C&R before the internet ??

[NOTABIKER]

How was the C&R hobby before the Internet you old wise ones?. you had shotgun news, Real gun shows and real gun stores.
I think most of us would love you to share your experience with the hobby before say 1995. I cant imagine it being anything like it is now with instant information and selling.
If you do not post often please share so we can learn . I bet what you have to say is about as much fun as learning about the guns themselves.

[Dutch3]

I know that in So Cal in the late 70's - early 80's, The Recycler paper was the way to find anything. It was the craigslist of the day, with pages full of guns for sale. It was free to list ads, and the paper cost 3 or 4 dollars to buy.

It was published once a week, and my friends and I would hang out and wait for it to be delivered to the local store. We would each buy a copy, then spend the next few days poring over the ads for cars, parts, tools, guns, etc., looking for the deals.

Stores like Woolworth's would often have milsurp rifles for sale cheap. I remember seeing Enfields for $49, but they had no ammo for them.

[FLZ_Boy]

I collected C&R's around the 1996 and 1999, it was a great time to buy almost everything. M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, Swedish Mausers, Enfields, etc. They were literally on racks for you to select. The internet and Shotgun News helped a lot in finding mil surplus stores.

Sadlly times have changed =(

[NOTABIKER]

when was the last time it was still legal to walk out the door cash and carry a rifle.

[steamerjames]

My father bought a M1 for $300 at Woolworths, no 10 day waiting period either, 1986 I think. Had a lot of them for sale.

[Enfield47]

I remember when Turners used to have racks full of Enfields, SKSs, Garands, M1 Carbines and many others. All were reasonably priced and you had many different ones to choose from (all cleaned - no cosmoline). There were also several gun shops around that you could go to and pick through the milsurp rifles and pistols. Those were the days - you got a great deal and could be picky at the same time because there were so many to choose from. The Great Western Gun Show was also a good place to go. There were lots of people selling guns - all cash and carry. It's sad how much things have changed.

[Castle50]

My father bought a M1 for $300 at Woolworths, no 10 day waiting period either, 1986 I think. Had a lot of them for sale.

Was that just for C&R?
I bought a Beretta Shotgun in 86 and had to wait. I think it was my first new gun, but had been shooting family and gifted guns for 10-12 years before that.

[smle-man]

In Pa. gunshops were very plentiful and gun trading was a fun thing to do. Flea markets were another source for C&R type guns as were private ads in the local paper. I bought and sold many a gun in all of those methods. The internet has been the death of many a gun shop and reduced the browsing and trading possiblities. I used to trade and swap military long arms all the time, it was a very fun activity. This was 72-77.

[skeleman63]

when was the last time it was still legal to walk out the door cash and carry a rifle.

today, tomorrow, etc...

a gun shop near me has cash and carry guns...granted they 1898 or earlier rifles...

[NOTABIKER]

I remember when Turners used to have racks full of Enfields, SKSs, Garands, M1 Carbines and many others. All were reasonably priced and you had many different ones to choose from (all cleaned - no cosmoline). There were also several gun shops around that you could go to and pick through the milsurp rifles and pistols. Those were the days - you got a great deal and could be picky at the same time because there were so many to choose from. The Great Western Gun Show was also a good place to go. There were lots of people selling guns - all cash and carry. It's sad how much things have changed.

how come the word Liberal should mean more freedom. not more laws to take away our freedom. does anybody really believe crime will be reduced by taking away our gun rights.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

The ease of information on the internet is a poor substitute for the unhindered access to firearms of all types that predated it. Yes, we are all smarter and cooler with our iPads but I'd trade that in a minute for stacks of $99 KBI Russian SKS's in the box at the Pomona fairgrounds gun show.

[OldShooter32]

[12voltguy]

when was the last time it was still legal to walk out the door cash and carry a rifle.

dec 31 2013
for c & r pvt party

[philobeddoe]

Shotgun news was great.
I remember walking out of Turner's with a cash and carry unrefurbished numbers matching Russian SKS for $99, just walked out, no bag, no box, and tossing on the bench seat of my pickup truck. So great.



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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

[Enfield47]

how come the word Liberal should mean more freedom. not more laws to take away our freedom. does anybody really believe crime will be reduced by taking away our gun rights.

Even the politicians know it has no effect on crime, but it gives more control to them. Unfortunately for us, that's what it's all about.