[rcwambold]

\"Mail order,\" guns?

Gentlemen,
Any thought/recommendations as to buying guns over the internet? Looking at several. Never done it before ... how does one go about it? I'm sure many of you have bought this way - yes? Doesn't the local gunshop guy kick you in the middle of your daily duties when you go into his shop and ask him to take delivery of someone elses sale? "Bewares," I ought to know about?

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

It's easier than one may think.
You need to have the firearm sent to your local FFL. It's better if you check around to find out the fees first. Some don't want to be hassled by doing it so they charge up to $40.00 per gun. I'm in pretty good with my guy, so I toss him $10. I would say you can find one to do it for you for around $20. When you decide on what gun you will be buying, or maybe you just won one on one of the gun auction sites. You will need to send your payment along with a SIGNED (in ink) copy of the FFL license. That seller will now send the firearm to your FFL. They WILL NOT send it directly to you. Pick-up the firearm at your FFL and pay his fee for signing you in and recieving the firearm and that's about all she wrote.
Anything I left out ?
If you are selling, that's another story.
Hope that helps you.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

One more thing to consider.
If you find that smokin' deal on a firearm and it's $50 cheaper than any show price you've seen. Please remember, handguns must be shipped NEXT DAY air and may have a heafty shipping charge. So, it may cost $35.00 shipping, $25.00 for your FFL charges, and you don't get to inspect the firearm before the purchase. Are you following me here ? Sure, most places will take the gun back if not satisfied, but you will have to eat the NEXT DAY air shipping AGAIN and your FFL is not gonna say, I'm sorry that you got this gun through the internet and you were not happy, here's your money back for my fees.
Keep that in mind.
Don't let that scare you. There's some great deals out there. Just be careful on how you shop.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Ira Paine]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

Not correct about the shipping. Firearms may be shipped US Post Office if being shipped to an FFL. Priority Mail cost is a lot less.
IP

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GUNKWAZY:
One more thing to consider.
If you find that smokin' deal on a firearm and it's $50 cheaper than any show price you've seen. Please remember, handguns must be shipped NEXT DAY air and may have a heafty shipping charge. So, it may cost $35.00 shipping, $25.00 for your FFL charges, and you don't get to inspect the firearm before the purchase. Are you following me here ? Sure, most places will take the gun back if not satisfied, but you will have to eat the NEXT DAY air shipping AGAIN and your FFL is not gonna say, I'm sorry that you got this gun through the internet and you were not happy, here's your money back for my fees.
Keep that in mind.
Don't let that scare you. There's some great deals out there. Just be careful on how you shop.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[rcwambold]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

OK, Gunkwazy and Ira. Thanks much! Now, all I need is to DECIDE!? "If I were a rich man ..." (from Fiddler on the Roof.) Heck, I'd even buy a Smith & Wesson sometime!

 

[Pointman]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

Actually, I think only FFL holders/dealers can ship handguns through the USPS. All others, must ship via overnight UPS or FEDEX.

 

[CMcDermott]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

Pointman is correct, only an FFL can use the Postal Service to ship guns. So you need to find an FFL for your end to receive the gun, and if you aren't buying from an FFL, then the person you are buying it from needs to find an FFL to mail it - which usually involves another fee that often eats the savings.
Some FFL shops will also charge much more than $20-$40 to receive the gun - my FFL wants to charge his profit if the gun is one that he can order in new. I can't really blame him, places like Walmart can sell guns/ammo for less than a distributor wants to charge him, so how can he compete on price?
For discontinued guns he wants $35.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

You are correct POINTMAN.
Ira, thanks for the slap. But unless you're a FFL shipping a handgun to another FFL. You better NOT get caught. To my knowledge the Post Office won't even ship pellet guns now. Read the Regs & restrictions. Better yet, talk to your Postmaster. By the way, can you say FEDERAL OFFENSE. The Post Office still may (I'm not sure) allow you to send a handgun directly to a MFG for repairs ONLY & not for sale or trade. Otherwise.... Just forget it.
UPS was shipping regular ground and they changed the rules for Handguns due to theft. Handguns MUST be shipped NEXT DAY AIR ONLY. You can ship Rifles UPS ground.
Anyway, I just picked up a Auto-loader at my FFL this week & the shipping was $30.00.
I've got another coming in next week that is a Light Weight Performance Center handgun and it's only $25.00. Ohhh, by the way, both are being shipped NEXT DAY AIR.
I'll try to help you the best I can.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Ira Paine]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

Gunkwazy, It was not intened as a "slap.
I've been an FFL holder for 40 years and do know better. Sorry for my mistake.

CMcD and Pointman are correct, only FFL to FFL can ship Postal Service. I was "assuming" that the gun was comming from a FFL and or course it has to be shipped to a FFL.
IP


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CMcDermott:
Pointman is correct, only an FFL can use the Postal Service to ship guns. So you need to find an FFL for your end to receive the gun, and if you aren't buying from an FFL, then the person you are buying it from needs to find an FFL to mail it - which usually involves another fee that often eats the savings.
Some FFL shops will also charge much more than $20-$40 to receive the gun - my FFL wants to charge his profit if the gun is one that he can order in new. I can't really blame him, places like Walmart can sell guns/ammo for less than a distributor wants to charge him, so how can he compete on price?
For discontinued guns he wants $35.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[jar]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

I've found that most local ffls are happy to handle transfers on used guns, but really get upset over new ones. And actually, I really can't blame them. Abouot the only time I'd buy a new gun (admittedly I don't find too many new guns of interest anyway) mailorder is when it is something unique like a manufacturers prototypes.

------------------
Fore Warned is Fore Armed... Pogo
Unless it's four worned out guns... Albert

 

[rm vivas]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

More specifically, a firearms may be shipped through the mail on a PS 1508 form (watch the reaction you get when you ask for this form) by any dealer or manufacturer.

I ship all my guns to my customers dealers using the PO. A Detective Special from NY to CA is about $9-10 including insurance!

Best,
RM Vivas www.vivasandson.com

 

[ColtCobra]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

rcwambold
You have gotten some excellent advice from the posters. I have bought three 'used' unique(no longer made) guns over the internet. All without incident. My suggestion is to confirm any agreements or understandings in writing (either EMail or Certified Mail) to prevent misunderstandings and also for your protection should something go awry. Many marketers will allow a period for inspection. I would recommend insisting on such. Failure to permit inspection could be a red flag. Good luck.

 

[Majic]

Re: \"Mail order,\" guns?

It's also a good idea to exchange phone numbers so the buyer and seller can talk to one another. This can clear alot of confusion and also provide an address if problems occur.
I have had several pleasant deals and met some mighty nice folks along the way.