Best ways to ship rifles and pistols

steve45

I know this is probably an often asked question (I hit FAQ and search, no help)But what is the best ways to ship rifles and pistols? Ive heard that one company will not ship handguns. Anyway need some advice. THANKS.

Der Gebirgsjager

Steve- Like everything else about guns, this is getting more complicated. I'm an FFL holder, and as yet don't have too much of a problem shipping. I use UPS almost exclusively, but it's not because I like them--they're just about the only game in town where I live. As you may or may not be aware UPS quit shipping handguns regular ground service a year or so ago because too many were being recognized as such and stolen in transit. Instead of identifying, firing, and prosecuting the responsible UPS employees they found it expedient to force everyone to ship handguns by next or second day air at a higher shipping rate. I guess this causes your package to pass through fewer larcenous UPS hands. Whenever I ship a rifle or handgun I always do it in one of the cheapie Doskocil hardcases. These run about $10-12 for a long gun and $6-7 for a pistol. I save the box that the case comes in and carefully take it apart and reassemble it inside out, so that to the casual observer it is a plain brown box instead of saying "Gun Case--gun enclosed--please steal." Then I put the gun in the case, the case in the box, and seal all seams with packaging tape. I also use strapping tape around the box in a couple of places--you know, the real strong stuff that looks sort of like Scotch tape but with fibres running through it lengthwise. Of course you want to insure it for the value plus a little. Rifles and shotguns can still go UPS Ground (I guess it's harder for the employees to get them into their lunch boxes) and if you're shipping both a rifle and a handgun I don't see why you can't put the handgun right in with the rifle in the same case. I've heard that there are some legal complications, but I have customers that tell me that they ship handguns at the cheaper rate and declare the contents to be something other than what they are, figuring that if the package disappears the insurance will cover it regardless, as if it's gone it's gone; and UPS doesn't know what it was because it's gone; but still has to pay. Otherwise, play the game--declare it to be what it is, and pay the extra shipping for next day air.

sodbuster

A pistol may be shipped by the U.S.P.S. Their requirements are it has to be F.F.L to F.F.L. The cost is less that half of what it cost to ship next day air U.P.S. Since it is shipped certified, don't spend a lot of time packaging it with plastic tape,, that paper tape that has to be moistened for it to stick must be used. This is make sure their tamperproof seals will stick to the package. Found that out the hard way, but they were nice about it and furnished the tape and a water applicator free to use at the post office. These were the rules a coupla months ago. Long guns go U.P.S.

cpermd

It is listed on this site. http://www.gunbroker.com/user/ShippingGuide.asp cpermd[This message has been edited by cpermd (edited 02-23-2002).]

steve45

Thanks everybody