I have a question on FFL transfer fees. Where I used to live the fees for a long gun was $25-$35 dollars on average. Handguns where slightly more.
Now that I live in Maryland I have to look for a new smith and local gun dealer. The smith charges 15% of what a long gun costs as his FFL fee. The only local gun dealer that will do hangun transfer costs $65 dollars plus a $10 MD application fee. This seems VERY high to me. Since there are a few smiths on this board maybe you can help me. Am I missing something?
I'd rather spend my money locally but if I can by a gun off the internet cheaper (including the $75 dollars to get a transfer and $20 shipping) than what the dealer is selling the gun for, why should I?
The smith tells me they would be cutting their own throats if they didn't charge that much because it would be taking business from them. I don't expect them to compete with these internet guys but I believe they should at least be in the ballpark. I think the people around here have had a monopoly for so long they are out of touch with reality. Or am I the one out of touch with reality?

In my opinion you need to get to know your dealers and gunsmiths before asking them anything about prices. I have worked very closely with three gunsmiths in 40 years of playing and most of that was simply talking, listening and watching. I spent a year sweeping floors in exchange for my smith teaching me how to reload and how to refinish my first shotgun- A white powder wonder in 16 ga. I still own.
I think you will find that these dealers will be more willing to do these paperwork transfers and filings for a friend than for a guy who walks in off the street. If it means you have to drive to another town to find a guy that will do so then that is what you may have to do. The prices you quote seem very high to me but then again I know for a fact I am very lucky in having found the smiths and FFL holders I have.
Good luck
Frank

Try searching the FFL finder on GunsAmerica. There are a lot of guys out there with FFLs who simply believe in 2nd amendment rights and do FFL work both for extra money and to help people out. The guy I use in Detroit is like that. His transfer fee is $15; he is an NRA referral attorney. The guy I used before him was the same way - great older fellow named Charles Asher, who charged $20. Unfortunately Charles aka Bud died a couple of years ago.

Todd

Mike, come across the bridge and buy your gun. I pay $15 for transfer fees at a smith up here in Westminster. Other places down closer to you are $20-$25. Those prices they are quoting you are outrageous! If they can't even be remotely competitive in price, than they will lose allot of business. I prefer to spend my money locally also, but when they take advantage of you, I would rather be padding MY pockets with MY hard earned money than padding someone elses. Seems to be a common issue here in Maryland with just about everything.

I've used "kitchen table" dealers who charge $25. The retail shop where I trade charges $75 for the same service, and I don't complain. He has overhead to take care of which would be otherwise met if I bought the firearm from him.

I agree come across the bridge, there are a couple places south of Balmer that will do the transfers $15-20... Tell the guy who's raping you to stick it!

Thanks for the replies. I have found one person/store that does rifle transfers at regular prices. He also has good prices on rifles and zeiss scopes, but he doesn't deal with handguns. I recently found a great mom and pop bow shop. Guess I'm still looking for a good smith.
I have been looking for a quality 1911, but with MD laws it's a pain. In fact, I never wanted a handgun until they passed the laws.
I wish we would get a Cabelas, Gander Mt, or Scheels here on the eastern shore. It's pretty sad when one of those places will actually bring prices down. For all the hunting and fishing around here I can't see why a store a large store wouldn't do well. Thanks guys.

The prices vary alot.
I used to pay $25 to Randy Ketchum of Lynwood Guns 425 503 0685, because I learn about gunsmithing whenever I talk to him.

But I drive right past Woody Mathews of Waffenfabbrik 206 723 8746 in Seattle , which is $12.50 long guns, $15 handguns.

So I have guns shipped to Woody, and talk to Randy when I buy powder and primers and get TIG welding done.

I found Woody through the Shotgun News on line FFL locator.
http://www.shotgunnews.com/fflguide/

I agree with you. Where I now live, near Hagerstown MD and Chambersburg PA, there are at least four or five dealers within a 25-mile radius who will do transfers, and their charges range from $10.00 per transfer to as much as $35.00. No rhyme or reason to how they come up with these fees, I think! However, I NEVER would do such transactions with one who charges a percentage of what you paid for the gun!! This is a big ripoff! It doesn't cost the dealer any more to do a transfer on a $150.00 Marlin than a $120,000.00 Purdey. GunsAmerica, Gunbroker, and AuctionArms all have listings of dealers who advertise their willingness to do transfers, and prices are included in the lists.

My guy in Bel Air Md charges $20 for pistol or rifle. He is listed in Guns America, Gun Broker, and Auction Arms. he is a kitchen table dealer but is on the up and up.

Thanks guys. I found one locally who is doing handgun transfer at a reasonable price. I'll stop by and see if he's alright.
Even though this is my hometown I haven't lived here for over ten years. My old gunsmith retired, and the same businesses still think they have a monopoly for the area. Good thing I have the internet. Thanks again guys.

Whether it's worth the price store-front dealers charge for a 4473 transfer is open to a bit of debate.



I'm not defending either side, but it is true that it takes at least a 15% profit-margin on sales to just keep the lights on and the doors open in a full-time store-front operation. And that's if they are willing to work for no money for themselves ...no food, no clothes for the kids, no car, no hunting or shooting for themselves, etc. Understandably, few are willing to do that. So, if you don't want any store front operations in your area, then don't support them.



On the other hand, if you like to go by, look at all the newest stuff on the shelves, learn "tricks" about guns, gunsmithing, reloading, etc., it may be worth at least 15% to you.



And, it can cost a great deal more to 4473 a $120,000 Purdey than a $150 Marlin. If the customer sees a slight flaw in the Purdey, no matter who dropped it, or bumped it, or whatever, before it got to the store-front dealer, who's gonna catch the blame (and possibly have to make it right financially)? You bet! The dealer! And if it is stolen after it arrives but before you come in to get it? Right again, the dealer! And how many $120,000 single-item guns are covered under his commercial theft insurance? Probably none.....but you can bet the theft report will increase his insurance rates if he can any longer get theft insurance at all....



That doesn't mean I buy all of my guns from store-front dealers either, but I sure don't resent them for what they charge...and when they have something I want, that's where I buy it. I like having those guys around.



They're part of the first line of defense in keeping our gun rights, too.



Just some thoughts....



AC

Canuck,
I agree with local stores not being able to match big store sale prices or online dealers. They have to make a living also and I have no problem with that. However, when the common practice is to mark things up 10% OVER msrp (from the store manager's mouth) I think there is some "padding" going on. The sale price is still more than the regular store price of some places I lived.
I said earlier, I rather spend money locally even if I do have to pay a little more. However, I am not going to get ripped off. Thankfully there are new places opening up that are more reasonable. If you want to spend extra money just to chit chat when you can pay regular prices and do the same thing, than that is up to you.
I am sorry if it sounds like I am being a jerk but it makes me mad when people are not honorable.

I have pretty mixed emotions about this issue. Having had an FFL there is certainly risk in the process for which one deserves some reasonable compensation. $65 plus $2O for a 15 minute exercise works out to a pretty steep hourly rate. He's probably telling you politely to go away. My guess is those guys make a decent living without that business or somehow want some return for supporting what they as competition for their business. If the dealer's motivation is political then take some percent of the savings and send it to an organization that cares about your rights. Good deeds come back in triples (so do bad ones).

I have very mixed emotions about the subject also. And, like anyone else, I always like to find a bargain.

I am not suggesting anyone should pay artifically excessive prices. Certainly I recommend buying from businesses that support the community that is composed of their customers, and who give good deals to their regular buyers. There is nothing at all wrong with comparison shopping between store-front gun shops to get the best price you can.

My bitch is against the cheapos out there who feel that price is the only thing to look for...and who bad-mouth dealers for trying to make a living from their business. I'm not suggesting that refers to any regular visitor here, or I would have said so directly.

As to asking advice of them, I do not buy from them because they give me advice. I have been a competitive shooter, gunsmith, guide, forensic consultant and writer for over 50 years. They often ask ME questions, which I always try to answer if I can do so with any real knowledge.

I was simply pointing out that 10% or 15% is not an unreasonable fee if you are trying to make a go of a full-time store-front business. In fact, it is rather cheap. There are few other businesses with as small a margin as gunshops.

And, what a "transfer" is worth is not based just on an hourly rate. It is based on knowledge, risk, etc. Kind of like the guy who removes your appendix...it doesn't matter how long (or short) the process is...it is the knowledge and skill you are paying for, not the time. In these days of selective federal gun-law enforcement, industry-wide lawsuits, national security inspired unannounced searches, etc., it's not just as simple as handing you a piece of paper and saying "fill this out". Believe me, I've been there. Some folks will try to use you to "launder" hot guns, some need laundering themselves, as they are really not eligible to buy a gun form you, or in lots of cases, from anyone. And, of course in the sale of Class-3 merchandise, you almost need to be a QC (Queen's Counsel) or Supreme Court Bar skilled lawyer.

Remember, federal law does not recognize a transfer as you buying from some guy in Podunk but receiving the gun at your local store. As far as the law if concerned, your local dealer is the one selling (transferring) it to you. So, if anything is wrong with the sale legally, he is the one on the hook.

Anyway, not trying to get on anyone's case...just saying "real" gunshops deserve at least as much support, or more, than back stoop FFL holders.

And I've found that if they know I support their business, they often do the occasional transfer for me at no cost at all.

AC