If someone orders a new firearm online, and has it transferred to their FFL, what happens if there is a flaw in the condition upon inspection at the dealer. If you decide not to accept it, then what? Is the dealer stuck with it, as they've already transferred it in?

I bought a new Sig 516 from a dealer in Columbia SC. Directly from the dealer, not online or via transfer. When I got the gun home, there was an obvious flaw in manufacturing. (The bolt would not lock back on an empty magazine. I found this out once I got it home and function checked it, with multiple different magazines. No rounds were fired from it.) The dealer would not refund my money or trade for another gun of the same model. I was stuck with it. It had to be sent to Sig for repair under warranty.

I suspect this *may* have been because I took possession (i.e., filed the 473) on the gun without giving it a thorough enough inspection. My advice would be to fully inspect before signing anything taking possession. However, this is conjecture on my part, I'm sure others will chime on with more relevant advice.

you can always refuse to take delivery, unless sale is final but somebody's got to pay return shipping.

My understanding is that you must inspect the gun before accepting delivery and that if you fail to find defects it is on you. That is one reason to order from your LGS.

When I ordered a gun from the local LGS they pointed out the obvious defect and THEY paid to return it to the manufacturer.

I've purchased from a licensed online dealer / condition explained / pics, yada yada.

When it arrived I found while picking it up there was significant slide / frame play among other things. I did return it and was reimbursed, but incurred shipping & handling charges both ways from my FFL, which I expected.

Ensure you know the return policy of the place you are purchasing from.

Lots of them say you may return it IF you decline to have it transferred to you at the FFL without being fired AND you pay for return shipping.

But if you take possession via 4473 at the FFL, it's yours. Or if you shoot it (say the FFL has a range and lets you shoot it), its yours.

The large majority of firearms I've purchased over the last 10 years have been online through a local FFL. I have had zero issues with any of them except my Colt LE6920-R Trooper, which arrived with a broken charging handle. But since I was going to replace it anyway, I just threw that piece away and didn't return the firearm. But it did make checking the chamber and getting the chamber flag out kind of a bitch...

Almost any real online dealer that I know says you must inspect it before delivery. And in general then they take it back. But its a term that is part of your purchase agreement and shipping can vary.
Here's the deal from someone I have used, but it matches almost everyone I have dealt with...
"Pick up your gun: Inspect your gun before accepting the transfer. If you are not happy for any reason leave the gun at the dealer. We will have it picked up for free and offer you an exchange or refund at no cost. "

Don't accept it from your FFL. Contact the seller and tell them what the problem is and they should issue a call tag for the return of the gun from your FFL to them. I've been through it twice as the receiving FFL.

I ordered a STI 9mm pistol from Brazos gunsmith here in TX. When it got to my FFL, he opened it and called me. The gun was obviously used. I called Brazos and told them it was used and I wanted to return it. She said I couldn’t. The FFL got on the phone and said that I hadn’t filled out the 4473. And that he would recommend I challenge the charge thru my credit card company. They wouldn’t get paid and the local FFL would just keep the gun since they had already signed out the sellers books.....he paused, then he told her she could just send him a shipping label and he would return the gun and they could deal with it.

Got my money back in two days and they ate the shipping.

And I will never buy anything from Brazos again.

If you fill out the 4473, it’s yours and you have to deal with the manufacturer. Check your purchase over before taking possession. I always tell customers to make sure it’s what you wanted, etc. Then they fill out the 4473

With a brand new gun, sometimes used, don’t leave out the manufacturer as an option. I’m not talking about a minor cosmetic blemish, but something mechanically deficient.

We bought a new VZ-61 Scorpion a year ago. It developed a few issues, main were trigger problems & a sight weld failing. I sent the emails then went through the return process. They ended up replacing the gun. They were good to deal with, new gun is fine.