One new and dead Mossberg

I figured surely someone here has shipped a gun before, where as this will be my first. The recommended calling for a pick-up rather taking it to the store and not really indicating what was being shipped, just that it was going back to manufacturer for repair. He indicated they'd likely want me to take it to a gun-store to be shipped, if they knew what it was. Personally, I'd rather not push my luck if it's something that's not quite on the level.
 
I believe you MUST disclose to a common carrier, including the USPS, that it is a long gun. The guy that told you not to is an IDIOT. I will not say what you should do and I know nothing about the laws of your state (you have to abide by Federal gun laws, Postal regs if applicable, and you state laws.)

I would box it up and take it to the USPS and declare it to be a shotgun. Make damn sure it isn't loaded. That is what I would do. If the USPS takes it they do and if they refuse it there is no foul as far as I am concerned, but I will NOT tell you that complies with all laws and regulations. I would also insure it for $200 noting on the slip that it is a shotgun. That is just what I would do. I will not tell you not to use a FFL to ship.
 
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I shipped my rifle to Savage a few weeks ago with FedEx. It was in a Savage box. They never said a thing or ask what it was.

I have both the Mossberg 535 and the 870 Remington. The Remington is tighter. The Mossberg slide almost feels lose. Less recoil with the Mossberg. I like them both.
 
Sounds like a more reasonable plan, there was something about what he had said that left me feeling a little less than confident.

Again, thanks for all the help.
 
I think you are suffering a slight bout of paranoia. You may have talked to a new guy. But, I do know that hundreds of thousands of guns have been shipped to Mossberg. I was an FFL for years and shipped a lot of guns, and no one ever even asked to see my license unless it was a handgun. You do NOT need to go thru an FFL for a long gun. I use the Post Office. MUCH cheaper. If you use FedEx or UPS you will have to go to one of THEIR shipping points. The "stores" in Office Depot and such will not take guns that I have seen. Make sure you pack it well, insure it, and declare what it is. If they tell you they cannot ship it politely ask to speak to the Postmaster. The U S Post Office regulations are crystal clear.
I usually tie a tag with my name, address, and phone number to the gun inside the box, and a short description of the problem on the other side of the tag doesn't hurt either.
 
Sorry to hear you're having issues with the new shotgun. Any mass manufactured product can have problems from time to time that factory QC doesn't catch. What matters is how the company handles it when it's brought to their attention, and Mossberg generally does pretty well making customers happy. I think shipping the shotgun back to the factory is your best bet rather than taking it to a 'smith yourself, unless they're a factory approved repair facility. There may not be much to the problem but whatever it is, they need to see it. That way if the problem persists or recurs, you're on the record with it from the getgo.

Hope they get it sorted out for you, one of the few shotguns I ever bought new in the box was a Mossberg combo like the one you describe. I used it off and on for a few years with zero problems. I loaned it (and a 1911A1, and my spare Seiko dive watch) to a good friend who had sold literally everything he owned to pay med school bills, including his guns. Hey, what are friends for?
 
If correct, this seems to cover things.

Quote:
The U.S. Postal Service allows civilians to ship long guns to FFLs and licensed manufacturers, but prohibits civilians from shipping handguns period. FFLs and manufacturers can ship handguns cheaply through the Postal Service, but we can’t.
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It's not quite correct. Civilians can't MAIL handguns via USPS, but they can SHIP them via UPS. The bad news is that UPS charges extortionate rates to ship them Next Day Air, so it is often cheaper to pay an FFL to mail them.

That said, the OP should take the gun back to the store and 1) try to exchange it for one that works (worth a try) 2) file a warranty claim and let the store ship it, or 3) ship / mail the gun to Mossberg, who will make it right.
 
I find it a little surprising that working the action by hand managed to derail it like it has or even that it could be derailed.
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I agree on this. In fact, it would seem to be almost impossible to do, even if you tried. Obviously, however, given the op's situation, it's painfully apparent that nothing is impossible. :(

I would like to hear what Mossberg has to say about this.
 
Well, she's finally off in the mail. I've got to hand it to the USPS, $18 with insurance and they were easy to deal with. I'll post back when I hear from Mossberg.
 
Well, finally got the shotgun back, sounds like they replaced the elevator. Cycling now feels like it should, clean and smooth. There was definitely something up with it before. Now to find some time to take it out.

Thanks again for all the answers and suggestions.
 
Glad they took care of you. Please post up a range report! Let us know what you think once you put shells through it.
 
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