Any advise on ordering a handgun online?

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Clifford

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Looking to order a colt xse in .38 super but the only ones found are online i really want this weapon but am a little concerned about online purchase. Any advise would be helpfull
 
So many better guns available for less. Oh well. Trying to talk a guy out of wanting a certain gun is like talking the wife out of matching her shoes with her hairband.
 
Go through a known dealer like CDNN. Don't purchase from someone with just a few posts, get a seller rating system from the site.
 
My only advice - Order it from Buds!

I have no vested interest other than they provide excellent service to me even during the Obomination rush and their prices are always the best I can ever find.

Just Google Bud's Gun Shop. He is in Kentucky.
 
Flame Red said:
My only advice - Order it from Buds!

Just Google Bud's Gun Shop. He is in Kentucky.
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I agree completely with this advice. I've had excellent service & prices from Bud's. Even though they've been EXTREMELY busy since the BHO election.

But first, make arrangements with a local FFL that that you trust & which is on Bud's list of FFL's who can accept the weapon & complete the transfer. I have to pay an additional $35 for the transfer at my local FFL. Some FFL's charge more, some less.

Also, I prefer to send Bud's a personal check & wait a week for it to clear, rather that use credit card. You can save 3% that way, if you are not in a big hurry. Note that the prices on Bud's web site are the cash/check prices. If you use a credit card, your cost will be 3% greater than the listed web store prices.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php
 
I've had two great experiences ordering online - one from Bud's and one from CZ Custom - As long as you are ordering from a reputable dealer, and you have a shop who accepts transfers lined up, it's really a piece of cake. Just make sure you contact the dealer you're going to have it transferred to first and make sure they don't have any special instructions for the seller.

Bud's is really easy because they have a list of FFL info they already have copies of all over the country, so you find yours click on it and the gun is shipped within a day or two (usually). If the seller doesn't have your dealer's info, you just have your dealer fax over a copy of their FFL to the seller and that's that.

I'll admit I was a little unsure the first time I did it too but it's very routine nowadays. Good Luck!
 
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Buy from a reputable dealer, have the transfer dealer on your end lined up and a price set, and there should be no problem. If you buy from a dealer or private seller on an auction site, check the seller's feedback first.
 
I have had good luck with online purchases, and especially with Bud's. Remember, Bud's prices are delivered prices, that extra $20 or $30 almost always gives Bud's prices a big advantage. And they usually ship with in a day or so.
 
Buds Gunshop is great for a online gun purchase. I agree with the other posts.

The only issue is that you have to pick from the stock they have. They don't do special orders from the last time I asked back in October of 2008.

I am sure that you will be happy with them. The area that I live with limited shops and low to no inventory it is great to have this option. I have ordered a 3 guns from them and I am very satisfied with the service.
 
Thanks for the info. I was actually looking a buds and they do have the gun that i want in stock.
 
I think it would be nice to find a local gun shop and keep them in business by giving them your business.
 
XR400R has brought up an important portion of the deal. Finding a reputable dealer selling firearms is just one part of the equation. Finding a reputable local dealer near you that will perform the transfer at a rate you will accept is the other. Most of the local dealers with store fronts near me charge at least $35 per tranfer. With some research, I've found a couple "kitchen table" dealers who make their business mostly on tranfers and charge only $20.

Most reputable online dealers that sell will have a list of dealers they have dealt with and are on file. They may provide a lead for you to try out to see if one is near by you but it will be up to you to check to see if they provide an acceptable service.

I've bought a few things from Buds with very good results. Please note, however, that their prices on their site are cash prices. Tack on a little more if you plan on buying with a credit card.
 
I think it would be nice to find a local gun shop and keep them in business by giving them your business.
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For me, that is not possible. I can buy the gun and $30.00 shipping and $30.00 for the transfer and still come out $100 better than any local shop here!!
 
Clifford said:
Looking to order a colt xse in .38 super but the only ones found are online i really want this weapon but am a little concerned about online purchase. Any advise would be helpfull
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1) Have your local FFL lined up ahead of time. Don't whine about his fee ... he's in business to make a living just like everybody else, and he doesn't do that by giving away his services.

2) If you are buying from an individual, make sure your FFL will accept a shipment from an individual ... not all will.

3) Open in the presence of the FFL and INSPECT immediately.

4) If you can pay by CC, do so.

Good luck. I've done lots of on-line purchases of lots of things in the last 20 years. The VAST majority have gone just fine.
 
The only issue is that you have to pick from the stock they have. They don't do special orders from the last time I asked back in October of 2008.
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I had an excellent experience with Bud's post Obomination for a non-stock item. Took me a few calls to get thru, and had to wait on the line a bit for Derek, but he took care of me for my non-stock order. The price was lower than I expected also. Just took a week for them to get it in.

So even if you don't see it, give them a call.

I pay with a postal money order and avoid the credit card surcharges. Only adds a couple of days to the process even with snail-mail. They are great about sending you emails on when they receive funds and ship them out.
 
I was going to mention BUD'SGUNSHOP.COM as well. I have not ordered a firearm from them but have bought accessories. Their prices seem very good. The website is easy to navigate. They have a list of FFL dealers that are "registered" with them.
 
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