Anyone ever buy a handgun without having handled it? I just came from my range where some of the guys were divided on the topic. Personally, I couldn't do it.
Could you?
Could you?
Buying on-line
- Thread starter ImDrRich
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I have ordered several military and police surplus handguns from AIM Surplus and been pleased about every one I purchased. AIM has a reputation of shipping what's displayed in the photos. The best example I can give is this CZ-83 Israeli Police trade-in that looked in unissued condition.
I'd want to see it in person and in one case I didn't buy until after I fired it at a range. Box of 50 rds was pretty cheap insurance, it was the 9EZ and it was a great performer carried it for a year.
Unfortunately handling it in person isn't always an option.
For new gun owners I tell them emphatically to try a pistol before they buy.
'79 Magnum GT
Member
Since 2013 I've bought 3 revolvers on line and 2 rifles. All from Gunbroker. They were all used and not available any other way. I'm pretty sure my next and last purchase will also be on line. Where I live there are very few gun shops and they mostly carry semi autos, new ones at that. Very few revolvers and absolutely no used ones. I guess there is no market for them.....at least here in NY. So online auctions is the only cure for that. Unfortunate but that's the reality of the situation.
I have bought perhaps 10 online.
9 were fine. One Colt 1911 was awful. Colt's fault, not the seller. It is a factory polished model, and for some reason, Colt didn't clean it after polishing. Very long cleaning session after I got it.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy online. Now, I know what I want. I wouldn't order something just to see if I like it. I also know dealers that I trust. Also have good local FFA for receipt and transfer.
9 were fine. One Colt 1911 was awful. Colt's fault, not the seller. It is a factory polished model, and for some reason, Colt didn't clean it after polishing. Very long cleaning session after I got it.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy online. Now, I know what I want. I wouldn't order something just to see if I like it. I also know dealers that I trust. Also have good local FFA for receipt and transfer.
Forgot to mention being in MA makes online purchases of firearms pretty painful to navigate and cost prohibitive. Many local FFL's will take transfers but generally you're paying a fee on top of the online purchase. Plus if it's not on the approved list and/or has high cap mag's you might not even be able to get it here. There's a healthy used market on north east shooters for both firearms and ammo so that helps.
I only buy older guns for collector interest. I can’t bring myself to buy from pictures.
I’ve bought several. Never a problem. I’ve also sold a few here. As a seller i tend to undersell the firearm. That makes for a happy buyer when they receive it.
I have bought several online - all new, though. No problems whatsoever.
YouveHadYour6
Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2023
- Messages
- 173
- Reaction score
- 533
I've picked up a handful from GB and AIM over the years, so far all good luck. On occasion I've requested extra pics of specific things when able, but so far nothing awful to report.
*Knock on wood...*
*Knock on wood...*
'79 Magnum GT
Member
I only know of Gunbroker. What are other good gun auction sites are there?
To my recollection, I've only bought three in person over the years. All the rest were online. (I also lived most of my adult life abroad, and at the time would store my guns in the US for use during my annual vacations home.)
Now retired and back in the US ,I still mostly buy guns online.
Now retired and back in the US ,I still mostly buy guns online.
Last edited:
I've ordered many guns online now. Most were new guns bought via a local store where I can purchase straight from their distributor, on their website, at a large cost savings.
The rest were through GunBroker. All of which were good sales on GB. Three used guns and two new ones.
The rest were through GunBroker. All of which were good sales on GB. Three used guns and two new ones.
I have bought many firearms online. So many that I actually don't have a number in my head.
Online opens up a world to you that is far beyond where you can drive your automobile to. I have purchased dozens of firearms from around this nation that never would have been in my view if I had stuck to where my car could take me
Have I ever had a problem? Probably little ones, but nothing that comes to mind worth mentioning
Don't forget whether you're buying a new or used firearm online that transaction is not complete until you fill out the 4473. So you absolutely have the ability to handle the firearm prior to completing the purchase. Yes if there's something wrong with it it will cost you shipping. But I have always made close inspection of photographs there were supplied to me and if there were areas I couldn't see well enough I asked the seller to give me better pictures. I've never had a problem in this area
But there are always going to be a group of people who absolutely, positively cannot buy online and there is nothing wrong with that. I would never try to talk someone into buying online who was dead set against it
Online opens up a world to you that is far beyond where you can drive your automobile to. I have purchased dozens of firearms from around this nation that never would have been in my view if I had stuck to where my car could take me
Have I ever had a problem? Probably little ones, but nothing that comes to mind worth mentioning
Don't forget whether you're buying a new or used firearm online that transaction is not complete until you fill out the 4473. So you absolutely have the ability to handle the firearm prior to completing the purchase. Yes if there's something wrong with it it will cost you shipping. But I have always made close inspection of photographs there were supplied to me and if there were areas I couldn't see well enough I asked the seller to give me better pictures. I've never had a problem in this area
But there are always going to be a group of people who absolutely, positively cannot buy online and there is nothing wrong with that. I would never try to talk someone into buying online who was dead set against it
'79 Magnum GT
Member
Virtually the same here in the Rochester NY area. The ones that remain have mostly semi autos and few if any revolvers. As far as used handguns they just don't exist here.
Rick
Bought plenty of guns online through gunbroker, the forum, etc. You probably won't find a smoking deal on something specific without being patient, and there is risk. Read the return policy, look at feedback, and trust your gut to avoid scams. I have found that taking photographs of my revolvers is very helpful in terms of learning how the lighting responds to condition. With enough glare, it is not hard to make a 95% gun look mint. I am guilty of this myself, as I like cleaning my guns up and taking outdoor photos of them in the golden hour of lighting. Eventually you start getting better about knowing when someone is trying to hide flaws, how a spot of oil looks vs a spot of cold blue etc etc. If you know how to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level, buying online provides provides accessibility.
All that said, I don't ever reccomend buying a gun for functional purposes online unless you have experience with what you're buying. When someone asks me what their first handgun should be, my immediate response is to go to a range and rent all of reliable options and find out what they like. At a minimum, go to a store and hold them all to see what fits their hands best. That is a totally different thing than buying another N frame revolver for your collection.
All that said, I don't ever reccomend buying a gun for functional purposes online unless you have experience with what you're buying. When someone asks me what their first handgun should be, my immediate response is to go to a range and rent all of reliable options and find out what they like. At a minimum, go to a store and hold them all to see what fits their hands best. That is a totally different thing than buying another N frame revolver for your collection.
I have made 44 online purchases. Most were from GunBroker, some were directly from vendors, and a few were from the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program). The purchases were a mix of new and used guns.
I inspected all of the guns (except CMP rifles) at the transfer dealer before accepting the transfer. It was a hoot receiving the CMP rifles at my front door and I obviously could not inspect them before acceptance.
One purchase of a gun listed online by a local store was a bit odd. When I went to the store, the gun was priced substantially higher than online. While inspecting the gun, the clerk whispered I could step back, order the gun online at the lower price, and then go to the cashier to pick up my purchase.
I inspected all of the guns (except CMP rifles) at the transfer dealer before accepting the transfer. It was a hoot receiving the CMP rifles at my front door and I obviously could not inspect them before acceptance.
One purchase of a gun listed online by a local store was a bit odd. When I went to the store, the gun was priced substantially higher than online. While inspecting the gun, the clerk whispered I could step back, order the gun online at the lower price, and then go to the cashier to pick up my purchase.
03hemi
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2014
- Messages
- 3,443
- Reaction score
- 6,680
Several if sold new or as new, I've never had any issues. What's the difference between that and ordering one from the factory or distributor at a gun shop, it's still yours no matter what?
At least this way you can see the gun before hand.
Major 2
Member
I've bought and sold on-line, most recently in May from
Cabella's Gun Library... even haggled price and with free shipping & FFL to my Bass Pro, it was harmonious outcome.
very pleased.
I won't buy from GB anymore, last was in "21" , the deal was fine and harmonious with the private seller with great communication.
It just I don't trust GB anymore, to many scammers have latch on in the last few years and GB has don't zip to police them...
or offer any assistance should you get scammed .
My late friend was scammed on GB, nothing was resolved and the same dirtbag seller, was back with the same ad complete with the same photo.
Cabella's Gun Library... even haggled price and with free shipping & FFL to my Bass Pro, it was harmonious outcome.
very pleased.
I won't buy from GB anymore, last was in "21" , the deal was fine and harmonious with the private seller with great communication.
It just I don't trust GB anymore, to many scammers have latch on in the last few years and GB has don't zip to police them...
or offer any assistance should you get scammed .
My late friend was scammed on GB, nothing was resolved and the same dirtbag seller, was back with the same ad complete with the same photo.
