C&R Eligible?

[Jason762]

Hello.

I saw a rifle I'd like to purchase. It's an 1903A3 made to look like an 03A4 sniper.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=62475

I'm wanting to know if it's C&R eligible since it's been modified.

If memory serves correctly, a rifle can only be in unmodified form to qualify as an C&R firearm (i.e. no sporterized/bubba'd rifles).

Does this rifle qualify as a C&R, and need no FFL/10 day waiting period?

[finfan]

The C&R license is for interstate transactions. Your ideal
purchase of this rifle would be FTF.

[ke6guj]

If memory serves correctly, a rifle can only be in unmodified form to qualify as an C&R firearm (i.e. no sporterized/bubba'd rifles).

Does this rifle qualify as a C&R,

I've seen ATF ruliings that say that imported military rifles must be in unmodified form to maintain C&R status, and that stripped receivers from those imported military rifles weren't C&R.

I haven't seen any rulings on US built rifles losing C&R status due to modifications if 50+ years old. I could understand how modifying C&R's that are less than 50 years old, but are C&R due to "rarity" could lose C&R status if bubba'd.

[chiefcrash]

I haven't seen any rulings on US built rifles losing C&R status due to modifications if 50+ years old. I could understand how modifying C&R's that are less than 50 years old, but are C&R due to "rarity" could lose C&R status if bubba'd.

if it's 50 years old, it's C&R. You can modify it and it will still be C&R. That's how Century can sell those Mosin-Nagant PU sniper reproductions and such...

[maxicon]

Does this rifle qualify as a C&R, and need no FFL/10 day waiting period?

As long as it's over 50 years old, it can be transferred inside California via PPT with no DROS or 10 day wait. C&R status doesn't actually come into it, only age. This includes stripped receivers.

Transferring from out of state, it has to meet both federal and state criteria.

[ATS76]

The receiver is over 50 years old. It’s a C&R. No FFL, DROS, waiting period will be required between 2 private parties, as long as both are over 18. You should ask to see seller’s DL and put the info on the bound book.

If you are a C&R holder in CA and the seller is a private party, not a 01 FFL in CA, he can ship the gun to you.

[bigthaiboy]

The complete 1903A3 that has had a scope mounted is still C&R, as the modifications are not significant enough to alter it's curio & relic status eg. if the stock had been cut down into a hunting stock, or the barrel had been shortened to a carbine, then the modication would be significantly altered from it's original configuration to change it's C&R status.

I think a good rule of thumb for keeping a firearm from losing it's C&R is - can the modifications be reversed without having to to use replacement parts.

[ke6guj]

The complete 1903A3 that has had a scope mounted is still C&R, as the modifications are not significant enough to alter it's curio & relic status eg. if the stock had been cut down into a hunting stock, or the barrel had been shortened to a carbine, then the modication would be significantly altered from it's original configuration to change it's C&R status.

Do you have a ruling on that that states that? I've seen an opinon letter that referenced a ATF ruling on modified imported military C&Rs needing to stay in original config, but nothing regarding domestic C&Rs of any type.

[bigthaiboy]

As for the the C&R status of the M1903A3 with the scope. The scope was added as an accessory (people add scopes to their C&R rifles all the time, and this is no different), and by adding the scope the rifle has not been signicantly altered eg. with cutting of the stock or modification of the bolt.

If you are concerned if it is a C&R eligible firearm, you need to contact ATF Technical Division directly (in writing only) and send them specific information on the weapon and photos if you can. They will make a ruling on the weapon and contact you back. DO NOT BOTHER to call a local ATF region office with a firearms ruling. They will only steer you back to the ATF Technical people. The local ATF is good for general questions about the C&R and help in filling out the forms. The address to submit a letter of ruling and eligibility of a firearm is:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Firearms Technology Branch
244 Needy Road
Martinsburg, WV 25401

[chiefcrash]

Do you have a ruling on that that states that? I've seen an opinon letter that referenced a ATF ruling on modified imported military C&Rs needing to stay in original config, but nothing regarding domestic C&Rs of any type.

First, a 1903 Springfield is not a imported military rifle

Second, the "original military configuration" only applies to firearms listed as C&R even though they are younger than 50 years old. A Yugo M59 is listed as C&R because of it's historical interest instead of age ("Curio" instead of "Relic").

Once a firearm is 50 years old, it's C&R regardless of configuration...

[ke6guj]

First, a 1903 Springfield is not a imported military rifle

Yes, I am aware of that. That is why I mentioned if anybody had info regarding modifying "domestic C&Rs".

Second, the "original military configuration" only applies to firearms listed as C&R even though they are younger than 50 years old. A Yugo M59 is listed as C&R because of it's historical interest instead of age ("Curio" instead of "Relic").

Once a firearm is 50 years old, it's C&R regardless of configuration

I've got a copy of an ATF letter that states otherwise. A guy sporterized a 1938 Turkish Mauser in 2002 (so at time is was 64 years old) and ATF says it is not a C&R anymore.

I'm not trying to cause trouble, just trying to determine what can be done to a C&R without it losing C&R status. And I know that writing letters to the ATF can backfire and get rulings we don't want. So if there is a ruling that already goes our way, I don't want to ask the question again and then get a new ruling that limits us now.