How to do a Gun trade "long distance???"

I assume you are British and living in the UK?

I think he is from the Seattle area.

This would require a good bit of trust on both ends. Pictures galore and the willingness to take the others word that the firearm is as said. Then choose who ships first or ship at same time with tracking numbers. On here I have never seen a problem transaction but beware the net.

Pretty sure , Federally, a trade is a "transfer" and would want needing to follow the same rules.

So, take your trade to the FFL and have it sent to the other person's FFL, and vice versa.

Now judging "value" would be in the eyes of the beholders. Just as it always is.

Face to face is one thing ; if by “long distance” you mean that shipping is involved , then FFLs transfers and fees come into play.

Pretty sure that it would be seriously illegal to do an undocumented swap ship regardless of what state.

I personally wouldn't do it. Too much can go wrong. This is what gun shows are for.

Even a simple sale can be a little frustrating, as a gun shop FFL waits several days before it ships your gun from IL to TN etc. It was only a Sig P228, three years ago.
The seller knew the staff and had done prev. business, and Still needed to "prod them" to ship my gun.

But a two-way trade? Would risks of misunderstandings outweigh the benefits?
I agree with Alexander A.

And I can't imagine Each Gun going through Two Different FFLs, never mind dealing with an unknown seller and his store, for two guns.

I think talking with the guy and asking him to bear with you in terms of excessive vetting and questions, pic requests, etc. If he is decent he will understand the predicament of dealing with someone you don't personally know and it goes both ways in this instance.

Having good instincts in a deal like this is pretty important. I've done alot of buying and selling and I understand the distinction of a trade being, a lil different. I have done quite a few trades. I have done trades with people that didn't belong to any forum on FB sites where I couldn't get a vouch in some cases, I just had to go with my gut and so far I've never been burned.

Talking on the phone can be a plus, as you can sort of get a feel for who the person is and how they are. It isn't foolproof though. There is always the possibility of getting burned even with stellar communication and good vibes. Some people are just really good at sleight of hand manipulation.

If you believe that the guy on the other end of the equation is a stand up fellow , don't dismiss the opportunity based on a general principle of "Too much can go wrong.". That attitude could be applied to anything , anything at all.

Explore the opportunity , get a feel for the other guy , trust your radar.

Too many unpredictables. I would cancel;.

Redcoat3340 said:

I've bought and sold guns 'long distance' but never traded one for one via mail/FFL shipping it.

Anyone have experience doing it and have any hints/guidelines/etc. for doing the transaction?

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Buying and selling long distance vs. trading really are not much different. #1. - be sure of the person you are dealing with. #2. - be sure of the product(s) you are exchanging. #3. - Use an FFL on both ends that you can trust and is not too expensive for their service. #4. Go with a well known shipper who will provide timely delivery information and a tracking number, AND - insure the package.

It is always reassuring if you can get references for the person(s) you are dealing with that you trust. Comments from people wh have dealt previously with the individual as on a gun-forum, etc. Positive Ebay ratings and comments. References from mutual friends or associates if possible. Ask a lot of questions about the gun and probe the character of your trading partner with meaningful questions. Go with your gut. If possible, have him/her ship first or at least send you evidence of shipping including carrier, date, address to and from, cost, and expected date of delivery. You can assure him/her by sending the same kind of shipping receipt and tracking number.

If it is too much to consider, then find the same gun somewhere where you can eyeball it in person and do a face-to-face transfer. Remember, like buying a car, there is always another one out there somewhere.

This wears me out just thinking about it.

I have done it many times . It's just like selling/shipping/transfer any other time .

I always take very detailed pics, especially of anything that could be viewed as damage . I take pics of the bore also . I want to make sure the other guy can trust me, pics don't lie . If the other person is not willing to do the same I usually walk away . But I also realize I could be passing up a deal of a lifetime just because someone is not willing to do the same, so I sometimes take a chance . Maybe I am too trusting ? I do know I have obtained some fine firearms by trading where I would have never come across if I relied on gun shows or local gun shops.