WTB: M44 or sks surplus military longguns Austin

[RiverRat]

I'm looking to buy a couple of the inexpensive surplus M44 Mosin Nagants for Father's day. Will entertain other rifles for the right price.....depending. Will go a little more for less obscure round. I'm open to most anything for discussion.......308, .30.06, 7.62x39...sks, etc. I'm in Austin. FTF is good. Thanks.

FFL's want $40-50 transfer fees......turns a $69 gun into $150 pretty quick after adding tax......rather wait till next gun show where they are commonly running a Franklin each.

[Mike1951]

Here's info on a couple. It appears Austin dealers do charge more for transfers.

Darren
The Gunman
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Transfer fee: '$15.00

Sam Randall
Action Pawn
2419 S. Bell Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
phone: 512-258-0221
fax: 512-258-1278
Transfer fee: $20.00; $15.00 for CHL holders

I went here:

http://www.gunbroker.com/User/DealerNetwork.asp

and entered 78701 for the zip code. If you go to that site, most listings include an email link to the dealer.

Here in Houston, there are several dealers that do tranfers for $10. I have also seen free transfers for active duty mentioned.

Remember that buying out of state, you also save sales tax. So with a reasonable transfer fee and about $15-20 shipping for a long gun, buying online can be the best way.

Should you choose to do so, we can recommend sources for whatever rifles you decide on.

[NcongruNt]

I recommend ordering from AIM Surplus. I've had good experiences every time I've purchased from them. As was posted above, you can find inexpensive FFL transfers in town. No sales tax, and shipping isn't much. If you're getting two, I would recommend getting both an M44 and a 91/30. I found that I prefer shooting the 91/30 over the M44, and most people I take shooting show this same preference. It's good to have a little diversity, rather than two if the same gun, IMO. These were my first two guns (a whopping year and a half ago), and the 91/30 has remained my favorite shooter out of the small collection of firearms I have built for myself. Shipping from AIM Surplus for the two was $18.00, so that's $9.00/gun - pretty reasonable.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russ ... agant.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_M44.html

[Mike1951]

I have consistently gotten very good quality items from AIM.

I also have no qualms about recommending them.

[RiverRat]

Thanks gents, I will call and check them out. Thanks also for the FFL info, obviously, I haven't ever used one for shipping before, but am interested in some old Milsurp rifles. I will check out the 91/33 also. I know the M44 kicks like a ferel mule. I had actually spent some time last night trying to find the download for forms for the Curio Collector license for $30...(all of the links I found won't download).......which would be perfect for this stuff.

Still remember my father getting a couple of old Enfields by mail order when I was a kid (no rules about it then).

[Defndr90]

Here is some good information about getting a C&R.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting200 ... /index.asp

I also have to say that AIM is great to deal with. I have been happy with every purchase from them.

[RiverRat]

Great link on the C&R...worked. I actually submitted an order for an application. Thanks for all of the info.
I'm not positive I want to get a collectors license, simply because of all the rules and paperwork...might be better off being a dumb ole citizen buying an old rifle at the gun show now and again.

I've called several less expensive FFL's on the link...the ones closest to work...they all have telephones with machines :), they must have day jobs. I tried to limit it to those within 10 miles of work with gas the way it is.......might have to expand the distance range a little.

I did notice most of the FFL transfer prices on the forum FFL link for folks from other towns are much more reasonable than Austin ones on the gunbroker link (none on the CHL link). Not sure I'd be interested in the paperwork, either, especially for all the weirdos that live here, including me. (6th generation Austin, myself).

[Mike1951]

Great link on the C&R...worked. I actually submitted an order for an application. Thanks for all of the info.
I'm not positive I want to get a collectors license, simply because of all the rules and paperwork...might be better off being a dumb ole citizen buying an old rifle at the gun show now and again.

I've called several less expensive FFL's on the link...the ones closest to work...they all have telephones with machines :), they must have day jobs. I tried to limit it to those within 10 miles of work with gas the way it is.......might have to expand the distance range a little.

I did notice most of the FFL transfer prices on the forum FFL link for folks from other towns are much more reasonable than Austin ones on the gunbroker link (none on the CHL link). Not sure I'd be interested in the paperwork, either, especially for all the weirdos that live here, including me. (6th generation Austin, myself).

The paperwork isn't that daunting. You keep a bound book of purchases and dispositions, but there is little chance of an ATF inspection compared to an FFL, and it is not sent in when you terminate your license. I use a printed out form in Excel and keep my records in a zippered, 3-ring binder.

There are some rules, but they are not intrusive. Any covered firearm acquired while you have your C&R must be logged, whether you buy it using your C&R or not. I once refused to buy a M96 Swede at a gun show because the seller wouldn't provide his name and address for my book. This is all very minor stuff.

You get your C&R, make multiple copies, sign each copy in red, and send to all of the firearms dealers on the Web that sell C&R firearms. This way they have your license on file when you want to buy something. Also send copies to Midway USA, Graf & Sons (whose dealer offers sometimes are far cheaper than Midway), E-gunparts, Brownells and other merchants that recognize the C&R to qualify for their dealer discounts. My first order from Midway after receiving my C&R more than covered the $30 cost of the license.

There are several good C&R forums that are very helpful and informative.

I might mention, that although AIM must have already sold out of them, there are quite a few Finn 1891 or M39's available right now, which many consider to be the finest Mosin. If you willing to spend $250-$350, you can pick up a really nice rifle.

Good luck,

[RiverRat]

Excellent information, Mike. You talked me back into it, particularly when you mentioned discounts. I need to go out to some of the web sites and do some reading about the license. I'm not familiar with very many of the foreign long guns...have stayed with pretty standard U.S. milsurp, until a couple of M44's followed me home a couple months ago. Thought they would make excellent father's day for my father and father-in-law, both WWII veterans....not that I would expect either to ever fire a round......both in their 80's. They both just enjoy guns. I'll check the M39's too.

If any definition fits me, it is collector. I haven 't shot a long gun in 10 years.....even with a closet 1/2 full. Thanks again for all the info and advice.
Cotton

[Mike1951]

I'll send a PM later with some good links. I expect some others might do the same.