Have an Idea of the handgun you wish to purchase
Go to your LGS or Gander or Cabelas and coon finger these handguns.
Go online look at several different online stores. Buds,KYgunCo
Purchase from the place of your choice ONLINE!!
AND THIS IS KEY!!!! BEFORE YOU DO THE TRANFER, INSPECT THIS WEAPON DON'T PROCEED WITH TRANSFER IF "ANYTHG IS NOT TO YOUR LIKING"
HUGE SAVINGS!!!!
The first part is absolute garbage but the second half is even worse advice.
If you don't accept the transfer the store is going to sit on it until someone pays shipping back. Since you've already paid Buds for it, it ain't going to be them.
Screw over the LGS. Then screw over the place doing the transfer.
There are always some like you.