Just for clarification, the only two options would have been:
Option A:
1. Seller -> His FFL (Florida)
Form 4, $200 tax paid, ~9 months
2. His FFL -> Your FFL (PA)
Form 3, tax free, ~3 to 30 days
3. Your FFL -> You
Form 4, $200 tax paid, ~9 months
Total time: 18-19 months (average)
or
Option B:
1. Seller -> Your FFL (PA)
Form 4, $200 tax paid, ~9 months
2. Your FFL -> You
Form 4, $200 tax paid, ~9 months
Total time: 18 months (average)
So the only "extra" transfer you could have potentially eliminated was the Form 3 which processes comparatively quickly.
Also, these timelines are based on paper Form 4s. No clue what timeline will actually look like if submitted via eForms.There are never any guarantees. I've seen 2-hop transfers take 3 years to complete before.
Good luck! Start piling up ammo while you wait!