Finding Gun Wholesalers
Forfederal firearms license(FFL) holders, buying a new firearm to sell to the public means finding gun wholesalers for FFL dealers or dealing directly with the manufacturer.
The nation's biggest firearm manufacturers only deal with gun wholesalers for FFL dealers and will not sell directly to smaller retail sales FFL holders. An independent FFL holder who wants to sell Browning, Winchester, Marlin or another major company must work through gun wholesalers for FFL dealers. Giant retailers by Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas have enough sales and stores to negotiate direct with manufacturers.
An exception to this isHenry Repeating Arms. The Imperato family has owned the current incarnation of Henry since it started in the 1990s. Imperato also owns the nation’s oldest gun store theJohn Jovino Gun Shoplocated in lower Manhattan. The current Henry Rifle company has no relation to the original Henry rifle company, except for the name which the Imperato family acquired in 1996.
Some smaller gun makers sell directly to FFL holders. The smallest manufacturers are boutique shops, turning out high-end custom one-off products that are ordered by individuals. These boutique shops must sell through an FFL holder if the buyer lives in another state.
LICENSES
Not all of theFFL licensesallow a person to buy and sell firearms. Types 01, 02, 07, 09, 10 and 11 are the only licenses that allow the sale of firearms.
Gun wholesalers for FFL dealers will not accept the following three license for firearms transfers.
A Type 03 Curio and Relic (Cruffler) license is not a dealer license; it is a license to collect, not a license to do business.
A Type 06 is for manufacturing some kinds ammo only. It does not give the holder permission to deal in firearms.
A Type 08 is for importing Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices or Ammunition for Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices, or Ammunition Other Than Armor Piercing Ammunition. A Type 08 FFL allows you to sell firearms.
ASpecial Occupational Tax(SOT) permit can be added to any firearms sales license except the Type 03. A few gun wholesalers handle SOT, orNFA, items.
CREATING A RETAILER ACCOUNT
A retail gun shop that wants to create an account with wholesale gun dealers for FFL holders must do at least three things:
- Have a dealer's FFL. Gun wholesalers for FFL dealers need a copy of this license. It is kept on file.
- Have asales tax permit or number, resale license or business license. All but three states have a statewide sales tax department. A Department of Revenue in the other 47 states issues sales tax permits. Most of the time, ta local government issues a business license. A few states let the local government issue sales tax permits.
- Sign up for an account with the wholesaler.
Some wholesale gun dealers for ffl holders may have other requirements.
FINDING GUN WHOLESALERS
Finding a complete list of FFL wholesalers is difficult. A list of the major exclusive wholesalers follows this short explanation. Wholesalers must have the appropriate FFL to sell to other FFL holders.
Many small firearms manufacturers sell directly to the public and are gun wholesalers to FFL dealers. Wikipedia has alist of gun makers, but it is neither complete nor comprehensive. For instance,Rogue Rifle Company in Lewiston, ID, makes firearms but is not in the Wikipedia list.
Some companies offer wholesale and retail.These are a gun wholesaler for FFL dealersandalsosell to the general public as long as the transfer goes through an FFL.
The business-tracking website Manta lists42 firearms makersin Georgia alone.Texashas 16.Idahohas four. Some of these companies are wholesale only. Some sell to retail and are gun wholesalers for FFL dealers.
Some of the larger wholesale outlets will not sell to a “home-based” FFL. Nathan S. recounted his frustrations with finding wholesale dealers inThe Firearm Blog. He wrote, in part, "Many of the largest distributors would not accept home-based FFLs and or required a large initial buy-in. Being a small company and not flush with cash (and further, only a credit card), it became difficult to get inventory in. As such, I had to spend some time hunting through policies, being rebuffed, and enjoying the occasional success getting through and set-up to get product." He then posted a list of companies that would and would not sell to him.
Firearms News, formerly Shotgun News, is one of the nation’s top publications for finding wholesale gun dealers for ffl holders. TheShooting Industry Guideis another excellent resource website.
FFL shops that sell retail and wholesale are not listed below because of the sheer volume of these companies. Only the BATF has a list of current FFL license holders. The number of FFL holders changes monthly as people buy a license or surrender the license they held.
GUN WHOLESALERS LIST
This list of gun wholesalers for FFL dealers only covers the major wholesale outlets.Current as of July 2020!
2nd Amendment Wholesale- Add flamethrowers to the list of items this distributor sells to dealers. The company also has a detailed explanation regardingfirearms exports out of the US.
Based in Rochester, NY. AmChar is one of the nation's largest law enforcement distribution centers as well as a firearms distribution center for FFL customers.
Bangers- This Birmingham company has its distribution center in the north Alabama city and boasts a fleet of sales reps across the US.
Bill Hicks- Formed in 1969, Bill Hicks is a wholesaler for the major gun makers and a few less-known manufacturers. The company also wholesales outdoor gear
CamfourandHill Country Wholesaleare the same outfit. They sell the top name brands in the US and some smaller makers. View theentire list.
Chattanooga Shooting- Based in Chattanooga, the company has a 75,000 square-foot warehouse and more than 100 employees.
Crow Shooting Supply is a family owned gun wholesaler that has been in business for over 30 years. Their website states, "Crow is a full-line supplier of nearly 100 of the world’s premier shooting industry manufacturers, and prides itself on customizing products for individual customers."
Davidson's Gallery of Guns- This company offers a guarantee few others even consider. "Perhaps best of all, our Guaranteed Lifetime Replacement Warranty backs all of the firearms Davidson's sells. If you ever experience a defect with a firearm purchased through Davidson's, a Brand New Replacement will be provided. Should your two-year-old bolt-action rifle break a firing pin a week before the annual 'boys outing' the first day of deer season, 'we've got you covered.' Imagine a new firearm right out of the box! If it is defective, it is covered, period."
FFL Wholesale- This company deals with imported firearms, shotguns and handguns, and imported uppers.
Grice Wholesale- What started as a full service gas station in Clearfield, PA, expanded into Grice Gun. At first, the company sporterized military rifles, but gradually grew into a wholesale dealership.
Hicks- Hicks deals in more than firearms and ammo, but the buyer must be a retail outlet regardless of the purchase.
Interstate Arms Corp - Interstate sells to FFL retail shops and distributes law enforcement items. Law enforcement and public safety departments receive discounts.
Kiesler Wholesale- Primarily a law enforcement and military supply company, Kiesler offers a program to help FFL dealers reach into the law enforcement market for more sales. They also offer used guns received as trade-ins from law enforcement agencies.
Lipsey's: - In addition to standard civilian firearms, Lipsey's is distributor forNFA itemsfor FFL dealers with the appropriateSpecial Occupation Tax License.
MGE Wholesale - MGE sells imported and US manufactured firearms. The company has exclusive dealer rights to certain firearms.
MSR Distribution- Order online or call the company directly to place an order. The company also handles NFA items.
Orion Wholesale- Orion has asecond websitewith an online inventory for FFL holders.
Ron Shirk Shooting Supplies, Inc.- This link directs to a Facebook page. The company does not have a website. Based in Lebanon, PA, the company gets good reviews from FFL holders.
RSR Group- RSR deals in firearms as well as unregulated items like accessories, reloading, parts, black powder and airguns.
Shooting Sports Wholesale- SSW also deals in NFA items and parts for the AK and AR rifles.
Sports South- Founded 175 years ago, Sports South is the oldest distributor in the United States. It also has the most unusual history of the distributors. It started as a distribution center for drugs and firearms. Today the parent company still does both.
Zanders- In addition to firearms, Zanders has an exclusive dealership agreement with Eley ammunition.
FIREARM MANUFACTURERS/STORES OFFERING DEALER PRICING
- 80% Arms
- Aero Precision
- Bear Creek Arsenal
- Black Rain Ordnance
- Cheaper Than Dirt
- Graf & Sons
- Gun Accessory Supply
- Gunarama
- Howell Munitions
- IWI US -Israel Weapons Industries imports weapons made in Israel into the US.
- Kinsey's
- New Frontier Armory
- Oaks Wholesale
- Polymer 80
- Powder Valley
- Riley's Defense
- Superlative Arms
- Tactical Gear Distributors
FFL Business Articles
- How to Get an FFL
- BATF Will Approve Home Based FFLs
- FFL Application Process and Procedures
- Your FFL Transfer Fee
- Gun Wholesalers for FFL Dealers
- What Can You Do With an FFL?
- The FFL eZ Check System
- The NFA and Owning NFA Items
- Offline Firearms Marketing and Your FFL Business Plan
- Online Firearms Marketing and Your FFL Business Plan
- What is Google's Local 3 Pack
- Pawn Shops and the Type 02 FFL
- Collector of Curios or Relics Federal Firearms License
- FFL Responsibilities and Regulations
- Customer Service in Your FFL Business
- Denied Firearms Background Check for Customer
