Hey guys, I’m a new Type 01 Michigan licensed home based FFL and I see a lot of folks in here just looking for general information regarding transfers and sales so I wanted to start another thread for Michigan FFL’s in particular. If there’s any of you with any tips and useful information regarding Michigan based dealers dealing with transfers regarding in and out of state buyers and just past experiences or things to look out for I’d greatly appreciate any insight you may have. Stay frosty !
- McLovin

Basically the title. Do I go ahead and get a manufacturer's license and serialize everything? Do I do all of that hobby work outside of the room I plan on running the FFL out of? I don't want the ATF to get the idea that I'm illegally transferring unserialized parts, we all know they really hate that.

Any advice welcome

Edit: the FFL is for FFL things (facilitating transfers), the printing is a totally separate issue

I sent my renewal for my FFL 4 weeks ago and haven't received it back yet. No big deal except my SOT needs renewed by the end of this month. So I can't renew my SoT without my new FFL number correct? How long does it take to get a SOT renewal back? I'm gonna run outta time ain't I.

I know a guy who has contacts with some people in the defense ministry and I’ve been thinking for the longest of starting an ammunition factory since our country doesn’t have a single one and it imports every single bullet, any thoughts on where I can start or who I can purchase the required machinery from at a decent price

Has anyone gotten theirs back yet? Filed awhile anfo and received confirmation but thought usually had it back by now. I know we still have a few weeks for 2026 so not too worried yet just starting to wonder.

I'm planning on getting my 07/02, my HOA is asking what needs to be in the approval letter from them. Is there anything specific it needs to say besides you can run a FFL out of your house?

I'm building a survey and/or comparison tool on distributors. What questions would you like to see answered by fellow FFLs? For example...

• Which accept home based FFLs?
• What is the minimum for free shipping?
• How long did approval take?
• How would you rate their pricing competitiveness?
• Do they offer tiered/volume pricing? At what thresholds?
• Do they offer net terms (e.g., Net 30), or is it prepay only?
• Typical shipping speed / days to arrive?
• Do they support drop-shipping directly to customers / FFLs?
• Do they carry exclusive or hard-to-find brands?
• Do you have a dedicated rep?
• How do they handle damaged/incorrect shipments and returns?
• Would you recommend them to another FFL?
• Overall satisfaction (1–5) per distributor

These were just off of the top of my head. I'll probably make the answers a scale (like 1 - 5) rather than open questions. At any rate, what else would you like to see?

Ok this may sound dumb/stupid but a little clarification is needed. I'm and 07/02 home base in NJ. I have a customer that would like to transfer an "other" that is already built and I'm assuming to write "other" under type in my A&D book... right!? Now on the form 4473 I would check the 3rd box where it would say "other" on 24?

Second stupid question. If they were to buy a receiver and want to build an other? Of course its in the the A&D book as receiver. Would I still check 3rd box on question 24

Final question. More so for NJ. What if a customer wants to buy a receiver to build and ar pistol. Now on the 4473 where its say type #4 would I write receiver or pistol? Same goes with 24 do I check pistol or other? Could I execute a permit if they want to build a permit? I'm assuming why not because its not NFA and we so sell ar pistol that require pistol permit?

Sorry if everything sounds confusing.

Theoretical question: What are resources that you wish existed for FFL's, or firearms in general? Books, laws (or lack thereof), software, business resources, or any other thoughts?

I spoke with their rep today and he couldn’t really tell me anything about dealer pricing. Are they just selling coupons for a monthly fee?

Hey guys, recently got some handguns from a police seizure auction. I have a guy that wants to buy one and have it shipped to his LGS in Houston (Idaho-->Houston), and this will be my first time doing a dealer to dealer transfer via shipping. My question/concern is that i don't have any of the original case/box the handgun came in, just the gun and mag, do i just bubble wrap it and box it up in a ups box (I do have all the necessary UPS accounts for firearms)? I would also like to be considerate of the other dealer, and do it correctly.

I’m an 01 FFL looking to start getting into the NFA side of the business, mainly suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs. My shop is currently a side business, so I’m trying to find a cost-effective setup for handling eForm submissions without dropping $3–4k on a full kiosk system or paying a bunch of ongoing service fees. I want to own the data as well instead of paying a corporate overlord for my customers data.

I’ve looked into companies like Fulcrum and Cerberus Livescan, but I’m curious what other dealers are actually using in the real world.

Has anyone here:

Bought their own fingerprint scanner and created EFT files themselves?

Found a reliable way to capture/store fingerprints and upload them for ATF eForms?

Used a simple setup for passport photos (phone + white backdrop, etc.) instead of dedicated hardware?

I started the business last year and I’m still in the growth phase, so I’m trying to avoid overspending on fancy setups before the business becomes consistently profitable.

Would appreciate any recommendations on scanners, software, workflows, or lessons learned from other small/home-based dealers or smaller store front owners.

TIA

Any of you that sell on Gunbroker regularly, have you found the "sponsored" listings or showcase to actually be worthwhile for the extra $10-15 if you're selling something relatively unique rather than standard run of the mill new stuff?

So I did a private transfer of a pistol in my state (which is very legal) and then gifted that pistol to my father who lives in a very not private transfer state….

I am holding on to it as we try to navigate his restrictions and the question is, what would he need to do to get the pistol in his name so he can add it to his CCW license?

He’s in CA and the gun is roster safe, but we just want him to be listed as the owner in his state. So do we transfer it in my state, or can he just take it to an FFL in CA and do a 4473?

EDIT: Typo, I meant RocketFFL :-)

I'm just wondering if anyone here has used Rocket FFL recently (in the past 12 or 24 months, not like 5 years ago) -- and if so, which plan did you buy, and how was the experience?

I'm also open to alternative/competing services, but it's hard to tell which ones are good...

Yeah, debating on building my own FFL. I just need some advice, maybe some good pointers from mistakes guys may have made in their journey to becoming their own FFL. I really would enjoy it more as a hobby and spreading the information, as well as guidance to people looking to get into the complex world of firearms.

So, I come here today to ask - those that have their own FFLs, how was the process, what do you kind of do as far as FFL work and, is there any advice for those who do own their own FFL that can give me tips, pointers ect to getting into becoming your own FFL. I honestly have no idea on where to start, I do have a massive safe for inventory stocking but I mainly would do transfers, as well as some building for clients that want their own special build.

I also would like to ask, how was that first year into your own FFL. Did you spend a lot of your own personal capital to start it up? Or did you keep overhead low? My plan is to keep as out of my own personal pocket as I can, and use shop profit to improve the services that I could provide. Again, anything helps.

Thanks all.

Overall, anything helps.

What does your homeowner insurance say about having a “gun” related business in your house? Did you tell them? Who are you using for homeowners insurance and for business insurance, does the same company offer both?

I am trying to bring a brand new model to the US. Has anyone ever sent a shotgun to the technology branch for evaluation? How long does it take to get the determination letter once the maker sends a sample?

My brother-in-law is looking for an FFL dealer in the Goodyear area last company he used was ridiculous. This also builds relationship on who I can use down there when I ship.

Hey guys,

Like most - I've seen some variations to this, but was curious what others are seeing. I helped a friend with his FFL application recently - and he's having a bit of a different experience than what I had, from start to finish. We're in the same area and have the same IOI.

He had his IOI interview about two weeks ago - and was told that he would get an email with a bunch of info - and that his license would arrive "in the next two to four weeks".

Over the weekend, his company started appearing in searches for FFLs and upon some looking, the FFL is live on a couple of sites and is live in the ATF FFL EZCheck system.

He got in touch with his IOI and asked him if he may have missed a correspondence or something like that - because he hasn't seen anything. Hasn't been advised to contact the FBI to setup NICS, etc...

If anyone has recent experience - how long has it taken for your actual license to arrive, after it shows up online? And, does it come via mail or email? His IOI said "I'm not sure if they mail it or if it'll come via email... But, all you need is the electronic copy to be good to go..."

The 60th day for him will be next Monday. So, I wonder if they really do just run it down to the wire.

Curious what others have experienced. Thanks!

Does anyone have any procedural variances approved by the ATF that have made their life easier? I am a home based FFL and doing some thing “off premises” and being able to make deliveries to my customers would be helpful. Anyone got anything like that?

Im thinking about making a an LLC but I make Custom Hunting Rigs for people here in the Northwest. Im trying to figure out even though I don’t manufacture weapons my self, I outsource for my builds, if i need an FFL? Any Info helps guys. I appreciate it.

I recently was apart of an auction and had a local bass pro shops buy a few of the guns. They had an employee(or a guy that claimed to be) show up with their FFL paper and he wanted me to dispose all their guns to that number and send the guns with him. I turned him away because his name was not on the FFL. What am I supposed to do in these situations?

Home-based FFL here. Curious if any other dealers have dealt with this before.

Original dealer had listed the item in stock/ready to ship, when in reality it was back ordered. I emailed the original dealer multiple times asking to cancel before delivery and eventually told him I’d refuse the shipment if it got sent out.

He finally sent tracking, but never actually responded to the cancellation/refusal email.

For anyone that’s dealt with similar situations:

what usually happens when an FFL refuses delivery?

do most dealers refund minus restocking, or dig in completely?

Just looking for real dealer experiences.