Buying a Polymer80 pistol online: FFL steps by state

Buying a pistol online is legal in every state, but the pistol never comes to your door. It goes to a federally licensed dealer, an FFL, who completes the transfer with you under the rules of your state. This page explains the process step by step and summarizes what each type of state adds on top of federal law. It is general information as of September 2026, not legal advice; laws change, so confirm details with your state police or attorney general before you order. We are an independent store, not affiliated with Polymer80 or Glock.

The federal baseline

You must be 21 to buy a handgun from a dealer and 18 for a rifle or shotgun.
You must be a resident of the state where you pick the pistol up, with government photo ID showing your current address.
At the dealer you complete ATF Form 4473 and the dealer runs the FBI NICS background check, or a state check where the state acts as the point of contact.
Every Polymer80 pistol we sell is serialized, so it is treated like any other handgun at the counter.

Step by step

Order. Add the pistol to your cart and check out. Price and stock are confirmed live before payment.
Name your dealer. Choose a gun shop or licensed transfer dealer near you. Ask about their transfer fee and hours first; fees commonly run $20 to $75.
We verify and ship. We confirm the dealer's license on file or look it up in the ATF eZ Check system, then ship the pistol to the dealer with tracking.
Pick up. The dealer logs the pistol in, you fill out Form 4473, the background check runs, and once it clears you complete any state paperwork and take the pistol home.

States with no extra purchase steps

Most states add nothing beyond the federal check: no permit to purchase, no waiting period, no registration. That group includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia (which limits handgun purchases to one per 30 days), West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Iowa requires a permit to acquire or a permit to carry for handguns from a dealer, though permitless carry is legal. Nevada, Pennsylvania and Colorado use state-run checks and Colorado adds a three-day wait.

States with waiting periods

A waiting period means you complete the paperwork, then come back. California (10 days), Colorado (3 days), Florida (3 days for handguns, or until the check clears), Hawaii (14 days), Illinois (72 hours), Maine (72 hours), Maryland (7 days for handguns), Minnesota (up to 7 days on the purchase permit), New Mexico (7 days), Rhode Island (7 days), Vermont (72 hours) and Washington (10 days) all impose one. The dealer will tell you when to return.

States with permits or licenses to purchase

Some states require a document before the dealer can transfer a handgun. Illinois requires a FOID card. Massachusetts requires an LTC or FID. New Jersey requires a Firearms Purchaser ID card and a permit for each handgun. New York requires a pistol license for handguns. Connecticut requires a pistol permit or eligibility certificate. Maryland requires a Handgun Qualification License. Hawaii requires a permit to acquire. Minnesota requires a permit to purchase or a permit to carry for handguns. Iowa requires a permit to acquire or a carry permit. Nebraska repealed its handgun purchase certificate in 2023, North Carolina repealed its pistol purchase permit in 2023, and Michigan repealed its license requirement for long guns but keeps a purchase license or CPL requirement for pistols bought from private sellers. Get the permit before you order; the pistol will wait at the dealer, but dealers may charge storage after a few weeks.

Age 21 states

Federal law already sets 21 for handguns from a dealer. A few states extend 21 to all firearms, including California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont and Washington, and several states restrict semi-automatic rifle purchases under 21. For a Polymer80 pistol the practical answer is the same everywhere: 21.

Magazine and feature limits

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington limit magazine capacity, and California and Massachusetts keep handgun rosters that most new pistols are not on. If a magazine or pistol is not offered at checkout for your address, that is why. Threaded barrels are restricted on handguns in a few of these states as well. See the magazine guide for the limits by state.

Parts ship to your door

Slides, barrels, triggers, sights and grips are not firearms and ship direct. The only common exceptions are magazines over a state's limit and, in a handful of jurisdictions, ammunition and certain parts that must go through a dealer. Read slides and barrels before you order parts for the wrong size pistol.

If the background check is delayed or denied

Most checks clear in minutes. A delay means the FBI needs more time; under federal law the dealer may transfer after three business days if no answer comes, though many dealers and some states wait for a proceed. A denial can be appealed through the FBI NICS appeal process, and mistaken denials from common names are corrected regularly. If the transfer cannot be completed, the pistol comes back to us and we refund the purchase less shipping, as explained on the shipping page.

If the background check is delayed or denied

Carry after purchase

Carry rules are separate from purchase rules. Most states now allow permitless concealed carry for adults 21 and older, while others require a permit from the sheriff, a court or the state police; each of our city pages summarizes the rule for that state and names the issuing office.

Questions before you order are welcome through the contact page. When you are ready, compare the PFS9 and PFC9 or browse everything Polymer80.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.