Just got my FFL.

Can anybody advise on the most cost effective methods for shipping firearms?

Thanks

For handguns, between FFLs, USPS Priority flat rate boxes.

Fixed.

These are just a touch smaller than medium FRB's, handle small to mid-sized handguns, and have lower rates:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-regional-rate-box---a2-P_RRB_A2

Set up an account at USPS.com and order them free.

Fedex recently let me know that for shipping firearms, FFL's are required to do $10k of business with them annually to be able to participate. (if you want to have a firearms shipping agreement with them, that is).  

Probably wouldn't be an issue not having it UNTIL the day they lose a firearm- then you've got problems.

I've found USPS to be very easy.  Good tip on the regional boxes, I've always used flat rate with the thinking that they'd be cheaper.

Is USPS the best bet for rifles as well?  Do you have to do anything special or just mail it like anything else?

I went through USPS and set up with XPS Shipping, endorsed by USPS. Made an account at Fed Ex and UPS and linked them in XPS. Stupid simple and works great.
You get reduced rates and can compare on the spot between them all.

Pretty sure that USPS isn't allowed to endorse a commercial service or product.

That’s who a USPS setup manager told me to use when I had a call with them about setting up shipping. I didn’t just pick them all on my own.

Flat Rate USPS with 21+ signature

I use the local post office for anything I can, since it's only a block away. FedEx and UPS hubs are a fifteen minute drive with more limited counter hours.
USPS requires you bring a form with the gun, and the counter people appreciate when you have the box dimensions for them if it's not a flat rate box.
Otherwise it's pretty much hassle free

Local post office made me put brown tape over every seam on the box, and also made me send it certified mail. They claimed there was a policy change June of 2021.

Was a freaking PITA.

Package up shipment, print label online (cheaper than paying in-person anyway), tape label to box, drop off at post office, take receipt, done.

When faced with such stupidity............principles. If you let it slide, they'll continue to require more imaginary restrictions.
There was no "policy change" in June 2021. If they disagree then ask to see the change in writing. They can easily pull up USPS Postal Explorer 43 Firearms

The extra five minutes of PITA you suffer means the next guy won't. Standing up for the principle of the matter isn't done often enough. Sure, it's easier to just follow the whims of the counter clerk and do what they say..........but how do you know they wont make up newer, more expensive rules tomorrow? Next week? Basically ass fucking you because you let them ass fuck you.

Be positive YOU know USPS regs and where to find them.
Never take the word of the counter clerk. Regs are regs and the counter clerk cannot change them.
Dont like what the counter clerk says? Ask for a supervisor. Be polite when pointing out how USPS regs apply to firearm shipments. If you don't like the supervisors response? Ask that they call a postal inspector. If they refuse....document.

I experienced USPS counter clerk ignorance years ago. The counter clerk told me I had to give him a copy of my FFL with the Form 1508. I refused because its not required. He then wanted a copy of my drivers license, again, not required. At that point I asked for his supervisor. that customer service mgr had the DMM pukled up on his monitor and had a postal inspector on speaker phone. Postal inspector was telling him exactly what I was. While it added another half hour to my errand, it was well worth it and the CS Mgr thanked me as I left. I've never had another problem at that facility in twelve years.

This.
Minimize the face time with the counter clerks and you minimize the opportunity to experience stupididdity.

In other news,

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Latest-WTF-from-USPO/44-533286/

My local PO continues to tape the PS1508 to the shipping box. I had asked them to check with the Postmaster, and he (new guy, not the old gun guy) was there Monday when I made my latest shipment. Confirmed that was the correct process. Pointed out the "retain one year" on PS1508, he said yes we use a copy. :-(. Then I pointed out it references DMM C024, and showed him this from C024:

https://pe.usps.com/Archive/HTML/DMMArchive20030810/C024.htm

6.0 Prohibited Parcel Marking
For any parcel containing a firearm or a ballistic or switchblade knife, any marking that indicates the contents is not permitted on the outside wrapper or container.

Says the PS1508 does not state a firearm is in the box.

Attached File

Sadly, there is no shortage of stupid at the USPS.

Now you have me wanting to drive north to mail my next box.....just to fuck with a counter monkey. You know, to stay in practice.

I think you need to shoot an email to a postal inspector.

I had similar problems until I complained to the postal inspectors.  Next thing I know, I am treated with angry glares at my post office but they are doing everything right.

Other than cost and size is there anything else that is different between flat rate and regional?

Yes.
Regional Flat Rate Boxes boxes are limited to
Box A 15lbs
Box B 20lbs

Starting research for my own FFL.  Are you saying it's okay to skip the PS1508 and just drop the package?  Or just package, print and affix label and hand package and PS1508 to the counter clerk so they don't think too hard about it?

Bingo.  If the counter clerk asks WTF to do with it, point to the verbiage where it says "(Domestic Mail Manual C024, retain form for 1 year)".

I had an issue with the clerks at my USPS where I drop of handguns (middle of Dallas) for shipment. They started off saying that I couldn't ship handguns and I politely informed them I was a dealer and pulled up the usps link for firearms shipments. Then she stated that they could not sign the 1508 and it had to be a supervisor / postmaster sign it. So every time I dropped off a handgun they would ask me to wait and one of the clerks would go hunt down someone. It was a huge ordeal to them and they generally hated dealing with me.

After one of the nationally publicized "Mass  Shootings" a clerk wanted to know why I am still selling guns after this happened. I told here because now more than ever people want firearms to protect themselves and that did not settle well with her. They even went so far as to ask why I didn't ship them at my local post office and I explained its because of their abysmal business hours of 8am to 4:30pm and during those hours I am at my 9-5 job.

Over then next several months they finally decided or were told that they had to sign the form. Eventually they all started acting normal when I delivered firearms for shipment.

Why are you dealing with the counter clerks at all?
1. Pay postage and print label at home.
2. Tape Form 1508 to box with Scotch tape.
3. Go to post office and drop into the package drop box inside.

No USPS rule or regulation requires you to wait for anyone to sign anything. I've been doing it this way for a decade at the four post offices in Plano.

It's nice to have a receipt showing USPS actually has possession of it. Cause if it goes "missing" before they scan it who's to say you ever dropped it off?

Mine have cameras.

If it's USPS that makes the item go "missing", I wouldn't count on the cameras to be working at that moment... But in theory that would be great to rely on.

About to ship my first rifle.  

Here's my plan:

1. Make a USPS Priority Label on XPS w/ Adult Signature required.
2. Box it up with brown paper tape on all seams.
3. Fill out PS1508 and scotch tape it to outside of box.
4. Drop it off at USPS

Does that sound correct?

1508 not needed for a rifle.

Also the PS1508, when needed, is not taped to the box, it is retained at the post office.

Several posts above where i wrote "tape 1508 to box"......its only when I drop the package into the after hours drop box or have several FRB's with handguns to drop off. No need to wait in line, I just heave them over the counter into the cart.

The brown paper tape on all the seams is only required for registered mail. The post office hand stamps multiple times along the edge of the tape to help  prevent tampering.