FFL transfers for Polymer80 pistols, state by state

Every Polymer80 pistol we sell is a serialized firearm, so it ships to a federally licensed dealer, not to your house. The dealer completes the transfer with you under federal rules and whatever your state adds. This guide explains the transfer step by step, what dealers charge, and how the fifty states differ on permits, waiting periods and magazines. It is general information as of September 2026 and not legal advice; laws change, so check with your state police or attorney general before ordering. We are not affiliated with Polymer80 or Glock.

The federal rules that apply everywhere

Handguns from a dealer: age 21. Long guns: age 18.
You pick up in your state of residence with government photo ID showing your current address.
ATF Form 4473 and an FBI NICS background check, or a state check in point-of-contact states.
The dealer must have a copy of the seller's license on file, or verify it, before we can ship; we handle that.

How the transfer works, in order

Choose a dealer first. Call a nearby gun shop or transfer dealer, confirm they accept incoming transfers, and ask the fee. Fees commonly run $20 to $75; some dealers charge more for pistols they did not sell.
Order and name the dealer. At checkout, give us the dealer's name and location. We verify the license through the ATF eZ Check system if we do not already have it.
We ship with tracking. Handguns ship by common carrier to the dealer's licensed premises. You get the tracking number.
Pick up. The dealer logs the pistol into their book, you complete Form 4473, the background check runs, and after it clears and any state wait ends, the pistol is yours.

Group one: no state additions

Most states add nothing to the federal process. 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, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming: show up with ID, pass the check, leave with the pistol. Virginia is the same but limits handgun purchases to one per 30 days. Nevada and Pennsylvania run the check through a state system rather than the FBI directly, which changes nothing for you.

Group two: waiting periods

These states require time between paperwork and pickup: California 10 days, Colorado 3 days, Florida 3 days for handguns (excluding weekends and holidays) or until the check clears, Hawaii 14 days, Illinois 72 hours, Maine 72 hours, Maryland 7 days for handguns, New Mexico 7 days, Rhode Island 7 days, Vermont 72 hours and Washington 10 days. Minnesota's permit to purchase itself carries up to a 7-day review. Plan a second trip to the dealer.

Group three: permits, licenses and cards

Bring the document or the dealer cannot transfer. Illinois requires a FOID card. Massachusetts requires an LTC or FID card, and its handgun roster excludes most new pistols. New Jersey requires a Firearms Purchaser ID card plus a permit to purchase for each handgun. New York requires a pistol license listing the handgun. Connecticut requires a pistol permit, eligibility certificate or ammunition certificate depending on the item. Maryland requires a Handgun Qualification License. Hawaii requires a permit to acquire for each handgun. Minnesota requires a permit to purchase or a permit to carry for handguns. Iowa requires a permit to acquire or a permit to carry. Michigan requires a purchase license or CPL for private handgun sales but lets dealers run the check directly. Nebraska and North Carolina repealed their handgun permits in 2023.

Group four: rosters and feature rules

California's handgun roster and Massachusetts's approved list decide which pistols dealers there may transfer; most Polymer80 pistols are not on them, so we cannot ship those pistols to buyers in those states. Several states, including California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, restrict threaded barrels or other features on handguns. Delaware, Illinois and Washington have added restrictions on certain pistols since 2023. If a pistol will not add to your cart for your state, it is one of these rules.

Magazine limits

Capacity limits apply in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. We ship only compliant magazines to those addresses; the magazine guide lists the numbers.

Moving, military and non-residents

You must take delivery in the state where you live. Active-duty military may buy in the state where they are stationed with their orders as proof of residence. If you move after ordering, tell us before the pistol ships so we can redirect it to a dealer in your new state; a handgun cannot be transferred to you across state lines. Dual residents can buy in either state while actually living there, with documents that prove the address.

Delays, denials and refunds

A NICS delay gives the FBI up to three business days; many dealers wait for a definite proceed even after that. A denial can be appealed with the FBI. If a transfer cannot be completed, the dealer returns the pistol to us and we refund the purchase less shipping, as set out on the shipping page.

Parts and accessories

Slides, barrels, triggers, sights, holsters and compliant magazines are not firearms and ship straight to your door in every state, with a few local exceptions for ammunition. See red dots and setup for what to order with the pistol.

Each of our city pages summarizes the purchase and carry rules for that state and names the office that issues carry permits. When you are ready, compare the three pistols in the lineup guide or browse everything Polymer80.

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