Even better than that, you could write Smith & Wesson or Ruger and order a handgun. It was usually delivered by Railway Express.
Of course Garands are still available through the DCM as are (if they haven't sold out) Springfield '03's.
The first AR-15 I remember seeing in a gun shop was not well received. Mattel was the term used.
Not the same craftmanship as almost any rifle of that time. Stamped metal has never been fully accepted by a lot of shooters that knew how a late 50's rifle bolt felt.
I'm not that old, but I do remember
JB