Best reliable FFL in Houston

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Monkeybear

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My Fiance' has decided to buy a P22 as her first handgun. The only problem is that they seem to cost anywhere from seventy-five to a hundred dollars more at Carters Country, Collectors, Fountain, and Gander Mt than they do at Buds Gun Shop. I was wondering if anyone has any recomendations of any good places to get a FFL transfer? Ive never done one before and was wondering if there were any places that might not eat up the savings of ordering online.

So basically: where do you do your FFL transfers in Houston?
 
$30 transfer fee + $25 shipping = $55 in additional fees

You are not really saving that much compared to the local shops even including the sales tax. At least you can see the gun in person.

Try Marksman Indoor Range for transfers. $30 for first gun, $15 for remainders from the same FFL.
 
For that matter, you might try negotiating at Carter's. Not saying it'll work, but if you tell them "you know, I can get this online for X dollars less" they might meet you halfway. Or they might not, but the worst that will happen is they'll say no. The other thing is, Carter's puts on monthly specials and you might ask 'em if they're going to have that one on special any time soon. They'll tell you if they know.

I haven't ever used an FFL because I'd rather shell out a little extra and support the local folks. (And yes, Gander counts as "local folks" because it is local folks who get paychecks because we shop there).

Anyway, good luck!


Springmom
 
the cheapest I have found is Park hill gunworks, off of the north loop and N. main. He is a great gusnmith, and does transfers for either 20 or 25 bucks.
 
Its (297 + tax)322 here and 252 (207 + 25 + 20) from Buds, well thats 70$ less on a 300 gun, almosts 25%.

Im not trying to be cheap and likely I check out Fountain Firearms no tax sale and save $25. Im not trying to bash all the stores listed either; Carters are usually very nice and try to be helpful, Gander has the best service in the Houston gun market and Fountain has good people too. Collectors is nothing but a string of bad expierences.

You would think that the 4th largest city in America and a Texas city at that would have a more competive market for firearms. Way it is now Im looking for good gun stores in Austin. Almost worth the drive if you do.

sorry for the rant


Rangerruck- Looked up Parkhill gunworks and wouldnt you know it its my old neighbor. Hes a great guy, mentioned to him one day that my JROTC had lost some screws in our M1A1s and a few days later he gives me a bag of screws. Anyway Ill keep him in mind if I ever need work done or an FFL transfer. Thanks Ranger I cant believe I hadnt thought of him.
 
Wow. Go for it, then. That's a big chunk of change, for sure.

Where in Houston are you? You might go to www.galleryofguns.com and see what FFLs they have listed for your zip code....

I didn't mean to be snooty about the FFL thing, by the way. If I order something online that I would never SEE in a local store, I'll need one too. I just never have seen anything that, when you added shipping and the FFL fee, didn't end up being pretty close to the local price. If it's only $20-30 difference after adding in all that stuff, then I'd buy local, is all I meant to say. :eek:

Springmom
 
Stop by an Academy in your area, and check their prices. They will probably have a Walther P22 in stock for a good price. It's a pretty common gun. However, they don't do special orders or transfers. (it's where I bought mine)
IMHO, I don't think that a Walther P22 is worth the time/wait for an internet deal. Most smaller gun shops will do FFl transfers for around $25. I know of one that does them for a 10% markup. I don't shop there!

Dan
 
FFL in Houston - Comments

Noted a negative comment about Collectors Firearms in Houston. I was going to have them give me a evaluation on an antique family heirlom I got from my grandmother many years ago. Am I making a mistake or would anyone care to comment?
 
They are good folks. Always get more than one estimate and get a blue book so that you don't get hosed as even good folks will take advantage of someone...

ie, Women and cars (all aspects, buying selling maintaining)
 
Go to the Pasadena "High Caliber" gun show (free parking!) next weekend (Dec 16-17) and I'm sure you will find one for ~$200+ depending on the finish and options. Its 99% certain AJC Sportshop will be there.

For FFL transfers I use Liberty Arms in Pearland (which is on my way to the range), amoung the last of the "kitchen table" dealers. He only charges me $10 but I've been a regular for a couple of years now. He's listed in Shotgun News "FFL selector" at www.shotgunnews.com, but you have to be flexible since his day job is with HPD SWAT so you'll have to schedule pickups for when your schedules sync, not a great choice if you are hot to get it fast. (Previously I used my next door neighbor, but he let his FFL expire rather than continue with hassles from BATF)

--wally.
 
Collectors has given me the worse customer service than any other store I have ever been in.

I have shopped for the following guns I own/have owned there GP100, CZ75, 10/22CRR, Beretta Neos, Baby Eagle, a 1911 and an AR 15. Each time because they were so close I gave them an opportunity to sell me something and each time I was given the distinct impression that I was wasting their time. I have been given rude answers to simple questions and I was made to regret the one of these guns that I did purchase there, as I was paying for it, with a comment from the seller about my ethnicity. I only bought it there because I had won an auction and was obligated. Will never go there again. For any reason. :fire:

Maybe they dont take me seriously since Im only 23 and look a bit younger but there are cheaper places that treat me just fine.

Springmom- you are completely right though, gotta keep the money in the community. I have some stores to check yet, so I may just end up buying it here.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations :)
 
I called Parkhill a couple of weeks ago about a some of jobs I'd like done. By far the nicest, most helpful of all the smiths I called. When I get around to having the work done, it'll be there.

RCouch, you'll get an honest appraisal here on THR without having to deal with Collectors, just post some good pics.
BTW, the (older) single action guys at Collectors have always been nice, but the younger guys up front have actually been rude to me, that is in addition to their general attitude which is less than helpful.
 
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To be completely fair, I have been treated well on a few occasions. The gentleman at the back of the store where all the .22s and I think the single actions as well was very nice and helpful. They also answered an email nicely.
 
If you're in the NW area (Copperfield / Hwy 6), I know of someone that does $10 transfers. PM me.

Collector's can pound sand. It's a nice place to look around, but between the prices and the attitude, I wouldn't drop a dime there.

By the way, I'd rather pay shipping than tax, personally.
 
The Long Arm I want an estimate on is about 200 years old, was a flintlock that was converted to a percussion and has no regular manufacturing marks. Came by wagontrain from Tennessee in the 1850's with the Billingsleys and then the Vernons and then to my grandmother Amanda Goodnight. It has some marks underneath the barrell but someone with more than the average knowledge will have to see it. I don't think posting a picture would help. Thanks anyway.
 
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