Machodoc
Old Guy
I just stopped by Big Dog, in Dahlgren, VA, and they've got 3 crates of Mosins in. They aren't on sale just yet, because they need to be entered into their system, priced, etc. I didn't look at all of them, but saw some nice all-matching hex receivers, all-matching Tulas, and overall really good rifles.
I don't know how they will end up being priced, but the guy isn't able to get them for any less than someone with a C&R who can afford to buy them by the crate. He's got shipping on top of that, and he's got to make a profit. I suspect that they are going to be a few bucks higher than someone can order one with a C&R, but here's the big difference: you won't be getting pot luck from someplace that leaves you stuck with something you don't like. You can pick out the one that you want, or decide that you don't want any of them. It's well worth a few bucks to me to be able to do my own hand-select.
I don't know how they will end up being priced, but the guy isn't able to get them for any less than someone with a C&R who can afford to buy them by the crate. He's got shipping on top of that, and he's got to make a profit. I suspect that they are going to be a few bucks higher than someone can order one with a C&R, but here's the big difference: you won't be getting pot luck from someplace that leaves you stuck with something you don't like. You can pick out the one that you want, or decide that you don't want any of them. It's well worth a few bucks to me to be able to do my own hand-select.