- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Anyone here have a FFL?
Posted on 2/1/14 at 10:33 pm
Posted on 2/1/14 at 10:33 pm
I am seriously thinking about getting mine. My main question is can you buy the guns at a low enough wholesale price to make money?
4
Posted on 2/1/14 at 10:35 pm to offshoretrash
It's a lot harder now then it used to be.
I'm in the process of getting my C&R license so I can buy antique and curio guns.
I'm in the process of getting my C&R license so I can buy antique and curio guns.
Posted on 2/1/14 at 10:38 pm to bulldog95
quote:
I'm in the process of getting my C&R license so I can buy antique and curio guns.
I would add this to mine as well. I've got a few ideas I'd like to pursue and would rather have a license and be safe than sorry.
Posted on 2/1/14 at 11:00 pm to offshoretrash
I think new ffl's require a "storefront" address, at least, that's wut I heard.
Posted on 2/1/14 at 11:05 pm to Ole Geauxt
quote:
I think new ffl's require a "storefront" address, at least, that's wut I heard.
I got that my shop has it's own address.
Posted on 2/1/14 at 11:16 pm to offshoretrash
quote:
my shop has it's own address.
Like a boss
Posted on 2/1/14 at 11:18 pm to offshoretrash
my guy can't even get deliveries at his house dropped off anymore, has to make sure that he's there.
Posted on 2/1/14 at 11:30 pm to Ole Geauxt
quote:
my guy can't even get deliveries at his house dropped off anymore, has to make sure that he's there.
My cousin used to get his delivered to where his wife worked. I can work with that since I am home 6 months out of the year.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 12:04 am to offshoretrash
quote:
I am seriously thinking about getting mine. My main question is can you buy the guns at a low enough wholesale price to make money?
The answer is yes it's possible, but probably not in your case. The margin on guns is paper thin. You need to be able to move a lot of them to make a living off of it. Furthermore, the more you buy the better the price you will get, but they are expensive. So, unless you have a shite pile of cash you want to turn into guns and sit on for a while your not going to be getting very good "wholesale" prices.
The best thing to do with an FFL is figure out a way to make money other than selling guns. Seems a little backwards, but there's way better margins elsewhere. For instance, providing services or selling other products with better margins in your store.
This post was edited on 2/2/14 at 12:06 am
Posted on 2/2/14 at 6:37 am to Propagandalf
I agree, it seems a low volume firearm sealer wont make enough to keep the lights on. Other revenue streams in the firearms world would be necessary. I have know several folks with FFL's. Only one still has his and is likely not renewing next year. I hear nothing but headache stories. C&R on the other hand is not bad at all.
Try it out and see how it goes. I wouldnt invest much into a sales business though.
Try it out and see how it goes. I wouldnt invest much into a sales business though.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 7:02 am to H.M. Murdock
Used guns is where you make money. And accessories.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 7:05 am to offshoretrash
Nope. Let mine lapse in '94. It used to be 30 bucks.
It's best to treat it as a hobby and be happy to turn enough profit to pay for your own ammunition to go blow at the range.
It's best to treat it as a hobby and be happy to turn enough profit to pay for your own ammunition to go blow at the range.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 7:25 am to Propagandalf
quote:
The answer is yes it's possible, but probably not in your case. The margin on guns is paper thin. You need to be able to move a lot of them to make a living off of it. Furthermore, the more you buy the better the price you will get, but they are expensive. So, unless you have a shite pile of cash you want to turn into guns and sit on for a while your not going to be getting very good "wholesale" prices. The best thing to do with an FFL is figure out a way to make money other than selling guns. Seems a little backwards, but there's way better margins elsewhere. For instance, providing services or selling other products with better margins in your store.
Yep. I helped open the Cabelas in Gonzales and when they were training us for the gun counter they showed us a gun with a bunch of accessories. They said they made about $20 on the gun, $30 on the scope, $10 on base and rings, $20 on the case, &10 on the strap, $6 on the scope caps, and $5 on each box of ammo.
Gotta cross sell ti make it as a gun dealer. If you just want one for yourself and to buy for your friends and family for convenience, that's different, but they are harder to obtain now.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 8:21 am to Slickback
I have my FFL and operate out of my home. You do not need a storefront but they do require you to be open 8 hours straight one day a week. It all depends of the ATF agent that vets you. (On a side note every ATF agent and FBI interaction I have had has been a pleasant and great experience ) I sell a few guns but make money off of transfers. Also I have a lot of hunting friends who I have consolidated their firearms (guy has two of the same shotgun, rifle, pistols they don't want) and gotten them what they want and I take a cut of the sales price for my time. It's a good side business and if you like guns you get to see some cool stuff. If you want it to buy cheap guns you won't be saving that much.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 9:03 am to Coast Tiger
quote:
If you want it to buy cheap guns you won't be saving that much.
I'm not going into it just for myself. I would be dealing in used guns mainly. I'm not trying to get rich and I'm not getting any younger so it's something I could do at retirement age.
For instance a lot of guys are looking for 17hmrs now. If I could new ones cheap enough the trade value is very good. You could trade a $300 gun for a $600 gun.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 9:25 am to offshoretrash
quote:
17hmrs
That is one caliber I really don't get what it replaces. What can that do that a 22 mag or even a 233 (if you're talking varmints) cant. Also, not a fan of necked rim fires though.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 9:30 am to H.M. Murdock
quote:
That is one caliber I really don't get what it replaces.
A lot of guys use them on WMA's hog hunting because you can only use rimfire.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 9:59 am to offshoretrash
quote:
I'm not going into it just for myself. I would be dealing in used guns mainly. I'm not trying to get rich and I'm not getting any younger so it's something I could do at retirement age.
It certainly is fun. If you have a group of buddies or can get in with a hunting club or establish a good transfer clientele then it's a good side gig. As for the 17HMR they are around a lot and not hard to find. I just checked my distributors and the cheapest one is $220 wholesale and retails $250. You also have shipping included. If you can swing it though go get your paper. Not trying to knock your plans just speaking from experience. Guys ask me for good prices on glocks all the time. I tell them go to bass pro or academy.
Now if you want a Browning Citori or a higher end gun then you can make a few 100 off those deals.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 10:08 am to Coast Tiger
quote:
I just checked my distributors and the cheapest one is $220 wholesale and retails $250.
My cousin always said the same thing. You can buy the cheaper guns at Walmart cheaper than he can buy them. But Walmart don't deal with trades.
quote:
Now if you want a Browning Citori or a higher end gun then you can make a few 100 off those deals.
He saved me $600 on my rifle and scope that I bought.
Posted on 2/2/14 at 10:29 am to offshoretrash
quote:
He saved me $600 on my rifle and scope that I bought.
I put together a Browning Xbolt medallion 30-06 with a Leupold VX-III 3x9x40 for under $1000. About $800 or so in saving.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News