Buying guns online...

[masraum]

I'm starting to look around for a handgun. I'm still learning about the guns and the myriad of options (making my head spin, there are so many). It seems that gunbroker.com is a common way to purchase. How do you protect yourself there? How do you ensure that you aren't getting crap or scammed? Or is it a crap shoot?

And how does the process work?

Thanks

[MotoSook]

First find a good FFL in your area. Any firearm will have to be sent to that FFL, so know his fee beforehand. A lot of sellers on GB will only take Postal MO or personal checks. Credit card purchased usually get 3% more added.

Buy from a shop who's selling on GB when possible. If you're buying a new piece, make sure you confirm this and that you can get it warranteed....and the seller can provide a legit receipt to you. If buying used, be very careful. Obviously the descriptions are written to sell the piece, so you have to be careful you aren't getting junk. I don't think I'd buy a used piece without handling it first....not again anyhow...if it's a piece to be used...as oppose to a collectable. Some dealers will give you an inspection period. Make sure they are willing to pay return shipping if it's necessary to send it back...otherwise figure the return shipping in your bidding.

Gunbroker prices are useful for watching the market, but I've found that you can get better prices elsewhere. GB sellers can ask for the prices that some find a little to capitalistic, but that's because there are people willing to pay for it.

[Shawn 357]

I have bought off of gunbroker before. Souk is right on about finding an FFL first etc. Treat it the same as if you are buying something on ebay when it comes to descriptions, if it is a shop, sending money...
Like Souk, I usually find better prices other places.

[masraum]

OK, thanks guys, it sounds like other than research, it's not worth my time unless the gun is local.

So, is there anything to watch out for if I found a local person selling a used gun or anything that I really need to do if I buy a used local gun?

[m21sniper]

So what other places do you guys find that has better prices? Local shops, criagslist, where?

[MotoSook]

I have seen good prices on new stuff on GB, so don't discount it. You just have to be careful.

If you buy used local, check you state laws. You're in TX...you should be able to find a store or 10 to walk into and shop for something you like. I've found a couple of things I bought at local stores...and I wasn't expecting them to have it....at a better price than online anywhere. So you never know.

I saw your other thread about caliber. What are you looking for? Start there (decide on a caliber)...then watch the market on GB while you're shopping local shops.

A 9mm with a .22LR coversion is great fun and can pack more than enough power for defense. A bunch of friends and I were shooting over the weekend, and we had plenty to chose from....but they all had the best time shooting the .22LR coversion on a 9mm frame. I think they all want a .22LR in a full frame now. These were not gun guys....but they enjoyed it a lot.

Are you on a budget? What's the price range?

[VincentVega]

Check your local laws, I bet TX is a bit different than MD.

Poke around and find a local forum or shooting club. Good condition used stuff is always available, especially in tough economic times.

[tabs]

I have a number of things for sale on GB. I can't even get close to the true value. I write very good descriptions of what I have for sale. And I don't sell junk.

As an example I have an Arsenal AK47 with Milled Receiver for sale at $1100 or a buy it now of $1150. The AK has had 60 rounds put through it, and is like new. I can't even get a paying bidder for it, one guy bought it but flaked on paying for it????

Also I have a Parker Hale 1861 Musketoon made in England in the 70's and 80's in NEW Unfired condition. These English made PH's are extrememly desirable and go for $499 for a junker to $1050 for a pristine one...The inferior Italian copies go for $900 new. I got a top bid of $450 with a reserve of $850. The $450 represents the price of a used Italian copy.

I would never agree to pay for return shipping either on GB or the Gun List or whatever means of selling I choose and neither will anyother dealer.. . The buyer can refuse the item for whatever reason, so he has to have to have something at stake here. Also on a couple of items that were returned they didn't come back in the same condition as sent, and I had to eat the condition. I wrap my stuff very well, but returners don't take the same care or precautions. Over the years I have sold lots of guns and only have had 4 items come back. On one I actually got more money the 2nd time I sold it. To prevent returns I over describe the item so that the buyer will be pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed.

At this time I think GB su(ks.

It is funny but I can get better prices out of the major Auction houses after commission then I can selling on GB.

[tabs]

OOOOH Yeah to gun good spoon deals ya gotta work for them..by spending the time looking for them.

[masraum]

Thx all. Budget, hmm, well, I'd like to stay below $800. It seems like $400-800 should be able to get you a decent gun. Is that a reasonable statement?

9mm seems like a good caliber, cheaper ammo than most others, decent power, but not too hard on the wrist. I'm not adverse to a 45 though or anything in between. I'd like to get a good deal and I'm flexible on the gun. What I'm looking for is reliability, accuracy, and a good deal, probably in that order. I'd like to be confident that when I pull the trigger, the gun goes off, then the bullet should go where I've pointed it. I'm not too worried about the cash, quality over quantity.

Thanks for the info guys. The more the merrier.

[Rick Lee]

TX allows face-face, private party sales with no FFL transfer involved, if buyer and seller are both TX residents. And yes, you very much can find smoking deals online, even when factoring in FFL fees and shipping. My local FFL charges $10 per transfer and plenty of online deals include shipping. One of my best deals was on SIGforum for a near new P239 with night sights - $475 delivered. There are a few online retailers on SIGforum who have excellent prices and usually include shipping. TopGunSupply and OrdnanceOutsellers are just two of them. CDNN is in TX and has ridiculously low prices. I got my P229 there with night sights, Hogue grips and three 12 rd. mags for.......$392 delivered!!!!! That's a $900 gun. GlockTalk also has a very good classifieds section and most of those sellers only want face-face deals, so you can find the ones in your area and meet them. Backpage is the Craigslist for guns, though I hear CL is about to start allowing gun ads. My best Gubnbroker deal was a CPO P220 Carry for $432. Turns out the shop was in Phoenix, so I just went down there and grabbed it. I paid sales tax, but no shipping. There are incredible deals out there if you know how to shop. I've bought countless guns online and have never been at all disappointed with the description of any of them when they arrived.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by masraum

Thx all. Budget, hmm, well, I'd like to stay below $800. It seems like $400-800 should be able to get you a decent gun. Is that a reasonable statement?

9mm seems like a good caliber, cheaper ammo than most others, decent power, but not too hard on the wrist. I'm not adverse to a 45 though or anything in between. I'd like to get a good deal and I'm flexible on the gun. What I'm looking for is reliability, accuracy, and a good deal, probably in that order. I'd like to be confident that when I pull the trigger, the gun goes off, then the bullet should go where I've pointed it. I'm not too worried about the cash, quality over quantity.

Thanks for the info guys. The more the merrier.

9mm is a solid choice.

Sig, Smith, Ruger, CZ, HK, Browning, blah, blah, blah....there are tons of good ones to choose from.

[MotoSook]

On an $800 budget you should be able to get a CZ 75B with a CZ Kadet .22LR conversion. When compared to 9mm pistols in the same price range I actually think the CZ has the best quality.

[Rick Lee]

CZ's are a sleeping giant. Super gun and reasonably priced. I need to get one before they take off.

[MotoSook]

Here's a good review site.

http://www.best9mm.com

Get a 75B and go to CZ Customs and order the rubber grips. Makes for a great feel. The thing is VERY accurate. And the .22LR rail has an adjustable rear sight. It's scary how the .22 is so accurate.

[on2wheels52]

I transfer a number of privately purchased firearms every week. Almost none are sent back due to the gun not being in the expected condition, although many are NIB.
Hey Rick, you better be giving your FFL guy a bottle of something for Christmas, $10 is a good deal for transfers. I do some for that (or free) but usually get $15 and people say that's cheap.
Jim

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

CZ's are a sleeping giant. Super gun and reasonably priced. I need to get one before they take off.

Nothing wrong with them but they just don't light my fire. I've owned one for a year or two and in a side-by-side comparison I enjoy shooting my Hi Power much, much more.

YMMV. I'm a single-action whore--there are few DA/SA or DAO factory triggers out there that I find even remotely acceptable.

[Rick Lee]

FWIW, I'm probably going to list my P229 for sale soon. It's had a trigger job and been refinished by Robar in NP3. .40 and .357SIG barrels and night sights. Super, awesome gun. But I just don't shoot it anymore now that I have a P226.

[azasadny]

Buy Rick's Sig P229, you'll be glad you did!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Yeah, then he can buy my CZ.