Buying a gun from an online gun store

[spacejunkiehsv]

I'm a terrible haggler. The asking price for guns in stores is almost exactly the MSRP. So, I think I want to just order online from Bud's.

They ship to a local FFL. How do you know in advance that your local gun shop will participate. It seems like they would not, since you aren't buying the gun from them. How does it work? Do I have to arrange something with my local gun store first for buying from someone else and having it shipped to them?

 

[mike101]

Yes, you have to arrange the transfer with a local gunshop. They may charge you a fee.

Also, you might want to check the prices at www.impactguns.com. They are often the cheapest, but if they don't have it in stock, you could be waiting a long time.

 

[Boona]

Also, Check some of the auction websites for a list of FFL dealers in you area.

Nobody works for free, they will have a fee. Some do not add sales tax.

 

[cloudcroft]

Yeah, just go to or call your local gun stores and ask what they charge for "doing the transfer." Should be $20-$30. Shouldn't be any sales tax on the gun because you bought it out-of-state, not from the gun store.

Then, when you order it, have it sent to your chosen gun store...let the store know its coming...I usually give them a 3x5 card with the gun info on (and my name/phone #) it so they know what it is, where it's coming from and can call me when it arrives. They can put the card on the wall to remind them.

-- John D.

 

[aguyindallas]

Check out www.sportingarms.com

 

[kieran]

another reccomendation. really efficient and polite to deal with ; http://www.rrarms.com/

oh, and good prices, too.

 

[spacejunkiehsv]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out those other online sellers too.

 

[BobMcG]

Then, when you order it, have it sent to your chosen gun store...let the store know its coming

Really? Where I come from there is no transfer of a modern firearm from one dealer to another without first having the dealer to where the firearm is being sent sending a copy of their FFL to the dealer who is shipping the firearm. This pretty much takes care of your shop knowing the firearm is coming their way.

And yes our shop charges $30 for tranfers to take care of the paperwork.

 

[RP86]

The majority of gun shops will charge a background check fee, that's if you do an FFL transfer. Generally, if you are on good terms with the gun shop and you buy the gun from them, then they will waive the background fee. I've heard of background fee's ranging from $5-10.

-Ryan

 

[cloudcroft]

BobMcG,

Well, Bob, I don't live in "Where I come from" so please excuse my ignorance about your home town.

I usually shop at gunsamerica.com and buy from an individual. I was not asked for any FFL, and I doubt the local gun store has its FFL on file with everyone there @ GunsAmerica.

All I know is I sent the $$ to the guy, and he shipped the gun to said gunstore. What happened behind the scenes I don't know, but said gunstore did not ask me anything re: where it was coming from so I don't see how they could send the guy their FFL.

So, how's the weather in "From where I come from?"

It's cold here but not snowing yet...but some is expected around Monday or Tuesday. I hope to take my cruiser MC out Monday, weather permitting.

-- John D.

 

[Zen21Tao]

I have a few FFL guys that I use. A couple of them have a personal policy of only accepting firearms from an FFL. This is more of an CYA move for them so that they know the gun is coming from the correct owner of the gun.

To get a list of local dealers that offer transfer service you can go to gunbroker.com and click on the "For Buyers" tab then on the "Find a Transfer Dealer" link.

Buds is a great place to deal with. Also, KY Imports, CDNN, J&G Sales, AIM Surplus and Southern Ohio Guns are great too.

 

[mrmeval]

I think there's a list of FFLs on THR or you can ask for one in general. I used one I found on gunsamerica but I just recently went with another one local. I found a pistol on gunsamerica and contacted the seller, they are an FFL so credibility is a bit higher I went to my FFL and got a copy of their FFL and included it with payment and sent it to them. The sender will ship the gun to my FFL who will call me when it's in so I can go do the paperwork and pay their fee.

 

[BobMcG]

John D.

With all respect, I was simply referring to the manner in which individuals may send a firearm from one dealer to dealer anywhere in the USA not just where I live. Most often, copies of FFLs are faxed and filed. I'm under the impression that it's the way the Feds want business conducted. I've been wrong many times before and not claiming to be an expert on it though. (That's why I questioned "Really ".) I'm also not familiar with the online gun shop you refer to.

It's not too bad here right now, it was trying to dump a bit of mixed precipitation here earlier this morning but is just gray and cloudy now. We've had a bit of snow a few times sense late October but it hasn't stayed.

BobMcG

 

[RNB65]

No licensed gun dealer is going to ship a gun to any other dealer until he has a copy of the other dealer's FFL for verification. Also, he's only going to ship to the address printed on the FFL.

The ATF's on-line EZ Check verification system has made FFL transfers a lot easer than they used to be. FFL dealer A can send FFL dealer B a fax of his FFL and dealer B can verify it's auththenticity using EZ Check. No need to mail a copy of the FFL and twiddle thumbs waiting for the mailman to deliver it.

 

[cloudcroft]

Well, maybe the guy @ gunsamerica.com, unbeknownst to me, called my gun store (I DID have to tell him where to ship the gun of course) and got their FFL faxed to him before shipping it...I don't know, no one told me anything. All I DO know is that I personally didn't get, handle or send anyone's FFL.

It was a very smooth and efficient process.

-- John D.

 

[wildburp]

I ordered a handgun online recently from United States Firearms (USFA) and could not actually submit the order until I choose the dealer nearest me from their network of stocking dealers. Quite simple compared to some of the processes described in this thread.