Buying First Gun

[chekmate]

Hello Everyone. I am ready to purchase my first gun and decided on getting an M&P40 (shot lots of different guns and I was most comfortable with this one). I have a few questions on the buying process and am hoping someone can help shed some light on a few questions I have.

1. When doing an FFL transfer from out of state, I understand that there are some additional costs. The additional costs are (i) Transfer fee (generally $60), (ii) out of state/excise tax of about 9.5% of sales price, and (iii) pay state sales tax twice (once when purchasing the gun from online shop and again when picking up from FFL transfer). Could someone please let me know if my understanding is correct?

2. How do you identify a good deal to get in on? I've looked around and the M&P40 generally sells for about $550 in California. Is there a website for gun deals and what is a good price for a new M&P40?

3. I found this gun on sale at Kentucky Gun Co for $460 and $490 with the range kit. Is it worth doing an out of state FFL transfer or should I just wait for an in state shop to get a new shipment? Ordering online would cost about an additional $130-150.

http://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-wesson-mp-40-carry-and-range-kit-10rd-425in-black-pistol-64812

http://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-wesson-mp-40-sw-28454

4. How do you know the online gun is California legal? I see that one with range kit has 10 capacity magazine but the link with gun alone has 15 capacity magazine.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[OCAlan]

Hello Everyone. I am ready to purchase my first gun and decided on getting an M&P40 (shot lots of different guns and I was most comfortable with this one). I have a few questions on the buying process and am hoping someone can help shed some light on a few questions I have.

1. When doing an FFL transfer from out of state, I understand that there are some additional costs. The additional costs are (i) Transfer fee (generally $60), (ii) out of state/excise tax of about 9.5% of sales price, and (iii) pay state sales tax twice (once when purchasing the gun from online shop and again when picking up from FFL transfer). Could someone please let me know if my understanding is correct?

2. How do you identify a good deal to get in on? I've looked around and the M&P40 generally sells for about $550 in California. Is there a website for gun deals and what is a good price for a new M&P40?

3. I found this gun on sale at Kentucky Gun Co for $460 and $490 with the range kit. Is it worth doing an out of state FFL transfer or should I just wait for an in state shop to get a new shipment? Ordering online would cost about an additional $130-150.

http://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-wesson-mp-40-carry-and-range-kit-10rd-425in-black-pistol-64812

http://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-wesson-mp-40-sw-28454

4. How do you know the online gun is California legal? I see that one with range kit has 10 capacity magazine but the link with gun alone has 15 capacity magazine.

Thank you in advance for your help!

1. I never heard of out of state/excise tax. Usually only the local sales tax of your FFL. Your FFL transfer fee, $25 dros Fee. This is assuming you are purchasing a M&P40 on roster, if off roster you need to find a FFL that does SSE (single shot exemption), usually FFL's charge a SSE fee as well.

2. Generally your better off purchasing from a Local gun store unless you want a non-cali version. Where are you located? I'm sure people could recommend local shops to you.

3. I don't think those guns listed are on the roster. The one with 10rnd magazine might.

4. The first link is to a "KIT" with some blade tech gear so I'm not too sure. 2nd comes with a 15 round mag which most likely is not a CA legal one. Generally online retailers list which ones are CA legal. Look at the MPN and compare it to S&W website to see which one is CA compliant. Looks like you need S&W m&P40 SKU: 109200 for the CA compliant version.

That info is just from what I know, if anything is wrong someone please correct me.

[smak28]

▲Ditto. Your LGS transfer fee + DROS ($25) + local sales tax

[chekmate]

1. I never heard of out of state/excise tax. Usually only the local sales tax of your FFL. Your FFL transfer fee, $25 dros Fee. This is assuming you are purchasing a M&P40 on roster, if off roster you need to find a FFL that does SSE (single shot exemption), usually FFL's charge a SSE fee as well.

2. Generally your better off purchasing from a Local gun store unless you want a non-cali version. Where are you located? I'm sure people could recommend local shops to you.

3. I don't think those guns listed are on the roster. The one with 10rnd magazine might.

4. The first link is to a "KIT" with some blade tech gear so I'm not too sure. 2nd comes with a 15 round mag which most likely is not a CA legal one. Generally online retailers list which ones are CA legal. Look at the MPN and compare it to S&W website to see which one is CA compliant. Looks like you need S&W m&P40 SKU: 109200 for the CA compliant version.

That info is just from what I know, if anything is wrong someone please correct me.

How do you know if the gun is listed on the roster? I know the DOJ website has the SKU number but I could not find the SKU in the links.

I live in Los Angeles but haven't found a store that carries the M&P40 yet. I would appreciate any store recommendations.

[PandaBear]

There is sales tax for out of state purchases. I just bought a gun from kygunco and had it sent to OC Armory.

I paid:

Dros + Transfer + SSE + Transfer Sales Tax. My receipt says 0% for Local Sales Tax.

[cwin]

I've purchased quite a few guns from out of state. None of them required me to pay sales tax. I did however had to pay tax to my in state FFL though. BoE has been cracking down.

[BigPimping]

LGS is your best bet for sure. Cost way less in the end.

[chekmate]

LGS is your best bet for sure. Cost way less in the end.

What is LGS?

Also, anyone else have comments on what a good price on M&P40 is in CA? How do you go about looking for deals?

[Redlion]

LGS=Local Gun Store

[madsend81]

Keep an eye out for deals. Go to your local LGS and ask when they expect to get new ones in. Turners, Ammo Brothers, Rifle Gear, as well as some local ranges will have the CA compliant M&P40 on sale occasionally. Rifle Gear is showing their M&P40 in stock for $549 on their website, see here. You can head down there to buy it or order it online for in store pickup. IMHO $549 is a decent price for a new M&P.

[GunHo]

Grabagun.com is always a good place to compare prices on new guns. They typically have the best price with a flat $5 shipping; with some items on free shipping...

[Goop]

M&P 40 is a pretty common and popular gun. You are probably going to pay the same price if you buy it in a local store. When you buy online you have to add the shipping and transfer fee which often ends up being 100 bucks more.

Look around locally and you will find the price will be close. Gunbroker and online is really best used for hard to find firearms you just can't get stocked locally. M&P40s are everywhere.

[Mr.Caketown]

get the M&P 9 . Pretty much identical to the M&P 40 aside from the barrel / mags. Ammo will be easier to come by .... but either way M&Ps are a solid choice

[NatesDad]

OPSEC? :sly:

[balmo]

$500-$550 is a good price in your LGS for an M&P, either 9 or 40. Usually, anything above $550, I look at nother store.