Looking for a C&R Rifle

[ACsbronco]

New to the forum and just wanted to ask some questions.

I have been searching around the forum to find out about good gun shops in the bay area, but still have a few questions. Any local shops have a good selection of used military arms? I wanted to get into the whole C&R thing (even ordered the forms), but i read the fine print and found out that you have to be 21 (i am only 20). So, i don't really want to do the whole FFL transfer thing (ca transfer fees/taxes suck!!), and i don't want to pay shipping fees.....so here i am. I've been to a couple gun shows, but am still coming up dry; so any help would be greatly appreciated. This is a great forum and have learned a lot about CA gun polices/info for the last couple of months i have been lurking around here. Thanks again.

~Tim

[Patriot]

Any rifle in particular? (Not local myself, but that info will help those who are in answering your question)

[-hanko]

Any local shops have a good selection of used military arms? I wanted to get into the whole C&R thing (even ordered the forms), but i read the fine print and found out that you have to be 21 (i am only 20). So, i don't really want to do the whole FFL transfer thing (ca transfer fees/taxes suck!!), and i don't want to pay shipping fees.....so here i am. I've been to a couple gun shows, but am still coming up dry; so any help would be greatly appreciated.

~Tim

If you buy a C&R from a gun shop without a C&R license, you will pay transfer fees. With the license and without a COE (search the forum) you will pay fees. With the license and a COE you will pay fees.

You cannot order from out of state unless you pay shipping charges. Without the license, the gun has to be shipped to a licensed dealer...See the first paragraph.

You are sol unless you purchase the gun from a dealer and pay the fees.

No CA shop I've ever seen has a 'good' selection of military arms. But even if one did, you still won't pay the transfer fees.

You can have antique rifles shipped directly to you.

Otherwise, you're still sol.

-hanko

[caldude]

There are three ways that I know of to get C&R guns without a C&R license:
1. Find a local FFL that carries the C&R gun you want. This will need to be DROSed and have the 10 day waiting period.
2. Find what you want online and have it shipped to a local FFL, who will add a transfer fee, plus will need to be DROSed with the 10 day wait.
3. Find a local private party who is selling a C&R (such as on the For Sale threads here), and, long as it's a 50 year old RIFLE, you can do a face-to-face transfer, no FFL is needed. C&R handguns will still need to go through an FFL, and you'll have to pay PPT fees, along with the DROS, etc

The only Bay Area shop I know of that has many C&Rs is Contra Costa Collectibles in Walnut Creek, but I find their prices to be pretty high.

[valleyguy]

I dunno if they have Big 5's in the bay area, but you can get a nice Russian WWII-era rifle (like a M44) for a $100 or less, and I don't think you need to be 21. You just have to fill out a little paperwork (the store fills out a lot more) and wait 10 days to pick it up (plus pay $25 for the background check).

Edit: Oops, or maybe I'm talking out of my league here, listen to the guys above me, I'm probably just talking newb stuff here.

[savasyn]

As previously mentioned, you can have antique rifles shipped to you with just a drivers license. If you are interested in one of the finer Mosin models, the M39, you can start by looking here.

She always has a decent selection of antiques(about mid-page). You'd have to email her and ask if you need to be 21, but I believe you only have to be 18. If it's 18, email her a picture of your DL and order the one you want.

Beware though, Mosins are highly addictive and you can't have just one!!

[5hundo]

I dunno if they have Big 5's in the bay area, but you can get a nice Russian WWII-era rifle (like a M44) for a $100 or less, and I don't think you need to be 21. You just have to fill out a little paperwork (the store fills out a lot more) and wait 10 days to pick it up (plus pay $25 for the background check).

Edit: Oops, or maybe I'm talking out of my league here, listen to the guys above me, I'm probably just talking newb stuff here.

You only need to be 18 for rifles (unless they've changed that).

+1 on the M44, or other Nagant rifle. 1891/30 is also a good shooter. ( I have one of each )

Check out the CMP too. I'm on my second rifle from them, a .30-40 Krag. For your first C&R rifle, I'd suggest something different.

Here's a great resource as well:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/

[SJgunguy24]

Antiques are 1899 and older, C&R guns to CADOJ are anything 50+ years. The FEDS have a looser interpratation of C&R weapons. All hand guns must be registerd, C&R or modern. C&R holders CAN buy C&R handguns out of state and legally import the but they must be registerd within 5 days. If you try to buy from a dealer without an FFL you may be in trouble. Not sure how she can sell the SAKO mosins unless she aquired the via C&R collectors FFL vs a 01 dealers FFL . Where are you located ACsbronco? FTF from 03 C&R to qualified legal adult non-licensee with CADL or CAID card is cash and carry.

[SJgunguy24]

5hundo where did you get your M44 from??? I'm looking for Hex with laminate any ideas?? It's been either or.

[Hologon]

The only Bay Area shop I know of that has many C&Rs is Contra Costa Collectibles in Walnut Creek, but I find their prices to be pretty high.

Krausewerk Collectables in San Mateo has a very good selection of C&Rs (with good prices too). Just be careful not to put your foot in the water dish for the dog when you're checking out the specimens on the wall there.

The newly opened Bay Area Gun Vault in Mt. View has a rather impressive number of C&Rs in stock right now (from what I gather many are from the personal collections of the employees/owners).

If you're pretty certain that C&Rs are your thing, I'd recommend that you start buying ammo today. I've noticed that prices for surplus ammo have just about doubled in the last 2 or so years - with surplus ammunition for many calibers now rather scarce.

Best of luck.

[Dolk]

Contra Costa Collectibles in Walnut Creek has a lot of C&R rifles in their shop. Not the cheapest prices, but a lot.

The "Old West Gun Shop" in El Cerrito used to have C&R, but I have not been there in years, so I'm not sure about them.

[EOD Guy]

Antiques are 1899 and older, C&R guns to CADOJ are anything 50+ years. The FEDS have a looser interpratation of C&R weapons.

California uses the Federal definition for C&R and antique firesrms. If the Feds say a firearm is C&R, then so does the California DOJ. Also, antiques are those firearms manufactured BEFORE 1899. There are also other allowances for certain reproductions of antique firearms.

[locktime]

Your best bet is to buy from a private individual. Long guns over 50 years are cash and carry.

Watch the for sale forum here, or post a wanted ad if you know what you're looking for.

[maxx424]

Try the Old West Gun in El Cerrito. Bob is a great guy and honest.

[renardsubtil]

to the original poster...

what part of the bay area are you from?

In Fremont, Irvington Arms has about a dozen or so C&Rs on consignment that may be worth checking out - J&R in Livermore also has a dozen rifles as well. Contra Costa Arms in Walnut Creek has already been mentioned and is definitely worth checking out to see the variety because they have quite a few in stock.

Happy hunting. C&Rs are addicting.