FAQs

Basic Ordering Questions

Do you have a minimum order quantity?

We do not have a minimum order quantity. You may order as much or as little as you want.

Do you offer large quantity discounts?

Yes, but on a limited number of items. Discounted pricing is not available through our website. Please contact our Quote Department at 1-800-741-0015.

Do I need an FFL license to order an action, frame, receiver or other product from Brownells?

The majority of our products do not require an FFL. However, you will need an FFL on file with us to buy a firearm receiver, frame, barreled action, and a very small percentage of our factory parts. These items will be marked with restriction icons.

All sales of firearms are made in strict accordance with all federal regulations. If the item you have selected is marked with an FFL icon, you have selected a government-restricted item and your order will be held until we have the following:

A certified copy of your current FFL license, signed with an original signature in ink. Your copy will be kept on file until it expires. FFL holders may email a PDF version of their clearly signed FFL to Brownells to ffl@brownells.com. They may also fax a copy to 1-641-623-8143. If they choose to mail a copy of their FFL to Brownells they can send it to:

Brownells, Inc.
Attn: FFL Dept.
200 S. Front Street
Montezuma, IA 50171

Notes about FFLs - There can be no alterations to any information on the copy of the FFL. Your order for the FFL-controlled items can only be shipped to the address on the signed FFL.

Payment Method Questions

What major credit cards do you accept?

We accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. When you fill out the payment information on your order you will need to provide the complete credit card number, expiration date, credit card security code, and the full name of the person the card is issued to.

Who do I make my money order or cashier's check out to, the delivery service or Brownells?

Money order or cashier's checks need to be made out to Brownells.

Ordering Online Questions

By what time should next day and second day order requests be submitted?

Rush orders must be submitted by 1pm CST, in order to be shipped that day.

Will I receive a current catalog with my first web order?

Brownells Big Book catalog can be requested at a cost of $10. If you wish to receive the current Big Book catalog, please enter stock number 077-100-000 in the Search Products field; or click the Order a Catalog link at the bottom of the page. From there, you can add the catalog(s) to your shopping cart.

Are catalogs available online?

Yes, Brownells catalogs are available in digital format by clicking the Order a Catalog link at the bottom of the page.  From there, you can view and select the digital catlog pdfs.

How do I know if I am ordering a product that is restricted because of hazardous materials or other restrictions?

If an item is restricted, there will be a restrictions note in the item details. Click on one to find out what restrictions apply. There is an orange restrictions box within the cart to review restrictions also.

I've already placed my order on the web but need to change something or add another item, may I do that?

Please contact Brownells at orderdesk@brownells.com, or call us at 1-800-741-0015 for assistance.

I just submitted my web order and I have not received an email confirmation yet.

Emails are generated after web orders have been downloaded and processed. You should receive an order confirmation email when the order is placed and an email with the tracking number at the time the order has shipped.

How do I use a promotion code when placing an order?

You may add a promo code to your order during any step of checkout. Coupon/Promo Code field can be found under the Order Summary. Only one promotional offer per order is accepted.

Shipping Cost Questions

What is Brownells Standard Delivery Program?

Standard is our economic shipping option. $8.99 on orders less than 1 pound, $9.99 on orders greater than 1 pound (free for Edge members). Expect 5-7 days for delivery. Standard service ships with USPS final delivery and must be shipped to a valid Postal Address. Delivery methods may include USPS, SmartPost or SurePost. This option is unavailable for FFL items, ORM-D, aerosol and hazardous products that have carrier restrictions

What is Brownells Flat Rate (Ground) Shipping Program?

Brownells offers Ground shipping for a flat rate of $15.99 (up to 200 lbs). Expect 3-5 days for delivery. The Flat Rate program applies to any US location reachable by Ground (excluding Alaska). These rates do not apply to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, where packages can only be shipped Parcel Post Air or FedEx 2nd Day Air. Some products are restricted due to either heavy weight or hazardous materials. Orders being shipped via USPS which are over 5 lbs may require an additional $10 charge.

Does the Flat Rate (Ground) Program apply to foreign orders?

No. Foreign orders, including Canadian orders, will be assessed actual shipping charges.

Do I pay additional shipping for backorders?

If you have already paid for shipping on your original order, backordered items are never charged an additional shipping fee. Backorders are shipped via our Standard shipping method. If the only item you ordered is on backorder, any applicable shipping charges will be billed at the time the order is shipped. Applies to domestic orders only.

Do all deliveries require an Acknowledgement of Delivery (AOD) charge?

No, only FFL items with serial numbers require an additional $10.00 fee for delivery confirmation.

I need to order an item that is listed as Hazardous. Are there special shipping restrictions and extra shipping charges?

Any item marked Hazardous material can only be shipped via Ground to anywhere in the continental United States.  All Hazardous materials will be shipped alone and will have an additional charge per order mandated by the shipper.

Certain items are heavy and must be shipped by Truck. Since truck charges vary from order to order, please contact us at 1-800-741-0015 to receive a shipping charge quote

Will I pay the Shipping on each box if my order is shipped in more than one box?

The shipping charge is applied per order, not per box, with the exception of hazardous materials or heavy items ordered on the same order. If this is the case, your order will be split and will be shipped as two separate orders.

Will I be charged taxes on my order?

Brownells, Inc. collects sales tax according to Federal, State, and Local government guidelines. Tax is calculated based on the shipping address and the appropriate rules for the address where your order is billed or shipped.

Brownells, Inc. collects sales tax on the following states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• DC
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhonde Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

If you are shipping to any of these states, we try to estimate the amount of tax you'll pay as you're placing the order. Many factors can change between the time you place your order and when your order ships. This can result in your estimated tax being different from the sales tax collected at checkout.

For tax-exempt customers located in or shipping to any of the states mentioned above, Brownells, Inc. must have a copy of your Sales/Use Tax Exemption Certificate Form on file before you place your order as we are required by law to collect sales tax at the rate effective at the time the order is processed. We are unable to refund sales tax collected on sales prior to receiving the signed Exemption Certificate.

If you're a tax-exempt business please call 1-800-741-0015 for assistance.

To submit your Tax Exemption Certificate, please contact us at exemption@brownells.com.

Basic Shipping Questions

How long will my order take to get to me?

Ground-delivery time normally ranges from 3-5 business days. Rush orders placed by 1 pm CST, will be shipped the same day via Next Day, or 2nd Day Air.

Standard Mail through USPS can take 5-7 business days depending on your mail service.

Catalogs are shipped bulk mail, and usually take approximately 4-6 weeks for delivery.

May I have my order shipped to a different address other than my own?

Yes. If the different shipping address is a one-time address only, simply enter the complete name, street address, city, state, and zip code on Step 1 of the Checkout process.

If the shipping address is one you wish to use frequently, enter the address in the shipping information field in the My Account area.

One exception: The exception applies to items requiring an FFL. Those items must be shipped to the address on the FFL.

Will my back order be shipped by the same shipping method as my original order?

Back orders are usually shipped by our Standard method unless requested differently.

Special/Quicker Shipping Method Questions

Can you ship my ORMD or Hazardous products Second Day or Priority Mail?

No, carriers have increased the restrictions for shipping ORMD and Hazardous products. If your order contains either of these items, it will be sent Ground. ORMD or Hazardous cannot be shipped air service at all.

Does Second Day service mean I can order one day and receive it the next?

If your order is received before 1pm, CST, we will do our best to get it out that day and you should receive it two business days later.

If my order has to be shipped via truck, what truck line do you use, and what are the terms?

Truck shipments are contracted primarily through R+L Carriers. Certain heavy items must be shipped by truck due to their weight. Shipping costs will be calculated and prepaid to your invoice prior to shipment.

Can I have a Brownells order delivered on Saturday?

Yes you can, if it's available in your area, and if you place your order between Thursday at 1 pm CST and Friday at 1 pm CST.

To find out if FedEx offers Saturday delivery to your area, call 1-800-872-2725. You'll need the Origin zip code handy, 50112, and the Destination zip code as well.

Returning An Item Questions

What products are eligible to be returned?

Due to regulations and safety consideration, ammunition, gun powder, primers, most liquids, and other ORM-D and Hazardous items are not returnable.

Firearm and FFL purchases carry a Manufacturer's warranty and any product issues should be submitted to the manufacturer first.

80% Frames & Receivers cannot returned once the receiver or frame is modified in any way.

Products that are subject to pending or implemented restrictions due to Federal, State, or Local regulation/legislation are not eligible for return.

All other products are Guaranteed. Forever.® with proof of purchase. No authorization number, justification or hassles.

How long do I have to return an item?

Anytime. Any items returned after 45 days of delivery will be issued store credit in the form of a Brownells Gift Card.

When can I expect my refund?

Refunds generally take 5-7 business days to process once received into our return area.

How can I receive a refund for my order?

Any items returned within 45 days of delivery are entitled to a refund to the original method of payment. If the original method of payment is cash, check or credit card that has expired, a Brownells gift card with be issued. Any items returned after 45 days of delivery will be issued store credit in the form of a Brownells Gift Card.

What if I paid with a Brownells gift card?

Your refund will be sent to you in the form of a new Brownells Gift Card.

I received the item as a gift.  How can I receive a refund?

Refunds require proof of purchase: we would need the account information of the person who purchased the item in order to process a refund.

Can items I purchased online be returned to the Retail Store?

Yes, items purchased online can be returned to the Retail Store, please bring the invoice when returning any item. Your return will be processed the next business day and may take 7-10 days to show on your credit card account.

Creating an Online Account Questions

Do I need a username and password to order online?

No you do not. If you're a customer who prefers to enter their information each time you order, we welcome you to do so by checking out as a guest.

Do I need to create a new account each time I order from Brownells?

No. If you have registered once, your personal information will be in our database. To access it, just enter your username and password in the Login section. If you have trouble accessing your account, send an email to Customer Service or call 1-800-741-0015.

If you are not a registered user, setup an account to begin.

Do I have to pay attention to case sensitivity (upper or lower case) when I enter my username and password?

Yes. Our system recognizes lower-case letters and upper-case letters as two separate characters.

How do I qualify for the Trade Discount?

For Brownells to extend the trade discount, you must have one of the following:

• Federal Firearms License
• State, County, or Sales Tax Number or Permit
• Any local Resale Permit
• Letterhead, business card or documentation of active in-business status
• Verification of active status as armorer for military/police/federal or state agency, or other law enforcement agency
• Proof of status as in-residence student at a full-time college-level gunsmithing school
• Operator of an allied special business, such as: knifemaker, stockmaker, engraver, bit and spur maker, or furniture refinishing shop, which doesn't require an FFL
• Full-time active-duty status police officer, sheriff's department, or other law enforcement agency

If you cannot show proof of any of the above, you will remain a retail customer.

I already have an account created on the web, but when I enter my username the computer tells me that the username is already in use. Is someone else using my account?

No, most likely it means the username or password has been entered incorrectly. No two accounts can use the same username or password. First, make sure the username and password field is empty and try again, making sure you are careful about case sensitivity. If it still does not work, email Customer Support or call us at 1-800-741-0015.

Using My Online Account Questions

What does the status of my order mean? 

Each item in your order will have one of these types of status:

• ORDER PENDING - Your online order has been received and is in the process of being placed into our main ordering system.
• ORDER IN PROCESS – Order is in the process of being picked, packaged and ready for shipment.
• ORDER SHIPPED – Your order has been received and is in the process of being placed into our main ordering system.
• ORDER RECEIVED – ITEMS ON BACKORDER – Your order contains items currently out of stock and placed on backorder. Your items will be shipped as soon as we receive enough from our suppliers to fulfill the order.
• ORDER CANCELLED OR UNABLE TO FULFILL – Your order has been cancelled. Please contact customer support at 1-800-741-0015 if you have questions regarding this status.

Please Note: Status information is updated daily. Backordered items may be sent in multiple shipments - you will not be charged for additional shipping costs.

How do I find what I ordered in the past?

If you have an account, just log in using your Username and Password. Next click on the Account link and then on Your Orders. You can view up to three year's worth of orders (telephone and web).

If you are not a registered user, get registered here.

I don't know my Order Number. Is there a way I can go back and find it?

If you are a registered user, log into your account and click on the Account link and then the Order History tab. There you can view up to an entire year's worth of orders (includes both web and phone orders). Your Order Number is in the left-hand column. If you are not a registered user, you can get registered  to begin the process.

How do I change the personal information on My Account?

After logging in, go to the Account link. There you can update your Login info or Personal Info.

Is there a way to see my outstanding backorders on the web?

Yes. Once you are logged in, click on the Account link, then click on the Your Orders tab. Your orders will be listed there and order numbers ending in .01, .02, etc are backorders.

Other Account Questions

Do you sell any of my personal information to other companies?

No. In over 70 years of business, we never have and never will.

How can I look up the status of my order?

How can I look up the status of my order?

You can look up the status of your order by going to our Order Lookup Tool. Simply type in your Order Number or Web Reference Number plus the Zip Code of your shipping address and you will be given updated information on your order.

Brownells Contact Information Questions

How can I reach your Gun Tech staff?

Our qualified, knowledgeable Gun Technicians are available to you Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST. The second and fourth Tuesday of each month they are available from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. You can reach them by calling 1-800-741-0015 or by clicking on the Technical Support dropdown and submit a question. Please allow 2-3 business days for a response.

What are your hours of operation?

For placing orders, our Contact Center is available at 1-800-741-0015 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CST Mon-Fri).