A common questions is, "Where can I purchase a particular model of firearm?" and the answer often leads to "How do you purchase firearms on-line?"  This article will attempt to address these questions with the new collector in mind, but should also be helpful to anyone who has never purchased firearms on-line before.

Identifying and Determining Value  When shopping for a firearm the buyer should know as much as possible about the model or variation desired so that potential purchases can be properly evaluated.  7.62x54r.net has several pages of information on specific Mosin Nagants.  If the firearm is another type there is probably a web site dedicated to it that will be useful.  There are also many firearm related discussion boards where help can be obtained.  The fair market value should also be determined in advance to avoid overpaying, and so that a bargain can be recognized.  Discussion forums are a good resource for this information also, with a range of opinions on prices in a matter of hours.  As with any major purchase, shopping around before buying is always wise.  This can be done on-line from home at classified type sites or at auction sites.  When using the auction sites, look at the closed auctions to determine the final prices rather than the ongoing auctions.

Where to Purchase  Once a buyer has determined what to look for in a particular model and what it should cost, a source must be found.  With surplus firearms this is not always easy.  While many models are currently being imported and are readily available, others have not been in the supply chain for years and are only found on the secondary market.  Discussion boards can be a good network for help in locating specific models or variations for sale.  There are several possible sources and each has it's advantages and disadvantages.  Many pawn shops sell firearms and sometimes have rare and desirable collectibles priced far below their value.  However, because most pawn brokers are not firearm experts it is not unusual to find surplus firearms overpriced or common variants advertised as "rare".   Pawn shops are also notorious for being a dumping ground for failed projects by "shadetree gunsmiths" and the buyer should avoid these unless they want to take on a restoration project.  Another source would be a gun shop where the staff is usually more knowledgeable about firearms, but which can be relatively expensive.  After all, the shop owner has overhead that must be covered and is in business to make a profit.  Some shops do not deal in military surplus firearms, but others specialize in them.  Many will place special orders for customers if distributors have the firearm in stock.  The primary advantage to purchasing from a gun shop is the chance to examine the firearm in advance.  Gun shows have the advantage of many dealers competing against one another.  This gives the buyer an opportunity to shop around and hopefully choose from many firearms at the best price.  There is also the opportunity to deal directly with other collectors who bring firearms to sell.  The advertised prices at gun shows are often not the lowest selling price and a certain amount of haggling is expected.  The drawback to gun shows is the time and expense involved in travel and admission.  A find is also not guaranteed and strict adherence to the law is important.  Overzealous law enforcement are known to actively look for violations at gun shows.  It should also be noted that all vendors with tables at gun shows are not licensed dealers.  This does not preclude them from selling firearms, but there are gray areas in the law here.  Federal Firearm License (FFL) holders will usually have a copy of their license displayed on their table.  Specialty dealers that trade primarily in collectibles and sell only hand selected firearms will usually cost more than the average gun dealer, but offer a greater chance of getting a truly collectible or rare firearm.   Many of them have web sites listing their inventory and will also keep "want lists" for customers.  Classified type ads will sometimes yield a treasure, but some traditional print type newspapers no longer accept listings for firearms.  There are other printed papers that deal specifically in firearms with classified listings and dealer advertisements.  Shotgun News and Gun List are probably the best known and can be purchased at newsstands and many gun shows.  Online ads for firearms are much easier to search and most online firearm discussion boards have a forum dedicated to buying and selling.  The rules for each forum will vary and should be read and followed.  The main drawback to purchasing online is the expense of shipping and possibly transferring the firearm as sellers are seldom in the same area as buyers.  Online auction sites are used by many sellers and can offer a wide range of selections.  These have the same disadvantages as the online ads and the buyer should be careful not to catch "auction fever" and overpay.  Many importers and distributors sell their inventory directly to the public, primarily through their web sites.  They are often the least expensive because there is no middleman, but there is the cost of shipping and possibly transfers to consider.  There is also no opportunity to see the firearm, or even a picture, in advance.  Many will accept returns when the product is not as advertised, but this can be time consuming.  If the buyer wishes to make a return for other reasons the shipping is usually at the buyer's expense along with a restocking fee.   Many sites where firearms can be purchased on-line are listed on the 7.62x54.net Links page.

Evaluating  When purchasing a firearm, especially a used military surplus one, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you are buying before sending payment.  If the firearm is listed on-line and the seller's description is not clear it is up to the buyer to ask questions.  This should be done in a concise manner and if asked by e-mail all questions should be addressed at once out of respect for the seller's time.  Since many on-line sellers list several firearms at one time at various sites it is important to clearly indicate which firearm you are asking about and where you saw it listed.  If the site assigns a number to the listing it should be referred to.  Questions to ask would be the year of manufacture, country or arsenal, if serial numbers match or not, if accessories are included, and condition of the bore.   Accepted methods of payment, cost of shipping, method of shipping, and return privileges should also be clarified if not stated in the ad.  Dealers who have their own web site often answer these type of questions and give specific instructions for ordering on a "Terms of Sale" page.  Reading this first can save both parties time and make the buying experience more pleasant.  Many, but not all, on-line sellers will provide pictures by e-mail.  If pictures are out of focus, the ad is vague, or questions are not answered fully it might be time to consider looking elsewhere, regardless of how tempting the price is.  Copies of any ads and correspondence should be kept until the final conclusion of the purchase.

Transferring  Before agreeing to purchase a firearm on-line it is important to understand how to legally receive it.  The seller will require a copy of an FFL signed in colored ink (not black) before shipping a firearm.  An 03FFL holder is licensed to receive Curio and Relic (C&R) firearms directly from distributors, dealers, or other collectors for their own collection (not resale) without using an 01FFL to transfer them.  Firearms qualify as a C&R in one of two ways.  Either they are over 50 years old or they are specifically listed as C&R by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF).  All Mosin Nagants are C&R with the exception of Chinese T53 carbines that are less than 50 years old.  Application for and use of an 03FFL is beyond the scope of this article and is well covered at Cruffler.com.  If a buyer does not hold an 03FFL they may use an 01FFL holder to transfer the firearm for them.  An 01FFL holder can receive any firearm (with some rare exceptions such as select fire weapons) from anyone with or without an FFL under federal law.  State and local laws may vary and some FFL holders prefer not to receive firearms from non-FFL holders.  An agreement should be reached with an 01FFL for transfers before a purchase is made.  Items to clarify include the fee for doing the transfer, whether or not firearms may be received from non-FFL holders, what methods of shipment are acceptable, and who will be responsible for sending a signed copy of the FFL to the seller.  The amount of transfer fees can vary from as little as $10 to as much as $100 per firearm and it is best to shop around ahead of time.  Many on-line sellers will not accept an order or payment until an FFL is on file.  See the Dealer Mailing Addresses page for information on where to send FFLs.

Purchasing  Once a decision has been made to purchase a firearm and the necessary license is lined up the buyer should be contacted with a firm offer to purchase.  In the case of "Trader" type on-line forums where many collectors are browsing at any given time it is standard practice to consider the firearm sold to the first person sending an e-mail stating "I'll take it", or words to that effect.  The exact firearm should also be indicated since the seller might have several listed in the ad or on other similar sites.  It is not unheard of for collectible firearms to sell within minutes of being listed and this is why it is important to know what the market price is and have an FFL ready in advance.  After committing to a purchase you will receive information on how to make the payment and where to send a copy of the FFL if it is not in the "Terms of Sale" section of the site.  Many dealers, distributors, and importers accept major credit cards.  If the seller does not accept credit cards a check or money order will need to be mailed.  United States Postal Service (USPS) money orders are a common method of payment among collectors since they provide a certain amount of protection against fraud for both parties.  If a check is used it is accepted practice for the seller to hold the firearm for up to 3 weeks to allow the check to clear.   If at all possible the FFL copy should be included with the payment.  If they are mailed separately then the payment should include a note with the FFL information and the FFL should include a note indicating who it is for.  In any case a complete description of the firearm including any site identification number should be included with all correspondence.  Payment should be mailed as soon as possible after agreeing to the purchase.  It is very frustrating for buyers to wait on a payment and wonder if it is on it's way or not after they take a firearm off the market.  Whether using an 03FFL or having a firearm transferred by an 01FFL, it is important to get the seller's information for the bound book as required by the BATF.  It is a good idea to ask for this in the correspondence with the payment and license.

Receiving  It is the seller's responsibility to ship the firearm in a legal manner, but the buyer should be aware of the laws for their own protection.   These are addressed on the 7.62x54r.net Firearm Sales Guide.  When a firearm arrives from an online purchase it is important to open it as soon as possible to inspect it for shipping damage.  It should also be verified that it is as described and if not the seller should be contacted immediately.  The usual accepted inspection period is three days, but this should be clarified before agreeing to make the purchase.  Shooting or disassembling the firearm is generally considered to be acceptance.

Legal Issues  Because firearms are heavily regulated at federal, state, and local levels, there are many laws regarding purchases, transfers, and shipping.  It is the buyers responsibility to know the applicable laws in their area.  The information on this web site is not legal advice or provided by a lawyer and 7.62x54r.net or it's principals are not responsible for any results from the use or misuse of the contents of this web site.  The huge volume of firearm law makes it nearly impossible for any one person to understand all the statutes, even in one jurisdiction.   While most Federal Firearm License holders (FFLs) and law enforcement officers have the best intentions, many are not familiar with laws governing the purchase and receiving of firearms by non-FFL holders from interstate sources and are not always the best source of information in this area.  If there is any doubt about the legality of an action it is best to err on the side of caution and cancel the purchase.  There are many resources available to research applicable laws including government web sites, firearm law books, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) web site, and the NRA and other 2nd Amendment groups' web sites.  Finally, consultation with a lawyer that practices firearm related law would be in order if any doubt remained.

Antiques  Firearms manufactured before January 1, 1899, i.e. dated 1898 or earlier, are antiques under federal law and not subject to the laws governing firearms.  As always, state and local laws may vary and some states do not recognize the antique status.  When local law allows, antiques may be shipped USPS or common carrier directly to the buyer regardless of FFL status as long as no other disqualification against ownership exists.  In the United States the receiver or frame of a firearm, rather than the barrel, is the regulated part under federal law and many Mosin Nagants that have been rebarreled in the 20th century are actually antiques because the tang of the receiver is dated 1898 or earlier.  Not all sellers will agree to ship an antique directly to a non-FFL holder and this is their prerogative.

Related Links  Following are some web sites that might be helpful when purchasing or receiving a firearm.

ATF Online Firearm FAQ page

Firearms Curio or Relics list

Code of Federal Regulations - Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

USPS - Pub. 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail