Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Missoula County. Missoula sits where five mountain valleys meet along the Clark Fork River, home to the University of Montana and surrounded by Lolo National Forest. Elk hunting and fly fishing are part of daily life here.
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Montana law allows.
Montana has no purchase permit, no state registration and no waiting period. A dealer sale runs through ATF Form 4473 and a federal NICS check at the receiving FFL. Federal law sets the dealer minimum age at 18 for rifles and shotguns and 21 for handguns. Bring a valid photo ID showing your current Montana address. Montana does not license gun owners. Ammunition, optics and parts can ship straight to your door, which matters in rural counties where the nearest gun counter is a long drive.
Dealers in these communities all work for Missoula-area buyers:
Since 2021, Montana has allowed anyone who may legally possess a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, both inside and outside city limits. The county sheriff still issues a concealed weapon permit, which is useful for reciprocity in other states. Apply with the sheriff in your county of residence and show proof of an approved firearms safety course. Some places, such as federal buildings and certain posted properties, remain off limits, so check the rules where you are going.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks runs the general deer and elk rifle season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, after an archery-only season in September and October and a two-day youth deer hunt. A muzzleloader heritage season follows in December. Hunting districts set antler rules, B-license quotas and closures, and many districts require permits drawn in spring. Centerfire rifles are standard for elk and deer. Check the FWP regulations for your hunting district before the opener.
Missoula is in FWP Region 2, with elk and deer on the Lolo National Forest ridges around town and in the Rattlesnake and Blackfoot country. General elk and deer season runs October 24 through November 29, 2026.
Grizzly and black bear country starts close to town, so many Missoula hunters carry a large-caliber handgun or bear spray along with an elk rifle. Rural homes up the Blackfoot and Bitterroot are a long wait from a sheriff's deputy.
These public ranges are run by state wildlife agencies and state forests in the states we serve. Many are free; some staffed facilities charge a daily fee, and hours change with the seasons, so check with the agency before you go.
Source: State wildlife agency public range lists (LDWF, MDWFP, WVDNR, Wisconsin DNR, ND Game and Fish, SD GFP, NH Fish and Game, Maine IF&W, Vermont Fish and Wildlife), September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Lolo, Frenchtown, Bonner, Missoula or anywhere in Missoula County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No. Montana allows permitless concealed carry for anyone who may legally possess a firearm. The county sheriff still issues permits for travel and reciprocity.
Montana FWP lists the general deer and elk season as October 24 through November 29, 2026. Check your hunting district for permit and antler rules.
Firearms ship to a licensed dealer, where you complete Form 4473. Ammunition, optics and most parts can ship to your door.
Yes, with compromises. A .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun handles deer well; for the house, many hunters add a shotgun or carbine that is shorter and easier to handle indoors.
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our buying guide and check with Missoula County Sheriff or a local attorney about your own situation.