Is it worth it?

[Petros600]

Congratulations on getting your license!!

[dmg4]

Definitely worth it. You can use it for almost ANY firearm over 50 years old, not just military surplus. See item 1 below. That currently means anything before 1968. If you buy more than one a year, it pays for itself. The following is copied from the rule from the current BATFE circular on the 03 FFL:

[Ricekila]

I see they charged me the 30 bucks so i assume that means it is on the way.

From what I remember -- 30 seconds after I sent mine in -- they hit my bank account before I got out of the bathroom --- and didn't the app say -- no refunds

Mine came in about 6 ( ? ) weeks --

[Petros600]

I m surprised that they still charge $30

[BoltOperated]

Well worth it even if you only buy a few rifles each year. Eliminating the need for an 01FFL to become part of your process is worth it alone.

[echo1]

It's not even been a remote consideration for me in the past, as I've always done good on the street, FTF. I've been at it for a few decades, and prefer to handle and inspect each item. BUT, the world wide web has added an impact with a greater base of availability. I haven't acquired an 03, and don't intend to, as I'm a Kali resident and you need a COE (more shake down fee$), and must pay a self registration fee of $19 bucks per item. In 2015 Kali did away with C&R cash & carry. My long time FFL charges a flat rate weather it's 1 or 5 guns to receive from out of state, and will accept from a private party. I've been into SKSs for a while, and until the Sinobanians showed up a few years back, Chinese SKS didn't qualify as C&R anyway. Good for some, not for me. PAX

[jardows]

I got a C&R when I first started getting into collecting. At the time, Midway, Graf's, Brownells, and others would give dealer pricing if you sent in the C&R. I saved the equivalent of the license fee on my first order from Midway for reloading equipment and supplies! Not sure if they are still doing that now, as I let my license lapse, and haven't had the funds to do much loading or shooting lately.

[jbrower]

I had one for 9 years starting in 2007. Back then, Midway would give you dealer pricing if you had one and the savings were pretty significant. I saved several hundred dollars on an AR15 upper I bought from them which paid for the license several times over. They don't do that anymore though, nor do most other online retailers. My tastes have moved on to Antiques where no license is needed at all. I dropped it after the ATF started asking you how many C&R arms you sold since your last renewal.

[shoggoth80]

I've been asking myself the same thing lately. I've done very, very fond memories of when I first got a C&R. I bought a lot of ammo, and several guns through the big online guys. Usually got good ones back then. Sometimes better than expected, though I usually sprung for VG or hand pick. FFF was pretty new I think at that point.

But, I took a peek at JG Sales for example... and while there's some interesting items that weren't so easily found... they don't seem like good examples to me, and prices are way up. A BS run of the mill wartime production 91/30 is like $350. No. Nope. No way. Not doing that. Dark bores, frosted bores (it's called rust), salt and pepper bores (pitted, but not goners)... at that rate I'd rather save more, spend more, get a better example . The Toks, and Star pistols seem to still be solid at their price point though.

What says the hive mind? Negative Ghost rider? Dunno if it'd be worth it for a handful of pistols, and the occasional rifle.