What a great response from Buster.  It's rare to get a thorough response like that.

We like UPS.  You don't need to go through an FFL to send a firearm to a factory or bona fide gunsmith.  Declare and insure it.  Don't use a factory box that marks it as a firearm.  Don't mark anything like "Handle with care:  Firearm" on the outside.

UPS can inspect the packaging by opening the box, so don't send anything that you shouldn't.

Many clerks are conditioned to fear guns and think there's something wrong with shipping them.  Just be patient and talk to the supervisor if you must.

Make sure you're sending it from an area that the rifle is legal in.  Don't ship from Cook County IL, for instance... you could end up shafted by Daley's machine.

I shipped a complete post-ban Bushmaster XM15 to a gentleman in the next state yesterday via the U.S. Postal Service. I mailed it directly to his FFL. I called the post office BEFORE I shipped it to find out if it was legal. They said that as long as I shipped to FFL, did not include ammo in package, and that it was not a handgun, it was legal. I did NOT fill out a form 1508 or declare it a firearm when I mailed it. The form 1508 was never mentioned in the phone conversation, and I was unaware that it even existed. In fact, the female clerk did not even ask what the package contained when I mailed it. I guess it will make it all right.

I am not a big fan of handing over ANY of my weapons to ANY carrier at any time. Unfortunately there comes a time when you have no choice, and you have to ship a weapon. Here is some good advice that someone gave me when using UPS to ship a weapon, parts or whole, I am surethat the same method can be used for any carrier: First of all, pack it yourself in a box, use plenty of protection. (Lot's of fine bubble wrap and duct tape to secure it around the reciever, with foam shavings in the box works very well.) Make sure you do not mark the box in any way,(Fragile etc...) just add a few of your address labels Inside the box before you seal it with packing tape, put one in the buttstock of the lower, or secure one to the stock with rubberbands. Put one on each side of the box on opposite ends, using wide clear tape to completely cover it and keep it legible during transit. Last but maybee the most important, insure it fully, but not as a weapon. Insure it as 'Machined Aluminum Parts' or 'Machined Aluminum Forgings' which is exactly what they are. If it is insured at UPS for a certain amount of money or over, sometimes they open it to inspect the contents. I think it is $1,500 or more. Anyway, your description of the contents is consistent with what they will see. I just used this method to ship my Bushy back to Mfg for repairs and I used UPS. Everything went smooth and I live in NY, one of the crime capitals of the USA. You should have no problem at all if you use this method.

Well, I learned a valuable tip today. I guess it will be all right this time. Hopefully, it will still arrive okay and I'll know next time about the form 1508. As for legally possessing the firearm, I am legal and the gentleman receiving the package is a valid FFL holder. I required an ink-signed copy of the FFL prior to shipping the rifle. My only error was not declaring it a firearm at the post office and filing a form 1508. No one there even asked what the package contained. If I was asked, I would have told them exactly what it was. As a matter of fact, I had the copy of the FFL lying on the counter in front of me in case they needed it as proof of the receiver's eligibility. Hopefully all will go well.

Well, guys, the rifle I shipped made it there safe and sound. Whew! I was a little bit nervous. Believe it or not, I shipped it out Saturday 5 minutes before the post office closed and it arrived there today (Monday). Not bad at all.