Trading rifles etiquette or general process

[The Professional]

I have a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06 for sale in the classifieds. A member here contacted me about a trade that I happen to be interested in. He's suggesting that we ship our rifles to each other at the same time to FFLs in each other's area to inspect them and then fill out the necessary paperwork. I've never traded rifles or guns out of state before. Is this how it's normally done or how should I go about this? Any suggestions from those that have done this before? Thank you.

 

[bozeman]

Take it to your FFL, have them transfer it to the other FFL....inspection on both sides. Have him to the same. A little extra $$, but to me, its worth it. Also, pay for insurance on the shipping in case of damage. Don't play it cheap. Just my .02.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Lately I have just let the FFL handle it all and pay the small fee. No reason to risk anything.

 

[TaperPin]

Hopefully it all works out fine. Any kind of long distance trade, FFL involved or not, takes all the things that can go wrong and multiplies it by two.

As long as the risk is adjusted for in the price I’ve done a number of transactions with low probability of success and been happy with the outcome even when they don’t work out once in a while. There’s no way a long distance transaction is worth as much as a face to face trade.

 

[Rich M]

It seems like a possibility - most guys I've dealt with have been very upright and decent. The FFL can handle the transaction and make sure things are good on both sides.

Think about what would cause you to not want the trade. blemishes? or could it be the balance of the rifle? If it is the balance - go heft one in a gun shop before doing the trade.

 

[hereinaz]

I just did this exact thing. Just make sure the person has good feedback and that you get lots of pics so you feel good about the rifle.

 

[The Professional]

Thank you for your input. So, I ask my FFL to do the inspection for me and pay him extra to do so?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Thank you for your input. So, I ask my FFL to do the inspection for me and pay him extra to do so?

Or maybe you could go down and inspect the rifle you are trading for?

 

[gentleman4561]

I am an FFL and am a part of these trades fairly often.

When my customers “trade” arrives I will open it up and send pictures, then they normally take a closer look when they come to pick it up.

If you you want extra legitimacy, call the FFL you are sending to and verify that they are real/look their FFL number on the EZ check website. Trading through FFLs makes things much less risky for you.

 

[Boarmaster]

This isnt the answer your looking for but frankly I would sell my gun and then go buy my next one I wanted from ether someone I know or my local gun store. Skip all the risk and inspections from people you probably dont know.