Who has an FFL enabler?

[Grimjaws]

I have a very good relationship with my FFL. His nephew and my son are friends and he has always given great service and pricing.

Well he knows my weakness for Smith & Wesson revolvers. Whenever he gets in an estate sale or trade in he gives me a holler and has me look over the gun and give him some information for selling them. Many times I bought them at a discount.

I've helped him out a few times this past year including when he posted a 38/44 HD outdoorsman in the box as a Model 15. Saved him hundreds once he priced it accordingly. Tempting to buy it at $500 for his posted price but karma would catch up to me. He ended up selling it for $1200.

I've gotten some great deals as a result
66-1 2.5" P&R barely used for $600
60 no dash for $500
Best deal never fired 15-4 nickel 4" for $400
17-3 like new for $500

So a customer recently dealt with S&W customer service and got a replacement 637. He didn't want it so my FFL said I could have it out the door for $410. Then he hooks me. I know you like snubs and weren't you looking to build a belly gun - use this one. Parts are available and it has a lifetime warranty versus working on your older j frames. Damn and there I go handing him $410 after work today.

So I think he just enables my constant buying and selling of Smith & Wesson revolvers.

Anyone else have an FFL that feeds this addicting hobby of ours?

 

[Muss Muggins]

One of mine does the same thing, except he starts out by texting pictures when the collection hits the door . . .

 

[lkabug]

I feel your pain.
My favorite FFL is also my automotive maintenance garage. When he gets a S&W in on consignment or estate sale, he contacts me asking if it isn't time for an oil change or tire rotation. The deal can usually be do faster then the maintenance can be completed.

 

[Bro. Dave]

The FFL I use for transfers is a Pawn Shop and he has come to know my taste in less common firearms. As a result, on the rare occasions he gets something in he thinks might ring my bell, he calls and gives me first right of refusal.

The gun store closest to me is staffed by almost all young guys who have been immersed in the Polymer/striker fired/more modern stuff. They also have been known to call me when something out of their "wheelhouse" arrives. The fact that part of my passion involves the history of a firearm's design and service use facilitates the relationship.

 

[bruce5781]

I have been dealing at the same LGS since the late 70's, through 3 generations of the same family.

I have felt almost like family there until last Friday when one refused to sell me a pawn shop engraved 5" W&K in original nickle that he had recently aquired [emoji23]

Regards,
Bruce

 

[Kevin J.]

The same business model as drug dealers "They get you on the comeback".

 

[quikdraw67]

The same business model as drug dealers "They get you on the comeback".

See my post about accumulation and addiction.

 

[Rodan]

I have "good" relationships (like the ones described above) with a couple of local shops. In addition, my boss is an FFL and my NFA dealer. I don't have a problem with money burning a hole in my pocket, as it's never in there long enough!

 

[Birdhunter6]

Years ago, back when LEOs were fleeing revolvers I did a lot of business with a close friend, a retired detective who operated an LGS and had many past coworkers as customers.

I was pretty picky even back then but he had a good memory and would use my own words against me.

Him: Want to buy this M36?
Me: Nah, I want a 3".
Him 2 weeks later: Hey buddy look what I got. Cha ching

Him: Want to buy this heavy barrel M10?
Me: Nah, I'm looking for a 13.
Him 2 weeks later: Hey buddy look what I got. Cha ching

He sold me those and several others at good prices before they went on display, with comments like "You clean it." and "I ought to charge you a finder's fee." He closed his shop long ago but remains a close friend.

Last year I was in another LGS and asked to to see a new gun on display behind the counter. After looking at the price tag I handed it back and said "If you had a used one I'd buy it." He just grinned and reached under the counter. Cha ching.

I called my friend and told him the story. He had a good laugh and told me that if learned to keep my mouth shut I'd have more money and fewer guns.

I get along well with 2 local dealers these days, but really miss being a 'preferred customer'.

 

[runscott]

My previous FFL was an enabler by example - he had the greatest handgun collection you could imagine, and he would talk up certain models until I 'had' to have one. One day I went to pick up a P320 M17 Bravo with new sights, upgraded trigger and that came with a pile of extra mags as well, and his eyes got kind of huge. The tables had turned! (it's still my favorite shooter)

 

[Kinman]

I had a buddy that owned a Pawn/Gun Shop...I was one of his backers if he needed more cash than he had on hand like pawning an airplane or something, the returns were great.
He would call me if something cool came in. Once he called me and even he was excited, a guy came in with about ten pieces, everything from 125th year Model 25 (in all of the boxes and shipping container), The brand new Remington old model of 1911 again all the boxes, In the box new Les Brown operator model...ten different pieces the guy had bought as an investment and needed some cash. I now have an FFL that will not call the house but gets ahold of me through the jungle network so my wife is not aware of the purchase. She doesn't really bug me about it I just get tired of "Another gun?" Its a little weird to have a "beard" when your doing a gun purchase, thats usually reserved for a buddy being your wingman when your fooling around with another woman.

 

[JohnRippert]

I do not get deals on guns from mine, but he lives about a block and a half from my house and is reasonable in cost for transfers. That is enablement enough for me.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Yes, I have an excellent FFL enabler. He just happens to be my oldest son, who is the Regional Manager for several local gun stores (retail, police/military supply, etc.). He will soon be opening a new huge "shooter's experience" type of store- it's a brand spankin' new gun store (retail and LEO/military supply, 18 military-grade indoor shooting bays up to 35 yards and handling up to .50 BMG, police and civilian training, restaurant, and beer garden!). Of course, no beer garden access permitted until after shooting! Knowing my penchant for firearms and vintage S&W revolvers, he has always notified me whenever something special comes into the shops for trade or consignment, and I usually get the "Dad price". He's also very discrete about our transactions so that I don't hear my lovely and very understanding wife lamenting "another gun??!!". Ain't that right, Kinman! This arrangement doesn't thrill my spouse, but I think she's getting used to it! When I occasionally buy something online or from another Forum member, I'm never charged any transfer fees. Sweet! I'm a lucky fellow...I just wish that I had a larger gun fund!

 

[LI Ammo]

I now have an FFL that will not call the house but gets ahold of me through the jungle network so my wife is not aware of the purchase. She doesn't really bug me about it I just get tired of "Another gun?" Its a little weird to have a "beard" when your doing a gun purchase, thats usually reserved for a buddy being your wingman when your fooling around with another woman.

In modern parlance, "having a beard" is even more likely to be when you and a friend pretend to be a hetero couple so your family doesn't find out that you are actually homosexual.

 

[Yaworski]

I used to be my own enabler. I had an FFL until I moved and to keep it in my new town, I'd have to pay a $300 a year "business opportunity tax." It's amazing how much money I've saved.

 

[Kinman]

In modern parlance, "having a beard" is even more likely to be when you and a friend pretend to be a hetero couple so your family doesn't find out that you are actually homosexual.

*** is this old world coming to?

 

[505Gibbs]

My FFL has allowed me to keep a copy of his FFL for the last 8 years!
The down side is the COST eventually to me from the 'deals' I managed to find.
All he asks is to kept in the loop prior to it showing up at his door. His transfer fees are low as well!!

 

[raljr1]

In Pittsburgh I had a couple of shops that would call me if they got something in. Here in Florida I have a pawn shop I have work with for nearly 20 years, he doesn't get much of the kind of Smith & Wesson I look for.

 

[31FordA]

I had a shop a few minutes from my house that I frequented for almost 25 years. They knew my fondness for pre-lock S&W revolvers and Colt pistols, and would call me when items of interest came in. I got to look at the good stuff before it went in the case. Over the years I bought dozens and dozens of guns from them, many of which were really good deals. In 2019, for example, they sold me a mint Lew Horton 3" 624, in the recall marked box, for $600. Sadly the owner retired in 2021. I've gone from buying 18+ guns a year to 5 or 6.

Although I have lots of gun shops in my area, all my favorites have closed in the last few years. My last go to shop for old guns, Lock's Gun Exchange in Philly, just closed last month. At least the local auction house gets lots of cool old guns every month.