Gunsmithing Shipping a Long-Gun

[earthquake]

I already dropped and gave myself 50 since this info might be out there and I couldn't find it. I don't even know if this is the right forum, so I'll drop and do another 50 after I type this out.

Sending the rifle off to a smith for some work. How do I do this? I have it in a Hardigg Storm Case. Should I lock it? Tape it shut too? Put the whole case in a cardboard box? What have others done?

If I don't put it in an outer box, won't the case get beat to hell?

Thanks.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Shipping in that hard case is going to get spendy and yes if you do you should get a cardboard box for it.

I'd either get a cheap plastic (lighter) case to use or better yet order a shipping box from MidwayUSA to use.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Or.....I often use "lamp boxes" from moving companies and remove the barreled action from the stock and ship in two pieces. You can use lots of bubble wrap this way to protect it and it doesn't look like a rifle in the shorter box.

J

 

[mcm308]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or.....I often use "lamp boxes" from moving companies and remove the barreled action from the stock and ship in two pieces. You can use lots of bubble wrap this way to protect it and it doesn't look like a rifle in the shorter box.

J </div></div>

+1 on this. If I can break down the rifle to "shorten" it up, I'll pack into any box I can find that it'll fit into. I prefer to ship this way. Very sleek and usually much cheaper than full size shipping.

 

[Quicky06]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

I have a pillar lock 2 gun case I got from bass pro. I shipped it to gap in December. The wieght isn't what gets you it's the size. But it only cost me 25 bucks to ship it there. Ups charges a fee like 5-10 bucks for irregular packaging. So I took 3 diffrent card board boxes and tapped them all togeather and it shut them up.

 

[earthquake]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Great tips fellas...thanks! Now I just have to narrow down a good smith.

 

[SFTexan]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

UPS store will sell you a 12x12x48(?) box for about $10. You can fit quit a bit of rifle in it with plenty of bubble wrap and cushion. With a little carving you can shorten it up like jasonk and mcm308 mentioned.

 

[dlc356]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

I wanted some foam to pack a barreled action for shipping a while back (egg crate etc.) and couldn't find any. I ended up buying a king size foam mattress topper from WalMart for about $18. I just cut out what I needed. I now have it rolled up for the next time I need to pack something up for shipping.

 

[earthquake]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

I packed my rifle up nice & tight, in a great box, took it to UPS, and they told me they can't ship it because its a firearm! WTF?!?!

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

If you go through UPS, you will most likely have to go to a regional distribution center (not a local ups store). And even then, they are often a big pain in the ass. Just take it to your local PO and ship it priority.

 

[dhutch]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Firearms have to be taken straight to the sorting facility with UPS or FedEx. They wont take them at any UPS or FedEx store. Find out where their closest facility is and take it there. You will probably need a copy of the dealers FFL or some proof it's going to an FFL.

You have to realize you're dealing with the brightest this country has to offer.

 

[earthquake]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Yeah, the dude at the local UPS told me I have to take it to the main hub, but that they'd want to inspect it! No way. Not after what I went through to wrap it up and stuff it securely in the box! I'll try USPS. Thanks.

 

[dhutch]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

The FedEx facility has always been good to me. Show up with my packaged weapon, show a copy of the FFL it's going to and she scans it in.

 

[fcordrey]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COfox</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, the dude at the local UPS told me I have to take it to the main hub, but that they'd want to inspect it! No way. Not after what I went through to wrap it up and stuff it securely in the box! I'll try USPS. Thanks.</div></div>

Did the same thing first time I tryed to ship my rifle . Ended up showing them the UPS rules and regs section stating that it could be shipped and was told take it to a main hub. So screw UPS and go to the post office . I've used them several times with no problem .

 

[earthquake]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Just sent if via USPS...no problems at all!

 

[Downzero]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

Yep, just mail it. Take it to the counter, let them weigh it, and make sure you insure it and get a stamped receipt. Easy as pie!

 

[USMCj]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

I just take mine to the local UPS center, and I let them know its a long gun, and insure the hell out of it. No inspection, no headach.

 

[lostangel]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just take mine to the local UPS center, and I let them know its a long gun, and insure the hell out of it. No inspection, no headach. </div></div>

Yep,
I just shipped my 5R to Michael @ Controlled Chaos Arms this morning to bed the stock and 'cote the barrel.

I got on UPS website, logged in with my UPS account(free to sign up), printed the address label, insured it for $1500 and scheduled a pickup.

They came to get it this morning and that was it. No having to haul it to a hub facility or anything. Came right to my office. Driver "Shipping another rifle off, huh?"
Wanted to know what kind, what I was having done.

I hate the USPS anyway. UPS and FedEX can make money, but USPS keeps raising the cost of a stamp every time I turn around.

Patrick

 

[Quicky06]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Frank Cordrey</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COfox</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, the dude at the local UPS told me I have to take it to the main hub, but that they'd want to inspect it! No way. Not after what I went through to wrap it up and stuff it securely in the box! I'll try USPS. Thanks.</div></div>

Did the same thing first time I tryed to ship my rifle . Ended up showing them the UPS rules and regs section stating that it could be shipped and was told take it to a main hub. So screw UPS and go to the post office . I've used them several times with no problem . </div></div>

just so you know that's not ups. The ups stores are nit the same company as ups. If that makes sense. So you Would be giving your gun to an independent company who gives it to a ahipper who delivers it.

My ex works at a ups store and explained it better but I was too busy stairung at her ass that I miss sooooo much to pay attention

 

[dtask]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

I ship cased rifles in an outer box, taped up on the opening ends via FedEx exclusively. Out of the USPS, UPS and FedEx, FedEx is the cheapest, the fastest and the only one out of the two that has never lost (read stolen) one of my packages.

I only use the USPS for pistols and that's because I'm an FFL and a flat rate box, so far, has been the cheapest. The next one is going via FedEx just to see how is stacks up cost-wise.

My local UPS locations will not ship either a rifle or a handgun and always want to visually inspect anything I take them - which is why I don't find the coincidence of a case of ammo going missing out of a UPS truck that made it from across the US and into my town before magically disappearing.

 

[22skip]

Re: Shipping a Long-Gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dtask</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I ship cased rifles in an outer box, taped up on the opening ends via FedEx exclusively. Out of the USPS, UPS and FedEx, FedEx is the cheapest, the fastest and the only one out of the two that has never lost (read stolen) one of my packages.

I only use the USPS for pistols and that's because I'm an FFL and a flat rate box, so far, has been the cheapest. The next one is going via FedEx just to see how is stacks up cost-wise.

My local UPS locations will not ship either a rifle or a handgun and always want to visually inspect anything I take them - which is why I don't find the coincidence of a case of ammo going missing out of a UPS truck that made it from across the US and into my town before magically disappearing. </div></div>

You're fortunate being a FFL shipping handguns thru their flat rate - I just had to ship a Super Redhawk last week via UPS from here in TN. to Kansas and it cost me almost $74 !!! Not counting the 45 mile ride one-way to get to the UPS depot. It's the only way a private individual can ship a handgun anymore other than getting a FFL to ship for you. They didn't give me any grief at all at UPS at least, I had the FFL copy with me but the guy didn't even want to look at it - I told him upfront it was a handgun and he said I looked legitimate. I've been shipping rifles lately via USPS and you don't even have to declare it's a firearm but it has been a little pricey shipping them with insurance - usually over $30 and as much as $45.