Buying a gun online - HOW TO?

[possenti]

OK - now I'm getting frustrated...

I go out of my way to support my local gun shops, but no one in my area (that I know of) has what I want at a fair price.

I want to buy a SA XD9 with the olive drab frame, 4-inch service model (# XD9201). I called a shop where I buy most of my ammo and accesorries. Didn't have any in stock and they only could order the black model or the "bi-tone". Price - $499 each.

Another shop could order one for $485, but I'd have to wait until next month. Yet, another dealer told me that Springfield "ran out" of the OD-framed XD's. I've been "out of the gun market loop" for a while because I used to buy all my guns&stuff from my wife's former boss, but he no longer has his FFL.

WTH?

I plan on spending $450 max total on this XD. Is this possible? Where/How do I go about buying a gun online? I understand that it needs to be shipped to a local FFL, but what does he usually charge? A local gun range/store charges $100 for the transfer. Is that the going rate? That's all I know about the process, since I've never considered buying online - until now.

Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[possenti]

Oh, yeah -

I didn't see anything at the trading post on this forum, so I put up a "WTB" thread there.

 

[George S.]

The gun shop where I buy shows the XD9210 for $419. He may add a 3% surcharge for an internet sale plus whatever the FFL charges may be. Here's the link to the shop and the page for SA pistols:
http://www.eastcountyguns.com/SAPISTOLS.htm

I would suggest that you send Andy an e-mail and ask him about prices and the details involved with Internet sales. I have bought 4 firearms from him and IMHO, he is one of those people that are honest in his dealings and will tell you the plain truth. He started his business from his garage and has done a lot of internet sales. He opened a storefront last year and he's doing well.

I get no commission or anything from him, but tell him that George in Olympia said Hi!!

 

[sumpnz]

A local gun range/store charges $100 for the transfer. Is that the going rate?

At least here in Tucson that would be considered an extortionist amount by most people. My FFL charges $20 for however many guns you have shipped to him. If it's one gun, $20. If it's 10 guns, $20.

Most FFLs charge anywhere from $10-40 per gun. At $100 per gun they are just trying to get you to buy from them, rather than over the internet. At that price I'd find it hard to belive they do any transfers. In fact, at that price I'd probably avoid doing any business with them at all.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Davidsons has this gun for $498 list price. When I go to look at the prices from my local dealers, lowest local price is: $437 (plus tax, nics etc.)

I have used them before, basically you order online with a credit card, pay a deposit then go to your local shop to pick it up. They usually have comlplete pricing online so no surprises or higher price when you get to the store. If for any reason you don't like the gun, you can refuse shipment on the spot and get I believe a full refund (check the site.)

I have used them twice: once for a Smith PC 44 mag 629 light hunter and once for a HK USP Expert in 45. Both were smooth transactions.

They have 24 of these in stock.

Link to gun: http://www.galleryofguns.com/GunLoc...eries+like+'%|XD')+ORDER+BY+manuf,+unk2,+unk3

 

[Highland Ranger]

Picture from their site . . .

 

[Skibane]

This question comes up a lot, so here's the canned response:

If the gun seller is out of state, BATFE regulations require it be shipped to a FFL, who will then perform a background check on you before turning the gun over to you. If don't already have a favorite FFL, you can go to the Gun Broker FFL Dealer Locator, which is an on-line listing of literally thousands of FFLs. Entering your zip code brings up all the FFLs in your area. The listing for most FFLs also includes how much they charge for a transfer fee, which is nice for comparison-shopping. $15-$20 seems to be a typical price range.

After you've selected a local FFL, you'll need to provide the seller with the FFL's license number and shipping address. He will need to confirm that the FFL is indeed a valid dealer, and that the address he'll be shipping the gun to matches the one on the FFL's license. He can do that by going to the BATFE's FFL eZ Check web site, at http://199.196.145.75/FFLeZCheck. After he's confirmed this info and received payment for the gun, he can ship it to your FFL.

For in-state gun sales, neither a background check or shipment to a FFL are legally required — your seller can sell the gun directly to you (although some shippers place their own restrictions on shipping guns). In fact, www.the56.com is a web site that caters to buyers who prefer to do business this way. It puts private-transfer sellers in contact with buyers in their local areas.

 

[possenti]

Davidsons has this gun for $498 list price.

That's the MSRP. It shows a dealer in my area selling for $417.97.

Thanks. I think you're on to something. I'll look into this unless someone has a better idea...

 

[Majic]

Shop around with all the dealers and FFL holders (pawn shops, gunsmiths, etc) for their transfer prices. You most likely will find some a lot better than the one you have mentioned.
One fact to consider though is that some shops won't be happy to transfer a handgun that they can get for you and quite possibly charge a high transfer fee just to get you to order the handgun thru them.

 

[Highland Ranger]

BTW, with Davidsons the gun is there in the shop almost the next day depending on when you order.

 

[Das Pferd]

One fact to consider though is that some shops won't be happy to transfer a handgun that they can get for you and quite possibly charge a high transfer fee just to get you to order the handgun thru them.

This is one of the only good things about Ca, the FFL is only allowed to charge up to a certain amount. They may not go above that for any reason. I think its $30 or something.