first time online shopper

[brettkeating]

Hi All, considering buying my next gun online, but I'm unfamiliar with the process. Looking to buy a S&W 627 model number 170210. It's a performance center model. Everywhere online it shows "out of stock." Is this typical?

Also I'm assuming import to CA for this handgun is fine. Since this is the first time I'm trying to order online, what's the typical process for dealing with the FFL? Should I contact them first or if I find something, go ahead and put them down (even if I don't know them personally) and contact them after?

[Ritchie8719]

170210 is on the list so it can be imported to california. Out of stock is unfortunately normal since the run on guns.

Gunbroker has a good list of gun dealers listed by zip and you should look for the cheapest transfer price, because there is not a limit on what they can charge. First ask the dealer if they can get the gun, and compare that price with your online price plus fees. If it is close just go with the dealer.

Good luck. First time is not easy.

[Lead Waster]

Out of stock is typical in the last year and a half, sorry!

Check Buds gun shop, impact arms and others. Davidson's Gun Genie used to be great, since they provide a list of LGS based on your zip code and the prices you will pay (generally good price, no transfer fee since you are buying FROM the LGS). However, everything at Davidsons is OOS.

But what I do is ...

Call the FFL, tell them that you want to use them to transfer an out of state gun and where it's coming from and ask if the store has their info on hand, or to prepare to fax their info to the store. Square that away, then buy the gun online and have it shipped to that FFL. When it arrives, the FFL will call you, you go over there, pay and start DROS. Pretty simple.

Some FFL's just accept guns without you even calling them first, then they'll call you. I guess since it's their main business, they just expect guns to show up.

If you are really confused, again, call up the FFL, tell them what you are planning to do and they'll walk you through it.

[Firerescuebatt07]

I always shop on gunbroker... As long as the gun is on roster and you can find it on gunbroker (as long as the lovely seller is willing to ship to Ca...there are those that will not ship even Ca legal guns here) it can be bought and sent to your FFL of choice. You will then pay for the gun, contact your FFL and give him/her the auction number, your full name and email/fax of the seller and have the FFL send over their info along with the auction number and your name... After that the seller ships to your FFL and then you go DROS your gun then bang your head on the wall 10 days then pick up your beauty!