What company do most FFL's buy guns from? - The Firearms Forum

bluesea112 · 08-10-2011, 04:53 PM

I have been considering sending in an application to be an FFL, and I was wondering if there is a particular company that most FFL's order guns from?

Is there a distributor that carries firearms from all of the manufacturers, or does one distributor carry Browning, and another distributor carry Remington?

I would appreciate any information you can offer, even if you don't have all the answers.

Thanks!

Double D · 08-10-2011, 05:07 PM

There are numerous distributors out there that carry a little of everything. You have davidsons, jerrys, lipseys, chatanooga shooting, amchar wholesale just to name a few. Nobody carrys everything and many items are "allocated" meaning when they come in, their best customers get the items. I have had this discussion before and I promise you that what I say is the truth. I would not bother with an FFL unless you have deep pockets.

I have been selling guns for 2 yrs and I highly doubt I will renew my FFL when it comes due. Unless you have a specialty nitch or can carry alot of accessories, there just isnt any profit in the gun business. The competition is stiff and the big boys run the show.

CB350 · 08-10-2011, 05:21 PM

Have you thought about getting a C&R license?

JLA · 08-10-2011, 05:44 PM

a C&R doesnt cover the things Charles is into..

H-D · 08-10-2011, 06:26 PM

a ffl is a huge hassle I have been getting my stuff from a local dealer he sells to me for 10 percent over cost or 20 bucks whichever is higher

bluesea112 · 08-11-2011, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

a C&R doesnt cover the things Charles is into..

Josh is right. Besides, I already have a store and collect sales tax. I agree that dealing with the comptroller is a pain in the rear, but that is a hassle I already have.

bluesea112 · 08-11-2011, 03:47 AM

BTW, thanks for the names of those distributors DoubleD.

goofy · 08-11-2011, 06:03 AM

Blueseal112 Keep in mind you will have to have insurance(and it is not cheep) and a store front for some of the wholesalers and the ATF will want you to have a secure shop (bars,alarm,so on).I have a shop and i do not sell enough guns to live on, my gunsmithing is what keeps me paying the bills.ATF is cracking down on the basement FFL holders (those that are in it just to get there guns at bottem prices).Add in advertising, stocking and you have a big investment with a very slow pay back.......GOOFY

HunterAlpha1 · 08-11-2011, 03:55 PM

God willing, someday soon we won't need FFLs to have whatever weapons we want

ozo · 08-11-2011, 04:13 PM

Even when a distributor has a gun that you call for in stock,
especially if it's a hot item, your chances of getting one
is very slim.....unless you are a high volume customer.
They will simply tell you they don't have it, but will let you know
as soon as they do. When they get their 'sweet' customers fulfilled
they will allow you to get yours.

ozo · 08-11-2011, 04:24 PM

Some of you know my son and his wife
own a gun store in GA......
I buy from them and they don't make squat for profit.
Used gun sales and repair keep them in business.
Ask Dan, when you try to compete with Bud's and the
big guys like Gander, Dick's, Academy, and the likes,
you have to sell boucoup new guns to pay just the
light bill. Add in the hassles from BATF, perfectly kept books,
and simply the crap that you have to wade through to
own a small business today.........

Been there......
Now......
I cut da grass........

ozo · 08-11-2011, 04:27 PM

Oh.......P.S.
Charles, I hope you get an FFL and do well !
Kick ass Brother.
[didn't mean to lead the thread elsewhere.......
just some thoughts for others who might read it]

08-10-2011, 04:53 PM	#1
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	What company do most FFL's buy guns from? I have been considering sending in an application to be an FFL, and I was wondering if there is a particular company that most FFL's order guns from? Is there a distributor that carries firearms from all of the manufacturers, or does one distributor carry Browning, and another distributor carry Remington? I would appreciate any information you can offer, even if you don't have all the answers. Thanks! -->

08-10-2011, 05:07 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,061	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? There are numerous distributors out there that carry a little of everything. You have davidsons, jerrys, lipseys, chatanooga shooting, amchar wholesale just to name a few. Nobody carrys everything and many items are "allocated" meaning when they come in, their best customers get the items. I have had this discussion before and I promise you that what I say is the truth. I would not bother with an FFL unless you have deep pockets. I have been selling guns for 2 yrs and I highly doubt I will renew my FFL when it comes due. Unless you have a specialty nitch or can carry alot of accessories, there just isnt any profit in the gun business. The competition is stiff and the big boys run the show. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

08-10-2011, 05:21 PM	#3
CB350 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 21	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? Have you thought about getting a C&R license?

08-10-2011, 05:44 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? a C&R doesnt cover the things Charles is into.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-10-2011, 06:26 PM	#5
H-D Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,334	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? a ffl is a huge hassle I have been getting my stuff from a local dealer he sells to me for 10 percent over cost or 20 bucks whichever is higher

08-11-2011, 03:47 AM	#7
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? BTW, thanks for the names of those distributors DoubleD.

08-11-2011, 06:03 AM	#8
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,019	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? Blueseal112 Keep in mind you will have to have insurance(and it is not cheep) and a store front for some of the wholesalers and the ATF will want you to have a secure shop (bars,alarm,so on).I have a shop and i do not sell enough guns to live on, my gunsmithing is what keeps me paying the bills.ATF is cracking down on the basement FFL holders (those that are in it just to get there guns at bottem prices).Add in advertising, stocking and you have a big investment with a very slow pay back.......GOOFY

08-11-2011, 03:55 PM	#9
HunterAlpha1 Former Guest Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 1,049	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? God willing, someday soon we won't need FFLs to have whatever weapons we want

08-11-2011, 04:13 PM	#10
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? Even when a distributor has a gun that you call for in stock, especially if it's a hot item, your chances of getting one is very slim.....unless you are a high volume customer. They will simply tell you they don't have it, but will let you know as soon as they do. When they get their 'sweet' customers fulfilled they will allow you to get yours. __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

08-11-2011, 04:24 PM	#11
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? Some of you know my son and his wife own a gun store in GA...... I buy from them and they don't make squat for profit. Used gun sales and repair keep them in business. Ask Dan, when you try to compete with Bud's and the big guys like Gander, Dick's, Academy, and the likes, you have to sell boucoup new guns to pay just the light bill. Add in the hassles from BATF, perfectly kept books, and simply the crap that you have to wade through to own a small business today......... Been there...... Now...... I cut da grass........ __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

08-11-2011, 04:27 PM	#12
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: What company do most FFL's buy guns from? Oh.......P.S. Charles, I hope you get an FFL and do well ! Kick ass Brother. [didn't mean to lead the thread elsewhere....... just some thoughts for others who might read it] __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-