Best Online Gun Stores [Reviewed]
Your local gun shop not cutting it? Buy your guns online! We cover our personal favorites where we buy most of our firearms.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
Your local gun shop not cutting it with their selection or price?
Try buying your guns online instead!
And remember...it will not ship directly to your house without a background check.
You'll have to ship to your local shop/dealer with an FFL (Federal Firearms License) and follow the normal procedure for your city/state.
More questions on HOW and WHY to buy online? Check out our How to Buy Guns Online guide.
Instead...we're going to cover WHERE to buy your guns online based on our experience.
The Quick List
- Low Prices & In-Stock Gun Store: Palmetto State ArmoryJump to details ↓
- Fastest Shipping: MidwayUSAJump to details ↓
- Massive Online Gun Shop: KyguncoJump to details ↓
- Best Accessories & Guns Store: BrownellsJump to details ↓
- The Cutting Edge Gun Store: Rainier ArmsJump to details ↓
- Best Long Range Gun Shop: EuroOpticJump to details ↓
- Trusted Online Used Gun Store: Guns.comJump to details ↓
- Best Online Gun Auction: GunbrokerJump to details ↓
- Best Face-To-Face Sales: ArmslistJump to details ↓
- Best for Sellers: Cash for ArmsJump to details ↓
- Best Overall Online Gun Store: GrabAGunJump to details ↓
Online Gun Store Comparison Chart
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Armslist | Can find rare guns | Must meet face-to-face with seller |
| Brownells | Great for accessories, good sales | Inventory is limited |
| Cash for Arms | Easily sell your guns | Can't buy and sell in the same place |
| EuroOptic | Best for high-end scopes and rare guns | Signature required upon delivery |
| GrabAGun | Great pricing, large FFL network | Don't carry rare or niche guns |
| Gunbroker | Largest auction site, have rare items | Beware scammers |
| Guns.com | Large used inventory | Prices are not competitive |
| Kygunco | Layaway option, competitive pricing | Require email input for some pricing |
| Midway USA | Fast shipping, great customer service | Pricing might not always be the lowest |
| PSA | Huge inventory, great sales/deals | Availability is hit or miss |
| Rainier Arms | High-end/NFA items, good reputation | Can be pricier, inventory is limited |
How We Chose the Best Online Gun Stores
I realize that when it comes to making big purchases like guns, your money is on the line. For that reason, I wanted to bring recommendations for companies based on actual experiences.
Our team -- made up of competition shooters, certified instructors, hobbyists, and former law enforcement and military -- has collectively ordered hundreds of guns and thousands of accessories online. So, I called on the Pew Pew Tactical staff to offer their recommendations based on their buying experiences.
To be included on our main list, at least two writers or editors must have purchased from a vendor a total of 10 or more times, with a buying experience of 9/10 or higher.
But our criteria didn't stop there. We divided it further based on three categories: Buying Process, Inventory & Value, and Fine Print.
Inventory & Value
Having items in stock is a significant part of the buying experience, so we first analyzed each store's inventory and the in-stock status of popular firearms.
We then compared prices against the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) and also took a look at coupons, sales, deals, etc. We prioritized stores that offer consistent and clear pricing, with no need for emails to view prices.
We also evaluated the product descriptions of each store to ensure that full specifications were listed and relevant information that helps with the selection process was available.
Buying Process
Next, we moved on to the buying process. This refers to the actual buying experience as well as the logistics.
Our first stop in this was to assess the website's usability on both a desktop computer and mobile device. We looked at areas like site speed and filtering options that all factor into how the site operates.
Of course, we evaluated how the actual shopping experience was. Did coupons work? Was the checkout process smooth and streamlined, and, most importantly, were all shipping costs and fees disclosed up front?
Finally, we dove into shipping times. Stores that shipped in under 48 hours were shown preference, as well as those that efficiently communicated order details like tracking numbers, shipping updates, and delivery notices.
Fine Print
Lastly, we peeked into the fine print. This is the stuff that you might not always consider when shopping, but can impact the experience.
We wanted to ensure that our picks offered a large FFL network that didn't rely on the customer to set up the logistics of delivery.
Customer service was analyzed by our team, looking for friendly and responsive customer service staff who responded to concerns or issues within 24 hours.
Finally, we wanted to ensure that all stores we listed have a clearly communicated return and cancellation policy. If you don't like something, you should know what your options are before you buy.
Editor's Note
To help you, the reader, I've divided the article itself into three categories: Best Online Gun Stores, Best Auction & Used Gun Sites, and Reader Recommendations.
- Best Online Gun Stores: adhere to the criteria above and have been appropriately vetted based on our team's collective experiences over the years buying online.
- Best Auction & Used Guns Sites: prioritizes auction-based or used gun retailers that often have subjective pricing and dicey customer service/return options. This is a buyer-beware situation.
- Reader Recommendations: brand-new section dedicated to stores suggested by our readers. These have not gone through our vetting process.
Best Online Gun Stores
1. GrabAGun - Best Overall Online Gun Store
Pros
- Great pricing
- Extensive FFL database
- Guns are usually in stock
Cons
- More niche guns might not be available
The Bottom Line
GrabAGun has some of the lowest pricing and they always seem to keep things in stock. Good for when you're looking for popular guns, gear, and ammo.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
We became enamored with GrabAGun a little bit more recently, since they always seemed to have the guns we wanted in stock when other guys didn't.
Now, they are our go-to for purchasing guns because they offer some of the best pricing, an FFL database, and fast shipping, in addition to having guns in stock.
They tend to keep very popular guns in stock, too, like your Sig Sauers and your Glocks. But we're also loving that they have a good selection of AK-47s. It's where I got my Zastava and Arsenal AKs.
2. Palmetto State Armory - Low Prices & In-Stock Gun Store
Pros
- Large inventory
- Good sales and deals
- Solid customer service
- Great beginner options
Cons
- Don't always carry high-end and older guns
- Availability is hit and miss
The Bottom Line
PSA is known for affordability and that extends to most of the items they stock. They run really good sales and deals and have an extensive inventory. Some stuff goes in and out of stock pretty quick though.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Yes, we love PSA's AR-15s...as well as their other guns. Link to our PSA Review Section.
But did you know Palmetto State Armory now carries tons of popular handguns and rifles too?
It looks like they get all the new guns right on time.
And sometimes, there are really, really good deals on older (but still great) stuff. My guess is they buy a whole bunch of one thing at a time and pass on the savings.
Otherwise, I always check out their Gun Deals page to see if there are any bargains, especially when they have coupon codes for specific guns to bypass pesky manufacturer pricing.
PSA is likely the place where Pew Pew Tactical has ordered the most number of firearms.
What do you think of PSA? Rate them below!
Readers’ Ratings
4.95/5 (4519 Votes)Your Rating
3. MidwayUSA - Fastest Shipping
Pros
- Fast shipping
- Great customer service
Cons
- Pricing might not always be the lowest
The Bottom Line
Midway has probably the fastest shipping in the biz. If you need it quick, Midway is the way to go. Inventory is okay, and pricing is decent -- though often not the lowest. It's a great option if you don't want to wait, though.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
MidwayUSA is one of our go-to spots for all things guns. Aside from a massive inventory of ammunition and gear, they also have a good selection of new guns.
But what we really like is the fast shipping and customer service. Most orders ship within 48 hours, and we can appreciate the speed at which we get our guns.
While we’ve rarely had order issues, the few times we have it’s been fixed quickly and without much fuss.
That said, pricing can vary. Sometimes we find awesome deals and sometimes their prices are higher than competitors. But if fast shipping is your concern, it’s worth a few extra bucks to get your gun in sooner rather than later.
4. Kentucky Gun Company - Massive Online Gun Shop
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Most things kept in-stock
- Layaway option
Cons
- Have to put in email for some pricing
The Bottom Line
The selling point for Kygunco is its layaway option. Not many gun retailers offer it and if you're tight on cash, it's a great way to work towards gun ownership.
Better Business Bureau Rating: B+
Known more as "Kygunco" since that's their website. There are tons of gun selections with things that are actually in stock. Plus, decent shipping times with all our orders.
Oh, and one of the most important things...they are super competitive in their pricing. Not to mention, they offer layaway if you need some time to pay for that gun.
Chances are someone already bought from them before and had the gun shipped to your receiving FFL...so it's already in their system.
5. Brownells - Best Accessories & Guns Store
Pros
- Go to shop for accesories and parts
- Decent prices
- Good sales and deals
Cons
- Not as much inventory
The Bottom Line
Brownells has good sales and deals (especially around holidays) but inventory is extremely lacking. If you can find it in stock, pricing is usually pretty good.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Brownells is great for accessories, but it's also one of my favorites for actual firearms. They have almost all of the popular handguns and rifles in stock and ready to go.
Prices are near MSRP but non-gouged, but you can still score a great bargain if you keep an eye out for deals.
And they've brought back monthly coupons based on order amounts. I also get most of my upgrade parts from them.
Since it is such a big store, you have peace of mind that you won't get ripped off and that if there's anything wrong, they'll take care of it.
Plus, if you're part of their EDGE program, you get free 2-day shipping on everything.
6. Rainier Arms - The Cutting Edge Gun Store
Pros
- Have SBRs and NFA items
- Can find high-end guns
- Good reputation
Cons
- Prices might be a bit higher
The Bottom Line
Best place to grab NFA items and high-end guns that other retailers don't carry. Stock is limited, though, and prices tend to be higher than other retailers.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Want the highest-end tricked-out pistol, rifle, or shotgun?
Or how about some NFA items like silencers and SBRs (short-barreled rifles)?
Check out Rainier Arms.
While their inventory is not as large as Brownells' or Midway's, their niche is more high-end. If you're looking for top-tier firearms and NFA items, this is the place to shop.
The only downside is that inventory goes in and out of stock pretty fast. Wait too long to order and you might be out of luck.
7. EuroOptic - Best Long Range Gun Shop
Pros
- Best place for high end scopes
- Good selection of rare guns
- Good customer service
Cons
- A lot orders require signature upon delivery
The Bottom Line
EuroOptic is great for grabbing optics (kinda in the name) -- especially high-end scopes. They have a nice selection of rare guns you likely won't find elsewhere.
Better Business Bureau Rating: C+
I've already written about EuroOptic as the best place to get high-end scopes.
But their selection of rarer guns, especially in the precision rifle department, is also impressive. If Desert Tech and Accuracy International are in your sights...go with EuroOptic.
I especially like that you can call in and ask questions, and someone knowledgeable will answer. This is an outfit run by people who love what they sell.
8. Guns.com - Trusted Online Used Gun Store
Pros
- Large inventory
- Can find rare and historical pieces
Cons
- Prices are a lot higher than other retailers
- Mixed reviews on customer service
The Bottom Line
We use Guns.com for buying used guns. They have a pretty good inventory of rare and historical pieces as well. Prices are a lot higher than other retailers for modern and popular items, though.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Originally breaking into the gun space with news and reviews...Guns.com stepped into the world of used gun sales a few years ago.
Prices for used and new guns are a little all over the place. That means sometimes you'll find a great deal...but sometimes you might find a sought-after gun for way over MSRP. However, you've got the peace of mind with a large company that has its own appraisal and inspection team.
We put in an order ourselves and documented the whole process in our review here.
Auction Sites & Used Guns
9. Gunbroker - Best Online Gun Auction
Pros
- Biggest auction site
- Lots of inventory
- Best place to find old or niche firearms
Cons
- Have to pay for shipping
- Can get scammed
The Bottom Line
It's the longest operating auction site, and you can get some solid deals. That said, there are scammers; so buyer beware.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
If you're looking for a screaming deal or something rarer...you'll have to go the auction route. And Gunbroker is the biggest one out there.
Since it's an auction, you'll be dealing with individual sellers. I would recommend going with a well-rated one since they've gotten it all figured out.
You'll likely have to pay for shipping, and some sellers won't accept credit cards (or will charge 3%). Plus, you'll probably have to send in your FFL information since the chances are slim that the specific seller has sent a gun to your specific FFL.
10. Armslist - Best Face-To-Face Sales
Pros
- Can find older or hard to find guns
Cons
- Membership fee to join
- Have to meet face to face
The Bottom Line
Great for super old, hard to find guns. But you have to meet people face-to-face. That feels a little dicey. So be careful!
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Ah...the world of private firearms transfers. Armslist is where people post their wares, and you message to meet them up and complete the transaction.
It's worth noting that Armslist charges a $6.99 membership fee to join, which allows you to message sellers and post your own guns for sale.
Check out our guide to staying safe and getting a good deal if you're unfamiliar.
11. Cash for Arms - Best for Selling Guns
Pros
- Very user friendly
- Free shipping or at home pickup
- Quick payment
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
Cons
- Selling platform only
- Not instant cash -- payments are quick but not instant
The Bottom Line
Another option if you're looking to sell. They have different payout options which grants some flexibility. No buying option currently.
Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
Another unique option that is worth checking out is Cash for Arms.
Disclaimer: You can't buy guns from Cash from Arms, but it's an easy way to sell your guns online, so we feel it's worth including. (Especially for those of us who have to sell one before we can buy one.)
Cash for Arms brings a fast, easy, and, most importantly, safe and secure means to sell your guns. To offload a firearm, you simply:
- Submit some details about your gun through a secure online form on Cash for Arms.
- Cash for Arms will send you a cash offer, and after accepting it, you package your gun and use a prepaid shipping label to send it off.
- Once the gun is received by Cash for Arms, you get paid within 24 hours.
Payments are secure, and you can choose between options like ACH, check, or Zelle.
What we like about this process is that it's simple. There are free shipping options like that pre-paid label we mentioned, and even at-home pickup.
So, if you're looking to get more cash in hand or you need to sell a gun to grab another one, Cash for Arms is an option you should consider.
Reader Recommended Gun Stores
We get a lot of comments and emails from readers recommending gun shops that they love. So, here's a list of some of our readers' faves!
(Note: these have not undergone the same testing as our selections above and may or may not adhere to our standards.)
Meet the Experts
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings researched and wrote this article with input from the PPT staff. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. Jacki is a tried-and-true introvert who prefers the ease of online shopping. All of the gun purchases she has made in the past five years have been exclusively conducted online. She lends this expertise to the article.
PPT Founder and CEO Eric Hung also contributed heavily to the research and opinions in this article. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor, having researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear. That means he has bought a lot of guns in his time! Eric often turns to the internet to find the best deals and fastest shipping. He used this knowledge to suggest additions and offer comments directly related to his shopping experiences.
Final Thoughts
If your local gun store isn't up to the task or you want to try and save some dough...buying a gun online is the way to go.
How did we do on our list of the best places? Any that you think we should have put up instead? Check out our guide to the Best Places to Buy Ammo Online.
Latest Updates
- November 2025: Complete rewrite with new stores added, new sections, and BBB accreditation.
- February 2025: Added Cash for Arms
- December 2024: Added comparison chart and more information on how we chose our list.
- April 2024 – Added How We Test and additional information for each choice. Removed some choices based on our criteria.