Shipping a barreled action to a gunsmith

[TX_Mike D.]

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but a quick search didn’t show me anything. I’m looking to ship a rifle off to get cut and threaded out of state. The gunsmith recommended using USPS, which I don’t have a problem with.

My question is what all do I need to do to ship to him? I would think I would need to provide some of his FFL information to USPS. He said I didn’t need to provide any of that, I just needed to put it a box and ship it.

What has y’all’s experience been when doing this?

Obviously however I ship it I would get package tracking and insurance.

Appreciate the feedback in advance.

Mike

 

[V00D00]

I just use ups. Wrap it well put it in a box and ship it. I’ve never disclosed any info

 

[PopNFresh]

covers most of it

Firearms Shipping Guide

Below are some guidelines for shipping firearms and ammunition, along with notes related to specific shippers. We encourage you to review the specific shipper's web site as shippers have different ...

support.gunbroker.com

sometimes telling the teller at the usps it's a rifle leads to inconvenience but it's legally required so choose your own adventure

you're supposed to have a copy of his ffl if you ship a gun, it will have an address listed that is where the package should be sent to

 

[MuleyFever]

Its all on the USPS website. Call your post office in advance and tell them you are coming and ask if they need a copy of the FFL in the box and one copy for them. This can speed things up as I have had employees unsure what to do so clearing it up before you get there can help.

 

[TX_Mike D.]

covers most of it

Firearms Shipping Guide

Below are some guidelines for shipping firearms and ammunition, along with notes related to specific shippers. We encourage you to review the specific shipper's web site as shippers have different ...

support.gunbroker.com

sometimes telling the teller at the usps it's a rifle leads to inconvenience but it's legally required so choose your own adventure

you're supposed to have a copy of his ffl if you ship a gun, it will have an address listed that is where the package should be sent to

Your last paragraph is what my research has shown. Just making sure I wasn’t misunderstanding something.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The post office has a binder explaining how to do it behind the counter. If you have any pushback, politely suggest that they check the manual.

The big things on your side of the transaction are to make sure that the box doesn’t indicate that it contains a firearm inside and to be prepared to certify that there is no ammunition inside the box.

 

[ChrisAU]

I’ve handed off a few dozen to USPS and UPS and they never knew, or needed to know, what was in the box.

 

[TX_Mike D.]

I’ve handed off a few dozen to USPS and UPS and they never knew, or needed to know, what was in the box.

I generally agree with this, but with my luck it would get pulled for a random inspection or something like that…

 

[06 SB]

If it is your rifle and not transferring (selling it) it to another then just ship it.

 

[KyleR1985]

No ammo in the box with the gun.

No indication on outside of the box that it’s a gun.

Shipping to an FFL.

You legally own the rifle.

Check those you’re in the clear.

Put a copy of the FFL and address in the box if you have it as a precaution.

 

[SloppyJ]

I generally agree with this, but with my luck it would get pulled for a random inspection or something like that…

The tons of drugs that are shipped via the post office every day is laughable. Just send it and dont think twice.

 

[ChrisAU]

I generally agree with this, but with my luck it would get pulled for a random inspection or something like that…

If shipping out of state, it goes to an FFL. If shipping in state, no rules on long guns. As long as I abide by those two rules the shipping companies have no other rules. To say, a random inspection wouldn’t present any problem either.

 

[TX_Mike D.]

If shipping out of state, it goes to an FFL. If shipping in state, no rules on long guns. As long as I abide by those two rules the shipping companies have no other rules. To say, a random inspection wouldn’t present any problem either.

The smith I’m shipping to has an FFL, and I’m not selling or transferring anything, just getting some work done on the barrel.

 

[Kyguy]

If shipping out of state, it goes to an FFL. If shipping in state, no rules on long guns. As long as I abide by those two rules the shipping companies have no other rules. To say, a random inspection wouldn’t present any problem either.

Not true at all. Fedex and UPS have verys specific rules stating that ONLY an FFL can ship firearms or certain firearms parts through their services. It's also starting to apply to ammunition. Doesn't matter if it's in state or out of state. People ship stuff, don't disclose it, and then if there's an issue, the claim is automatically denied for violating their policies. I've played with enough over the years that I debated getting an FFL just to make shipping easier.

UPS stores are not owned or operated by UPS and it's the discretion of the franchise owner what they will handle. I mention this because Ship My Gun is pretty popular and it uses UPS, but it's supposed to be either scheduled for a pick up or dropped off at a hub. Some UPS stores will take them, but the one near my refused a CVA muzzleloader that a guy was trying to ship back for service. CVA provided the label. This is just last week. They flat out wouldn't deal with it and sent him to the hub in downtown Cincinnati.

I've sold a few rifles to Bud's Gun Shop over the years, and they send you a shipping label AND the agreement that they have with UPS to allow individuals to drop it off. Every time I did it, the UPS hub verified with their office that it was ok to accept.

An individual isn't required by Federal law to ship FFL to FFL, regardless of where it's going in the states. Certain states do require that it is FFL to FFL.

The USPS is the really best option for individuals to ship long guns easily. You're not dealing with any 3rd parties. I've shipped at least 50 long guns over the years with nary an issue. I always have a copy of the receiving FFL in the box. Shipping long guns sucks regardless, it's just costly now if you don't have a business account.

The few pistols that I've sold, I had my FFL ship them UPS.

 

[Kyguy]

The smith I’m shipping to has an FFL, and I’m not selling or transferring anything, just getting some work done on the barrel.

Research what the receiving state requires. There are people who try to skirt the laws. If there's no state restrictions, box it up with a copy of his FFL and take to the USPS. Create an account online, weigh and measure it, print the label, box it up and hand it off at the counter. If they ask if it's a rifle, say yes and leave it at that unless they have more questions. Anyone who's been on the counter for a number of years knows their rules.

 

[Kyguy]

The tons of drugs that are shipped via the post office every day is laughable. Just send it and dont think twice.

I had a guy an on a different forum send 200 rds of ammo through USPS Priority Flat rate box. It never even occurred to me that he wasn't shipping UPS or Fedex until the package showed up, and I was like WTF.

 

[coast range]

Pull the stock, bolt and trigger. It ain’t a gun at that point. Send it and don’t think twice about it.

 

[Kyguy]

Well.... the smith might want the whole rifle. Last one I had threaded, he wanted the whole rifle.

 

[TX_Mike D.]

Pull the stock, bolt and trigger. It ain’t a gun at that point. Send it and don’t think twice about it.

I’ve pulled the stock and removed the bolt. It would take someone having all the right parts to make it functional.

I’m not sure my “gunsmithing” ability has me comfortable to remove the trigger. Haven’t looked closely at it though.