Who's your favorite online source?

[Experimentalist]

I've been in this hobby for some time, and have long been a supporter of Brownells.

Unfortunately their efforts to upgrade their website have fallen short. In particular their search function is just the worst.

I went to MidwayUSA, typed in a manufacturer, and found what I want in seconds.

I did the same thing with Brownells, and got a ton of hits that are completely irrelevant.

I've tried to adjust my search strategy by first selecting the category of items I'm interested in, hoping that would focus the results. No luck.

So I'm curious if:
A) Anyone has recommendations for their general source for things shooting, and
B) If anyone has recommendations on search strategies.

Feel free to chime in on other related topics, but I wanted to ask those two questions in particular.

Thanks,

Experimentalist

 

[sjb323]

For parts and tools: Brownells, Midway, Primary Arms, and more recently AT3 Tactical.

That said, I have no problem with used stuff, so I usually check eBay before dropping cash on something.

 

[Funjeff]

Primary Arms
My only problem is they have TOO many sales.

 

[EL Pistolero]

Precision Reloading, Buffalo Arms, Atlantic Firearms, Bruno Shooters Supply, Scheels, DEGums.COM, Midsouth Shooters Supply, MIDWAY of course, and a few others I only use occasionally.

 

[Gaucho Force]

Just go to either: gun-deals.com or ammoseek.com as that is way more than just look for rounds these days and those two sites will search hundreds of websites and tell you where the best deals are to be had.
Done… there are lots of good ones out there - better for them to compete .

 

[axhoaxho]

I like Primary Arms.

It ships quick, and once a while it’ll email me discount couple codes.

I am also a fan of its prism scopes, good quality at reasonable prices.

 

[ar15robert]

I don’t order online much but primary arms has been pretty good.

Ar15 discount has done good too.

 

[joefrank64k]

Brownells has been hit/miss with their site for a while. What I find helps (sometimes, haha!!) is to click on "Brands" at the top and then drill down from there. I like that they still offer 03FFL discounts on things. Not everything, but it's nice to get it when it hits. I also like that they ship ammo to 03/COE and they were 100% on-board during Freedom Week.

Other places I like, in no particular order:
- Primary Arms (nice MIL/LEO discounts), love their prism sights
- AR15 Discounts
- Target Sports for ammo
- Bereli (some amazing deals there and fast shipping)
- Palmetto State Armory
- Gun.Deals is a good place to start, particularly for guns. I've found too many good deals there, haha!!
- eBay and Gunbroker have been good for me as well
- Battle Hawk Armory can have crazy-good pricing, but you often have to add things to the cart to see it

 

[SteamedHams]

Usually I know the specific part number for what I want. Punch it into google, ebay, amazon, midway, brownells, r/gundeals, etc. and choose whichever price is the lowest.

For instance, I recently got a Ghost Edge 3.5 connector; found that the best deal was on ebay: $25, free shipping, and comes with the complete spring kit (usually it's an extra $10).

 

[Gaucho Force]

- Battle Hawk Armory can have crazy-good pricing, but you often have to add things to the cart to see it

One item to emphasize on this particular website should be emphasized which I get this state sucks from 2A and in their shoes I’d probably not risk trying to follow the rules in an out of state place like CA if I were them either…
But CA friendly should be factored as I have had a number of painful experiences for their lack of understanding or knowledge of the state rules that are ever changing. And it cost me money and a lot of time.

That said Battlehawk is not very CA friendly - they won’t even ship ammo to FFL’s. Whereas PSA falls in the middle as they will ship ammo and tons of parts but pretty much impossible to get guns from them. Battlehawk basically doesn’t do a lot of business to this state.

So using companies that understand our crap rules like Rainier Arms / Rifle Gear / Euro Optic, etc. can be a lot easier on your online experience.

Just my two cents…

 

[joefrank64k]

One item to emphasize on this particular website should be emphasized which I get this state sucks from 2A and in their shoes I’d probably not risk trying to follow the rules in an out of state place like CA if I were them either…
But CA friendly should be factored as I have had a number of painful experiences for their lack of understanding or knowledge of the state rules that are ever changing. And it cost me money and a lot of time.

That said Battlehawk is not very CA friendly - they won’t even ship ammo to FFL’s. Whereas PSA falls in the middle as they will ship ammo and tons of parts but pretty much impossible to get guns from them. Battlehawk basically doesn’t do a lot of business to this state.

So using companies that understand our crap rules like Rainier Arms / Rifle Gear / Euro Optic, etc. can be a lot easier on your online experience.

Just my two cents…

Good points!!

PSA is GtG for firearms, except for complete lowers, non-compliant AR/AK's, and off-roster pistols. But @ebrworks can get you what you need, if it can be made CA compliant. I've been able to buy whatever PSA rifle I've wanted using EBR Works. Stripped lowers (not pistol) are never an issue.

PSA will ship ammo to 03/COE's too. You just have to submit your credentials to the FFL/Compliance section.

Battlehawk, as you said, is generally a no-go for firearms/ammo. But I've had some amazing deals on optics and WMLs from them. They ship FAST too.

 

[tacticalb]

Opticplanet has really good deals. The only downside is they use a dropshipping service through "DHL" WHICH TAKESSS FOREVERRR TO SHIPPP TO YOUR ADDRESS

 

[CWINSD]

I've had no issues online with Midway, Brownell's, or Optics Planet for accessories, etc. As far as firearms I have no issues from Buds or other sellers I've found on the forums. I just ordered ammo online for the first time from Target Sports, hasn't arrive yet but looking good so far.

 

[TheAverageShooter]

I pretty much use the sites listed above. The one missing is KYGUNCO for firearms, free shipping and other advantages. They have a good selection and ships pretty quick. Just know your MPN for handguns that are allowed in CA by the oppressors.

 

[SteamedHams]

Opticplanet has really good deals. The only downside is they use a dropshipping service through "DHL" WHICH TAKESSS FOREVERRR TO SHIPPP TO YOUR ADDRESS

F- optics planets. All my homies hate optics planets

 

[lamduhh]

It really all depends on what your looking for. I can't really say there's a one stop shop for everything l. Each site has its pros and cons. To help keep the clutter have a designated junk email you send all your marketing ads to and start subbing using that email. As you build your list on vendors you like/dislike you can catch random items on sale. For the most part most ppl have stated the more popular stuff here which is fine but also look into specific firearms.

Sigguyllc for most sig stuff
Shooters connection 2011/1911 stuff
Dvor can have some good deals
And I always check the classifieds section

It just depends on what your looking for at the time and for what firearm.good luck

 

[Pewpewwagon]

Don’t forget Schuyler. Where else can you get an ear busting VG6 for your AK at $28.

Gen 2 VG6 EPSILON AK

Gen 2 VG6 EPSILON AK

www.schuylerarmsco.com

 

[kdub1290]

Big Tex Ordinance because they have discount codes that are always active and put stickers and candy in every order.