Anyone here use gunbroker.com to purchase firearms before?  What was your experience?  I was looking at picking up a Sig 226 but they are so expensive.  I saw that I can save almost $400 from buying it online.  Just trying to see if it is worth it or if I should just save up the money and try and buy it locally.

I bought mt ruger sr22 and my advantage arms glock 23 conversion from gunbroker.com. Just check the seller reviews before you purchase. I have not had any problems with them. I've been watching for a cheap 45 to pop up.

I buy most my firearms on gunbroker

I've bought a few on GB.  Just like with any online auction site, you can learn a lot from feedback left by other users.  And, just like anytime you buy sight unseen, expect surprises. 

so what is the process of buying and dealing with the FFL transfer and stuff.

To be honest I have only checked Gun Broker for my latest purchase. While it was cheaper on Gun Broker, after I included FFL fees and shipping, Carter over at OGC gave me the same price (within a couple of bucks). I'd rather give my $ to a local store. I would check out the prices on Gun Broker and add $100-$125 for FFL and shipping and then give Carter a chance to match that price.

Plus OGC is an authorized warranty provider so if I have an issue I take it to OGC and they handle it from there rather than my having to deal with S&W directly and ship it myself.

+1 on the above, you also might want to check out budsgunshop.com, great deals and always had great service from them..

I try to buy all my stuff locally, but I don't think even Carter can match the deal for the Sig I was looking at.  If he was within a few dollars I would definitely buy it from him, he's always been real helpful.  I bought my M&P 9mm from them.  If I'm not mistaken Ready On The Right is the cheapest ffl at about $30 per gun and then shipping was another $35.

... If I'm not mistaken Ready On The Right is the cheapest ffl at about $30 per gun and then shipping was another $35.

That's much better than I was able to find. The best I was able to find was $75 for FFL and $25 for shipping. Good luck with your purchase!

 

If I'm not mistaken Ready On The Right is the cheapest ffl at about $30 per gun and then shipping was another $35.

I'll vouch for Al too. Kind of a long trip over the mountains and back, but a nice drive.

OGC was only $25 for FFL with military ID. I think is $30 regular. Cant beat that. Carter is a good guy to deal with....

have not had bad dealings on gunbroker yet.

I have dozens of transactions on gunbroker.

As far as used guns go, you can get great deals.

For new guns, check the lowest price plus shipping and transfer.
Then go to OGC or your local gunshot and I think you'll find that the price is the same or even lower locally.

I have never had a bad experience on GB but like the others have said, buy from a seller with positive feedback.

Kala201, you said you can get a Sig 226 for $400 less than local? I haven't been up to date one those, but I recall them to be in the $7-800 range. So that means you found a brand new Sig for about $400? If you feel confident about it, go for it. But you know the saying about things being too good to be true.

Sorry I need to clarify there.  The Sig 226 auction I was watching on gunbroker.com was for a brand new Sig 226 chambered in 9mm.  It had the new e2 grips and a factory installed STR (short trigger resest,), as well as the night sights.  The auction ended with the final bid at $687.  I just figured by the time I added shipping ($35) and the FFL fee ($30) I was still well under $800.  If I were to buy the same gun with all the same furnishings down here it would be about $1100.  The $400 savings would have been if it stayed in the low $600 range, but then you always have those bid snipers that come in at the last possible moment.

I'm all for buying local and supporting my local shops, but in this case I felt that it would be foolish not to consider.  I didn't bid this time around, but  will start looking at gunborker.com more often after reading fairly positive reviews.  Carter will still be my go to place, as well as Young Guns when they have the good kind sale or even Tony at Gun Source when I just like talk story.  I still need to make it to Waipahu to check out X-Ring.

Mahalo to all of you for helping a bruddah out.   

Sorry I need to clarify there.  The Sig 226 auction I was watching on gunbroker.com was for a brand new Sig 226 chambered in 9mm.  It had the new e2 grips and a factory installed STR (short trigger resest,), as well as the night sights.  The auction ended with the final bid at $687.  I just figured by the time I added shipping ($35) and the FFL fee ($30) I was still well under $800.  If I were to buy the same gun with all the same furnishings down here it would be about $1100.  The $400 savings would have been if it stayed in the low $600 range, but then you always have those bid snipers that come in at the last possible moment.

I'm all for buying local and supporting my local shops, but in this case I felt that it would be foolish not to consider.  I didn't bid this time around, but  will start looking at gunborker.com more often after reading fairly positive reviews.  Carter will still be my go to place, as well as Young Guns when they have the good kind sale or even Tony at Gun Source when I just like talk story.  I still need to make it to Waipahu to check out X-Ring.

Mahalo to all of you for helping a bruddah out.   

I got a SIG just like the one you described on sale @ OGC for $810.  I saw it a little lower on GB, but being a small business owner myself I'll usually buy local if it's reasonable.  Besides, his staff was the one that turned me on to that gun, so I'm not going to shop local and end up buying online.

If you find a great deal like that online, I'd just buy it. Especially if the seller is a reputable one. You could always go check with your LGS and see if they can price match, but the online deal may be better than they can even get. In the end, the FFL still ends up getting a cut (the transfer fee) so you are supporting a local business.

Sorry I need to clarify there.  The Sig 226 auction I was watching on gunbroker.com was for a brand new Sig 226 chambered in 9mm.  It had the new e2 grips and a factory installed STR (short trigger resest,), as well as the night sights.  The auction ended with the final bid at $687.  I just figured by the time I added shipping ($35) and the FFL fee ($30) I was still well under $800.  If I were to buy the same gun with all the same furnishings down here it would be about $1100.  The $400 savings would have been if it stayed in the low $600 range, but then you always have those bid snipers that come in at the last possible moment.

I'm all for buying local and supporting my local shops, but in this case I felt that it would be foolish not to consider.  I didn't bid this time around, but  will start looking at gunborker.com more often after reading fairly positive reviews.  Carter will still be my go to place, as well as Young Guns when they have the good kind sale or even Tony at Gun Source when I just like talk story.  I still need to make it to Waipahu to check out X-Ring.

Mahalo to all of you for helping a bruddah out.   

Did the auction have a reserve? If so the final bid might have been $687 but the gun did not sell. Many of the sellers on GB put reserves on all their auctions so they don't lose money by selling under their cost. Are there a lot of auctions for the same gun ending under $700 with no reserve? If so then you could probably count on getting one under $700 as well. But if they all ended under $700 and they all had a reserve you can count on not getting one at that price. I would suggest you find the same gun on GB in listings with a Buy it Now Price rather than an auction. The Buy it Now Price is usually a good indicator of what the the lowest price the dealers are willing to sell the gun for.

This auction was No Reserve that is why I watched it so closely to see how much the price would be driven up in the last minutes. 

If 42itus was able to get his Sig for $810 from OGC, then I may buy it from them.  For me to own all the guns I want I need to look at all my options.  If that means shopping here and buying online so be it.  Someone here will still get the FFL transfer fee and of course all my ammo is bought here.  The only thing I worry about is if something goes wrong or if I have a problem having local support is a big plus.  That is why I buy all my tools locally even if it is cheaper online.

^^^I've bought a lot of stuff from GB. 

With OGC's (low) prices the way they are, I'd probably only buy off of GB now (for firearms) based on the rarity of an item.