Feedback Request Help us build the "CAguns Preferred FFL Network"

[ikeo1]

Hey everyone,

We’re exploring the idea of launching a CAguns Preferred FFL Network — a vetted list of dealers who are transparent, fair, and genuinely easy to work with.

We all know the experience can vary wildly between shops. Some make purchases and transfers straightforward and stress-free. Others add confusion, unnecessary friction, or inconsistent policies. The goal here isn’t to bash FFLs, it’s to highlight and support the shops that consistently do it right.

Before we invite any dealers to participate, we want to define what a “5-Star FFL Experience” actually means to you.

Help us set the baseline:

• Transfer Fees
  • What’s a fair dealer transfer fee in your area for online orders (non-PPT)?
• Other Fees
  • What feels reasonable for ammo transfers, storage fees, or stripped lower processing?
• Policies & Guidance
  • How should a preferred FFL handle featureless builds or legally grey items? We’re looking for clear explanations, consistent policies, and no unnecessary FUD.
• “Undetermined” Status
  • Is it enough that they clearly disclose their policy upfront so there are no surprises?
• Member Pricing
  • Should Preferred FFLs offer clearly defined CAguns standard or preferred member pricing on common services (transfers, ammo, storage, etc.)?Note: Would you be open to this discounted pricing being appointment-based rather than walk-in, to keep things fair for both the shop's workflow and your wallet?
• Service
  • What behaviors make you loyal to a shop communication, turnaround time, transparency, attitude?

If you’ve had a great experience, tell us what made it great. If you’ve had a frustrating one, tell us what would’ve improved it.

Once we define the standard together, we’ll use it to build a network that rewards the shops doing things right and makes the process easier for everyone.

Let us know what “good” looks like in the comments below. Our goal is to have a few preferred FFL's in different Regions for you guys to transfer everything legally and stress free. It's already stressful enough.

 

[NorCalBusa]

As it matures, I think a cool tool could be made that "walks" Sellers and Buyers through the processes of various transactions.

- Include the data points each must do, in what order and what the common "gotchas" are for various types of transactions.
- Engineering (the site), Education (learning docs/tools that walk that process) & Enforcement (can't proceed until the required stuff is done)- it won't let you move ahead until each segment is satisfied.
- A "Help" tool on every page to expand on why you can't proceed and a button that let's the FFL's know there is a fish stuck trying to spawn that needs help.

I think its the perfect area to non-intrusive have coupons (from vendors) as each "level" is achieved in the path.

 

[chino1966]

I think possibly adding a baseline that consistent of things such as average wait time or whether they accept appointments. For many people, I think it would be beneficial to have a rough baseline of how long it would take to do a PPT since many people are time constrained.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

- With the new restrictions in effect, do they accept and/or place orders from online retailers for parts

 

[ikeo1]

I think possibly adding a baseline that consistent of things such as average wait time or whether they accept appointments. For many people, I think it would be beneficial to have a rough baseline of how long it would take to do a PPT since many people are time constrained.

I think depends on the person too.

One thing we’ll try to present is our users/supporters are well prepapred.

• FSC Card Ready
• Clean Background
• Utility Bill ready.
• Know how to manipulate a firearm
• Previously done forms before

Our goal is for people who are already members who value their time and already have a lot of things in order. If we have a standard pricing things should be very straight forward. We might also be able to get a discount for paid members by subsidizing the cost via voucher, if you confirm you passed some basics.

Hopefully you guys are also punctual and pick up things on time. Then it makes it easier for everyone. They basically get a prescreen person is the idea. Process the paperwork, collect, and pickup in 10 days or pick up right away.

The guidelines are to help move everything along more efficiently, with well prepared customers and we want well prepared FFL's to work with them.

 

[gorgothmog]

I think $100 plus DROS is more than fair for an inbound transfer non-ppt. If I'm buying other things like a gun or ammo I might get pissy about a storage fee, but if it's just the PPT, I'll throw down a $20 to help keep commerce flowing. Also, some FFLs need to redo their workflows. Some of you guys need to learn to type. Jesus, basic data entry skills. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, and get a bunch of bugs on your windshield. Some FFLs like @ugimports could offer consults on how to do speedy DROS transactions... Be more like UGI.

 

[gorgothmog]

- With the new restrictions in effect, do they accept and/or place orders from online retailers for parts

If AB 1263 doesn't meet a judicial demise, I can see a competently equipped shop that sells everything except for serialized firearms that stocks a ton of barrels, uppers, niche parts, and ammo that also provides shipping/receiving services doing really well in an underserved area, like the Bay. You would have less difficulty with zoning, etc I'd you didn't sell serialized firearms.

 

[gorgothmog]

Seriously, all this talk of competence in how to run a gun store, how about we demand the same of government? We will never get away from licensing in this state, but we can make it shall issue and make it all make sense if we adopted a Swiss tiered style model. It would all be objective criteria, and it would all be shall-issue.

 

[ikeo1]

Seriously, all this talk of competence in how to run a gun store, how about we demand the same of government? We will never get away from licensing in this state, but we can make it shall issue and make it all make sense if we adopted a Swiss tiered style model. It would all be objective criteria, and it would all be shall-issue.

Crawl before you race…

Let’s see if we can clean up some of the basics with what we got. If we can make improvements to the current system then we can set higher goals.

For now, there’s plenty of room to clean things up where we’re at. Then we can start moving up the ladder if we’re successful and prove we can make things more efficient.

 

[ikeo1]

Still taking comments!

 

[-BTM-]

From the original post:

• Policies & Guidance
  • How should a preferred FFL handle featureless builds or legally grey items? We’re looking for clear explanations, consistent policies, and no unnecessary FUD.

I've found that many FFLS turn and run at anything that isn't a straight up on roster transaction. I would not expect one to handle a "legally grey" item nor would i lump featureless builds in that category. Featureless builds are legal. Semi-featureless or weak rule-beater rigs are not.



Many of my purchases take advantage of the C&R exemption or the SAO exemption. There is a LOT of FUD out there on both of these, but the laws are quite clear. I have had excellent experiences with Susan's Armory in Rocklin and the Beale AFB Rod & Gun club for these. Do your research before buying, present it to them for confirmation and off you go. If you need an SAO for a classic but not C&R revolver, go through EBR works first. Easy peasy.

Some that will remain nameless for now are running scared and don't want to take advantage of all the exceptions, let alone a grey area. I also know one that would deny a C&R is a C&R unless it is 100 years old, in which case it is over the counter (bull)

• Service
  
  • What behaviors make you loyal to a shop communication, turnaround time, transparency, attitude?

All of the above! If you have a "tweener" like a C&R that is difficult to verify date of production, you should do your research before buying it but the FFL needs to let you know in a short period of time if they will take it for transfer.

 

[ikeo1]

I've found that many FFLS turn and run at anything that isn't a straight up on roster transaction. I would not expect one to handle a "legally grey" item nor would i lump featureless builds in that category. Featureless builds are legal. Semi-featureless or weak rule-beater rigs are not.

Thanks for taking the time to chime in.

We'll take this out then.. We want to target the 80% at least in the beginning so we know we take care of the largest group first. Once we get a hang of the processes, we can look at specialty items. Maybe grey area is better left to the side while we focus on setting a baseline for people.

I'm really looking to make things easier/streamlined since we had to introduce the mandatory FFL acknowledgement.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I use a local home based FFL for my online transfers because he's quick, efficient, friendly and best of all has the best prices. 100 dollars including DROS for mail order transfers and the best part is that you can do multiple transactions without additional fees so for instance I have done 3 lowers all for the 100 dollars. It's funny because I've asked about that at other FFLs why they charge 75-150 dollars for EACH firearm even if it's one DROS and they have told me that it's soooo much extra work, but my guy says "doesn't matter to me it all goes on the same form it's not really extra work". He also does mail order ammo transfers for 10$.

 

[Farwest_FFL]

I use a local home based FFL for my online transfers because he's quick, efficient, friendly and best of all has the best prices. 100 dollars including DROS for mail order transfers and the best part is that you can do multiple transactions without additional fees so for instance I have done 3 lowers all for the 100 dollars. It's funny because I've asked about that at other FFLs why they charge 75-150 dollars for EACH firearm even if it's one DROS and they have told me that it's soooo much extra work, but my guy says "doesn't matter to me it all goes on the same form it's not really extra work". He also does mail order ammo transfers for 10$.

your home based ffl doesnt have the overhead most of us have with rent and everything as well so thats usually why our fees may be different. Ive only raised my fees when my rent and insurance went up .

I used to charge 40 and now im at 75 in 9 years thats all ive raised my fees.

 

[-BTM-]

Thanks for taking the time to chime in.

We'll take this out then.. We want to target the 80% at least in the beginning so we know we take care of the largest group first. Once we get a hang of the processes, we can look at specialty items. Maybe grey area is better left to the side while we focus on setting a baseline for people.

I'm really looking to make things easier/streamlined since we had to introduce the mandatory FFL acknowledgement.

On the other hand, if you do find someone happy to play in the grey area....

your home based ffl doesnt have the overhead most of us have with rent and everything as well so thats usually why our fees may be different. Ive only raised my fees when my rent and insurance went up .

I used to charge 40 and now im at 75 in 9 years thats all ive raised my fees.

$75 is not bad these days. Do you allow more than one firearm on the same DROS? What is your fee to receive a firearm?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

your home based ffl doesnt have the overhead most of us have with rent and everything as well so thats usually why our fees may be different. Ive only raised my fees when my rent and insurance went up .

I used to charge 40 and now im at 75 in 9 years thats all ive raised my fees.

That's fair, it's hard to compare 1:1. 75 is fine, 100 is too much. Allowing multiple guns on the same dros for the same price is the biggest difference. If we are talking about a "preferred FFL" program there has to be a reason I would go to them vs a random store. Some shops are busy doing transfers all day so they don't care but another shop may want the increased business. I often spend more money at a shop with a good transfer policy simply because they have a good policy so I want them to have my money vs someone else.

 

[ugimports]

I use a local home based FFL for my online transfers because he's quick, efficient, friendly and best of all has the best prices. 100 dollars including DROS for mail order transfers and the best part is that you can do multiple transactions without additional fees so for instance I have done 3 lowers all for the 100 dollars. It's funny because I've asked about that at other FFLs why they charge 75-150 dollars for EACH firearm even if it's one DROS and they have told me that it's soooo much extra work, but my guy says "doesn't matter to me it all goes on the same form it's not really extra work". He also does mail order ammo transfers for 10$.

I'm not sure what they meant by "it all goes on 1 form"... he may have been referring to the 4473, which is true.., but you may recall that you signed a separate DROS for each and every serialized firearm. There's no way to put it on one "DROS".. However, what I think most people are really asking is if there is only a single DROS fee for multiple firearms in the same transaction and that is indeed true.

Before long gun registration you could put multiple non-pistols on "1 DROS" because the system didn't force you to input the make/model/serial number of each firearm.

 

[sicks]

Unsure if helpful to note nuances - like Cash only DROS

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I'm not sure what they meant by "it all goes on 1 form"... he may have been referring to the 4473, which is true.., but you may recall that you signed a separate DROS for each and every serialized firearm. There's no way to put it on one "DROS".. However, what I think most people are really asking is if there is only a single DROS fee for multiple firearms in the same transaction and that is indeed true.

Before long gun registration you could put multiple non-pistols on "1 DROS" because the system didn't force you to input the make/model/serial number of each firearm.

either way, it takes how much extra time?

 

[gorgothmog]

I'm not sure what they meant by "it all goes on 1 form"... he may have been referring to the 4473, which is true.., but you may recall that you signed a separate DROS for each and every serialized firearm. There's no way to put it on one "DROS".. However, what I think most people are really asking is if there is only a single DROS fee for multiple firearms in the same transaction and that is indeed true.

Before long gun registration you could put multiple non-pistols on "1 DROS" because the system didn't force you to input the make/model/serial number of each firearm.

You sir, run a tight ship. Much respect to your business processes and customer service.