[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!

[Joe the Pimpernel]

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.

[US Navy Vet]

gunsamerica.com

[qaz123]

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.

[OKSooner]

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...

[Pecos]

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.

[Gman]

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.

[Daffynition]

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. :(

[DonkeyBonker]

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

[yarddog]

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.

[Axeslinger]

www.armslist.com

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

[sjmjax]

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

[yarddog]

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.

[El Laton Caliente]

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.

[El Laton Caliente]

Another option is

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-ar15-lower.html

PSA has their AR lowers at $79.95 and a complete kit for the build is $475 to $800 depending on what you want.

[TalonDJ]

Lots of other info on this thread so I won’t say much. but I wanted to point out that the S&W AR is a somewhat new model as far as AR-15s go. You are more likely to find something else used so don’t get too hung up on S&W.
I think your best option is to hit a gunshow and bring cash. Plenty of poor shmucks out there have one and lost a job recently. They might be willing to make a deal.

[bt_dooftlook]

have seen good prices here:

http://site.cdnninvestments.com/CDNN2012-1/index.html

[archy]

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.

Since you're in Georgia: Hugh Brock at Brock's Guns in Atlanta will steer you right. If he doesn't have it- and he might well not; he mostly deals in authentic military relics- he'll help you out.

Brock's Guns

[ArrogantBustard]

Placemark