Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell or the Hi-Line: Montana buyers can order from JCM Armory’s online catalog and pick up at a local dealer. JCM Armory is a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) based in Joppa, Maryland. We ship to local FFLs in 49 states (not California). With some of the best elk, mule deer and antelope country in the lower 48, Montana hunters often get rifles, optics and reloading gear squared away well before the general season opens.
How buying a gun online works in Montana
- Pick your firearm and your dealer. Add the gun to your cart and choose a licensed Montana dealer at checkout. Montana dealers can be spread out; confirm their hours and fee before you order.
- Off to your dealer. We keep your FFL’s license on file and ship the firearm to their address. Home delivery of firearms isn’t an option.
- Paperwork and pickup. At the counter you’ll show ID and fill out ATF Form 4473, and your Montana dealer runs the background check. When it comes back approved, the gun is yours.
What to know about firearm transfers in Montana
You must be 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun from a dealer, and 21 for a handgun, under federal law. Montana isn’t a point-of-contact state, so the FBI’s NICS handles every dealer background check.
There’s no state purchase permit and no gun registry in Montana.
Gun laws differ by state and city and can change. You are responsible for following all federal, state and local laws, and your Montana dealer can help with specifics. This overview isn’t legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Shipping and fees
- Guns at $300 or above: shipping is on us.
- Ammunition: we cover shipping when your ammo adds up to $750 or more.
- Below those amounts, it’s a single $15 flat rate, and firearms travel separately from ammo.
- Powder or primers in your order add a $40 hazmat surcharge, set by the carriers.
- Your Montana dealer charges a transfer fee, paid to them at pickup.
Backcountry carry
Hikers, hunters and anglers in western Montana often carry a handgun or bear spray for grizzly country, and many carry both. If you carry a handgun, a chest holster keeps it reachable under a pack. Practice drawing from it, and choose hard-cast or deep-penetrating ammunition suited to large animals.
What Montana customers shop for
- Bolt-action rifles for elk, mule deer and antelope
- Rangefinding and long-range optics
- Handguns for bear country
- Shotguns for upland birds
- Rifle ammo
- Reloading supplies
Montana hunting rules are set by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Check the current big game and upland regulations before you hunt.
Antelope and open-country rifles
Montana pronghorn and mule deer hunts can mean longer shots in steady wind. A flat-shooting cartridge, a scope with a ballistic reticle and a bipod or shooting sticks help a lot. Confirm your rifle’s drop with your chosen ammunition before the season.
Before you order in Montana
Montana’s general deer and elk rifle season runs about five weeks, usually starting in late October and set by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). Order a new rifle in early fall so you have time to sight it in before opening day. Buyers in Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Butte and Kalispell have dealers in town, while ranch-country buyers on the Hi-Line or in eastern Montana often pick one in the nearest county seat. Since 2021 eligible adults can carry without a permit, though the Montana concealed weapons permit is still available from your county sheriff. Winter storms over the passes can slow deliveries from November to March.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident pick up a rifle in Montana for a hunt?
Handguns can only be transferred to Montana residents. A non-resident may buy a rifle or shotgun in person from a Montana dealer only if the sale is legal in both states, and many dealers prefer you ship it to a dealer in your home state instead.
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Montana?
No. Montana has no purchase permit. You’ll fill out ATF Form 4473 and the dealer runs the federal check.
Can a gun be shipped to my house in Montana?
No. Every firearm we sell goes to a licensed dealer, and you pick it up there after the background check.
Is shipping free?
On firearms priced $300 or more, yes. Ammo ships free once you have $750 of ammunition in the cart. Other orders pay a flat $15, and powder or primers add a $40 hazmat fee.
Do you ship to every state?
We ship firearms to local FFL dealers in 49 states. We do not ship to California.