Buying Guns Online

[jburks]

Can you all share your experience with buying guns online (both retail sites and online auctions), especially handguns? Any recommendations for good sites for new and used purchases? I have been browsing ableammo.com and have noticed that their prices are sometimes hundreds less than my local Bass Pro and Cabelas. Any experience with Able Ammo? Any tips on things to watch out for (especially online auctions)?

 

[donkee]

I have bought from Aim Surplus, Southern Ohio Gun, J&G Sales, CDNN, Centerfire Systems, and Cole Distributing. No problems what so ever. I will continue to deal with them. Just find a good local ffl and you'll be set. My favorites from above at Aim, J&G, and CDNN.....

 

[civilian]

through gunsamerica i've purchased from b&h gunrack and bethany firearms. no problems, best prices at the time on a glock 19 and a beretta storm, respectively. only other online purchase was a rifle from fbmg who post here. good experience there as well. think i saw over on glocktalk that topglock.com is selling glocks at invoice right now - may have reverted back to standard pricing, but check if you're interested in a glock.

 

[Dave Dembinski]

I picked up a 686 on Gunsamerica that turned out nice. Some hassles when I tried to use Bidpay (don't), but paypal worked fine and the gun was at my FFL within a week.

Have gotten 2 pistols from manofsteele here at THR, and recommend him very highly.

 

[Lou22]

I've bought most of my guns through either Gun Broker or Auction Arms. I keep checking both sites (using their search features) until I find a good enough deal for what I'm looking for. Every gun has met or exceeded my expectations. I've so far not had any trouble with a seller. I'll be happy to deal again with any of them. Some were dealers, others were private owners.

Lou

 

[mattw]

I've bought one handgun on www.gunbroker.com. It was fast and easy, gunbroker.com is an awesome site.

The only real thing to watch out for on auctions is a good seller. If the seller is good you'll be able to e-mail him with any questions and get a quick answer because he wants to sell the gun and get good feedback. look at the feed back and communicate before you bid.

 

[jburks]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I haven't bought online before but I think I'll give it a try.

Thanks again,

JB

 

[BlkHawk73]

I've bought 5 on line. Each went very smoothly. One was from Gun Broker the others were all from the same dealer. I had first found out about the dealer from GunBroker but bought them w/o using an auction. Went as smoothly as a face to face one I'd normally do with a local delaer. Already have placed orders with this dealer for 2 more when they're available. (He get's distributor editions rather easily through allocations)

 

[marklbucla]

I guess like all auction sites, the quality of service will vary from person to person. I've bought on Gunbroker twice and was extremely satisfied both times. Others may not have had the same experience though. They've said that Auction Arms is better because of the buyer protection.

 

[res1b3uq]

online

I have bought through both Auction Arms and Gunbroker. I have had good luck on all purchases. I always check the sellers rating. I will not buy from a first time seller.

 

[browningguy]

I buy most of my guns on-line because I buy a lot of older pieces out of production for many years, thankfully I've nevr had a problem in the course of 10-12 purchases. For new guns I usually show one or two of the local dealers what I can buy for online, add the shipping and transfer fees and they'll sell for that, or close enough.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

A few years ago, I bought a USED 6" Smith & Wesson model 28 from a
dealer who was on the world wide web. While the transaction went
smoothly, the firearm never quite lived up too expectations. When
you loaded all six chambers, the cylinder would bind and failed to
rotate. Since then, I haven't bought any guns NEW or USED off
the internet~!

 

[berettashotgun]

Southern Ohio Gun pretty much ripped me off a few years ago, but I have purchased 30-40 pistols/revolvers/shotguns/rifles over the 'net & enjoy it . The ONLY rule of thumb EVERYONE should follow- use a US post office moneyorder because it is backed and protected ( had to use them once-they git-er-done) by the US Postmaster General. Once the money order crosses state lines- they (the seller) BETTER follow thru . If I purchase from a KNOWN TO BE TRUSTWORTHY seller, I use DISCOVER CARD. 2 years free replacement insurance, theft insurance(free) yada-yada-yada. AVOID UPS like the plague- fed x, has done me right,USPS is kinda funky about things sometimes.

 

[raghorn]

I bought one this year from Eagle Sport and Tactical (HFlier on THR), went very smooth.

My local FFL prefers that the sender also have an FFL. If it comes from a non-FFL individual and for some reason has to be sent back, it may create all kinds of headaches for you and the FFL.

 

[bofe954]

I have picked up a few things on line and never had any issues. All from this board or others, one from a dealer who was on this board, the rest from private parties. I have 6.5% sales tax so shipping and handling and FFL fees are pretty covered just by buying out of state and not paying sales tax.

One thing I try and think about lately though is the fate of the one local gun shop I actually like if I never buy anything from them. I am trying to only pick up out of production rare things online and just purchase common stuff from the shop.

 

[JoeRapture]

I'm selling on gunbroker

I'm taking a shot at selling a few pistols on Gunbroker. I have bought through Gunbroker as well. So far, I've had a bunch of questions...but the auction is only two days old. I have my concerns about using Paypal, too.