Are there advantages/disadvantages to a gun being a C&R?

[hkruss]

I'm trying to think how to phrase this question properly. First, am I correct in thinking a C&R gun has to be 50 years or older for that designation? If so, what are the implications of buying a C&R gun? Does that C&R designation make them easier/harder to buy? (More /less hoops to jump through?). Are there more/less legal consideration in owning a C&R? One more question. IF guns over 50 years old are considered C&R's, then wouldn't many of the Garands and .30 cal. carbines, etc... sold by the CMP be considered C&R (at least the ones dating over 50 years old)? If so, would a C&R designation make them more valuable?
Obviously, I am not knowledgeable about C&R's, and I would appreciate it if someone could offer me a primer concerning the subject. Thanks

[packetsplace]

Not all C&R weapons have to be 50 years old. There are some collector catagory guns that are fairly new. You will have to examine the ATF C&R list to see whats C&R legal. I would suggest you contact the ATF web site. They have a ton of information for free. I do have a C&R and it works out great for me as I tend to buy older guns anyway. The biggest problem Ive encountered is that alot of dealers are not up to speed on C&R laws and lists. I have to bring ATF literature with me when buying to prove to them that a given gun is elligible.

[CampingJosh]

If you don't have the C&R Federal Firearms License, then it doesn't make a difference. If a gun qualifies as a curio/relic, then it can be directly shipped to anyone with the C&R FFL, which is cheaper and easier to obtain than a normal FFL.

[gandog56]

I've saved over 200 bucks in transfer fees in a year and had them shipped right to my house.

[pawn]

You'll save transfer fees, have access to wholesale pricing and qualify for dealer discounts on regular merchandise from certain vendors.

[hkruss]

Thanks for the replies. HKR

[gandog56]

Originally Posted by pawn

You'll save transfer fees, have access to wholesale pricing and qualify for dealer discounts on regular merchandise from certain vendors.

The three I know about are Graf And Sons, Midway USA, and Numrich. Are there any other big names?

[pawn]

Brownells is another I think

[Helix_FR]

Having a C&R helps if you do a lot of buying surplus. It keeps the middle man FFL out of the picture. This way you can directly ship C&R elligible arms right to your house. It does have its restrictions and the ATF documentation has some gray areas if a firearm is C&R. Just because its 50 years old or older does not necessarly mean that it C&R qualifies. The ATF has a list of guns that are 50 or older and do not meet those requirements. Also if a gun is 50 yrs old or older but has been modified or sporterized past its original condition it no longer qualifies. (this is a gray area however) Such as I bought a sporterized SMLE. According to the ATF site it no longer qualified b/c it was modified but my understanding is that when they mean sporterized or modified they mean adding to it. Mine just had the stock cut down and it was missing pieces nothing was added to it. It took several e-mails and conversations with other C&R's to clarify this.
Online purchasing is a plus with a C&R. It usually at least saves the amount of the shipping cost. Here is a list of vendors I know that honor a C&R
This list came from EdHoffer from Surplusrifleforum.com. He's tons of help if you have any questions.

AIM Surplus (firearms/ammo seller), P.O. Box 556, Springboro, OH. 45066

Allan's Armory, P.O. Box 331, Graham, FL 32042
Aztec International, PO Box 771569, Ocala, FL 34477-1569, (352) 629-6290
Brownells Inc (gun parts etc.), 200 South Front Street, Montezuma, IA 50171

Centerfire Systems, 102 Fieldview Dr, Versailles, KY 40383
Century Arms (firearms/ammo), 1161 Holland Dr., Boca Raton, FL 33487

Cole Distributing (firearms/ammo seller), P.O. Box 247, Scottsville, KY 42164

Empire Arms, P.O. Box 2068, Ormond Beach, FL 32175
FAC of America, 8035 Ranchers Road, Fridley, MN 55432, Phone: 1.800.486.5971
Graf and Sons, Inc (ammo, reloading, supplies etc.), 4050 S. Clark, Mexico, MO 65265

Huntingtons (ammo, reloading), P.O. Box 991, Oroville, CA 95965

J&G Sales (firearms, ammo, accessories), 440 Miller Valley Rd, Prescott AZ 86301

InterOrdnance, 3305 Westwood Industrial Dr., Monroe, NC 28110

L.C. Enterprises (firearms, ammo seller), S. 1093 Country Road G, Wonewoc, WI 53968

Numrich Gun Parts (gunparts Offers DISCOUNT), 226 Williams Lane, W. Hurley, NY 12491

SARCO Inc. (firearms/ammo, gunparts, accessories), P.O. Box 98, 323 Union Street, Stirling, NJ 07980

Southern Ohio Guns (SOG) (firearms/ammo), 240 Harmon Ave P.O. Box 590, Lebanon, OH 45036

Wholesale Guns (firearms/ammo), P.O. Box 289, Calverton, NY 11933

Midway USA (parts, ammo, reloading, books etc.), Dealer Sales, 5875 W. Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, MO 65203

Samco (firearms/ammo), 6995 NW 43rd St, Miami, FL 33166

[pawn]

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