New to buying. Internet... FFL?

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tluxtele

tluxtele

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Feb 28, 2013
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Chapel Hill, NC
I am sooo new to this. I've gotten the go ahead to get an AR lower for my father's day/birthday gift. How do I do this? From reading it looks like I order it and it'll be send to a local gun shop who has an FFL (is that federal firearms license?)
- If I order one will the store find a dealer for me or is that my responsibility? - Assuming it's my responsibility, how do I go about finding one?
---- Would any old gun shop do or is there something I should look for?
- What is the standard charge for their part in this?


I'm sure this has been answered somewhere on here but I wasn't able to find much in my searching. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
 
There are several firearms sale sites online, buds guns being one. If you ask a gunshop to order you something they will charge you their price. You can bargin shop and have one sent to an ffl that will do transfers. They will likely only charge a small transfer fee, I charge $25 for a transfer.

Basically shop online, have it sent to an ffl in your area, pass the background check and hopefully save some cash:)

State laws may vary so contact your ffl to see whats up BEFORE you shop! Their may be additional steps needed.
 
Just go ahead and buy it over the Internet...you know, like MSNBC, CNN, etc say you can! :rolleyes: :banghead:

Pickings may be slim, so your choices may be limited unless you're willing to wait.
As others have said, check with shops in your area to see how much they will charge you for using their FFL / background check, etc.
I've seen some pretty wild price swings for doing so - AFAIK, if you buy a lower through him, he charges nothing extra for FFL, background check, etc (but we have a good, low-price, no haggle dealer).

If you find a particular brand of lower you like, you might want to print it out, and carry it to a few shops to see if they can order it for you?
It may save you money and help your local shop.

'Course, this is assuming he can get it within a reasonable time.
 
It is your responsibility to find a FFL. Bud's will have preferred dealers which it is typically ok just to select them as your ffl at the checkout w/o contacting first. I always call or stop by to ask first though; seems to be best practice.

The best way to find a dealer is just walk into a local gunshop/pawn shop and ask if they do transfers. The Fee the FFL will charge can vary GREATLY if you don't want a nasty surprise when you go to pick up your gun make sure you know what it will be ahead of time. IMO $20-30 is reasonable, I have found some LGS see an online purchase as a loss of business and like to charge way more. Others see it as money for minimal effort on their part and charge in the aforementioned reasonable range. I have found that pawnshops are very likely to have a fee on the low end of the spectrum.

edit: Also fully inspect any gun you order online BEFORE accepting the transfer. Once you accept a transfer returning it to a dealer outside your state becomes a major hassle and is often impossible. Any reputable online dealer should allow you to refuse the transfer from your FFL for a full refund.
 
Your phone will be your best friend when shopping online. Call around to local gun stores in the area and ask what their FFL transfer fee is. The vast majority of gun stores will offer a flat rate between 20 and 30. Some places will charge extra if it is a firearm they don't typically carry in the store. Try to avoid places that charge $40 or $50 plus.
 
1. Find an FFL. Some of the bigger sights have listings of dealers they've dealt with, others not so much. Contact them first, they'll tell you their transfer fee, and so forth. I'd say also google them to make sure they don't have any bad reviews.

2. Order the gun/receiver, it's being delivered to the FFL, so make sure that's the shipping information.

3. Wait for it to be delivered.

4. Wait for the FFL to call you, just because it got delivered, doesn't mean they're ready to give it to you, it has to be logged into their bound book first. I BELIEVE (In other words, don't quote me on this) that they only have 24 hours to log it, so at most this should be a one day wait.

5. Go to the shop, fill out your 4473 and any other applicable state paperwork, pay your transfer fee, undergo your background check. /Begin waiting period if your state has one.

6. Take it home/Wait (If your state has a waiting period)

7. Enjoy/Pick it up and THEN enjoy.




As for the fee? That varies largely by area. Near me, you're talking $45+ Some areas it seems you can get them done for about $10. It's the dealers decision how much to charge.
 
Yeah, the left will come up with a new "American AlQaeda" Adam Gahan video from a cave in Pakistan where Adam nee Pearlman is hiding, advising jihadists that AR lowers are sold as premiums in breakfast cereal boxes.

In the real world, we have to find a local FFL dealer willing to accept internet transfers to his inventory to do a 4473 transfer with NICS background check. For many FFLs, the process is a pain and costs them money, so expect a transfer and BG check charge that may make you faint. I would only do an internet buy if the asking price were a real bargain, because transfers FFL to you can run $30 to $65 dollars. IF you are a good customer with a local dealer, you might get a discount.
 
Your first problem right now is simply to find an AR lower at a reasonable price.

I would suggest checking the large gun shows in your state. That way you can see the item before you buy. FFL dealers at the shows can run the NCICS check right on the spot and, depending on state law, you can leave with your purchase.
 
Another charge, depending on what State you are in, may be sales tax.
Your local FFL may be required to collect it.

And don't be surprised if they won't believe you only paid a dollar for it..:p
 
Thanks everyone. You have been very helpful. I'm sure what I'm about to say will come as no surprise. I got up this morning and was going to call to inquire about getting someone to receive the lower for me. Before I did I checked and they were already sold out. Oh well. It's not a must have item. I'll go ahead and find someone who can do the FFL for me so I'll be ready in the future.

BTW, the lower was going to be one of the blems from PSA for $99.00. Apparently it wasn't a great deal for pre-panic prices but it's a price I was willing to pay.

Again, thanks for the help.
 
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