Guides

Straight answers to the questions people ask before they buy, sell or ship. Every guide opens with the short answer, cites primary sources, and says when it was last checked.

• How private firearm sales work in the United States

  Federal rules for selling a gun privately: same-state sales, out-of-state buyers, prohibited persons, ages, Michigan's 2024 law and when to use a dealer.

  • Is it legal to sell a gun to another private person?
  • Do I need a background check to sell a gun privately?
  • Can I sell a gun to someone who lives in another state?

• How to legally ship a firearm

  Who can ship a gun, what USPS, UPS and FedEx allow in 2026, how FFL to FFL transfers work, and why most private sellers have a dealer ship it.

  • Can a private person legally ship a firearm?
  • Can I ship a gun through UPS or FedEx myself?
  • Can I mail a gun through the Post Office?

• How to spot and avoid scams when buying or selling guns online

  The common scams in online gun sales, the red flags for each, how to verify a dealer license, and what to do and who to tell if you were scammed.

  • What are the most common scams when buying or selling guns online?
  • How does the overpayment or fake check scam work?
  • Can a payment app payment be reversed after I hand over the gun?

• Ammunition buying guide: cost per round, case types, bullet types and storage

  How to compare ammo by cost per round, brass vs steel vs aluminum, grain weight, FMJ vs JHP, +P, remanufactured ammo, buying online and storage.

  • How do I calculate cost per round?
  • What is the difference between brass, steel and aluminum cases?
  • What does grain weight mean on a box of ammo?

• Handgun calibers compared: .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and .22 LR

  Honest tradeoffs between common handgun calibers: recoil, capacity, ammo cost, availability and typical use, with no stopping power myths.

  • Which handgun caliber is best?
  • How do the common calibers compare on recoil and capacity?
  • Is .380 ACP enough, and who is it for?