Aloha gang

Was wondering what kind of experiences people are having with regards to special ordering firearms that aren’t in stock at any of the LGS. I’ve almost saved up for my next purchase and I’ve called 2 of the stores that I usually go to to buy firearms and one has informed me that because of the demand and supply issues they’re not even taking orders.

So how long have some of you had to wait for your special order firearms?

I'll look online on buds or davidsons gallery of guns.  if i find nothing there, then I'll go to a broader search like google or gunwatcher and see if i can find it on the mainland at some shop that is reputable.  if i find it there, then i ship it to the LGS and go from there
nowadays if you want a certain firearm, you gotta search high and low.  sometimes for months

Hi There

I first go to the LGS here first.  If not in stock, there is one in particuliar  i ask to check with their "distributor".  If this doesn't work, i usually work with a "dealer" on Gun Broker.com.  I make sure the following

1)  They take credit card (in case i don't get the item)

2)  They ship to Hawaii FFL (Not all do)

3)  If purchasing a handgun, the item already has the 10 round or less mags in place.

I have now 100% only shipped to one particuliar FFL

Good Luck!

Aloha!

 

Before you decide, have your favorite LGS/s give you a quote to special order it for you, including shipping, taxes and FFL fees.

Then price shop for the same gun with the same costs included.

If you get no significant savings (more than $10-20) over having the LGS do the order, consider letting them bring it in for you.  Might save you some headaches, especially if something is wrong requiring you to return it to the seller.

Always give the local stores a chance to meet or beat the price you find.  If they can't, then it is what it is.  At least they had the opportunity to compete.

I've purchased from online retailers and GunBroker auctions with private sellers.  I've also bought from AIM Surplus, Bud's Gun Shop and Grab-A-Gun when they still shipped here. When someone is offering an item on discount, it's pretty tough for local stores to compete.  If your LGS owner is realistic, they'll tell you they can't possibly match the price and will be satisfied with handling the FFL process.

Do your due diligence.  If it's an FFL you're dealing with, there should be no problems.  If it's not, make sure to TALK to the seller on the phone, verify the FFL address they give you as current via the ATF website, and only use payment systems that give you some protection.  I pay the extra 3% for credit card charges if they require it.  Some FFLs offer the same price for cash or credit with no fees.   Shop around before jumping on a "deal."

And, if a deal looks way better than anyone else's, be very careful.  No sense in getting ripped off just to try to score a great deal.  It happens, even to members here -- or former members....

Great advice from sir flapp. Aloha

What are you looking for?  Some LGS have better connections or maybe alignment for some manufacturers.

I’ve bought guns via many different routes. LGS special order, distributor search, wait list, etc. I’ve also done ordering online via various vendors and Gunbroker. All positive experiences as long as you spend a little time searching for decent vendors.  Depends what I’m looking for.

Personally, I will look to go with a LGS of they are close to pricing I can find online. Even sometimes going with LGS even for a little bit more. I end up spending quite a bit with LGS anyways and contribute to keeping them in business. 

Mahalo everyone for the replies 

What are you looking for?  Some LGS have better connections or maybe alignment for some manufacturers.

I’ve bought guns via many different routes. LGS special order, distributor search, wait list, etc. I’ve also done ordering online via various vendors and Gunbroker. All positive experiences as long as you spend a little time searching for decent vendors.  Depends what I’m looking for.

Personally, I will look to go with a LGS of they are close to pricing I can find online. Even sometimes going with LGS even for a little bit more. I end up spending quite a bit with LGS anyways and contribute to keeping them in business. 

Would really like to get my hands on a Winchester Model 70 it seems they are pretty difficult to find right now. I know there was a used one here not long ago but I’d really like a brand new one in “super grade”.

I've been looking for a Marlin 1894 SBL for like forever.  I even approached 2 LGS's and they both tried to bring it in for me.  Both failed, due to Marlin being sold, and now due to Ruger taking over so who knows when they will come out with the SBL in .44 magnum.

So meanwhile, Henry came out with their dark series lever action in .44 magnum AND WITH A SIDE GATE!  Henry's lack of a side gate for their lever actions was the main reason I did not want to acquire a Henry. 

But now I do.....the Dark Series with the side gate in .44 magnum.  Looks tacticool also!

Henry rifle with a side gate AND conventional tube loading.  Best of both worlds.

Would really like to get my hands on a Winchester Model 70 it seems they are pretty difficult to find right now. I know there was a used one here not long ago but I’d really like a brand new one in “super grade”.

There was a Winchester Model 70 in 270 win in classified section
Person was akubelly
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I would follow Flapp's advice. For me, gunbroker is the most obvious choice. Next step, is to email Carter at OGC to ask him if they would be willing to do a 100% prepaid order to get a hard-to-find weapon. If pre-paying makes you nervous, then get on the wait list at SEC. I wanted to get a Benelli Lupo 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, and requested to be put on that waiting list. Right now the only high-end 6.5 Creedmoor rifle in stock at one of my local dealers is the FN Scar 20S 6.5 Creedmoor at OGC. Every now and then, Marko of Firearms International might have an interesting alternative in his inventory.

Would really like to get my hands on a Winchester Model 70 it seems they are pretty difficult to find right now. I know there was a used one here not long ago but I’d really like a brand new one in “super grade”.

Yeah, a specialty/high grade one will be tough to find via special order. 

I've been looking into various different bolt actions over the last many years and I rarely see Model 70s.  They are quite nice though.  A cousin on the mainland has one for a deer rifle. 

This is one of the rare Winchester Model 70 rifles, 30-06 caliber, in gorgeous walnut. There are two minor defects in the metal and wood. I would bid on this based on the seller's reputation, but I am saving up for a Barrett. There are a number of other M70's in different calibers on gunbroker.com.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/924539018



Read the tips Flapp gave me on bidding on an auction that closes on a certain date. I do it a few minutes before the closing time, and keep waiting for one or more extension rounds to expire.

This is one of the rare Winchester Model 70 rifles, 30-06 caliber, in gorgeous walnut. There are two minor defects in the metal and wood. I would bid on this based on the seller's reputation, but I am saving up for a Barrett. There are a number of other M70's in different calibers on gunbroker.com.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/924539018



Read the tips Flapp gave me on bidding on an auction that closes on a certain date. I do it a few minutes before the closing time, and keep waiting for one or more extension rounds to expire.

Beautiful gun! Just out of reach for me though. Plus I’d really like mine in 270. Where’s the thread on bidding?

Again mahalo everyone for the suggestions.

Another question, I’ll be heading to California in a few weeks and I’m gonna head to bass pro. If I find my rifle there can I get it shipped to an FFL here? Do I have to notify the FFL before I send it?

Again mahalo everyone for the suggestions.

Another question, I’ll be heading to California in a few weeks and I’m gonna head to bass pro. If I find my rifle there can I get it shipped to an FFL here? Do I have to notify the FFL before I send it?

You’ll usually need to either have the receiving  FFL send their into to the sending FFL, or get the receiving FFL license info. So that usually is sufficient. But I will let the receiving FFL know approx timing.

Beautiful gun! Just out of reach for me though. Plus I’d really like mine in 270. Where’s the thread on bidding?

This is the link for all active Model 70's in .270. Happy hunting. Both UPS and Fedex do a good job of shipping rifles, unlike guitars, which come with broken necks.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=winchester%20model%2070%20.270&Sort=13&PageSize=96

Again mahalo everyone for the suggestions.

Another question, I’ll be heading to California in a few weeks and I’m gonna head to bass pro. If I find my rifle there can I get it shipped to an FFL here? Do I have to notify the FFL before I send it?

It's a common courtesy to let the FFL know to expect your shipment.

It's also a good idea to ask the FFL at that time what the fee will be.

You don't want to get stuck paying over $100 for a transfer while there are those charging  half that or less.

 

It's a common courtesy to let the FFL know to expect your shipment.

It's also a good idea to ask the FFL at that time what the fee will be.

You don't want to get stuck paying over $100 for a transfer while there are those charging  half that or less.

 

"Good 2a forum people don't let other good 2a forum people go to FFLs with $100 transfer fee" - Gunfucious

"Good 2a forum people don't let other good 2a forum people go to FFLs with $100 transfer fee" - Gunfucious

X-zactly!