Best Online Gun Stores in 2026: Where to Buy Firearms Online (and How to Receive Them)

Buying a firearm online is legal in all 50 states — but it’s not as simple as adding to a cart and waiting for a box at your door. Every gun purchased online must be transferred through a licensed FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) dealer near you, where you complete your background check before taking possession. This guide ranks the best online gun stores for 2026 and explains exactly how the FFL transfer process works so you know what to expect. New to this? Our complete guide to what an FFL transfer is covers the basics first.

How Buying a Gun Online Works

When you purchase a firearm from an online retailer, the retailer ships it not to your home but to an FFL dealer you designate. You arrange the transfer with the local dealer in advance, pay a transfer fee (typically $20–$50), and pick up the firearm at the dealer’s location after completing a NICS background check and any applicable state paperwork. The whole process typically takes 1–2 weeks from purchase to pickup.

Before you buy, use the GunTransfers dealer search to identify an FFL dealer near you and confirm their transfer fee. Some dealers charge as little as $15; others charge $75+. Finding a dealer before you buy lets you factor the transfer fee into your total cost comparison.

The Best Online Gun Stores in 2026

1. Guns.com — Best Overall

Guns.com is the most consumer-friendly online gun retailer in the market. The inventory is enormous — hundreds of thousands of new and used firearms — the search and filtering tools are excellent, and pricing is competitive. Used guns are graded with standardized condition ratings and photos, which is unusually transparent for online gun sales. Guns.com also maintains a dealer network that can sometimes facilitate faster transfers. Shipping to your FFL is free on most orders over a certain threshold, and their customer service is responsive by phone and chat.

Best for: First-time online gun buyers, used firearms, broad selection across all categories.

2. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) — Best for AR-15 Buyers

Palmetto State Armory built its reputation on aggressively priced AR-15 rifles, pistols, and parts. They also manufacture their own line of firearms under the PSA brand, which consistently score well in value-for-money reviews. PSA runs frequent sales and clearance events that can produce exceptional deals on complete rifles and stripped lowers. Their inventory is strongest in the AR-15/AR-10 ecosystem and pistols; less comprehensive for bolt-action rifles and shotguns. Shipping is to your FFL; processing can be slower during high-volume periods.

Best for: AR-15 rifles, lower receivers, budget-conscious buyers, sale hunters.

3. Brownells — Best for Hard-to-Find Parts and Gunsmith-Grade Inventory

Brownells started as a gunsmithing supply company and has grown into one of the most comprehensive firearms and accessories retailers online. Their inventory depth — particularly for parts, accessories, magazines, and specialty items — is unmatched. They also carry a strong selection of complete firearms. If you’re looking for a specific part that no one else has in stock, Brownells usually has it. Pricing is competitive but not always the lowest; the value is in selection and reliability of inventory accuracy.

Best for: Parts and accessories, gunsmithing supplies, specific hard-to-find inventory.

4. GunBroker — Best Auction Marketplace

GunBroker is the eBay of guns — a marketplace connecting individual sellers, dealers, and collectors rather than a direct retailer. The auction format and fixed-price listings together give you access to a massive selection including rare, collectible, and discontinued firearms that no single retailer carries. Prices for commodity guns can be below retail on auctions; collector pieces can go above retail. Every transfer goes through an FFL regardless of whether the seller is a dealer or individual. Buyer beware: research individual sellers carefully and read return policies before bidding.

Best for: Collectibles, rare firearms, auction buyers, finding discontinued models.

5. Bud’s Gun Shop — Best for New Firearm Pricing

Bud’s Gun Shop consistently ranks among the lowest-priced retailers for new, in-box handguns and long guns. They operate on high volume and thin margins, which keeps prices competitive. Selection is broad and inventory is generally accurate. The website is utilitarian but the pricing makes up for it if you know what you want.

Best for: New firearm pricing, handguns, buyers who already know the specific model they want.

6. Cheaper Than Dirt — Large Accessory Selection

Cheaper Than Dirt carries firearms but is better known for ammunition, accessories, and gear. They’re a reasonable backup option when other retailers are out of stock on a specific item, though their pricing is inconsistent.

Best for: Accessories and gear when primary retailers are out of stock.

How to Compare Online Gun Prices Correctly

The sticker price on a gun listing is not your total cost. Add these to get an accurate comparison:

• Shipping fee — Some retailers offer free FFL shipping above a threshold; others charge $25–$40 per firearm
• FFL transfer fee — Your local dealer’s fee for receiving and transferring the firearm, typically $20–$50
• Credit card surcharge — Many online gun retailers pass on a 3–4% credit card processing fee
• State fees — Some states charge additional state-level background check fees beyond NICS

Add all four to the listed price to get the true delivered cost, then compare across retailers.

Finding an FFL Dealer for Your Transfer

Use the GunTransfers FFL dealer search to find licensed dealers in your area. Once you’ve selected a dealer, contact them directly to confirm their current transfer fee and any specific requirements before placing your online order.

Frequently Asked Questions