When you can't find a gun locally..

[aceadt]

Hello all,

I'm new relatively new to guns so sorry in advance for any "rookie" questions or comments.

About 2 months ago My wife and I had a scare at our house. We woke up to our ridgebacks barking their heads off because someone was trying to get in my front door at 3:45 am. Turned out to be some drunk people at the wrong house, but was still very scary and eye opening to the fact we had no self defense measures in place.

I went to shoot guns with my dad and grandfather a few days later, and ended up getting a 9mm XDm 3.8". My wife and I have been to the range a few times and now we are both interested in taking concealed classes, and getting something a little more practical for EDC, which is what lead me to Kahr.

I have narrowed it down to the pm9 or cm9. I found and rented a pm9 at a local range and fell in love with it. Turns out they don't have either in stock, and don't have any on order either, which brings me to my question. What is the next best way to get a gun if you can't find it locally? The guy mentioned a few other places to look, but offered they could transfer if all else fails.

I don't know much about FFL, and was wondering if there are more "reputable" sellers than others. I keep coming across "buds guns" and was wondering if anybody has ordered from them with success before. I am open to suggestions so let me know if I am missing something!

[Bawanna]

Buds' is a solid seller. I use them as a price guideline quite often. I've ordered several guns from them with no issues. Shipping time varies depending on time of year and how busy they are but always got what I wanted.

Any on line purchase has to go through your local FFL for transfer.

There are tons of on line dealers. Just read carefully. Note shipping cost or hidden fees, that sort of thing.

Buds shipping cost is always included in the price which is nice.

Be careful, buyer beware and all that. Private sales use additional caution.

[Shadetree]

Buds' is a solid seller. I use them as a price guideline quite often. I've ordered several guns from them with no issues. Shipping time varies depending on time of year and how busy they are but always got what I wanted.

Any on line purchase has to go through your local FFL for transfer.

There are tons of on line dealers. Just read carefully. Note shipping cost or hidden fees, that sort of thing.

Buds shipping cost is always included in the price which is nice.

Be careful, buyer beware and all that. Private sales use additional caution.

I agree with what Bawanna said. Have bought several guns over the years through Auction Arms and Gunbroker and have never had a problem, just be sure look at the dealer info along with their feedback- read the entire auction - and you should be okay. Most of the sites will help you find a local FFL that will handle the transfer and there will be a charge for that service, usually in the $20 to $40 range. Good luck.

[wyntrout]

I usually look for "Buy Now" prices to keep from getting into bidding wars. I don't really like auctions, but have managed to get what I wanted in a few instances.

Be sure and "shop" for an FFL dealer. Check with your local dealer, but do "shop" using the features on most sites to find an FFL dealer. Prices can vary wildly and you can find one close to you in the zipcode-based searches.

My LGS wanted $50 + $5 NICS fee + tax. I found a small shop with a $25 out the door fee. There are lower fees sometimes, but don't forget any background check fee and taxes. Also consider ordering one through your dealer, but get an estimate on availability or actually getting one in the store. It can be a lot faster online. I've had excellent service at GunBroker.com, GunsAmerica, and our own Marketplace.

IF my FFL dealer could get the guns I wanted within a reasonable time, I would buy through him, but he couldn't even get some of the guns. You have to consider the whole cost and it would be better many times to help out the local dealer, if he's not charging retail+ prices.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

You have to consider the TOTAL cost of getting the pistol into your hands. Some online dealers charge credit card fees from 2.5 to 3.5% or more, and some have low or free shipping included to your FFL. Some try to make money on the shipping, too. Then there are the FFL fees, background call fee, and possible taxes. It may be a better deal to buy locally if you find what you want in stock, or the dealer can get it within 3 to 5 days.

Sometimes you can negotiate with the seller/dealer on CC fees and/or shipping. When I bought my PM4544N (DLC with NS) on GunBroker, the suggested retail was $1022, but the Buy Now price was $825 which included a third new magazine, the 6-round extended grip. There was a 2.75% add on for using a credit card and shipping cost extra, too. I contacted the dealer and asked for no fee on the CC if I chose the Buy Now option, and he countered with free shipping which he would add to the Buy Now option. As soon as it changed, I bought the pistol. He was a great dealer and the included Kahr cap was a surprise extra. He also said that the shipping actually cost him more than the cc fee, so I saved a few bucks there, too.

Wynn:)

[aceadt]

Hmm.. Thanks for all the info!

Not sure if it will change anybody's opinion, but I am looking to buy a new gun rather than used. I just don't know enough about guns to know what to look for, so I'd rather start fresh with a warranty.

Thanks Bawanna, I also have been using buds as a price point to compare others. Glad to hear its acceptable! :)

@ wyntrout.. You raise an excellent point I hadn't considered. My LGS wants $75 for the transfer, but I didn't ask what all it included, or if there were other fees. I'll have to do some digging to find out what makes sense.

Anybody have good FFL recommendations in Houston, TX?

[Glock23]

Grabagun, guns america, gallery of guns, gunbroker, buds, palmetto state armory, etc...

As Wynn said, Buds includes the shipping in the price. If I recall correctly, grabagun is either free shipping or super cheap. Palmetto is a standard $15 shipping for guns, I think.

Definitely shop around... price, fees, shipping, FFL, etc. My last purchase was through Palmetto State Armory... awesome sale price, cheap shipping, and the FFL I use charges a $20 flat rate and is just a few blocks away. In the end, I had a brand new M&P Shield 9mm in my hands for less than $400.... last local gun show I went to, they wanted $499 plus tax and FFL fees.

[T0RMENT]

Just posted some info. on this in another thread. Worth a look maybe?

www.slickguns.com

[wyntrout]

Hmm.. Thanks for all the info!

Not sure if it will change anybody's opinion, but I am looking to buy a new gun rather than used. I just don't know enough about guns to know what to look for, so I'd rather start fresh with a warranty.

Thanks Bawanna, I also have been using buds as a price point to compare others. Glad to hear its acceptable! :)

@ wyntrout.. You raise an excellent point I hadn't considered. My LGS wants $75 for the transfer, but I didn't ask what all it included, or if there were other fees. I'll have to do some digging to find out what makes sense.

Anybody have good FFL recommendations in Houston, TX?

You can use the FFL finder on several sites to look for FFL dealers who will accept and transfer your pistol. Over $50 is outrageous and the dealer is too often trying to get as much profit off a transfer as for the "lost sale".

Not all sites are all-inclusive, but searching on several sites may find you a good dealer with a low fee, but do see what is involved in the transfer... transfer fee, NICS fee, tax or whatever the final cost will be. You can find the nearest by miles from your zip code, generally the fee structure, address, email, and phone number.

Try this for a starter and read all of the info and warning, cautions, etc., on the site:

http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/DealerNetwork.aspx

Wynn:)

[Bawanna]

Hmm.. Thanks for all the info!

Not sure if it will change anybody's opinion, but I am looking to buy a new gun rather than used. I just don't know enough about guns to know what to look for, so I'd rather start fresh with a warranty.

Thanks Bawanna, I also have been using buds as a price point to compare others. Glad to hear its acceptable! :)

@ wyntrout.. You raise an excellent point I hadn't considered. My LGS wants $75 for the transfer, but I didn't ask what all it included, or if there were other fees. I'll have to do some digging to find out what makes sense.

Anybody have good FFL recommendations in Houston, TX?

Find a new dealer. 75$ is criminal for some paperwork and a phone call.
Run don't walk away from that guy.

[RevRay]

Perhaps I missed it in the above posts, but I've had good luck on Armslist as well. You might be able to find something sort of local through them. And FWIW, don't sell used guns short ... especially Kahrs. I've only owned guns for 8 months now, and all 5 of my pistols have been found online ... all 5 were used ... and all 5 work great.

[berettabone]

I've used Bud's a few times, along with Armslist and Gunbroker....................all worked well for me. Like they said, be careful.......................

[Bawanna]

Armslist is designed to facilitate a face to face deal which is good.

I recently nearly got took for a grand on there. It's not Armslist fault, it was a scammer that nearly tricked me.
To their credit after I and apparently others reported the seller they removed him and his ability to post on their site.

For it's intended purpose it's a great place and I still look there frequently. Just have to be careful.
When buying from a private party, I always ask questions, even if I don't need to. I want to establish a dialogue and see what kind of answers I get. Now after the scam deal, I try to ask for additional pictures.

That's what saved me on the scam deal, others felt like it wasn't quite right and the price was half what it should be. I finally asked to get a picture of the rifle muzzle down in a corner so I could see the butt plate.
Never heard from the seller who was trying to hustle me again.
Turns out he was using pictures and info from a totally different site on several guns and didn't even have any of them.

[warbird1]

Find a new dealer. 75$ is criminal for some paperwork and a phone call.
Run don't walk away from that guy.
Totally agree. My local gun range/gun shop charges $15. For someone to charge $75 is robbery.

[aceadt]

Well like I said, I'm new to guns, so they probably picked up on that and tried to make some extra money.. I'll have to call back and clarify because I really like to shoot there, but don't want to support someone that does business like that.

[TheTman]

My favorite LGS charged $20 or $30 for the transfer fee. Houston surely has places that will transfer the gun for much less than $75. I've had the best luck with smaller gun shops, and mom and pop type outfits.

[aceadt]

Yeah, I briefly looked through that gunbroker link that wyntrout posted earlier and found a bunch that are cheaper..

I called the LGS to clarify the $75 transfer and that is what it is. He said $75 plus tax on the firearm out the door. I will still shoot there, but will find somewhere else to transfer my gun.

Thanks for all the help fellas, it is really appreciated! You know I'll slap up some pics when I decide to pull the trigger!

[GROTMAN]

Bought my pm 9 through Grabagun. Were great to deal with and shipping is flat rate of $5.99 for handguns.

[berettabone]

My FFL charges me $45 for a transfer, $13 going to the state for backround check. When I need to send something out, he just charges me the postage, and packages and labels it himself and mails it.

[ParabellumJ]

Do not pay more than $40 for an FFL transfer, and even that is kinda high. If you live in the Houston area there are probably plenty of other FFL dealers near you. Call around. If they don't have it they may be able to order it. I always try to buy locally if possible. If you so t have any luck there are tons of places online. One that I didn't see mentioned is kygunco. I recently used Damascus guns shop out of VA for a 1911 I couldn't find locally and they were excellent.

[codegeek]

Really? A tax on the weapon out the door? You gotta be efin kiddin me... they do that in Texas?

Sent from my GT-P6210 using Tapatalk 4

[aceadt]

I think he just meant it as regular sales tax on the item purchased.

[Bawanna]

Do not pay more than $40 for an FFL transfer, and even that is kinda high. If you live in the Houston area there are probably plenty of other FFL dealers near you. Call around. If they don't have it they may be able to order it. I always try to buy locally if possible. If you so t have any luck there are tons of places online. One that I didn't see mentioned is kygunco. I recently used Damascus guns shop out of VA for a 1911 I couldn't find locally and they were excellent.

I've bought from Kygunco too, no problem. I think they are the sister company to Buds. Under the same umbrella I think.

[phil413tx]

Aceadt,

I am not sure where you are located in Houston but I have a great FFL in Spring. Look up Gulf Coast Firearms (http://www.houstonfirearmtransfers.com). David is the FFL and only charges $17.50 for a transfer. I have worked with him on 6 guns this year! I have also sent a lot of friends and family to him.

For online, I love GrabAGun but they do have taxes in TX because they are located in Dallas. However, even with tax, they are still cheaper than LGS. I also love Buds.

[garyb]

Hello all,

I'm new relatively new to guns so sorry in advance for any "rookie" questions or comments.

About 2 months ago My wife and I had a scare at our house. We woke up to our ridgebacks barking their heads off because someone was trying to get in my front door at 3:45 am. Turned out to be some drunk people at the wrong house, but was still very scary and eye opening to the fact we had no self defense measures in place.

I went to shoot guns with my dad and grandfather a few days later, and ended up getting a 9mm XDm 3.8". My wife and I have been to the range a few times and now we are both interested in taking concealed classes, and getting something a little more practical for EDC, which is what lead me to Kahr.

I have narrowed it down to the pm9 or cm9. I found and rented a pm9 at a local range and fell in love with it. Turns out they don't have either in stock, and don't have any on order either, which brings me to my question. What is the next best way to get a gun if you can't find it locally? The guy mentioned a few other places to look, but offered they could transfer if all else fails.

I don't know much about FFL, and was wondering if there are more "reputable" sellers than others. I keep coming across "buds guns" and was wondering if anybody has ordered from them with success before. I am open to suggestions so let me know if I am missing something!

I stick with a local gun shop (about 45min from my home). If he does not have it, he will order it for me to see. If I like it, I buy it. If not, he sells it off his shelf or over the internet. He is not all that concerned about turning guns around, so it makes him a pleasure to deal with. His theory is that you may be very familiar with a particular gun and when it comes in, there may be a flaw that you don't like. He wants his customers to be happy. He will match prices too. Nice guy and good businessman.

[muggsy]

Grabagun.com is also a good source. I've bought from them and KYgunco and both provided good service and prices.