If you were going to airmail an AR, which carrier would you choose and why? I've used USPS, and it did work, but it wasn't airmail. After I sent it, a day or so later I told the postlady at the office that I sent a rifle through them, and she almost gave birth! She thought it was illegal. Too late for that, it arrived a day later.

Do they x-ray airmail packages? Would I have to disclose the contents of the box? Or would it be better to ground ship? Speed is important.

Fed Ex? UPS? USPS? Airmail? Not airmail? What would you recommend?

I would like to see some definitive imput.

I'm not sure about the legalities about the USPS but you could break the weapon down into two packages and shouldn't have a problem. Check it's weight against price for one or two packages and see if it'll work.

Contents: Machined parts

I have shipped many long guns through the USPS. It is totally legal for an individual to ship a long gun to a licensed dealer or a manufacturer.  You also are NOT required by law to tell the USPS that you are shipping a firearm (though you are if you ship it via a common carrier, eg UPS or FedEx).  So I say ship it via the post office and in the unlikely event that they ask you what it is (they have NEVER asked me, no matter how much insurance I've taken out on it) tell them it's machine parts or something.

I always ship FEDEX and do not use anyone else.  Many repair shops and gunsmiths use FEDEX.

You may not be required by law, RikWriter, but Postal Code says otherwise.I've generally found the Postal Service EASIER to deal with on long gun shipment than I have the local UPS morons who are singling out and opening ALL firearm and firearm related packages ("We're checking to see if there's really a gun in there.") The local UPS service center will also not allow firearms and firearm related packages to be shipped via a UPS drop-off location like MBE and the like. The local manager is a moron and it shows in everything UPS does here. Therefore, I would recommend ANYONE to ship BESIDES UPS to ship your guns. BTW, the new FedEx Ground (formerly known as RPS) is VERY competitive with UPS' rates. I hope that they run them out of business.

Uh, I think it saysAnd yes, Postal Regulations are backed up by Federal Law, just as the same U.S.C. that backs up the '68 GCA.

Yes, it indeed says that. It does NOT say you must notify them what's inside the package.  

Okay, since you're splitting hairs now, if you indicate that the gun is unloaded, are you or are you not notifying postal authorities that you're shipping a firearm? Do whatever you think you can get away with, but save some jack for an attorney if you're insistent on creating your own Postal Regulations and interpreting things as you see fit.