.

Besides that though, having let mine lapse twice now (and prepping to fill out the paperwork yet again . . . ), the real problem is that for me,  I will say "I'm done with the surplus guns", then I will inevitably see something that I want, and the process is such that if you wait until that moment to mail off your app they'll all be sold before you get your license in.

[torpedoman]

CON; U.P.S. came today the dog did not bark.

[sharps4590]

I saw this thread an checked it out because the firearms I enjoy most are nearly all well over the 50 year mark.  I'm grateful for all who offered their experiences and opinions.  As a recovering alcoholic it is easy for me to see that the last thing I need is a C&R license!!!!!!!!  Oh my....I'm certain it would not be pretty.

[1911crazy]

I was driven to get my C&RFFL03 license by my local gun shops.  They wanted nothing to do with the C&R smelly cosmolined up guns.  Since 10 or so years ago there minds have changed about that there selling C&R guns now.  They can all bite me for they missed the C&R bus and the money they lost.

[Bigeasy]

Something I heard recently - Have not verified it as I do not have a C&R Lisc. - The US Postal Service will not ship any handgun on a C&R, as they will on a regular class 01 FFL.  If so, this means a C&R holder will have to use UPS / Fed X overnight delivery on a handgun, possibly eating up any savings as opposed to using an FFL holder for the transfer, who can ship Priority Mail for about $16.00.  Something to consider when dealing with handguns.
 
Larry

[NRAJOE]

In this anti-gun climate lately I almost didn't send in my 4th renewal this week.
I haven't bought anything with my C&R at all in the last 3 yrs and don't have any C&R firearms at all right now.
But I went ahead and sent my renewal in anyways.
Bigeasy, you are correct on C&R mailing HANDGUNS through UPS/FEDEX only...USPS will take rifles as I have done this many times.
Not to say I didn't play "dumb" a couple times and send a C&R handgun through USPS a couple tmes...no problems.

[Graybeard]

btt