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[vanity] Sourcing a used S&W M&P AR-15 - suggestions sought
3/9/2012 | blueflag

Posted on 03/09/2012 10:25:20 AM PST by Blueflag

I am in the market for a used S&W M&P AR-15, or the user-equivalent.

My question is where would you experienced FReepers go ONLINE to find reputable sellers. I am aware of gunbroker.com, but have never bought a firearm online anywhere. I recognize the role of a licensed firearms dealer in the purchase. I also know how to visit and shop local gun dealers.

I am seeking your guidance and counsel specifically with regard to shopping for used firearms ONLINE.

Best sources? What to ask about/ watch out for/ etc. AND how to make certain no legal boundaries are crossed.

Many thanks!


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: banglist; firearms; used
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I am in the market for a used S&W M&P AR-15, or the user-equivalent.

My question is where would you experienced FReepers go ONLINE to find reputable sellers. I am aware of gunbroker.com, but have never bought a firearm online anywhere. I recognize the role of a licensed firearms dealer in the purchase. I also know how to visit and shop local gun dealers.

I am seeking your guidance and counsel specifically with regard to shopping for used firearms ONLINE.

Best sources? What to ask about/ watch out for/ etc. AND how to make certain no legal boundaries are crossed.

Many thanks!

1 posted on 03/09/2012 10:25:23 AM PST by Blueflag
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To: Blueflag
I've been looking at this for months:

www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411537958

Great rifle for $659. They are out of them at the moment, but that usually only lasts a couple of days.

2 posted on 03/09/2012 10:27:22 AM PST by Joe the Pimpernel (Islam is a religion of peace, and Moslems reserve the right to behead anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: Blueflag

gunsamerica.com


3 posted on 03/09/2012 10:28:05 AM PST by US Navy Vet (Go Packers! Go Rockies! Go Boston Bruins! See, I'm "Diverse"!)
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To: Blueflag

gunbroker is one of the best....purchased many from the dealers on that site and have never had any problems

Hard to beat BudsGunShop.

Not sure what you want to spend, but you could probably get a brand new one for less than you think. Of course, you could always troll a gun show and buy one from someone walking around with one.


4 posted on 03/09/2012 10:31:04 AM PST by qaz123
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To: Blueflag
Just in case... beware of individual posters in gun forums who claim to be "in a neighboring state" who have a gun for sale or an offer to buy yours...

We haven't had this problem here on FR, of course, but let's just say that I've seen it at least one other place. If it's too good to be true...

5 posted on 03/09/2012 10:33:16 AM PST by OKSooner (Never take a known wise-@$$ shooting with you.)
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To: Joe the Pimpernel

Can’t get www.budsgunshop.com to open.

May be having site issues today.


6 posted on 03/09/2012 10:33:22 AM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitur: non vehere est inermus)
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To: Blueflag
Legal: Gunbroker, et al, will ship only to an FFL holder, so your chances of doing something illegal by way of that route is exceedingly slim. My state recognizes that freedom includes private sales of inanimate objects, so a face-to-face private sale would also be OK.
7 posted on 03/09/2012 10:33:22 AM PST by Pecos (O.K., joke's over. Time to bring back the Constitution.)
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To: Blueflag

If you really want to know your AR inside and out, may I suggest you do what I did? Buy a quality lower receiver and then spec the parts and build your own. It may cost more, but you will know your AR well.


8 posted on 03/09/2012 10:34:59 AM PST by Gman (Anglican Priest)
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To: OKSooner

understood. I am not seeking any grey-area private party sales. Thus I AM looking for FReeper recommendations on GOOD online sites with reputable sellers.


9 posted on 03/09/2012 10:35:03 AM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitur: non vehere est inermus)
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To: Blueflag

In the past month I have purchased 3 long guns on gun-broker. Good site...all on the up-and-up...never had a problem using them.

You may want to set-up a paypal account [easier for the money transactions.]

Then you’ll have to find someone with an FFL in your area where the gun can be shipped. They always charge, I pay $32.00; then this FFL dealer requires that I show a hunting license from my state or a CCW/pistol permit.

Let it be known that these *purchases* were lost in a tragic boating accident yesterday. :(


10 posted on 03/09/2012 10:35:49 AM PST by Daffynition (On Andrew Breitbart: In his honor, I'll fight harder...He'll be back and he'll be millions.)
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To: Blueflag

gunbroker, there you go!


11 posted on 03/09/2012 10:37:00 AM PST by 9422WMR (Life is not fair, just deal with it.)
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To: Blueflag
I suspect they update their server on Fridays.

It's a nice gun. 98% 5-star reviews. It's a piston rather than a direct impingement action. I think the S&W is piston also, but I am not sure.

12 posted on 03/09/2012 10:43:20 AM PST by Joe the Pimpernel (Islam is a religion of peace, and Moslems reserve the right to behead anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: Blueflag

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Default.aspx


13 posted on 03/09/2012 10:45:07 AM PST by DonkeyBonker
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To: Blueflag
Yes, and that's what I understood you to ax. My comment was meant as a caveat for something/somebody that approached me once on another well-known forum that I won't mention by name.

I'd rather take the high road on that point...

14 posted on 03/09/2012 10:46:07 AM PST by OKSooner (Never take a known wise-@$$ shooting with you.)
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To: Blueflag

The last time I was in Wal-Mart I was a bit surprised to notice they had 3 different brands of AR-15 style guns. The prices while not cheap were probably better than most shops.

I think they were in the $800 range.


15 posted on 03/09/2012 10:47:46 AM PST by yarddog
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To: OKSooner

understood and agreed ;-)


16 posted on 03/09/2012 10:48:09 AM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitur: non vehere est inermus)
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To: Blueflag
www.armslist.com

Can search by state. Transaction can occur via FFL or via face2face (F2F)

17 posted on 03/09/2012 10:51:51 AM PST by Axeslinger (Where has my country gone?)
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To: Blueflag
I'd recommend going to this site and joining.

You can then both post your question to a very knowledgeable group as well as post WTB ads.

They are also a great after purchase support group for any S&W product.

Smith & Wesson Discussion Forum

18 posted on 03/09/2012 11:18:45 AM PST by sjmjax (Politicans are like bananas - they start out green, turn yellow, then rot.)
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To: Blueflag

I honestly don’t see the advantage in having an operating rod over a direct impingement system.

A long time ago, I noticed that AR-15 rifles were unusually accurate. I also had a Swedish Ljungman and Egyptian Helwan. All of them used direct gas to bolt systems and all were uncommonly accurate.

Does no one realize that an operating rod also has gas bled off against it. The fact that any fouling is kept at the rod rather than the bolt might be an advantage if one fires the gun with dirty powder but for powder used in normal 5.56 ammo, it takes a heck of a lot of shooting to get it really dirty.

Since I will never be able to afford enough ammo to affect the performance of an AR-15, and even if I could, I would never fire it much without cleaning and cleaning is real easy with the AR-15.

That rod going back and forth along with the spring does seem to harm accuracy a little bit.

I honestly don’t think one system is better than the other. I will happily take one of the Colt AR-15s as opposed to any other AR type. I will also happily take one with the rod.


19 posted on 03/09/2012 11:46:29 AM PST by yarddog
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To: Blueflag

Actions/Adds:

http://www.gunauction.com/

http://www.gunbroker.com/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

On Line Sales:

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/default.aspx

http://centerfiresystems.com/

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php

http://www.classicfirearms.co/

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/

http://www.aimsurplus.com/

Message Board Classifieds:

http://www.gunsnet.net/forum.php

http://www.theakforum.net/phpBB3/index.php?sid=b36903a20a71e4bd872a4c62b5679a5d

http://forums.gunboards.com/

I’ve bought from all of these places with no real problems. Freepmail if anyone has a specific need, I did not list parts dealers, etc.


20 posted on 03/09/2012 12:12:46 PM PST by El Laton Caliente (NRA Life Member & www.Gunsnet.net Moderator)
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