Buying Guns online

[bigbearbear]

In addition to buying from a reputable online vendor, make sure you understand the terms and fees that applies for your local FFL to receive your online firearm purchase for you.

For example, some FFL will start to charge you additional storage fees if you do not pickup your firearm by X number of days after the 10 day waiting period. We've seen newbies come here to complain about "evil, bad FFL ripping them off" because they decided to use the local FFL is their personal firearm storage service by waiting a month or so before picking up their gun(s).

Although (thankfully) rare, some FFLs, especially those that operate a gun store, might resent the fact that you opted to buy online instead of buying from them. I try to avoid potential issues by making sure my FFL does not carry the gun I want to buy, or I use a home based FFL to receive my firearm (eg. Roger's Relics).

If possible, CALL the online vendor and ask to speak with a sales person. You can usually get a small discount if you tell them you'll pay with a check instead of credit card. I did that when I bought my Benelli Supersport from Eurooptic.com.

Good luck with your purchase.

[Apec]

True. Personally, I prefer buying online as prices are WAAAAY better and I dont have to wait in line or hear FUD from some gun salesman. With that said, I became a fan when I was in TX. In TX you dont pay sales tax or a DROS so I could buy 3 guns, and my FFL would only charge me $50 (usually $20/gun but he gave me discounts when I did multiples in one order). And I could pick them in as soon as they arrived.


Here in CA, you gotta do the 10 day wait, and it usually takes aobut 5-10 days for guns purchased online to get to your FFL so in total it takes almost a month just to take possession. But at least you can order what you want (usually at a much better price than what you'd pay if your LGS was selling it). The hardest part is finding an affordable FFL. I found one who only charges $65 which includes DROS.

Yeah, easier to find what you want online.

But now that they charge tax on transferred guns... the BOE can go **** itself.

[B Strong]

Hey guys thinking of buying a gun online from gun broker. Seeing if anyone has ever bought a gun and had a good experience. Or is it just better to go to a local gun store. My problem is the local gun store can never get the guns I want because they are on back order. Then I look at gun broker and there are plenty of them. Need guidance from a Jedi master.

I've bought and sold over GB.

I've never had a bad experience as a buyer, but as a seller, Madrone! I recently had a G series FAL bid to the moon and the winning bidder went TU shortly thereafter, and that's a pretty common experience there.

The other issue you may run into is that some GB sellers are not selling from in hand stock, and the best thing to do wrt that is call ahead of bidding and make sure the item is in hand at the time you want to buy it - make sure you have a receiving FFL set up and you know what the cost is for the transfer - some stocking dealers will try to break it off in you on the transfer - if the guy quotes over $100.00 for any transfer, keep looking. If you're buying online regularly through one transfer dealer $50.00 seems to be the going rate.

Make sure whatever you're interested in is legal here, and make sure the seller will sell and ship to California - many won't, even w/ non-firearm items.

[JGalt]

Do it. Internet pricing and selection is great. Especially with in-stock notifications for hard to get items.

I just bought my first from Impact Guns. They cancelled my order because it wasn't CA legal. I explained the SSE situation over the phone, and they shipped my order promptly. If it's an SSE, be sure to indicate as much in the notes to avoid delays.

[1911R SSS]

Been doing it for years, where do you think all those cool older 1911s come from, not from Cali.

[spamsucker]

many ffl's charge a ridiculous premium for brokering that kind of deal. I don't recommend it unless you find one with a decently low fee.

Specific to gunbroker, never a single good experience.

[antiseen]

I'd buy all my guns online if I didn't live in this stupid state.

Any "deal" you find is quickly killed by the $$ you pay to make it CA legal and then the transfer fee you have to pay. Adds up, killing any deal you thought you were getting.

Also, any free state rifle you buy will come with 30 round, or 10+ round, mags that won't be replaced. So you'll be paying for the gun shop to keep those.

I'd only ever buy a firearm online in this state if was absolutely impossible to find with no hope of it ever becoming available here. I'd also be prepared to take the huge hassle and loss because I wanted it so bad I didn't care.

[D Day Dog]

I've bought several firearms online. I sold a few too. Actually, more online buying now than I've bought in person locally. And you can find them cheaper online depending on where you live. It helped me to build a repore with a local FFL who I do all my transfers with. I also buy a little ammo and other accessories from him periodically to keep that repore solid. Not really necessary, but when it comes to getting his FFL copy provided to the seller, or any phone calling, faxing, or emailing on his part, he is on it.

Always check the rep. and any previous sales of the seller, it may not mean 100% everything will be perfect, but it helps to see what he sells and if firearms are only a small portion of it. Always ask ALL your questions before buying or placing a bid. Inquire about shipping costs as well. I'm in Alaska and it is sometimes only marginally better to buy online due to shipping costs. But if I am diligent and take my time, I generally get a good deal. And don't always take the first one you see as hype buying hits your wallet - unless you can afford that.

Good luck !!!

[Detonate69]

I bought my used Browning O/U from Gunbroker. Had no problems at all and it was a fine experience. My local shop handled it fine.

[Best sale]

bought all my guns apart from one handgun from gunbroker.
As already said above, look at the rating of the seller. Also is seller registered as ffl on gunbroker? Remember to look out for credit card charges & shipping cost while doing the maths, plus don't get caught in the crazy bidding thing. Set your limit and stick to it.

[bsg]

my preference is to purchase guns from my lgs. i have been treated exceptionally well by staff of the lgs, the prices are always reasonable and on occasion the purchase is what you call a screamin deal. i mention this partially because my favorite lgs (Alamo Jewelry & Loan) actually won my business through their treatment of me while assisting with several out of state gun transfers from Gunbroker purchases i'd made over time. they won my loyalty by the treatment i've received since i started buying guns from them.

i have made several gun purchases from online sellers of Gunbroker. gun purchases have been from FFL holders with high positive feedback ratings and some longevity as Gunbroker members. i have made many gun-related purchases from non FFL holders on Gunbroker. i've never had a bad experience either way.

[Sure Shot 45]

I always buy from Budsguns.com if they have what I want in stock. I love gun shopping late at night, add to the cart, haha. I just bought a gun today that was listed on gunbroker.com I just called the guy and bought it directly off him. You'll have no problems with these online retailers. Happy shopping!

[uhlan1]

I buy all mine on-line, including gunbroker and never had a problem. I also use a kitchen FFL who can SSE to escape transfer gouging that retailers love to do.

[uhlan1]

I always buy from Budsguns.com if they have what I want in stock. I love gun shopping late at night, add to the cart, haha. I just bought a gun today that was listed on gunbroker.com I just called the guy and bought it directly off him. You'll have no problems with these online retailers. Happy shopping!

The issue I have with Buds is they refuse to ship anything off roster for SSE. That kinda burns me so I spend most of my ducats with Oak Hill (not Oak Tree, God forbid), Grabagun, CZ Custom, Osage, and Kentucky Gun Company. Buds can p*** up a rope.

[Barang]

Bought few from Gunbroker and GunsAmerica . All transactions went great! Just make sure they will ship to CA because other sellers won't do it. Good luck.