• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Problems buying a gun

B

BOB FRONSEE

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
74
Reaction score
48
Location
Montana
Hi, I live in Montana and has anyone had problems buying a gun from Scheels? I went in on the 16th to get a handgun, did the paperwork for the background check and was told it's delayed. On the 27th I stopped in, was told there was an error and refill everything out and resubmitted it and it said it's delayed again. they also said they can't hold the gun anymore unless I pay for it so I did. Also on the 27th I applied for my concealed carry permit and passed my background check in about 40 minutes, there was 6 people applying ahead of me. I'll get my card anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. I don't understand whats taking so long with Scheels.









Thank You
 
Last edited:
cyphertext said:
Up to the individual FFL. Many big box chains like Academy have policies that they will not release a firearm without an "Approved" reply from NICs.
Click to expand...

I checked the BATFE site and see that discretionary statement now. Thanks.
 
Let me start by saying I don't know the differences between Kansas and Montana's requirements, but; In Kansas the background check for the CCL is not the same as the NIC completed for firearm purchases. Here the background check is by local authority (Sheriff's office), where the NIC system is much broader. It is much more likely an issue with the NIC system than the retailer. All that said this might be an apple/orange comparison?
 
Just picked up a 3913TSW and a state inspection Monday, took me longer to get the state auto inspection then the paperwork for the gun purchase. Now if only I could go to the range.
 
In Montana once you have you CWP (in Montana it is a concealed weapon permit) you only have to fill out the 4473. No more wait for the NICS check. Plunk your money down, fill out the paper and walk out with the gun. Done it many times, Pawn shops, gun shops. At Scheels in Great Falls too. Don't know what county your in, but my sheriff has given me my first permit and my 2 renewals in less than a week.
 
Last edited:
Same in NC... pass the ccw requirements, sheriff processes the paperwork...about 3 weeks. Just fill out the 4473, pay the man and walk out.
 
ccp

steelslaver said:
In Montana once you have you CWP (in Montana it is a concealed weapon permit) you only have to fill out the 4473. No more wait for the NICS check. Plunk your money down, fill out the paper and walk out with the gun. Done it many times, Pawn shops, gun shops. At Scheels in Great Falls too. Don't know what county your in, but my sheriff has given me my first permit and my 2 renewals in less than a week.
Click to expand...

Retailers love it to.....no muss, no fuss, no hassles or waiting to hear from NICS.

Randy
 
Cascade county, I was told 60 days to get my ID but most people I've asked said it took about 2 weeks.
 
Linejudgemick said:
Let me start by saying I don't know the differences between Kansas and Montana's requirements, but; In Kansas the background check for the CCL is not the same as the NIC completed for firearm purchases. Here the background check is by local authority (Sheriff's office), where the NIC system is much broader. It is much more likely an issue with the NIC system than the retailer. All that said this might be an apple/orange comparison?
Click to expand...

It's the sheriff's office here in Montana also, like I said before, it only took about 40 total minutes to get everything done from paying the fee to getting my picture taken.
 
BOB FRONSEE said:
On the 27th I stopped in, was told there was an error and refill everything out and resubmitted it and it said it's delayed again.
Click to expand...

There's your key statement. Was there really an error either on what you entered or fat fingers at the NICS facility? That statement could be a cover for an issue that came up when your details were entered into the system. Has somebody cloned your SSN? Does somebody with the same name and similar DoB have outstanding warrants or a felony record?

Here in Nevada if you have an unpaid fine for littering you are not getting your gun. Years ago I bought guns as a non-immigrant alien, so I was always delayed while the validity of my visa was checked. Just became SOP for me.
 
I think NICS (FBI) has said that due to state offices being closed there is no way they can process a delay in 3 business days. They call the states to check court records and probably some other stuff. So the delay could be weeks or maybe months now, not just 3 business days. If your dealer is one that wants a proceed before they transfer you may be in for a very long wait. I have a pistol in that very same situation (hung up for weeks) and realized that I may never see it, but it wasn't paid for. I don't pay until the dealer decides to transfer. I didn't make that rule, the dealer did. They can live with it.

Good luck.

Edit; After thinking about this for awhile I'll probably just tell the dealer to forget about the sale if and when he calls. I did that once before when a dealer held me up for 2 weeks. I don't have a problem with it.
 
Last edited:
LostintheOzone said:
I think NICS (FBI) has said that due to state offices being closed there is no way they can process a delay in 3 business days. They call the states to check court records and probably some other stuff. So the delay could be weeks or maybe months now, not just 3 business days. If your dealer is one that wants a proceed before they transfer you may be in for a very long wait. I have a pistol in that very same situation (hung up for weeks) and realized that I may never see it, but it wasn't paid for. I don't pay until the dealer decides to transfer. I didn't make that rule, the dealer did. They can live with it.

Good luck.

Edit; After thinking about this for awhile I'll probably just tell the dealer to forget about the sale if and when he calls. I did that once before when a dealer held me up for 2 weeks. I don't have a problem with it.
Click to expand...

The only reason I paid for the gun is that they said they couldn't hold the gun anymore, this was after 2 weeks, and I didn't want to lose it because of the price, $269.99. I'm waiting for my concealed carry permit ID to be sent to me which should be 2 to 3 weeks.
 
I work in a local gun shop, and NICS has temporarily changed the 3 business day wait. They claim it is due to staff shortages and the "National Emergency" of the coronavirus. As of today, delayed purchases may not be transferred until 04/22/20 unless earlier approval is given. Dealers cannot legally complete a transfer until the NICS approval is received, and many of them have opted not to hold a gun for as much as 3 weeks without a down-payment or full payment in advance. I can't say I blame them, since we can't restock.....several of the big distributors and manufacturers are also shut down due to the virus.
We have more sales on delay now than we have ever had in 24 years of business, but nothing the dealer can do about it. A valid state carry license allows us to avoid the NICS check, but a license that's still pending state approval doesn't help.
 
Last edited:
I don't buy firearms at Scheels because of their high prices. My local gun shop can beat their prices by at least 20%. Sometimes their (Scheels) sales on reloading componets are good, but since Scheels in 90 miles away, any savings is moot.
 
The 4473 can screw up a sale. I bought a Colt's 6920 from the local WalMart a couple years back. I put "St Cloud" for "City" box and the sale proceeded. I guess they had an audit and they called several times, offered to send someone to get me to fix the form to "Saint Cloud." Most "auto forms" will not allow that, changes Saint Cloud to St Cloud. Go figure. I got delayed for 2 hours at the Orlando gun show in 2016 because I bought half a dozen AR15 lowers from one guy. Joe
 
A few years ago I went into my local FFL to pick up a model 27 I got off GB. He ran the background and told me I had been denied. I came home and called the number to find out why and was told it was because of my felony conviction in California in 1971. I do not have any felony convictions anywhere. Anyway, it took several weeks to straighten things out. After waiting a month or so I called to see what the delay was in clearing my record. The woman I spoke to said (in a very condescending voice) "Sir, it hasn't even been 60 days yet". It's irritating trying to deal with bureaucrats. It took more than 3 months by the time I was done. Good thing I wasn't applying for a job. Fortunately my FFL was happy to hold onto the pistol while we waited.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

max
Gun Store Etiquette
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
Smeckler
S
M
  • Locked
**SOLD** S&W 29-6 For Sale
Replies
3
Views
1K
norsemanhp
N
S
Amazon Problems
2 3 4
Replies
68
Views
2K
Rustyt1953
Rustyt1953
madmikeb
Smith & Wesson "Gun Cabinet"
Replies
9
Views
651
dben002
dben002
2
Close call at a gun show this AM
2
Replies
28
Views
962
wundudnee
wundudnee

Latest posts

Back
Top