Shipping rifles: my experience.

[Marlin270]

I read a bunch of the "how to ship" postings on this site and others. The overall answer is that it varies.

I got two defective (cracked receivers) rifles in my last on-line order, so I had to ship them back to the dealer. I called UPS, they said "you have to take them to a UPS manned service counter." When I got there, they made me unpack it and repack it in front of them, with the clerk inspecting every piece of material looking for something besides the firearm. That office is a 20-mile drive and the hassle of repacking wasn't fun. But they did finally ship it, UPS ground. This was the first one and I didn't want to repeat that experience.

So I stopped by FedEx/Kinkos to ask if they could ship long guns. The shipping manager there said, "Ground? No problem. No ammunition, one firearm per box and you must pack it yourself." The next day, with the rifle packed, ready to go with the form they gave me filled out, the clerk (different guy) says, "No, only Next Day Air." He wanted $110 for that. So I gave up on FedEx.

Called UPS again and the new person said, "Firearms are okay ground, expect handguns. You have to use 'on call pickup' unless you have a daily pick-up account. You can't ship from the UPS store or third party vendors." So I went to their web and did an "request pickup." That worked. No unwrapping: Driver just grabbed the box and loaded it to the truck.

So one day to the next it may vary. Not much fun, but now I have some inkling of the hassle-factor. Your experience may vary.

 

[J.R.W.]

Huh, I shipped about 8 pistols in one box via FedEx a couple years back. Guess they don't even know what the policies are.

 

[Rail Driver]

The problem with shipping firearms is that most counter clerks don't even know their own company's policies, much less the state and federal laws that are relevant to the shipping of a firearm. It's much easier to simply say "no". After all, it is within a retailer's rights to refuse service to ANYONE for any (non-protected) reason.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I had more or less the same experience shipping a long gun. Had to make a 100 mile round trip to get it done.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I always ship long guns by the post office(to an FFL or a fellow Alabaman). It costs less and you don't even have to tell them it is a firearm. Make sure there is nothing on the outside of the package that refers to it containing a firearm.

 

[dirtyjim]

I always ship long guns by the post office(

yep, the post office is the way to go on shipping long guns & if your shipping an expensive rifle usps registered mail is the ONLY way to go because if the gorillas damage it you are paid the declared value without any haggeling or turned down claims like ups

 

[Marlin270]

yep, the post office is the way to go on shipping long guns & if your shipping an expensive rifle usps registered mail is the ONLY way to go because if the gorillas damage it you are paid the declared value without any haggeling or turned down claims like ups

When using the Post Office, do you use Priority Mail? If I have to do this again, I will like to use them.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

When using the Post Office, do you use Priority Mail?

Yes,I always use priority mail. It costs more but it reduces in-transit time (and possibility of damage)considerably.

 

[Art Eatman]

It all definitely varies. Our postmaster lady would most likely want to do the packaging herself. It would give her a chance to feel and fondle a new toy.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I pre-package. Get priority shipping and insurance. Our postmaster only asks if the package contains liquid or glass.

 

[Captcurt]

I pre-package. Get priority shipping and insurance. Our postmaster only asks if the package contains liquid or glass.

According to the regs, you are supposed to disclose to the carrier that the package contains a firearm. This includes, UPS, FedX, or USPS.

Check it out on www.gunzone.com.

 

[wrench]

I've shipped lots of rifles with the USPS. Easy, no damage, but expensive.
UPS, by and large, has treated me like I'm trying to ship radioactive snakes, I'm done with them.
I got myself a FEDEX account, pack the rifle, go online and print the shipping label, drop it off and goodbye, it's gone.
Good tracking, cheap, no hassle.

 

[WardenWolf]

I walked into the local UPS store with a boxed rifle. I told them it was unloaded, and being shipped to an FFL in accordance with Federal firearms regulations. They shipped it ground. That was that.