Moving a gun safe Interstate

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Ritchie

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I am planning on moving out of state soon and would like ideas on how to handle the moving of a 400lbs or so safe. This move will have to be done by a moving company, with probable storage. If a mover appears reliable, my inclination is to wrap each item in padding and stuff the safe with more padding. The number of items makes ship-and-store impractical. Suggestions are welcome.
 
Most cross country shipping companies will not move guns or ammo/reloading supplies. Or at least that has been my personal experience and same happened with a couple friends and family members moves over the past few years.They will however move the safe. The safe is not a big deal - they treat it like any other heavy piece of furniture
 
Ship the safety empty. Or if you are short on storage, fill it with items that won't break in transit. 400 pounds isn't really all that heavy, especially for a moving company using at least 2 people. I would prefer to move any safe contents ie firearms myself in a private vehicle or rented truck instead of trusting a moving company.
 
I agree with above statements. I would absolutely, without question move the guns myself. Even if that means temporary storage in a secure location until the rest of the house is settled.
Everybody knows whats in a gun safe (duh) and although the moving company may be reliable and all that, movers themselves rarely impress confidence in ability or security. And make sure you double check their policy on "missing goods" . My buddy got screwed when they " lost" his tool box and their policy was that it wasnt their problem. It was more of a mover/storage/transfer/shipping company thing... crazy. The guys were literally throwing boxes up to the second floor balcony apon arrival.
 
Btw - call your homeowners insurance or rental insurance company. They will sell you a rider to cover replacement value for all your stuff over the duration of the move for $25-50 per month. The "policies" for the movers usually pay a set amount based on weight and covers basically nothing (like pennies per pound literally). They dont insure the individual items.

Moving companies usually have a contracted driver who runs the truck. He or she is likely to be at both ends of the move. The guys who load/unload are day labors and could be anyone. Certainly will not be same crew on both ends.
 
Whst is the fed law on interstate movement of firearms?
None as far as moving companies are concerned.
I had my moving company move my guns across the country in a separate container than my safe. I listed every one on the manifest and bought the full replacement insurance; all came through just fine. I have two handtrucks in my house and each can handle 800#, so your 400# safe is no big deal. Even a 4000# safe is no big deal to a professional moving company
 
When I moved the company wanted to see the inside of safe before they would touch it. Verified it was empty. Then wrapped it up. Already had firearms in my truck.
 
Plus one on buying supplemental insurance. In Texas, reimbursement for damages caused by moving companies is capped at 62 cents per pound! That 200 lb, $5,000 leather couch that gets a big tear; $124. And you'll have to prove liability in small claims court. I'm a Justice of the Peace and have had a couple of these complaints in my court.
 
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None as far as moving companies are concerned.
I had my moving company move my guns across the country in a separate container than my safe.

That's for a moving company, what about a truck load in your truck crossing state lines?
 
I would absolutely move the guns myself, and I might even offer to sell the safe to the buyer. Not included with the house, but as an extra. When we bought our house, I bought 2 safes and a reloading press from the prior owner.
 
Guns are a magnet for thieves. I have moved interstate several times, and each time I chose to transport guns and ammo myself, in accord with the law. I recommend the same.

It might also be worth looking into a quality used safe where you are moving ahead of time, if possible, if the distance does not warrant moving your current safe.
 
When we moved from Oregon to Texas was the first time I have ever paid to have someone move my stuff.

I went with a national moving company. I had a binding estimate. They moved the safes, with the firearms inside. They would not touch the ammo, powder, and primers. We moved all that in our Tahoe. I'm really glad I didn't have to move the firearms as transferring 75+ firearms from the car to the hotel room twice a day would truly suck.

My firearms are insured through Eastern. $140/$40k of coverage.

I just wrapped the guns up real well, made sure they couldn't move and let them have at it.

The binding estimate saved me a ton of money. When he came out for the estimate I gave him weights for all the odd stuff like 5 gallon buckets of brass, 5 gallon buckets of bullets. Weight on the safes and so on.

Turns out he was 4,100 off on his estimate. They even called to ask if I had added stuff after the estimate as he was normally within 2-3% of weight. That binding estimate saved me several thousand dollars.
 
Rent a truck to move the guns yourself, and make the minimal number of stops along the way. If possible share the driving with someone, and drive straight through. (It goes without saying that you would be armed.) Have the movers move the empty safe.

I consider my guns to be irreplaceable. I don't care what insurance would or would not pay. A move like this would be a high-security operation. Like moving the Crown Jewels.
 
IMO ...

Do not trust any Mover with your firearms during a general move.

Either move them yourself or, that failing, entrust them to someone in whom you have ab-so-lute confidence (family or dear friend).
WAY too paranoid. I have moved over 20 times over many decades and guns have been involved in most of them. Moving companies have one concern - get in, get your stuff on the truck, get it moved quickly and get onto the next job; that's how they get paid. List them on the manifest, insure them (and everything else) for full replacement value and enjoy your move.
 
Moved out of md twice and was robbed both times. Last time was for around $5k of knives and bayonets. Anything of value that can go to a pawn shop will if they are left alone for a second.

I would move anything of value or that you want to see again yourself.
 
Moved out of md twice and was robbed both times. Last time was for around $5k of knives and bayonets. Anything of value that can go to a pawn shop will if they are left alone for a second.

I would move anything of value or that you want to see again yourself.
So, you also going to move your TVs, computers, any stereo equipment, expensive kitchen gear, expensive or fragile furniture etc?

Did you buy the insurance?
 
So, you also going to move your TVs, computers, any stereo equipment, expensive kitchen gear, expensive or fragile furniture etc?

Did you buy the insurance?

Did 19 moves during my time in the military. Yes, I moved the things I cared about and yes I had insurance. A defense for a lot of it is I opted to not have much nice stuff as I knew they would destroy it over the years.
 
Maybe the military needs to use better companies then. I have had zero issues moving all those times (not military). Half the times they packed, half the times I packed. I have lost a few dishes (of no $$ consequence) but that's been it. I have some pieces of custom one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that cost more than a lot of my guns; again no issue, fully insured. These guys do not want claims as it goes against them and their job security, raises/bonuses, etc.
 
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