Posted: 5/15/2013 7:23:49 PM EDT
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I need to get a pistol back to the manufacturer for some work and I'm wondering what the best way to do it is. I know I could send it overnight or next-day-air (FedEx and UPS) but I've read it can be quite expensive. Should I just send it through an FFL? I know they can send it USPS (cheaper) plus I'd assume it would be returned to them too so it may alleviate some fustercluckage on the return trip trying to get the pistol back.
Any opinions appreciated and thanks. I figured you guys are pretty well versed in this and I don't ship firearms around much! |
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I need to get a pistol back to the manufacturer for some work and I'm wondering what the best way to do it is. I know I could send it overnight or next-day-air (FedEx and UPS) but I've read it can be quite expensive. Should I just send it through an FFL? I know they can send it USPS (cheaper) plus I'd assume it would be returned to them too so it may alleviate some fustercluckage on the return trip trying to get the pistol back. Any opinions appreciated and thanks. I figured you guys are pretty well versed in this and I don't ship firearms around much! FFL |
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Are handguns different from long guns? I thought common carrier with adult signature required was GTG? From Gunbroker's website: "US Mail: An unlicensed person can ship a rifle or shotgun by US Mail. Unlicensed persons cannot ship a handgun by US Mail." The only other options for handguns (according to them) are FedEx Express Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air. I'm in no rush on this thing. Heck, I don't care if it arrives via wagon train as long as it gets there. I think I'll go the FFL route. Any volunteers in Oz? Otherwise I'll probably just go with my guy in the city though it's a bit of a drive. Quoted:
Who are you shipping to? Ask for a prepaid label; some of them will pay for your shipping! :) Kahr and S&W both gave me FedEx prepaid labels for my warranty shipments. Steyr Arms. A small, relatively insignificant piece broke off of the sub-frame of a 5-yr old .40 S&W. They'll replace the sub-frame at no cost as long as I ship it one way. I cleaned it the other day, put it back together, function tested it, then put it back in the safe. Upon my return to the bench there was an extra "piece" that had clearly come off. I made the call to SAI in AL and they had no qualms at all with replacing it, even though the little piece that broke off was to hold on a manual safety that this pistol doesn't even have (M40's had 'em, M40-A1's don't). I don't much like the idea of having a pistol missing pieces. |
The fed ex guy said i could ship the pistol frame in one box, and the slide in the other so it would be cheaper. I really didn't want Taurus to get confused when they got half a gun in the mail. They didnt even fix what was wrong with it anyways, so i sold it. Never again going to cheap out on a 1911...
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The fed ex guy said i could ship the pistol frame in one box, and the slide in the other so it would be cheaper. I really didn't want Taurus to get confused when they got half a gun in the mail. They didnt even fix what was wrong with it anyways, so i sold it. Never again going to cheap out on a 1911... Piece by piece...probably not the way to go! 
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The fed ex guy said i could ship the pistol frame in one box, and the slide in the other so it would be cheaper. I really didn't want Taurus to get confused when they got half a gun in the mail. They didnt even fix what was wrong with it anyways, so i sold it. Never again going to cheap out on a 1911... Just goes to show some of the individuals at the shipping hubs don't know their arse from a stump...that would be like shipping an AR lower and an upper in two packages... you would pay twice 
OP if your FFL does not charge for a transfer and only nicks you for shipping, the USPS is the best option. |
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The fed ex guy said i could ship the pistol frame in one box, and the slide in the other so it would be cheaper. I really didn't want Taurus to get confused when they got half a gun in the mail. They didnt even fix what was wrong with it anyways, so i sold it. Never again going to cheap out on a 1911... Just goes to show some of the individuals at the shipping hubs don't know their arse from a stump...that would be like shipping an AR lower and an upper in two packages... you would pay twice
OP if your FFL does not charge for a transfer and only nicks you for shipping, the USPS is the best option. They way he said they could do it is it didnt have to be overnight, it could be next day or 2 day (i dont remember) but it was half the price to send both parts than it was to send it whole next day. He said they did it a bunch of times before, since it wasnt a complete firearm it didnt need to be next day. I thought this was sketchey either way, so i just sent it next day. |
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As far as I know USPS will not ship a Handgun. FedEx is the way to go. An FFL is supposed to do a background check to give it back to you. Taurus sent me a Label and box for a return. No. You can ship a concealable firearm via USPS if you are an FFL (C&R does not count). The manufacturer will ship the firearm back to your door. No FFL is needed when returning to/from the manufacturer. No US law states that any special service is needed for common carrier shipments. The "overnight" policies are the carrier's rules. Apparently they can't trust their own people to not pilfer packages. |
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As far as I know USPS will not ship a Handgun. FedEx is the way to go. An FFL is supposed to do a background check to give it back to you. Taurus sent me a Label and box for a return. No. You can ship a concealable firearm via USPS if you are an FFL (C&R does not count). The manufacturer will ship the firearm back to your door. No FFL is needed when returning to/from the manufacturer. No US law states that any special service is needed for common carrier shipments. The "overnight" policies are the carrier's rules. Apparently they can't trust their own people to not pilfer packages. Well said Sir...It's nice to observe correct, well communicated information. Shipping firearms always seems to be a sore spot in some peoples mind. My FFL quit the USPS because of the continued hassle from the bimbo at the counter...you know, the uniformed public employee. I have had very good luck using SpeeDee...their service area is small compared to Fed-UP but their rates and service are outstanding. 
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As far as I know USPS will not ship a Handgun. FedEx is the way to go. An FFL is supposed to do a background check to give it back to you. Taurus sent me a Label and box for a return. No. You can ship a concealable firearm via USPS if you are an FFL (C&R does not count). The manufacturer will ship the firearm back to your door. No FFL is needed when returning to/from the manufacturer. No US law states that any special service is needed for common carrier shipments. The "overnight" policies are the carrier's rules. Apparently they can't trust their own people to not pilfer packages. Well said Sir...It's nice to observe correct, well communicated information. Shipping firearms always seems to be a sore spot in some peoples mind. My FFL quit the USPS because of the continued hassle from the bimbo at the counter...you know, the uniformed public employee. I have had very good luck using SpeeDee...their service area is small compared to Fed-UP but their rates and service are outstanding.
The first time I handed a Form 1508 to the lady at my local post office she didn't have a clue what to do with it. Now, when I go in there she just takes the package and form and says thanks. |
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I have had very good luck using SpeeDee...their service area is small compared to Fed-UP but their rates and service are outstanding.
HUGE +1. If Spee Dee is in the area, use them. 1/3 the cost of UPS or FedEx. My Inlaws live in ND. When it comes time to ship a big christmas package, it's usually around $12, versus the $40 or more for Fedex and UPS. |
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I have had very good luck using SpeeDee...their service area is small compared to Fed-UP but their rates and service are outstanding.
HUGE +1. If Spee Dee is in the area, use them. 1/3 the cost of UPS or FedEx. My Inlaws live in ND. When it comes time to ship a big christmas package, it's usually around $12, versus the $40 or more for Fedex and UPS. Thanks for the info guys - I appreciate it. After putting the pistol into the case it came in and then wrapping that in a little bigger box I wound up with one about 14x14x5". Took it to FedEx, did the Priority Overnight deal with a rather friendly lady at the counter (Mitchell, that is) and was presented with a quote of $109!
She knew it was a pistol, double checked her rules, and actually had pity on me, a poor innocent bastard just trying to ship a couple of metal parts. After saying "Thanks, but no thanks" and thinking "YOU'VE GOTTA BE FREAKING KIDDING ME" I left. After getting home I ran the numbers online for a MUCH smaller box (think pistol wrapped in bubble wrap in a cigar box). It turns out UPS Next Day Air and FedEx Priority Overnight both get as "cheap" as about $67 for that weight in the tiniest of boxes. So, it's still sitting here for now because I'm heading North for the weekend. 0 for 2 on FFL's, too. The first told me to ship it USPS (no $hit) and the second told me how busy and important he was and that by the time he was done screwing around with it I'd likely be better off shipping it myself. I'll check out SpeeDee...and have a great Memorial day weekend . I may have to visit the mighty Bob & Rocco show in Eagle River. |