The internet has changed many things in our lives — or at least for those of us who use it to its fullest potential. My collecting old, but modern guns predates my use of the internet by a good fifteen years. The internet has done two major things for and to collectors, no matter what they collect.
The Internet Provides a Marketplace
First, it allows the collector to more easily find, buy, sell, or trade whatever he or she collects. In this case, we are concerned with collecting guns. There are auctions where guns are bought and sold daily. If you are looking for a hard-to-find gun with very specific characteristics, chances are that sooner or later you will find it on the internet.
The Internet Publicizes Market Values
Second, it is easier than ever before to find out what something is worth. That has both an upside and a downside for collectors. A healthy market benefits from well-informed buyers and sellers. Nothing can rile me faster than seeing a knowledgeable gun collector or dealer run down the value of a gun to an unknowing owner in an effort to buy it for pennies on the dollar.
The internet practically ensures that you can find the gun you want to buy, but there may be fewer bargains to be found. Everyone can see what others are selling for. The internet also practically ensures that you can find a buyer for the gun you want to sell, but there may be more competition from other sellers that may hold down the price you can get.
In the old days, if you were the only person in your geographic area with a particular gun for sale, you might get a higher price because the buyer had to go to great expense just to locate another one. Not so today.
FFL Transfer
There are three major gun sites that I monitor for guns that I want to add to my small collection. In order to buy a gun on one of these sites, you will have to register with the site, usually by creating a username and password. This is also a very good way to find out what guns like yours are currently selling for.
Once you purchase a gun on the internet, you will need to have a local gun dealer who holds a valid Federal Firearms License send a copy of that license to the seller. The seller or the seller’s licensed FFL dealer will ship your gun to the local FFL, and you will complete the paperwork there when you pick it up.
Curios & Relics (C&R) License
If you hold a C&R license, as I do, from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, there are many older guns that can be shipped directly to you. Otherwise, you will need to have a local gun dealer act as intermediary for you. You may be surprised at the very long list of guns that qualify as Curios and Relics. ATF Curios & Relics page.
Things I’ve Learned About Purchasing a Gun Online
Never pay with PayPal. They have a strict policy against buying guns. I am speaking from personal experience. I inadvertently did this years ago, and it took a very long time to get my money refunded from PayPal.
Use a credit card to pay when you can, but watch out for sellers that charge a premium for using a credit card. Many sellers describe it as a cash discount that cannot be earned when using a card. A credit card may provide some extra protection for you as the buyer, but the extra risk of giving out credit card information also exists. If you pay with a bank cashier’s check or postal money order, resolving a problem can become more involved.
If buying from an auction seller, look carefully at the seller’s feedback. It should give you a good indication of what kind of person or business you will be dealing with. Communicate with the seller as soon as possible after the auction ends. If using email, remember that email can be unreliable due to spam filtering software, so follow up with a telephone call when possible.
Do not assume all sellers are knowledgeable about guns. Many are pawnbrokers who do not necessarily specialize in firearms.
Be sure to inspect your gun as soon as possible, or have your FFL inspect it. Most auctions require sellers to provide a three-day inspection period at a minimum. Guns can be damaged in transit, especially long guns, depending on how well they are packaged. Finally, leave feedback for the seller and ask the seller to do the same for you. The feedback record may act as a future reference should you decide to sell a gun or buy another one.
Collecting, shooting, and blogging about old guns has been a very enjoyable hobby — actually more like three hobbies — for many years. I have met a lot of really nice people who share a common interest.
Before You Click “Buy It Now”
When buying a gun online, remember that sales tax may be added based on your location, not the seller’s location. Shipping fees are normally added to the final bill, and sellers may pass along additional credit card processing costs.
These extra costs add up and should be factored into your buying decision.
After you settle up with the seller, you will still likely pay a transfer fee to your FFL when the gun arrives. Getting caught up in the excitement of finding a special gun can lead to overlooking these extra costs.
From My Bench
If you are setting up your own workspace or maintaining a collection, I keep a curated list of tools, books, cleaning gear, and bench items that fit the way I work.
Browse My Gear ListAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only link to products, books, tools, and accessories that fit the editorial purpose of Gun Collectors Club.
About Greg Cook
Greg Cook writes about firearms collecting, personal history, and the stories behind interesting guns. His Army MOS was 76Y, Unit Armorer, and he brings that practical background to his collector articles.