Not sure this is the right place to post this but here goes...
I live in TN, there’s another forum member that lives in MI and we’re looking at doing some SIG trading. We’d both like to see what each other’s pistol looks like. I have a friend that lives in MI near him I’d like to visit. My question is if I take the pistol to MI and we decide to do the trade, can we go to a local FFL and pay the dealer a handling fee so he can get my pistol then or do I have to bring my pistol back to TN and ship it to the dealer? If we do the trade, I realize his pistol would have to be shipped to my FFL here in TN. I’m trying to get out of the shipping fees.

Thanks,
Sinjin

I can't think of a reason you would have to bring it back and ship it.
If you are already in MI then why go back and ship unless the receiving FFL won't accept for some reason and if that is the case then find another FFL.

An FFL may accept a transfer of a firearm from a resident of any state (thought some won't accept transfers from individuals).

So you've got it right. You could have a MI FFL transfer the pistol to the MI resident. And then have the other pistol sent to a TN FFL for the TN resident to pick up.

quote:

I realize his pistol would have to be shipped to my FFL here in TN. I’m trying to get out of the shipping fees.

Impossible to say. Some FFl's will not accept a handgun from out of state. Some won't even accept one without a ffl certificate enclosed.

Shipping fees for a ffl are significantly less than what a individual pays and they have more options.

The FFLs I’ve dealt with have accepted from private individuals. As posted above, just go to another, maybe even call & ask ahead of time.

If you plan to buy his gun, after paying, take the non-FFL parts with you. That’s the magazine(s) of course, could even just send the stripped frame. If nothing else, it feels like you already got 1/2 the gun.

You are absolutely able to do that, no law against it.

Most FFLs, myself included have had items show up from private sellers without the proper ID. Then we, I, have to sit on it until the ID shows up.

Or, a firearm comes loaded....

These are primary reasons FFLs are hesitant, or refuse to deal with private sellers "shipping" direct.

If you hand carry it there, you will have your drivers license with you, so can't imagine any problem.

I appreciate all the replies. I figured I could but thought it’d be best if I asked first.