Buying guns online

[vwj1987]

I was wondering if anybody on here has bought a gun online before. How was the experience? How much is an average transfer fee? Is it a good idea or am I better off buying it locally at a shop or show? I've been on buds and gunbroker and seen some good deals but I don't know if it's a good idea to buy them online. Any input would be nice.

[bstrawse]

I was wondering if anybody on here has bought a gun online before. How was the experience? How much is an average transfer fee? Is it a good idea or am I better off buying it locally at a shop or show? I've been on buds and gunbroker and seen some good deals but I don't know if it's a good idea to buy them online. Any input would be nice.

I've purchased from both Buds and from a dealer in Texas (via Gunbroker) - had no issue with either transaction. Did the most recent transfer via Bullseye Shooter Supply in Lake Elmo.

In both cases, I found a better price online, but I was looking for something a bit esoteric
B

[Ironbear]

I was wondering if anybody on here has bought a gun online before. How was the experience? How much is an average transfer fee? Is it a good idea or am I better off buying it locally at a shop or show? I've been on buds and gunbroker and seen some good deals but I don't know if it's a good idea to buy them online. Any input would be nice.

I've bought several online. The experience has been very positive except for one place that misplaced the paperwork for awhile, but got things moving again when I called. In general, you will end up paying about $50-60$ for shipping and transfer fees. My opinion is that if you want something common, and the price is right, pay the extra and keep your local shop in business. If you want something a little exotic, you have a much better chance of finding it online. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy online, if I wanted it and couldn't get it locally.

[PileDriver]

I haven't yet, though I've been tempted a few times at Buds and Summit. Both of those places don't scare me, it's Gun Broker that scares the s#!1 outta me.

[macphisto]

I've ordered a couple guns from Bud's...smooth experience. Typical transfer fee seems to be about $20. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than that.

[PhilaBOR]

I've bought 2 guns from dealers through GunBroker. Both transactions worked fine. Be sure you check the usual things you would at any auction site: rating of the seller, exactly what you're buying, shipping fee, etc. Had them shipped to Gun Stop, IIRC $25 transfer fee. I would do it again.

[LarryFlew]

Bought $9000 worth from on line (mostly GB) this year and sold several on GB. Same as any purchase check feedback etc and ask questions if answer is not obvious. Do not assume anything - ask.

[Gecko, Extra Crispy]

Have bought a lot off of gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com and have always had a good experience. just double check the things people mentioned and the shipping cost some people charge $50-$60 almost all the ones I have purchased have had a $25-$35 ship fee.

Have fun and good luck bidding!

[gman1868]

I've purchased from Class 3 Weapons in Texas. Both they and Discount Gun Dealer in Bloomington were great.

[archerychamp]

I haven't yet, though I've been tempted a few times at Buds and Summit. Both of those places don't scare me, it's Gun Broker that scares the s#!1 outta me.

Why does GB scare you? I've bought and sold there & never had a problem.

[vwj1987]

Have bought a lot off of gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com and have always had a good experience. just double check the things people mentioned and the shipping cost some people charge $50-$60 almost all the ones I have purchased have had a $25-$35 ship fee.

Have fun and good luck bidding!

I never heard of auctionarms before. How does it compare to gunbroker?

[Gecko, Extra Crispy]

Auctionarms.com is the same thing with less traffic than gunbroker.
I have probably bought 3/4 of the guns I have purchased online from auction arms.
gunsamerica.com is out there too...I have never used that one so can't comment on it other than to know it exists.

[Bulldawg]

I have purchased two guns from dealers on Gunbroker, one in Texas and one in PA. Both transactions were very quick and smooth, far better than I had expected. In both cases I had the guns in 3-4 days. I always have them shipped to the Trading Post in Zimmerman, they only charge $10.00 for the transfer. I am planning to buy another gun from GB dealer soon as I cannot find what I am looking for locally.

[Grandpa Rex]

I have bought 15 or better through Gunbroker and Auction Arms. I have a C&R FFL so I can have qualifying items shipped direct without a FFL Transfer. I only buy used guns online and usually they must be a very good deal or a cheap beat up wreck for me to buy them. So far all have been good experiences though a few were quite slow and one hadn't examined/described the gun's issues well (still a good deal).

I wouldn't buy new guns online as a general rule...there are very good vendors for most any firearm you want here on the forum or at least at one of the local shops. IMHO with shipping and transfer fees there is rarely a reason to buy new online and lose the face to face joy of buying and negotiating as well as the ease of returns and issue correction.


All that said, when I have a specific gun in mind, Gunbroker and Auction Arms as well as a number of internet storefronts provide great research possibilities and an occasional tempting deal!

[Seismic Sam]

Bought some stuff off gunbroker.com, and things were fine EXCEPT for the time that I had the winning bid on a 1076 owned by a US Treasury agent, and 10 hours before the end of the auction their dumba** software finally noticed that I was bidding from Germany after 4 days, and locked out my account, so I lost the gun. I was totally pissed off. The guy who was selling it told me that his address had changed even though he hadn't physically moved from a Rural Route # to a street address, and the gunbroker software locked him out for 4 days and shut him out of multiple auctions he was bidding on. Moral of the story: Don't be on the road when you're bidding on something on gunbroker.com.