Most Cost Efficient Way to Ship a Handgun?

Best deal you will find is an FFL who will transfer the gun for $10 and then ship USPS priority mail. Total should be around $25.

So with that in mind $40 is not bad.

When I lived in Fredericksburg, VA my FFL would do it for cost of shipping because I transfered a lot of guns and sent a lot of people his way.
 
Depends on the cost of the gun you're shipping.

My FFL charged $25 for the transfer, $15 for the USPS medium flat rate priority box with delivery confirmation and $29 for 2K worth of insurance (Freedom Arms revolver) for a total of $69.
Still cheaper than overnite with Fedex or UPS with insurance.

Jim
 
MrWesson I have sent guns back to 3 gun makers.
All 3 told me to break them down and label the box machined parts and send them ground(they hinted quietly).
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Why did they advise you to "break them down"? It doesn't change a thing...a frame is still a firearm no matter if it is in a dozen pieces or one.

I ship several firearms every week and have yet to label anything because UPS, FedEx nor USPS don't even ask that you do so. :rolleyes:

Will those manufacturers cover your loss in the event of theft or damage? When you violate a common carriers shipping policy you will get denied on your claim for loss.


It should be known its against UPS policy to ship firearms ground.
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Not true. UPS policy only requires Next Day for handguns. Rifles and shotguns are clearly allowed to go Ground:http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=3&srch_phr=handgun
 
Why did they advise you to "break them down"? It doesn't change a thing...a frame is still a firearm no matter if it is in a dozen pieces or one.

I ship several firearms every week and have yet to label anything because UPS, FedEx nor USPS don't even ask that you do so.

Will those manufacturers cover your loss in the event of theft or damage? When you violate a common carriers shipping policy you will get denied on your claim for loss.
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Usually my problems were inside the gun so maybe breaking them down saved them time. I know a receiver is a receiver but they all asked me to to do it.

I guess writing machined parts on the box was more for you to know what to say if they ask what it is. I get asked all the time whats in the box especially at ups stores.


It should be known its against UPS policy to ship firearms ground.
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Good point but why not get insurance? I don't think you have to specify what it is just the declared value(not sure here). I do know I have never had anything lost through ups or fedex.

When it costs $60 to ship a $200 keltec I will just ask for the parts and attempt the repair myself. Manufactures must save tons on warranty work because of the cost to ship handguns.

Its not the ideal way to ship a handgun but it costs about $10 vs 60 with a little more risk involved if lost. Just throwing it out there as a option.
 
Not those manufacturers who send you a shipping ticket. Some of the better ones (S&W, Ruger) have been known to do that if asked, or to offer even if not asked.
 
Good point but why not get insurance? I don't think you have to specify what it is just the declared value(not sure here). I do know I have never had anything lost through ups or fedex.
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Like the post office, they will gladly take your money for insurance and you can call the contents of the package whatever you want. But, try to file a claim and now you have to show proof of what was in the package as well as it's actual value.
You're gonna have a hard time "proving" you had $500 worth of "machine parts".
But, that's the risk you take to save shipping cost.

Jim
 
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I sell quite a few guns and paying my FFL $20 plus shipping in medium flat rate box with insurance runs about the same $40, or slightly less, that your FFL Is guesstimating.
 
It should be known its against UPS policy to ship firearms ground.
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Only handguns. Shipped a Mossberg shotgun ground on Thursday. And I told the UPS guy it was a shotgun and insured it for the purchase price the buyer was paying. That way if it were lost in transit, I'd be able to file a legitimate claim for the loss of the shotgun that was in the box.
 
Martkowski said:
So $40 is the cheapest I'm finding. Am I missing something here?
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Nope, not a thing

MrWesson said:
I have sent guns back to 3 gun makers.

All 3 told me to break them down and label the box machined parts and send them ground(they hinted quietly).

It should be known its against UPS policy to ship firearms ground.
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It's also a violation of Federal law to ship a firearm via common carrier without declaring to the carrier that you are shipping a firearm.
 
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Aguila Blanca
It's also a violation of Federal law to ship a firearm via common carrier without declaring to the carrier that you are shipping a firearm.
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Not exactly.
478.31 Delivery by common or contract carrier.
(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped...
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So you see, Federal law does not require notification to the common carrier when shipping within your own state or when shipping to a licensed dealer, manufacturer or collector who is out of state. No notification is required under Federal law when shipping to a licensee.

Federal law only requires notification if you are shipping INTERSTATE to someone who does not hold a Federal Firearms License (which is a felony itself). Notification must be in writing as it is also your admission of guilt:D.

Common carriers (FedEx & UPS) have their own COMPANY policies that require notification....but do not carry the weight of Federal law.
 
Common carriers (FedEx & UPS) have their own COMPANY policies that require notification....but do not carry the weight of Federal law.
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Yep, but lying to them makes no sense at all in that you're basically forfeiting any insurance claim you may have if your firearm goes missing in transit.
 
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