buying guns online?

[bill2]

I've seen posts here on THR where people talk about buying guns online, and have some questions. How much do you actually save? and does it depend on the particular model, or other factors? any drawbacks? I know that you have to have the gun sent to someone with a FFL, but I live in the east bay in nor CAL, and if I recall correctly, the license fee that you pay to a local gunshop was either $40 or $70. Any sites that anyone can recommend that I can trust? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bridger]

Well a curio and relics license sure helps. Cut the FFL out entirely, since you are your own in a sense.

For example, I see Mosin-Nagant rifles going for around 70 dollars and up at gun shops and shows. I paid 55 dollars for my m91-30 and 50 for my m44, and then a little bit in shipping. I think around 120 total, which is still 10 dollars cheaper per rifle than the lower price of 70 dollars at the shops and shows. One of my C&R rifles though I got at the gun shop because it was cheaper there than anywhere online!

FFL transfer fees though, shouldn't be 40 bucks even. I know of one place that does 10%, another (now closed) charged a flat fee of 30 dollars which I hear is on the high side. I have to ask what my current 01 FFL charges.

I wonder though, has anyone ordered a gun online for cheaper than the local FFL had in stock of the same model, and then had it shipped to that FFL? That would seem awkward to me.

 

[thumbody]

Try Davidsons Gallery of guns, gun locator.(www.galleryofguns.com)
They will give you quotes from three dealers in your area with all fees and taxes included

 

[bill2]

FFL dealer

I was thinking of one of those FFL holders that work out of their house. I imagine that would be cheaper.

 

[Black Snowman]

I was thinking of one of those FFL holders that work out of their house.

Changing regulations have made this a very rare bird. To hold a 01 FFL you either have to have a fixed place of business that the BATFE can inspect or you have to have a special exemption as a travling dealer (for those who run the gun show circuts).

Disclaimer: This info may not be current and it's off the top of my head. All my FFL documention is at home.

As an asside: A 03 FFL Curio and Relics is a true FFL liscence it just has many restrictions and a few privliages over a full 01 FFL.

 

[Lennyjoe]

There are times when you can find a good deal online. No taxes is one benefit of online purchases. But they get you on shipping.

I mostly surf on www.gunbroker.com www.gunsamerica.com and www.auctionarms.com

As for FFL's in your area, gunbroker has a pretty good site that you can go and do a search for FFL's in your area. Sometimes it has the price they charge.

FFL's dont make squat from online sales so they can charge what they want for the transfer.

In my eyes, ~$20 is a decent price for a transfer. Thats what my guy charges here.

 

[Edmond]

I wonder though, has anyone ordered a gun online for cheaper than the local FFL had in stock of the same model, and then had it shipped to that FFL? That would seem awkward to me.

Nope, the FFL dealers here have effectively priced their transfers and guns so high that I don't spend a red cent with them. They want $50 or 20%, whichever is more and then charge you sales tax.

One guy who I did deal with charges a flat $20, which is more like it. He falls under the relics category.

 

[Wildalaska]

I charge $25 for a transfer..new or used, whatever.

If its a new gun and I stock it, chances are I am cheaper than buying it out of state, a fact I gleefully point out when the transferee comes to pick up his gun

WildnastyboyAlaska

 

[jojosdad]

AFIK the state of CA has fixed the transfer fees at $30 - broken down as $20 for the gov and $10 for the dealer. This is due to go up $5 on 11/1. There are no regs on whether a dealer can charge you for storing the gun for the (ugh) 10 day to the f'ing minute waiting period or add on handling fees.
Up where I live we have a few small dealers who only charge the minimum, though.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've had better success buying firearms from members of this site than the auctions.

To tell you the truth, I've begun to dread checking the new listings here.

 

[Black Snowman]

I hear ya Wolf. I made the mistake of becoming a mod at CZ Forum for their classifieds. So many temptations . . .