Purchasing on ARMSLIST...any experiences?

[kip_j]

I'm interested in hearing about your experiences on the ARMSLIST website, specifically about making a purchase from a private seller.

I've never pulled the trigger, pardon the pun, on actually buying anything from anyone on the site and have some concerns about how the transaction occurs. Meeting up with strangers and finalizing a firearms or ammo deal in a parking lot or other public or semi-public location makes me very leery.

I'm sure taking a partner along would give me a sense of increased security, but failing that, I'm not comfortable with the notion.

What are your experiences in doing such things?

 

[reddog81]

It never hurts to be extra vigilant. If anything feels off about the transaction just walk away. There are a lot scams/fakes on that website. I don't know how many times I tried to research something for sale on the site and find the exact same thing for sale on gunbroker or another website. With that being said there are a lot of legitimate people on there and some good deals.
I figure the more public the meeting place the better. The Walmart by my house has cops in the parking lot half the time so that is a good option. Or talk to the person on the phone to feel them out and have them come to your house. I figure the chance of someone robbing me at my house with 3 guard dogs on duty is much less than some random location.

 

[MattNH]

Bought twice and sold once, all for the good. Had a purchase go bad once and one red flag on a scam.

Bought a Model 28, agreed on a price upfront if the gun was as he represented. Met in a store parking lot on a Saturday morning. I wrote up a bill of sale and had our driver licence numbers and NH pistol revolver license numbers on it, both signed and each kept a copy. All communication was on e-mail until we met.

Other buy was 3700 rounds of 22LR. On a Saturday morning a listing popped up for the town to the north of me. From the time it was listed until I was at his house buying it and returned home was a total of 35 minutes. Initial contact was e-mail and then I called him and he gave me directions to his house.

I sold some different brand of 22LR. All e-mail communication and we met at a gas station near both out workplaces at 7am.

All three transactions were very pleasant.

One bad one, I made contact with a guy for a Browning BL22 and agreed to go 1.5 hours to meet at a store near his house because he didn't want to drive. I was about 10 minutes away and I get a text that he sold it. Total douchebag.

The red flag one was for a Model 18. Contact the guy via e-mail and it comes back in very poorly written English saying he's actually in Florida and he can ship. But he suggests to ship it directly to me to avoid the FFL fees. I didn't even respond.

So, I've had success with it, but the communication has been very good throughout the transaction. I limit myself to private sellers, not dealers and will only do face to face transactions.

 

[Jlduke]

I have traded on there quite a few times and have had no issues. I make sure that all meetings are public and well lit and I check out what I'm buying.

 

[g27racing]

Out here most of the stuff on Armslist is things I am not interested in. So far EVERY thing I have ever been interested in has be scam. Best thing I can say is to never mail your money out to somebody that you find on Armslist. Only do FTF transactions in a safe place. Gun store parking lots, major mall or police station.

 

[supan0va]

I've bought and sold on Armslist with no problems. Trust your gut, if it feels wrong don't do the deal

 

[CatSnipah]

I've stuck to dealers. Yeah, that means I've probably missed a few good opportunities, but I prefer to avoid the risk.

But I've also not sold anything (yet) either, so that may change my stance down the road.

 

[redwood0_7]

I have made four deals on armslist. All have been good. Won,t meet at night. And always in a public place. Twice at Minards.

 

[Nevadadvx]

Just bought a Springfield Loaded 1911 a few days ago off Armslist. Have had a half dozen or so dealings with no problems. Although in typical Craigslist form, sometimes they won't respond to questions, in which case I assume it is sold and they are too lazy to deactivate the ad.

 

[Bkreutz]

I've made a number of purchases on Armslist. I do treat it with caution like Craigslist. As others have said, there are some shady characters there. I have a few rules.

1. Phone number, if they won't give that, I won't even consider it.

2. I always do face to face meetings at well populated places. In WA state, firearm transactions can't be done on the property of an FFL holder (including their parking lot, if they're in a mall with other businesses, then it's OK, but if they have a private lot, don't do it, it can get both you and the business in trouble)

3. Ask lots of questions, if you don't like the "feel" of any of the answers, as others have advised, walk away.

4. Do a "Google" search (or any other search engine) and see if you get a match that has the same pictures. This may indicate a scam, but it could also be that the scammer is lifting the pictures and description from the person who you are dealing with.

5. Be safe.

 

[03clyde]

I look at local sales only and have both bought and sold. Face to face only, and then only after diligence.

 

[raylan007]

Armslist Adventures

I have had a few transactions as a seller and found a system I am comfortable with. I post in my ad buyer must validate state residence by showing D.L., I note in my ad that they must be willing to sign a Bill Of Sale/release for my records only. I also dictate the meeting place, usually our sporting goods dealer parking lot on the morning they distribute their ammo as I know they have cameras and a lot of people on the site. Most importantly I require a phone conversation to firm all these details up. The call can be the best indicator as to the type of person your dealing with, and NEVER, I MEAN NEVER ALLOW A TRANSACTION TO TAKE PLACE IN MY RESIDENCE. Just my opinion.

P.S. I'm from Oregon and a handgun sale between individuals only requires that you see a D.L. as the seller but somehow I don't believe I want to have the firearm I am selling to end up in the wrong hands and have to explain to law enforcement that I handed it over to some unknown. I buy almost entirely online so everything I own has been received by my FFL.

 

[xfarfuldog]

Agree with above posts. But never at your house or his, only in a open populated place.

 

[Florida Guy]

Have done a few buy and sell, but only in person.
Armslist has the most scams I've ever seen, so never deal long distance.
Always meet in a public place, both parties with proper id, and always sign a bill of sale for each of you.

 

[AGoyette]

Bought once.. I had seen the gun previously listed, then it disappeared, only to reappear. During the first posting I had emailed the owner and had a nice email chat with him. On the second posting a couple of months later, it was stated that the gun was just back from S&W (thus the absence). Emailed again, confirmed it was the same seller, exchanged phone #'s, and met in the parking lot of a local airport. We exchanged bill of sales, looked at each others I.d. and all was good.

 

[younggun22]

I bought an enfield sniper from arms list. nice guy but I would only do it face to face. Its pretty easy to tell the scams from the legit listings once you get in contact

 

[MR910j]

Hate to admit it, but I got burned on my first purchase on Armslist, and it cost me $500. It was a long distance purchase, and the guy had multiple listings so I thought it was legit. Plus I talked with a few folks in the Know(I thought) and they said you have to send $ first.
I had talked with him several times before and during the transaction. All was going well, until he needed more $ to ship. Used USPS complete with tracking info. Wasn't his place of business, and he waited for Postal Service to come and that was the end of that!
I only do face to face and in a public place now. And yes, it was a costly mistake!

 

[Nevadadvx]

I am supposed to pick up this 6906 tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully another great Armslist transaction. It WILL be at a public place, a casino parking lot in Nevada, go figure. Been wanting one of these in this condition for a while now....

 

[45tex]

Only local
Only FTF
Only cash
I've used them often and as long as you follow the above and take your time inspecting, it goes well.
Trading gives me the chance to have and shoot a lot of guns I might not otherwise spend money on.

 

[jwdalton]

I followed all proper procedures, met in public etc, the guy seemed upstanding. His family even owned a mortgage business closeby. Traded a $700 Sig for S&W 3913 I really wanted and all was good. Then just wondered and took it to local PD to check serial #. Yep, it came back as stolen 8yrs earlier. It pays to check it out before you lose money. YMMV