So I finally decided to buy a gun online. Was hesitant for sometime, but with the combined lack of availability of the Shield without a thumb safety locally and the higher than I wanted to pay prices of even the thumb safety version I decided to take the plunge.

Can't tell you how it turned out yet as I just made the purchase and mailed my payment today. I'll update the thread when I get the gun. Here is a video I put together on the first steps of ordering:
http://youtu.be/t8kq5DV6DQw

I'm afraid if this works out well I may be spending a lot more on guns! Let me know how online purchases of your favorite defensive carry firearms have worked out for you.

Dgunnut

I purchase more handguns and rifles on line than local. It is the major price difference, as online the price is much lower, even considering shipping and transfer fees. I have never had any issues with the guns I have bought online, so warranty and service is not a consideration.

I buy mostly from Gunbroker. All the guns I have bought have come from online gun dealers selling on Gunbroker. I buy new guns, not used, and they all come in the original packaging with full warranty. The only issue with Gunbroker is you have to decide how much you are willing to pay, and stick to it. Don't get into a bidding war, the same gun will come up again and you will get a good price, but it may take a week or two until your the high bidder. I never bid on items with a reserve price, as the reserve price is usually set too high. Right now there are numerous good deals on handguns, rifles, and some real good ammunition prices. Always check the full description and verify what shipping will cost, as shipping has to be included to know what your total cost is.

Bob

I have purchased 2 guns from Buds Gun Shop online. Never had a problem at all. You can't beat the price on them in my opinion. Just when you go to your FFL dealer to pick it up, go over the gun real good before doing the paperwork. If you find a problem with it... Have them send it back and have Buds send you a different one... Never has happened to me, but my co-worker had a deep scratch on his Sig Sauer P226 that way.

Buds received my payment today and status has now moved to in the shipping department. Two days not including the holiday. Snail mail got it there a few days quicker than I was expecting!

Bud's service has been great and their prices are very, very good. Their law enforcement/first responder/military discounts are excellent. For me, the search for each new gun I think I need starts by looking at the Bud's web page to see what the gun costs and if it is available.

So, I've bought a large number of guns from them in the past. The one time they made a mistake -- sent me a used version (a police trade-in, it turns out) of the S&W M&P with the PVD finish rather than a new one (hey, the label on the box was the same) -- I simply followed the instructions on the web page and refused acceptance. The local gun shop sent it back after I confirmed with Bud's I was refusing it and Bud's authorized the return shipment (at their cost). They refunded my money without question, after they got the gun back. So that is an indicator they do what is right, but also a cautionary warning: if you accept the gun and take it home, only to discover later it has a big scratch on it, Bud's warns you they won't take it back -- its yours once you sign for it from the FFL. And if the gun malfunctions at the range, that's between you and the manufacturer (another reason to buy guns made by S&W, which supports their product totally). But Bud's isn't in the gun repair business, whereas some local gun stores will take a gun back and send it to the manufacturer for you.

Bud's is also not in the "special order" or "can-you-find-it-for-me" business. They sell a lot of guns, but it is pretty much what is on their web page. Did I mention they are pretty fast? Usually two days out the door, and two days to the FFL.

All in all, Bud's is very professional and their prices are great, but you have to know how they do business and follow their rules. As for vendors on GunBroker.com, I would look at each one's track record, how many guns sold and what ratings they receive. I would stay away from one-off sellers with no track record, although you might get lucky with them.

__________________
S&W Rover

I'm not a hobbyist gun owner. (Ret. cop) That said every one of my gun purchases has been on line. About as simple as it can be.
You must use a local holder of a FFL so the seller can mail it to that location. Then you'll have to pay him his fee__ $20 or $30.
You'll fill out the federal questionnaire and he'll check you through a phone call. All of this is actually federal gun registration using the pretense of screening purchasers. Criminals don't buy from dealers. They buy off the street for fifty bucks or so.
You'll likely save sales tax which will off set the $30 fee. The shipping charge you'd have paid to a brick and mortar store that was built into the price tag.

Buds has been great communicating e-mail updates every step of the way. Yesterday, one week after my order, accounting for one day delay due to the Holiday last week my Shield arrived at my FFL. I filled out the paperwork and it's in 48 hour jail now. I will likely pick up on Saturday morning. Since I paid by money order I am even more surprised how quickly it arrived.



Dgunnut

I see a lot of traffic about Bud's Gun Shop, however I did some research on Bud's seems there is a track history of bad experiences, I bought mine at the Local Army PX. Not saying all people have good or bad experiences purchasing on line, just check BBB and do your research.

I was able to pick up the Shield. Here are a few pics:





Dgunnut

Here is part two of my video on the online gun buying experience:
http://youtu.be/8JnzxdlR3Lw



Dgunnut