Savings can often be significant enough to buy on-line. If you're buying "new" from a dealer on-line, you're probably safe from any foul play. Any needed warranty work will be done by the factory anyway, not the dealer you bought it from. I prefer to go to a sporting goods store for transfers. The "employees" there often don't care that you're bringing in a gun you could have bought there. Just tell them you'd like to make a state to state transfer. You don't need to tell them you're "buying" a new gun.
When I find a good deal on-line, I like to add up the total cost plus shipping plus FFL fees. I then take that total around to my local gunshops and see how close they can come to matching it. If the difference is just a few dollars I prefer to give my business to people in my community. If the difference is significant, well... money is money. Good luck.
[This message has been edited by JJR (edited August 29, 1999).]