Where are good places to meet for a private FTF sale?

Barnes and Noble or Cabelas parking lot

Last one was in the parking lot at Ace Hardware.

A Fire Station.

Any old bar.. show up three hours late.

In a dark alley in a bad area of town ofcourse

Wal-Marts would work best IMO.

Seems like I've read that a parking lot of a place that sells guns is NOT a good idea, because that's a firearm transaction on their property and legally requires them to perform a legal transfer with 4473, BGC, etc. Don't know how accurate that is, but I have read it.

I've bought guns and things from guys in all kinds of places, but usually parking lots like WalMart, Home Depot, etc., places that are easy to find and meet at. Strangest purchase was a Winchester .44 carbine from a guy that I met at his office, he turned out to be an FBI agent and we did the deal in an FBI office! Wasn't expecting that. Nice guy and smooth deal though.

I have bought/sold in a wide variety of parking lots: gun shops, Wal-Mart, Sportsman's Warehouse, Dick's Sporting Goods.

I met a guy in a remote church parking lot once, but he was a LEO. I also met a plastic surgeon in his office.

Even though I live in a rural area where guns are commonplace, I don't like the idea of buying or selling in someone's home for reasons that have nothing to do with displaying a gun in public. I certainly wouldn't let a stranger know where I live when selling one....he might decide to come back later for all the rest.

I like to meet in alleys or some abandoned parking lot somewhere on the outskirts of town. I always insist that the buyer bring cash too.

As "smalls" stated very well, light, but fairly constant foot or car traffic is needed. Nobody notices, but it's not isolated.
In the McDonald's parking lot, late morning.

Near the front of the 100 yard gap between WalMart and Sam's. Very light car traffic at noon on a weekday. The buyer rode his motorcycle and I followed about seven miles to his suburban bank. We stopped in front of his house to do the deal. He wrapped up the rifle in my trunk, to disguise its shape for carrying into his house. Neighbors are almost always nosy.

The front of Kroger, on the parking lot's side edge.
Never inside somebody's home unless really familiar. If that is the only place where He wants to meet, No deal is possible.

Tinpig: Beautiful! After my next Garand, probably a 1917.

Its not as big a deal as one would think... I did a trade where i traded a psl for a quality AK.... The psl is a VERY menacing looking rifle, and the ak is probably one of the most visually intimidatiing things ever created. The man i traded with was an armorer in the military. He thought nothing of pulling the psl out right in the middle of the parking lot staring down the scope, examining the barrel, running through it as a good smitty would. This was at an ihop. on a saturday morning. in waco texas. Many poeple walked by. many poeple looked, Nobody looked twice. Kind of a neat experience. Either way, it shouldnt be a big deal. I almost always go to walmart, or dicks... If i have to travel a ways, i let the seller set the location.

The best place is where you are safe and no laws are violated. A gun range is an ideal place to show, inspect and prove a firearm. Contact local, county or state LEAs for ideas or best practices in such transactions.

Elkins45 said:

Even though I live in a rural area where guns are commonplace, I don't like the idea of buying or selling in someone's home for reasons that have nothing to do with displaying a gun in public. I certainly wouldn't let a stranger know where I live when selling one....he might decide to come back later for all the rest.

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Out of curiosity, would you have any qualms about someone coming to your house to buy a used car, or just a gun?

I have sold many a gun to folks who came to my house - did the trade in the garage where all the reloading equipment was set up - no big deal - never knew any of them previously, either

Usless there is a law about "the were" ...... Then any place you like .

Usually a parking lot. Most people (myself included) dont want to do it at their house.

I have a very good relationship with my local bank. I have bought and sold many handguns in their conference room. Tell the manager what you are up to and close the blinds.

It is not lost on strangers-to-me that they have to go on camera coming in and leaving the bank.

I am a VOL Fire Fighter/Plumber. At either workplace would be where I would prefer over my home. Or a parking lot with security cameras if out of my area.

Ive used gas stations, restaurants, walmart, etc. basically any public place.

I would avoid gun store parking lots as the owner may take offense to you doing business on his property with the very same product that he sells.

316SS said:

Out of curiosity, would you have any qualms about someone coming to your house to buy a used car, or just a gun?

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Mostly guns, but I wouldn't want to sell any sort of desirable, small, valuable easily fenced item either. Guns are sort of a special case because you are letting a stranger know you have small, portable, high value fenceable items in your house. Few gun owners have just one but you can't drive by my house and know how many guns (if any) are inside.

Everybody knows I have a car because it's setting in the driveway.

third floor of an abandoned building has always worked well for me.

Any good public place were firearms are not prohibited. If you are not comfortable then don't make the deal or bring a buddy.

LeonCarr said:

Cabelas, Bass Pro, Super Wal-Marts

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

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I second these.

When using Armslist, I'm close to all three of these.

Public location, preferably around security cameras, but in an area where you can inspect without drawing much attention. I use the open bed of my SUV to inspect.

Banks, near police station, supermarkets with lot cameras, etc.

I always meet in a parking lot of a place that sells guns because if I sell the gun I usually go in the gun shop I am at and buy a new gun