sorry

[Cokebottle]

That's pretty convoluted and certainly getting into a gray area.
It would not be "straw" purchases/transfers, because the definition of a straw purchase is when you buy a gun with the intention of giving it to a prohibited person.
The thing that makes it possible is the fact that long guns are not registered. It seems that FIL/MIL/wife/you would indeed be legal.
No FFL needs to be involved.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.htm

Can I give a firearm to my adult child? Can he/she give it back to me later?
Yes, as long as the adult child receiving the firearm is not in a prohibited category [PDF 10 kb / 1 pg] and the firearm is a legal firearm to possess, the transfer of a firearm between a parent and child or a grandparent and grandchild is exempt from the dealer transfer requirement. However, if the firearm is a handgun, you must submit a Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Handgun Transaction [PDF 481 kb / 2 pg] and $19 fee to the DOJ within 30 days. Assault weapons may not be transferred in this fashion. See Penal Code section 12285, subdivision (b).
(PC section 12078(c))

[DB2]

Well, unless you have a family reunion and sething like this plays out.............

FIL: comes out with gun, tell BIL he doesn't want it anymore. Tosses it to felon BIL.

BIL: I can't have this I'm an ex felon. Toss baked potato to wife.

Wife: I don't want this, your an ex con. Tosses said potato to her dad.

BIL's wifes dad: Eh, this things ugly, here you have it. Passes gun to your wife.

Then you have your gun. It's pretty far fetched. I suggest you go see a FFL.

[thefifthspeed]

what do you think?

Have a legal person transfer it to you through an FFL. Anything else you are asking for potential problems and IMO at that point it isn't worth it. If a legal person can't transfer the firearm to you, move on.

But that's just me and the older I get the less BS/trouble I want to deal with.