I'm gonna buck the trend here and say
try to trade with the gunshop.
With some basic negotiation skills I believe they will work with you. After all, their
job is to sell firearms: that's what their salesmen earn commission on.
I realize that we all have to watch every dollar these days, but there is something to be said for the ease of doing business with an estalished local dealer who stands behind their product.
And that's to say nothing of the value of actually seeing, handling and evaluating a firearm up-close -- as a local dealer offers.
Now, yes: you probably
will pay a bit more with the local guy; nonetheless, IMHO that doesn't justify all the bullsh*t you have to go through to sell on the Internet.
Read the horror stories on various forums; there are many of them. On the other hand, you'll hear about
greatdeals and wonderful Internet sellers, etc, etc. And I'm sure it works out for many folks.
But ...
I'd rather pay a little more money to walk into an established gunstore with a trade-in pistol and walk out with a NIB pistol than take my chances with some stranger's pictures of a handgun on the internet. Call me careful.
Shipping fees, FFL fees, waiting for the cashier's check to clear before the piece you've only seen pictures of ships ... well. Call me paranoid, but that makes me nervous.
(I think it's little different than buying a car, sight unseen, with only pictures you've seen on the Internet.)
When buying a quality sidearm, another $50.00 or so doesn't bother me.
I like face-to-face transactions with people I know. Period. That way, if a problem occurs, I know where to go and I'll get back in their faces asap if necessary.
And they will take care of me, like they have for many years.
Just my 2 cents worth...
Good luck, hope things work out for you!