Purchase from out of state - PPT?

[S. Wong]

I'd like to purchase a revolver thats off roster.
Its owned by a guy in Or, and he's prepared to ship to an FFL down here.

The question we're asking before moving forward is:
1. does it matter that its off roster because its a PPT, and not a new purchase?
2. can you do a PPT across state lines?
3. are there standard charges/rates that I should be aware of before I start calling around to FFLs in the area?

[LeadFarmer74]

You cannot PPT from out of state.

[NorzelKid]

From what I understand, you cannot do a PPT on a revolver that's off roster across state lines unless the gun is classified as a curio/relic, which means it has to be at least 50 or more years old. Also, it is not considered a PPT unless it is a face-to-face transaction. Now...if the person with the revolver lived within California, and you were able to meet with him face-to-face, THEN you could legally transfer that off-roster revolver. However, the scenario you described cannot legally occur. Thus, no FFL in California will transfer that gun to you, so you'll need to look at purchasing something else.

[P5Ret]

You'll need to find a local dealer who can convert it to single action for you. This will add expense to the deal on top of whatever the dealer would charge as a transfer fee, and they can charge whatever they like. It can be done but it may not be worth the cost of SAE to get it done.

[SkyHawk]

You cannot do a PPT from someone out of state. You also cannot do a PPT with someone in state unless you BOTH are CA residents, and you BOTH appear in person at a SINGLE FFL for paperwork, and then the buyer comes back to that FFL for pickup. There is NO SHIPPING with a PPT.

You also CANNOT import an off roster pistol unless it is C&R, single shot, or single action only - or you personally have some other exemption.

You MIGHT be able to have the revolver temporarily converted to single action only. It must have at least a 3 inch barrel and overall length of 7.5" to be a candidate for this exemption.

You will pay a dealer transfer fee to do this, which will cost more than a PPT fee. You will also pay fees for the single action conversion.

If you tell us where you are (city or county) and what pistol you are interested in, exactly, we might be able to give you more info and recommendation for a FFL.

[Librarian]

The issue here is that the DROS software requires CA ID from both parties in a PPT. An out of state resident is unlikely to have that, so the software would reject the PPT attempt.

Remember 'PPT' has a special CA meaning more complicated than 'a private party is the seller'.

[hermosabeach]

Join Gun Broker
Do an advanced search
Search for what you want with the seller being in CA

[SkyHawk]

Join Gun Broker
Do an advanced search
Search for what you want with the seller being in CA

And be sure they are close enough to make it feasible to do PPT because it will be required for off roster pistol. For example the drive from Chula Vista, CA to Yreka, CA is 12 hours - one way. You will need to make 4 one way trips as the buyer. It is a shorter trip in miles to drive to New York from Sacramento than that.

[Quiet]

For CA...
A PPT is a face-to-face transfer between CA residents facilitated by a CA FFL dealer.

CA DROS system will not process a PPT, unless both parties involved have valid CA DL/ID or Mil ID with permanent duty station orders for CA.

[TurboChrisB]

If you purchase it.......he will ship it to your FFL who will then be unable to complete the transfer.....he will then return the firearm to the seller and you will hopefully get your money back, eventually.

[Oceanbob]

May we inquire what make and model this wheel gun is? We might come up with alternative ideas for you.

If it's something common it might not be worth the money and time involved. Ifs its a rare (for example) Colt Python with box and papers, then jumping thru hoops might work.

[onelonehorseman]

Everyone above has covered the bases pretty well on this. Unless you are roster-exempt (LE for example), then the only way to buy off roster from out of state is to temporarily convert it to a roster exempt form. This can be costly and time consuming. As others have eluded, you may want to re-evaluate how badly you want that particular firearm. No matter what, you can't do PPT from an Oregon resident, so you will pay CA sales tax + transfer + shipping + DROS + whatever it costs to temporarily convert it . . . if it's even possible to do so. Good luck with your quest OP; keep us informed how it works out.

[S. Wong]

Looks like I'll keep looking

Thanks, all, for your help and advice.

I'm glad I only made a fool of myself here instead of the 2 gun stores in town.

I was looking at a 4" Dan Wesson 15-2 6rnd .357 mag
The seller wanted $650 for it after I started this thread, so I wasn't going to bite anyway, but keeps me on the right side of right.

What I'm actually looking for:
Purpose: Pinking & HD
Capacity: 6-8 rnd
Ammo: .357 mag
Action: Double action
Finish: Blued
Price: ~$500
Size: 4-6"

My wife & I fired .38 spl from a Ruger GP-100, and I thought it was fine.
Wasn't my favorite trigger.
Still learning the quirks of wheelguns.
We were both better with the Sig 238, but not a good nightstand gun.

Looking at:
DW 15-2
S&W Model 17

not looking at:
Colt
Chiappa

[dfletcher]

CZ has recently started again making the Dan Wesson, in stainless. Perhaps they'll get it CA OK'd? Kind of kills a $550.00 budget though, cost new is about $900.00.

As an aside, a DW is one of the easier revolvers to do SAE with. The DA sear isn't pinned in, just rides in a circular cutout on the hammer.

[S. Wong]

Ya, I'm mostly looking at used.
$900 is out of my price range for now
Too many conflicting requirements on the budget