Buying Abroad

[snayperskaya]

I ordered a scope from Kalinkaoptics in the States and they sent that no problem, also ordered some parts from Brownells and they posted those out.

[PaulR]

.

Are you allowed to bring them back personally?

If you mean arranging an export licence with an FFL, collecting from them then you bringing them back, I think that would be a big deal if they got caught by Homeland Security, you are after all, are a foreign national and they would have no audit trail for the final destination of those parts

If you mean going on Holiday and obtaining the parts whilst there by mail order.

Yes but most companies will only accept a US issued Debit or Credit Card and a billing address for that card in the States. Although you could have the items delivered to a US address other than the Billing Address, it doesn't really help you if you only have UK Debit/Credit cards. Therefore purchasing them in the first place will be a problem.

Whole different story if you happen to find the parts you want in a Gun Shop or Sporting Goods store. However, due to the incredible variety of firearms available in the US, no one dealer, except for Sarco and a couple of others, will have a full range of spares or upgrades.

Coincidentally, I bought back an extended Operating Handle, Mag Release Button and another part from the US just this last weekend. None of the items were of military nature but the supplier would still not ship directly to the UK.

[Blu]

For of the US dealers in gun parts such as mags and the like it's just too much hassle to be bothered. The ITAR regulations are a nightmare to navigate and they are always being amended. Also if we are honest the UK market for spares is not that big that that it's a concern for dealers here.

snayperskaya, don't know if you know it but Kalinkaoptics are under investigation by both the US State Dept and the FBI. State and FBI wouldn't say why though.

[snayperskaya]

For of the US dealers in gun parts such as mags and the like it's just too much hassle to be bothered. The ITAR regulations are a nightmare to navigate and they are always being amended. Also if we are honest the UK market for spares is not that big that that it's a concern for dealers here.

snayperskaya, don't know if you know it but Kalinkaoptics are under investigation by both the US State Dept and the FBI. State and FBI wouldn't say why though.

No mate I didn't realise that, it may explain why they haven't replied to my email regarding a 1pn21 scope!.Is that recently then?, I ordered my last scope with them at the beginning of the year.

[Blu]

snayperskaya. I read/heard about back around May this year. Last thing I read/heard the Russian Mob were mentioned.

[top]

The things I wanted only come to about $60, I cant find the same things anywhere else or I would have got then, I might have to get them from Brownells if they have them, im sure they post to the UK, but they hammer you for the post, anyway lads.

[techguy]

What parts are you after exactly? What firearm are they for?

[TattooedGun]

State department export license application is $250.

Ah just re-read it and its $250, not quite £250.

ozone

Even then... I want to know where you'll get flights to the states for £250 return...!

[phaedra1106]

We got to Florida on Wednesday and picked up a suitcase full of shooting stuff we'd had shipped to our friends over here yesterday, no problems ordering with Midway, Titan Reloading etc. using a pre-paid US$ card (FairFX) but Brownells decided my card no. was invalid even though I'd used it many times before. Cheapest flights we've had were £99 in Dec 2001, we've had a few with First Choice/Thompson for £2-£300 even a couple in Premium Economy, just depends when you go and how desperate they are to fill seats.

[saddler]

...in your case VERY desperate, coz we've seen WOT it is you fill the seats with...