Common
questions.

When you purchase a firearm online, use our FFL information during checkout as your receiving dealer. The seller ships directly to us. When the package arrives during shop hours, call or email and we'll have your paperwork ready. Bring a valid government-issued ID. Cost is $25 flat, no hidden fees.

Yes. We're SOT (Special Occupational Tax) licensed in addition to holding our FFL — which means we're legally authorized to receive, transfer, and perform repair work on NFA-regulated items. Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and full-auto hosts can all be transferred through Tradecraft. Call or email ahead so we can coordinate the Form 4 paperwork correctly.

Same-day when your package arrives during shop hours and your ID checks out. The NICS background check typically takes a few minutes. If the check gets delayed, federal law allows us to proceed after 3 business days if clearance hasn't come back — we'll advise you of the exact status.

For standard services (cleaning, optics, trigger, FFL transfer) we quote verbally or over email at no charge. For complex multi-step jobs — full builds, restorations, machining work — we charge a $35 written estimate fee that's applied toward the job invoice if you book with us.

Always. No work starts without a written quote agreed to by you first. If we open something up and find additional issues, we call you before proceeding — we never add work without your approval. The number you agree to is the number you pay.

Estimated lead times per service: FFL transfers — same-day. Optics mounting — same-day to 3 days. Cleaning — 2 to 5 days. Trigger work — 1 to 2 weeks. AR or AK builds — 2 to 4 weeks. Vintage restoration — 3 to 6 weeks. Cerakote — 10 to 14 days. All lead times are quoted in writing when you book, and you'll receive weekly status updates for any multi-week job.

Cerakote is a ceramic polymer coating that's applied to bare metal and oven-cured. It's significantly more abrasion-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and solvent-resistant than traditional bluing. Bluing (hot-tank Oxynate 7) is a chemical conversion coating — it looks classic and is appropriate for vintage firearms, but offers less protection than Cerakote. For a working firearm that sees regular use, Cerakote lasts longer. For a vintage piece being restored to original spec, bluing is the right call.

Over 100 colors from the NIC Industries Cerakote catalog — everything from Graphite Black and Sniper Grey to FDE, OD Green, Safety Orange, and specialty patterns. We can do solid, two-tone, splatter, multicam, and Battleworn schedules. Show us a reference and we'll match it as closely as the catalog allows.

Yes, with the right prep and the correct Cerakote series for polymer substrates. Not all Cerakote formulas are appropriate for polymer — we use the correct product for the substrate so the finish adheres and cures correctly.

Complete field-strip down to all internal components, solvent wash, wear inspection of springs, pins, and high-wear surfaces, lubrication to manufacturer specifications, reassembly, and a function test fire. We'll flag any worn components that should be replaced — and quote them before touching anything extra.

The $160 annual plan gives you three of the same complete cleaning service per year — a savings of $20 versus paying per visit ($60 x 3 = $180). Additional cleanings beyond the three are $40 each within the subscription year. You can schedule your three visits whenever you want throughout the year. Active TSRA and NRA members — ask about any additional discount at time of booking.

Book any service — trigger work, optics mounting, Cerakote, restoration, AR build, anything — and we'll add a complete $60 cleaning to your order at no charge. There's no expiry date on this promotion, but book soon because bench time fills up. Call (903) 481-9454 or use the quote form to book.