any MUST HAVE'S???

Gyrojets.

Start circulating copies to Brownell's, Midway, ArmaLite, and anyone else who's willing to extend their dealer discount to a C&R holder.

Congratulations!  First thing you want to do is take out a second mortgage and apply for a Platinum credit card.

I think most people pop their C&R cherry with a Mauser.  For a very nice "out of the box" Mauser, I would recommend a Yugoslavian M24/47 from AIM.  Or, a Yugo M48 from Coles (assuming they still have them).  If you want to experiment with restoration, you can't beat a $39 Turk Mauser from AIM.  I got one that I am reblueing and refinishing the stock.  It's not yet finished, but it looks beautiful so far.

Another popular starter C&R rifle is a Mosin Nagant.  Specfically, the M44 rifle.  Although several dealers carry them, Century Intl probably has the largest selection as far as manufacturer and grade.  Again, for a nice "out of the box" rifle, they have these Russian M44's that were arsenal refinished and still in their arsenal wrap.  I got a "Good" Hungarian M44 from them.  The bore was kinda crappy, but the bluing was very nice and the stock was in excelent shape with a beautiful grain.

At this moment, I have:
* Yugoslavian M48A Mauser (from AIM)
* Spanish FR-8 Mauser (from AIM) <- one of my favorites.
* Hungarian M44 Mosin Nagant (from Century)
* Turkish 1938 Mauser (from AIM)

On it's way:
* Swiss K-31 (from AIM)

Some of my links:
AIM - [url]http://www.aimsurplus.com[/url]
Century - [url]https://www.centuryarms.com[/url]
Empire - [url]http://www.empirearms.com[/url]
FAT - [url]http://www.floridaammotraders.com[/url]
I/O - [url]http://www.interordnance.com[/url]
JDL - [url]http://www.jldenter.com[/url]
SOG - [url]http://www.southernohiogun.com[/url]
Wholesale G&A - [url]http://www.gunsnammo.com[/url]

Have fun!

LL

Gotta agree with the Yugo M48 and the Mosin Nagent M44...both great rifles.  Consider getting an Enfield, also great rifles.  If you are looking for a good handgun, check out the Sistema Modelo 1911...these were built on Colt machinery to Colt standards in Argentina.  Check out www.cruffler.com for info on how to get these from JLD Enterprise.

Careful of the Turk Mausers unless you really want to rework...these are a crap shoot.  I've purchased 3 over the past year and all three have had SERIOUS headspace problems...they are all spare parts now.

Have fun..............................Keith

Absolutely.

As far as guns themselves, the ads in the Shotgun News usually say which guns are C&R so that you don't have to hunt through the ATF listing. My favorites are the CZ handguns, which are inexpensive and still good shooters.

Forget the M44, get an M39 Finnish made Mosin Nagant.  The last batch was imported in 2000, and this might be your last chance to get the Hands-Down Best Mosin Nagant out there.  The guns are Model 91s remanned by Sako, VKT/Valmet, and Tikka with heavy barrels, sturdier pistol-gripped (Almost Mauser Style) stocks, they free floated the barrels, and reworked the trigger.  You can get a damn near perfect one from Wholesale Guns and Ammo, which is in NY for $120 delivered with a sling.


[url]www.gunsnammo.com[/url]


Oh yeah, head over to [url]www.milsurpshooter.com[/url]

That's exactly what I bought when I got my C&R last month.
I got a Yugo M48A that looks unissued, almost a shame to shoot it but 8mm ammo being so cheap its impossible not to shoot.

If you can find a nice #'s matching Swedish M96, you won't regret it.
They are so nicely done, it's amazing.
The M96 is very accurate, especially with that long 29" bbl.
Soft shooting, too.
There are still some accessories available for them, including the bayonet/frog; muzzle flash hiders; stripper clips; leather slings; cleaning equipment; even the micrometer sight set-up.
Fun gun.
[url]http://students.washington.edu/basiji/swedeFAQ.html[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/7061/swedmaus.html[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/6059/swedeFan.html[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/swede94/index.html[/url]
[url]http://www.en.com/mauserman/[/url]

I've had a 1906 M96 that I stupidly traded off.
I have a 1901 M96 #'s matching that I will be cleaning and shooting soon to prepare for next years Military Bolt-action rifle match.
I also have the AG42B Ljungman semi-auto battle rifle that Sweden used for a few years, and, I can't wait to get that one to the range!
[url]http://www.recguns.com/IIID2b11.html[/url]

Look for one of the Swedes soon.