Good box for shipping a 1903 Springfield?

1KPerDay

1KPerDay

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I have bought a few rifles long distance but haven’t previously sold any that I’ve had to ship. Is there a preferred source for shipping boxes for a long gun of this size? Any other tips welcome. Not super happy about having to sell but taxes got me this year.

My FFL is shipping it because the seller’s FFL doesn’t accept shipments from non licensees. My FFL doesn’t have any spare boxes lying around.
 
One technique is to buy a cheapie Kolpin like plastic case. Turn the original carboard box it came in, inside out to get ride of "Gun" labels. Put the plastic case inside the cardboard case. Put it all back together with packing tape, and address it.
 
Take it to your LGS, they need to ship it anyways unless you are an FFL. Cheap single gun case from local Sporting goods store. I used to use those padded boxes from CMP.
 
You definitely want to first roll it in some bubble wrap, then find the right size case and right size shipping box. As someone mentioned, the janky XL boxes double your shipping costs.
 
The few that I have shipped I bought the cheapest hard plastic hard case that Walmart had, put the rifle in it and taped it up and put the whole thing back in the cardboard box that the plastic case came it then I taped it up and then wrapped it in brown paper like a Christmas gift. I put a note card in with the rifle with my name, address and phone number. Probably a little overkill but it got there ok!
 
Either have the LGS do it and not your problem, or as above twice: buy a cheap plastic case, with cardboard over-sleeve. These work great for safety; I got a very expensive gun shipped to me in the original (but cheap-as-hell) plastic case in a box. Plastic case broke but stayed together because inside cardboard, and foam, gun etc didn't shift so it was fine and I just trashed the OEM case when all was done. So, be sure to mention that in the sale that the case is not designed to survive travel, don't consider it a failure if it cracks etc.

Only other one I did was airline travel. Airlines will sell you a box, and since you shouldn't bring an uncased rifle to the airport, you can pick it up from them and take it home. Not free, but may be a bit cheaper and very sturdy.
 
You can also try your local U-Haul store, they have boxes and bubble wrap.

Or you can make your own, just use lots of good packing tape to wrap it up.
 
lightman said:
The few that I have shipped I bought the cheapest hard plastic hard case that Walmart had, put the rifle in it and taped it up and put the whole thing back in the cardboard box that the plastic case came it then I taped it up and then wrapped it in brown paper like a Christmas gift. I put a note card in with the rifle with my name, address and phone number. Probably a little overkill but it got there ok!
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Never, never, never wrap in paper. There's a reason UPS/FedEx will either refuse such a package or charge extra.....because paper wrapping is lousy.
Paper wrappings are torn easily. While you might have a note card inside, that won't prevent that box from getting lost or shipped to Nome.
 
Gun shops around here are stingy with boxes because if they take trades and so much of their business is on line. Lots of people don't bring the box. You can cut corrugated paper board , fold and tape with gorilla tape inside to hold shape then that fiber packing tape. NO exposed gun writing. NO exposed gun case. PERIOD. no exception. Done this a lot. Didn't make this up. Read about gun manufacturers packaging requirements for warranty.
This week's show me tip. Save your boxes !!!
 
Trey Veston said:
I just buy a $20 plastic gun case from Walmart, add bubble wrap, wrap it heavily with packing tape, and away it goes.
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USPS won't care, but UPS & FedEx charge extra if not encased in cardboard.
Shipping in a plastic gun case literally screams STEAL ME! GUN INSIDE!

If you just have to ship in a plastic gun case, slap some guitar brand stickers or rod & reel stickers on it.
And 87 layers of packing tape can be sliced with a $1 pocket knife from Dollar Tree......so at least use some plastic cable ties where possible.
 
dogtown tom said:
Only because the buyers FFL wont receive from a nonlicensee. USPS regs clearly allow shipping rifles and shotguns by anyone.
What we need is a "sticky" on shipping firearms. Mods could put it in the General subforum or the Legal subforum.;)
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Completely aware of that but it's really hard to trust any of them any longer. I quit shipping not long ago and started just doing consignment. Price it accordingly to where I get what I want out of the deal. I don't have to do a thing but collect my cash. FFLs like yourself, especially in Plano, should really like that option...
 
dogtown tom said:
Never, never, never wrap in paper. There's a reason UPS/FedEx will either refuse such a package or charge extra.....because paper wrapping is lousy.
Paper wrappings are torn easily. While you might have a note card inside, that won't prevent that box from getting lost or shipped to Nome.
Click to expand...
Thats a valid concern but the way I wrap it and the weight of the paper that I use makes it pretty tough. My main thoughts are to cover up anything that says gun or gun case. I suppose if you don't want to wrap it you could tape over any wording.
 
Many of the various shipping outlets sell long boxes for shipping and they charge about $8 a box. Buy one of those from one of the shipping outlet stores, and while you're there also buy some of the bubble wrap they sell. If they have bubble wrap in the large bubble size it does better than the small bubbles, and you get by with less to fill the box.
I get guns shipped to me often, and I keep every box, plus the packing if it's good quality. If your box is much longer than the rifle be sure to shorten it so it's only about 3" longer on each end. Extra length really makes shipping coosts go up quickly!
 
mm93 said:
Many of the various shipping outlets sell long boxes for shipping and they charge about $8 a box. Buy one of those from one of the shipping outlet stores, and while you're there also buy some of the bubble wrap they sell. If they have bubble wrap in the large bubble size it does better than the small bubbles, and you get by with less to fill the box.
I get guns shipped to me often, and I keep every box, plus the packing if it's good quality. If your box is much longer than the rifle be sure to shorten it so it's only about 3" longer on each end. Extra length really makes shipping coosts go up quickly!
Click to expand...
for any interested this was the way to go. I should have started at FedEx Office but I spent half a day going to Lowes, Home Despot, Kroeger, a local craft store, a local billiards shop, and two auto parts stores first. Oh, and a Uhaul place. No dice. all big square boxes. I bought one extra large moving box from Lowes and some $11 tiny bottle of contact cement in the hopes of making my own outer box, but then I went to FedEx office and they had a telescoping square/tube box of the right size for $8. It's going to be expensive to ship but the rifle is very well wrapped in bubble wrap and has an inner katana-length Amazon box, then the inner telescoping box, and the outer telescoping box. Hopefully it gets there okay.

Probably won't ship another long gun unless it's another financial emergency as it's a bit of a PITA.
 
1KPerDay said:
for any interested this was the way to go. I should have started at FedEx Office but I spent half a day going to Lowes, Home Despot, Kroeger, a local craft store, a local billiards shop, and two auto parts stores first. Oh, and a Uhaul place. No dice. all big square boxes. I bought one extra large moving box from Lowes and some $11 tiny bottle of contact cement in the hopes of making my own outer box, but then I went to FedEx office and they had a telescoping square/tube box of the right size for $8. It's going to be expensive to ship but the rifle is very well wrapped in bubble wrap and has an inner katana-length Amazon box, then the inner telescoping box, and the outer telescoping box. Hopefully it gets there okay.

Probably won't ship another long gun unless it's another financial emergency as it's a bit of a PITA.
Click to expand...

FedEx boxes are my favorite, but FedEx shipping is my least favorite, and I refuse to use them after having two guns damaged and one stolen. And the two damaged were in wooden crates I specially built to avoid damage. I could see where there were boot prints on the boxes as if the damage was intentional!
I use USPS or UPS, and cover the FedEx info, or turn the boxes inside out. I also use Pirateship to ship and print my own labels through their site, then take the guns to UPS or USPS. It saves me as much as 60% on the last package I sent UPS. UPS quote was $45, and Pirateship going UPS was $18. Pirateship charges a small 10% fee, so still under $20 to ship.
 
Oy, you guys who warned about heavy shipping charges for larger boxes weren't kidding. Base ground advantage USPS was $69, plus non standard length fee, plus nonstandard volume fee, plus insurance came to $116 :thumbdown:

definitely not doing that anymore. If I have to ship a long gun it's going to get broken down and packed as small as possible. Sucks for me yaaaaay
 
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