Firearms Shipping

JohnGator · 05-18-2007, 09:22 AM

I have a couple related shipping questions:

1. Have any forum users had any bad experiences shipping firearms, and
2. What specific precautionary proceedures do forum users practice to avoid
potential firearms shipping problems.

By precautionary proceedure I mean something like:
-- ship early in the week to avoid having the shipment sit idle in-transit (and
therefore vulnerable to theft).
-- omit any reference to firearms in the package labeling (like dropping the
word "Gun" from the business name Paradise Gun and Pawn Shop).
-- Insurance?
It seems I am getting more and more involved with shipping expensive merchandise and I want to avoid any preventable losses and also leaving things to chance.

Thanks for your input. John

Tom Nowling · 05-18-2007, 03:20 PM

John,
Can't help with the shipping but just wanted to say Hi from a fellow collector on the island.
Maybe we can get together sometime and chat.

Tom

Luke · 05-18-2007, 03:24 PM

JohnGator -

I always ship UPS "Overnight." Costs a little more, but I think it is worth it. Tracking via Internet is excellent (I watch it on their tracking site, every step of the way.), and the gun is not in anyone's hands for very long . . . nor does it lie in a warehouse awaiting the next movement.

Luke

Dwight Gruber · 05-18-2007, 03:43 PM

John

I'm with Luke, in general. Except that I prefer FedEx, I have had too many expensive problems with UPS and will never do business with them. Other common carriers will not accept firearms.

Federal regulations require that the fastest shipping method be used (overnight express), and forbid any kind of identification on the packaging that a firearm might be enclosed. Your instincts are right on in these respects.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 05-18-2007, 07:37 PM

I have shipped both UPS and FedEx and never had a problem. I got a Fedex account several years ago, so have used them more (personal account, not business).

I ship overnight and don't ship on Fridays, because that means Monday delivery, so it is sitting there, somewhere...

ed

DaveinTN · 05-19-2007, 02:03 AM

This topic touches on a question I've had for some time so bear with me....

I've never sent a pistol through the mail and I don't have a FFL or C&R license. The only times I've ever received a pistol through the mail was when I made a purchase, and then I had the guns sent to a FFL dealer who handled the transfer before letting me take possession.

Since I'm not transferring ownership of the pistol, but rather am sending it to a gunsmith to have it reblued, is there any special procedure I have to follow?

Similarly, when the pistol is returned, can I have it sent directly to me or do I have to have it sent to a local dealer so I can pick it up at a later date?

Just curious,

Dave in TN.

erndog105 · 05-19-2007, 09:52 PM

According to Robar Company, a gun refinisher, you may send the gun and they will send it back to you.

From their web site.
Can I send my firearm directly to Robar or do I have to send it through a Dealer?
The ATF permits you to send your firearm directly to a manufacturer for repair or refinishing. Robar holds a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and is registered as a manufacturer of firearms. You may send us your firearm directly provided handguns are shipped UPS or FedEx Next Day Air and long arms are shipped Second Day Air. You cannot ship firearms through the mail or by ground service. Robar, in turn, is required to ship the firearm back to you at the same address. Non-serialized parts such as a slide, barrel, stock or sights may be sent in any manner you like.

05-18-2007, 09:22 AM	#1
JohnGator User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pine Island FL Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Firearms Shipping I have a couple related shipping questions: 1. Have any forum users had any bad experiences shipping firearms, and 2. What specific precautionary proceedures do forum users practice to avoid potential firearms shipping problems. By precautionary proceedure I mean something like: -- ship early in the week to avoid having the shipment sit idle in-transit (and therefore vulnerable to theft). -- omit any reference to firearms in the package labeling (like dropping the word "Gun" from the business name Paradise Gun and Pawn Shop). -- Insurance? It seems I am getting more and more involved with shipping expensive merchandise and I want to avoid any preventable losses and also leaving things to chance. Thanks for your input. John

05-18-2007, 03:20 PM	#2
Tom Nowling User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Fla. Posts: 24 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pine Island John, Can't help with the shipping but just wanted to say Hi from a fellow collector on the island. Maybe we can get together sometime and chat. Tom

05-18-2007, 03:24 PM	#3
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	JohnGator - I always ship UPS "Overnight." Costs a little more, but I think it is worth it. Tracking via Internet is excellent (I watch it on their tracking site, every step of the way.), and the gun is not in anyone's hands for very long . . . nor does it lie in a warehouse awaiting the next movement. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

05-18-2007, 07:37 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	I have shipped both UPS and FedEx and never had a problem. I got a Fedex account several years ago, so have used them more (personal account, not business). I ship overnight and don't ship on Fridays, because that means Monday delivery, so it is sitting there, somewhere... ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

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05-18-2007, 03:43 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	John I'm with Luke, in general. Except that I prefer FedEx, I have had too many expensive problems with UPS and will never do business with them. Other common carriers will not accept firearms. Federal regulations require that the fastest shipping method be used (overnight express), and forbid any kind of identification on the packaging that a firearm might be enclosed. Your instincts are right on in these respects. --Dwight

05-19-2007, 02:03 AM	#6
DaveinTN User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 186 Thanks: 3 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	This topic touches on a question I've had for some time so bear with me.... I've never sent a pistol through the mail and I don't have a FFL or C&R license. The only times I've ever received a pistol through the mail was when I made a purchase, and then I had the guns sent to a FFL dealer who handled the transfer before letting me take possession. Since I'm not transferring ownership of the pistol, but rather am sending it to a gunsmith to have it reblued, is there any special procedure I have to follow? Similarly, when the pistol is returned, can I have it sent directly to me or do I have to have it sent to a local dealer so I can pick it up at a later date? Just curious, Dave in TN.

05-19-2007, 09:52 PM	#7
erndog105 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	According to Robar Company, a gun refinisher, you may send the gun and they will send it back to you. From their web site. Can I send my firearm directly to Robar or do I have to send it through a Dealer? The ATF permits you to send your firearm directly to a manufacturer for repair or refinishing. Robar holds a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and is registered as a manufacturer of firearms. You may send us your firearm directly provided handguns are shipped UPS or FedEx Next Day Air and long arms are shipped Second Day Air. You cannot ship firearms through the mail or by ground service. Robar, in turn, is required to ship the firearm back to you at the same address. Non-serialized parts such as a slide, barrel, stock or sights may be sent in any manner you like.