query about buying or ordering a firearm

[thunderbyrd]

hello, i haven't posted here lately, but i'm finding myself wanting to do some shooting regularly these days. but something in the gun world is pretty confusing to me and i need some knowledge.

and this is the question: if i find a gun i really want at a good price on the internet, the dealer can't just box up the gun and mail it or fed ex it to me, correct? the dealer would have to send it to a dealer in my area and i would go and pick it up from them, right? well, if that is so, are dealers happy to provide this service or do they cop an attitude about it, get all resentful because you didn't buy a gun from them? or do dealers charge for this?

i'm interested in a SW 617 and a 686 plus 3", and several others, and don't know how to move forward

also: can ammo be shipped to me?

 

[Cemetery21]

Firearms ship to FFL for transfer.
Just my practice, but I get acquainted with one or more local shops. Then, ask them if they can get the item and what it would cost. If they are close to interweb price, just buy there. If they can't get it or there is a long delay or their price isn't competitive, ask if they would do a transfer. Maybe just me and maybe just that I have good local shops, but it's always worked out for me. Generally, about half bought online and half local and still have good relations.
Ammo ships to the house - that may or may not be the case in your state. Find out.

 

[Spats McGee]

I can't speak to state law, but I can tell you what federal law says. If you're buying from an FFL (like a gun store), you have to go to them and fill out a 4473. If you're buying from out of state, that transfer must go through an FFL with certain exceptions that don't appear relevant here. Long guns can go through an FFL in either the transferor's or the tranferee's (your) state. Handgun purchases (like what you're discussing) must go through an FFL in the transferee's state of residence. In any event, the transfer must comply with the laws of both states.

As for dealers, I've never had a problem with a dealer making a transfer for a gun I had shipped in. With that said, I haven't done that a ton of times, and when I have, I've usually called the dealer to see how close they can get to the online price. A little good will with my LGS is worth a little $ to me.

Ammo can be shipped straight to your door under federal law. I don't know about KY, but it is legal in Arkansas to have that done.

 

[Rule3]

Your location says Kentucky.
There are a LOT of gun shops (FFL) in your State.

As mentioned go check a few of them out.

Yes you can buy a gun from an online dealer. Just read the shipping and FFL section. You buy and pay them, they ship it to YOUR local FFL, You fill out a 4473 form, background etc and pay You FFL a transfer fee. Could be $25 and up.

Yes you can by ammo unless you are a prohibited person.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ky-gun-laws/

 

[Stefan A]

Yeah, I used to be concerned about that too. I guess everyone is different, but in my experience, there is no problem with attitude of the shop for buying the gun elsewhere, After all, you are paying them for the service.

 

[rust collector]

As others have said, it is always a good idea to check with local gun shops to get to know them, check prices, check inventory and see what they charge for transfers. If you at least give them a shot at supplying what you need, it will help your relationship with the dealer. If you check a few different shops out in your area, you will soon get a sense of their approach to customer service, pricing and facilitating sales from other sellers.

Online ammunition prices will be more attractive than shelf prices, but be sure to factor in shipping costs. Unless you need a large quantity, it may make more sense to buy as you need it, especially when prices are likely to be trending down as supply catches up.

 

[CapnMac]

It can be a good idea--especially in smaller towns--to go to the LGS and ask them about their policies for transferring things, what fees they charge and the like.

Most (not all, sadly) realize that making you a happy customer means you are more likely to go buy ammo or a rug, or cleaning stuff from them while you are in the store.

Some LGS, when you are just shopping from an online source (like Bud's) can get you as good a deal. Sometimes--your mileage may vary. Now, if you are buying off an individual seller (like GunBroker or Armslist) they probably can't (or if you are looking for something rare or out of production).

Hard to go wrong asking first.

 

[twarr1]

Most shops that sell online have a list of FFLs they’ve already exchanged info and dealt with in the past. It might be a good idea to start there.

 

[armedwalleye]

Another echo of the same sentiment here. I talk with my several LGS's to see what they can do. If they're close, I go there. If not, they also do transfers, esp if it's something relatively scarce or a used gun being shipped to them. Back in the Sandy Hook scare, I found a Colt 6920 on line at a great price. My LGS had a LOT of them in stock at the time, and couldn't come close on price. He told me to buy it on line, but also told me he'd like to do the transfer. He said that transfers make him money without a lot of time, effort, and interest being paid on the guns he's carrying in stock, and appreciated my willingness to try to buy from him first. Everybody has a comfort level. Since I'm paying $25 or so for the transfer, and I wouldn't pay that if I were buying from the LGS instead, I figure if the LGS is $25 more than on line it's a break even. If it's something like $40 more than on line, I'll still go there to keep the doors open. More than that it becomes a value judgement, and whether the instant gratification outweighs the 4 or 5 day gratification.

 

[Dale Alan]

It is always a good idea to contact the receiving FFL , they have the right to refuse shipment . I know of one local shop that just sends them back if he is not aware of them prior to receiving .

 

[jmr40]

You need to contact the local dealer 1st. Where I live some do not like to do transfers. They will do it, but will charge you $50 for their trouble. There are several others who charge as little as $5 or $10 and will gladly do it for you. One guy who runs a local indoor range will do the transfer for free, if you buy 1 hour of range time.

 

[thunderbyrd]

thanks to everyone for good information!

 

[MedWheeler]

I patronize two different gun stores. One, a large "showroom" with an attached range, didn't want to get into transfers when it opened in 2011, so they charged $50 (and collected the $5 NICS, also, as required.) I've heard recently that they have come down to $35 for inbound transfers.

The other, a pawnbroker with a respectable gun section (usually!), collects $20 total, including the NICS, regardless of the number of firearms being transferred in (I've only done singles and pairs so far.) I've bought almost as many guns from them as I have had shipped in, but I don't remember which I did first.

Factor price, shipping, transfer, credit-card fees, and whether or not the online sale will collect sales tax in determining what you are willing to pay. All that together can add up to a hundred bucks to a nice gun like a 686 purchased from an online seller.

 

[CDMCKY]

ALSO, there are some FFL's (I experienced) which aren't
keen on you doing a thorough inspection of the weapon
before performing the actual transfer. I suggest you make
sure that isn't an issue with the FFL before you use them.

 

[GEM]

Not to be too redundant and only local to where I live. The big dealers have online lists of the FFLs they work with and those folks are happy to deal with you. It gets them into their store and might establish a relationship to buy other things. Fees vary - here it's about $35.00

Some ammo dealers will send to your house. In NY, some won't. Their website says so. Now some will send to an FFL and the fee for that here is about $10 which isn't too bad if you are buying a good deal of ammo.

I've had little problems with TX and NY FFLs and my purchases. No attitude. Folks with the old attitudes - out of business.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

It's good to check around for transfer prices. Here it's 10.00-50.00 bucks.

 

[Skeptic13]

I would shop around and see what you local FFLs are charging for transfers. I have seen a wide range of fees being charged. Then do a little research on them to make sure there are no issues. You might even go in and talk to them before having a gun sent there. I have a FFL that I use for all my transfers and they have been very friendly and accommodating.

You can in most states have ammo shipped to your house. I am sure you are fine in KY but check you local laws.

 

[guyfromohio]

My experience has shown me that small gun shops are happy to take your $25-$50 for ten minutes of their time. The Cabelas of the world haven’t been as friendly about it to me.

It’s cash for service requiring no inventory costs and very few man-hours.

 

[TomJ]

While I try to buy from LGS' in order to support them, I have bought a number of guns online. I've experienced LGS' doing one of three things, being happy to do the transfer for you and charging a reasonable fee, $20 to $30, not wanting to do the transfer but willing to do so for enough money, $50 to $100 and being unwilling to do transfers regardless of the fee. What I've done is asked the LGS if they could find the gun I was looking for and if yes, what their price is. If they can't get it I then asked if they could do the transfer.