Just Got C&R, Need Help

Hi all,

Just got my C&R license yesterday in the mail after months of waiting. I have read through the intro post at the top and I understand all the rules. Make copies and sign etc. then email or fax or whatever to online vendors. But I do need some help. I'd like to get some opinions on where to start. I am having trouble finding handguns in my price range in stock. I am open to .22, .9mm, .38/.357, .40 or .45 since I reload those calibers. Does anyone have any types that I should look for or stay away from or any dealers that are good to work with? Thanks so much in advance and any opinions would be much appreciated.

SOG, AIM Surplus are good to go. David Rachwahl of Handgunsoftheworld.com is a good dealer as well, but his wares are usually collector grade and priced accordingly. Empire Arms is good as well, but his wares are cherry picked by him personally and also priced accordingly.

You can also stop by The Gun Bunker in Shrewsbury, PA, on your way to/from the York show. They're a good bunch.

Bryan

"Just Got C&R, Need Help"

Look in the yellow pages under, "Treatment Centers, Addictions".

jimboman2000 said:

I'd like to get some opinions on where to start. I am having trouble finding handguns in my price range in stock. I am open to .22, .9mm, .38/.357, .40 or .45 since I reload those calibers.

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You'll get a lot of advice on sources (see below), but keep in mind that there is no "C$R Store" that has a few examples for sale of each kind of eligible firearm. Many of these are imports that ebb and flow in availability ... most are in the ebb cycle now. You'll learn to keep your eyes out for certain online dealers, auction sites, local auctions, LGS offerings, etc. Eventually, some trusted people in your area may learn that you collect C$R firearms, and you may even have people call you because a neighbor is selling her late husband's / grandfather's / uncle's guns. It's an art that some of the folks here have developed with years of practice.

This is an older list, but most of the resources should still be around. It's hardly a complete list of all the available resources, but there are enough there to keep you busy for awhile.


MACHODOC’S C&R FIREARMS VENDOR LIST
(may also have ammo, parts, etc.)
Classic Firearms (“Classic”)
http://www.classicfirearms.com/
Southern Ohio Guns (“SOG”)
https://www.southernohiogun.com/
AIM Surplus (“AIM”)
http://www.aimsurplus.com/
J&G Sales (“J&G”)
http://www.jgsales.com/index.php
Brownell’s
http://www.brownells.com/?avad=avant
Bud’s Gun Shop (“Bud’s”)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php
Dan’s Ammo (“Dan’s”)
http://www.dansammo.com
JSE Surplus (“JSE”)
http://www.jsesurplus.com
RRC Firearms (“RRC”)
http://www.rrcfirearms.com

SlickGuns – Best Deals User Reports
http://www.slickguns.com/cr-deals
Century International Arms (“Century”)
http://www.centuryarms.com/
Bravo Company, USA (“Bravo Company”)
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
Joe Bob Outfitters (“Joe Bob”)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/
Samco Global Arms (“Samco”)
https://www.samcoglobal.com/
Sarco, Inc. (“Sarco”)
http://www.sarcoinc.com/
Cheaper than Dirt (Ummm … not always!)
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
Keep Shooting (C&R and surplus)
http://www.keepshooting.com/
Lever Arms (“Lever”)
http://www.leverarms.com
Palmetto State Armory
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms.html
Czechpoint USA (“Czechpoint”)
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/
RC Arms (“RCA”)
http://www.rcarms.com/21.html
Centerfire System (“Centerfire”)
http://centerfiresystems.com/
Moore’s C&R (“Moore’s”)
http://moorescnr.com/
Alan’s Armory (“Alan’s”)
http://www.allans-armory.com/aa.php
Royal Tiger Imports (“RT”)
http://royaltigerimports.com/
Mitchell’s Mausers (“Mitchell’s”)
http://www.mauser.org/mod-2447-mauser-rifle/
RGuns
http://rguns.net/index.shtml
Simpson, Ltd. (“Simpson”)
http://simpsonltd.com/
Paul’s Guns (“SKS Man”)
http://www.sksman.com/
Lipsey’s Wholesale Firearms (“Lipsey’s”)
http://www.lipseys.com/
Cope’s Distributing (“Cope’s”)
http://www.copesdistributing.net/index.php
CGW Guns (“CGW”)
http://www.cgwgun.com

C&R PARTS
Armory Parts Exchange (“APEX”)
https://www.apexgunparts.com/index.php
Murray’s Gunsmithing (“Murray’s”)
(New SKS replacement firing pins)
http://www.murraysguns.com
Springfield Sporters (“ssporters”)
http://ssporters.com/
Gun Parts Corporation (“Numrich”)
http://ssporters.com/
Poly Tech Parts (“PTP”)
http://stores.polytechparts.com
(AR, AK, SKS, etc. … Chinese makes)
Going Loud
http://www.goingloud.com
Buy Mil. Surplus (“Buymilsurp”)
https://www.buymilsurp.com/
Weaponeer.Net (“Weaponeer”)
http://www.weaponeer.net/
Joe Bob Outfitters (“Joe Bob’s”)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/
Bob’s Gun Shop
http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/

AMMO & RELOADING
Ammo Seek – User-contributed resources and deals
http://ammoseek.com/
Liberty Tree Collectors (unusual calibers of ammo)
http://www.libertytreecollectors.com
Personal Choice Outfitters
http://personalchoiceoutfitters.com

Midway USA (“Midway”)
http://www.midwayusa.com/
SG Ammo (“SGAmmo”)
http://www.sgammo.com/
Jack Ross Ammunition (“Jack Ross”)
http://www.jackrossammo.com
Natchez Shooters’ Supply (“Natchez”)
http://www.natchezss.com/
Ammunition to Go (“AmmoToGo”)
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php
Starline Brass (“Starline”)
http://www.starlinebrass.com/
Cor-Bon Ammo (“Cor-Bon”)
http://www.shopcorbon.com/
Thunder Ridge (“Thunder” “TR”)
http://www.thunderridgefr.com/
Widener’s
http://www.wideners.com/
Graf’s
http://www.grafs.com/
Hi Tech Ammo (“Hi Tech”)
http://www.hi-techammo.com/
Vihtavuori-lapua
https://store-p4kyluh.mybigcommerce.com/lapua-brass/
The Ammunition Store
http://www.ammunitionstore.com/
Powder Valley
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/
Shooters’ Pro Shop (“SPS”)
http://shootersproshop.com
UN Ammo
http://www.unammo.com/
Mid-South Shooters’ Supply (“Mid-South”)
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
Sportsman’s Guide
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/Main.aspx?
Able’s Ammunition (“Able’s”)
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/che...mmo-rifle-shotgun-shells-rimfire-c-10480.html
Reed’s Ammunition & Research, LLC (“Reed’s”)
http://shop.reedsammo.com/
Surplus Ammo – also has parts
http://www.surplusammo.com/
Bulk Ammo
http://www.bulkammo.com/
Lucky Gunner
http://www.luckygunner.com/

GRIPS, ETC.
Designer Grips
http://www.designergrips.com/
Grips4U
http://www.grips4u.net/


BULLETS (for Reloading)
King Shooters (“King”)
http://www.kingshooters.com
Alpha-Bravo Bullets (“Alpha-Bravo” or “AB”)
http://www.alphabravobullets.com

mosin

You'll kick yourself if you don't get a cz-82

Sent from my android device using carrier pigeons.

what is your "price range"? there are a lot of options, see gunbroker.com to get an idea about current prices.

for example, in 9x19mm you have the Walther P1, Star Model B, Astra 600, SIG P210, M35 Browning Hi-Power, (those made before 1964, of course), etc. If you don't mind 9x18mm, you open yourself up to the less expensive and more easily found com-bloc pistols we all know and love (CZ82, P64, Makarovs, etc).

Machodoc's list is extensive and fun to search, but be sure to keep and eye on SOG, AIM, Classic Firearms, and the classifieds section here.

SOG has been VERY good to me.

protegeV said:

SOG has been VERY good to me.

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^^^ This ... I've bought guns from a number of good sources, but SOG has, overall, probably been the most consistently reliable for quality, price, and customer service.

bbrown said:

Empire Arms is good as well, but his wares are cherry picked by him personally and also priced accordingly.

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Dennis sells top-shelf stuff. Generally nicer than what you'll see if you go to dozens of regional gun shops that sell C&R. His prices are higher than average but appropriate for the quality of the guns he sells. I've bought quite a bit from him and have not been disappointed. His descriptions of guns for sale are spot on. Additionally, he offers a buyer service, where you can submit "wanted" requests and tell him guns you want, condition, and price range. He will call your cell phone while he's at large shows if he finds what you want, describe it to you, and confirm if you want him to buy it for you. His service goes above and beyond the norm.

jimboman2000 said:

I am open to .22, .9mm, .38/.357, .40 or .45 since I reload those calibers.

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If you have figured out how to reload .22, we need to talk.

Mooseman said:

If you have figured out how to reload .22, we need to talk.

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Mooseman said:

If you have figured out how to reload .22, we need to talk.

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haha yeah, misprint on my part. sorry about that.

Look in the yellow pages under, "Treatment Centers, Addictions".

Very funny...but true. The wife says that I need more space before I am allowed to get anything. I think it should be the other way around.

If you're trying to keep to the calibers that you are currently reloading then you should just tear up that C & R and save yourself the agony. I don't reload but have still tried to limit the calibers I need to stock. It just hasn't worked out that way. First it was a CZ-50 (7.62 x 25), then came the CZ-50 (.32 acp), then just yesterday the P-64 (9 X 18 Mak) caught my eye.

So anyway, if you see it and you want it you might as well buy it because someday you won't be able to. That's at least how I justify it to myself.

cwalker3 said:

If you're trying to keep to the calibers that you are currently reloading then you should just tear up that C & R and save yourself the agony. I don't reload but have still tried to limit the calibers I need to stock. It just hasn't worked out that way. First it was a CZ-50 (7.62 x 25), then came the CZ-50 (.32 acp), then just yesterday the P-64 (9 X 18 Mak) caught my eye.

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Or ... just look at it as a great reason to make a fairly modest investment in another set of dies. Most C&R handgun calibers are easy to load and dies/molds are available in those calibers. Brass can sometimes be a challenge, but there can be creative solutions for almost every challenge.

Send Pat Burns your C&R. You don't know it yet, but you'll be getting an M39.

http://www.gunsnammo.com

cwalker3 said:

If you're trying to keep to the calibers that you are currently reloading then you should just tear up that C & R and save yourself the agony. I don't reload but have still tried to limit the calibers I need to stock. It just hasn't worked out that way. First it was a CZ-50 (7.62 x 25), then came the CZ-50 (.32 acp), then just yesterday the P-64 (9 X 18 Mak) caught my eye.

So anyway, if you see it and you want it you might as well buy it because someday you won't be able to. That's at least how I justify it to myself.

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Yeah, I have basically 2 routes the way I see it. Limit to calibers I already have or just keep expanding. Both have pluses and minuses. I'm finding it more and more difficult to limit calibers...so I might be taking the route you suggest and find stuff I like and buy it.

Alphabrew said:

Send Pat Burns your C&R. You don't know it yet, but you'll be getting an M39.

http://www.gunsnammo.com

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Something like that is on the list, I was trying to concentrate on handguns first. My backyard range only goes to about 25 yards so "big" rifles are a lower priority.

I've had more luck with Gunbroker. Hunt around for deals. I got a 1963 Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Mag for $405 shipped and a 1953 Colt Sistema (Argentine licensed production 1911) for $410 shipped. I've seen Ruger Mk.I's go for very cheap too, if you want a .22.

Edit: If you want a 9mm, Walther P38/P1's, Beretta M1951's, and Hi Powers are the way to go.

Russian Capture P38 for $495
https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000958&dir=

Here is Coles Distributing's Gunbroker (cdisales), search filtered for C&R Hi Powers. They currently only have two of them, but they list more now and then. They also have Beretta M1951's, but not currently.
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=*C&R+fn&IncludeSellers=2621012

gunbroker.com