Shipping Tips

[David]

I'm going to ship my gun off, what are the best packing methods y'all have used to ship your expensive guns. I don't know if I should stick it in a gun case and hence making it identifiable or wrap in bubble wrap tightly packed in cardboard box.

[mnshooter]

The very last thing you want to do is anything to make your package look like it contains a gun.
Might as well put large "steal me first" stickers all over it.

There is lots of information and packing supplies available online, or go to a shipping supplies store and tell them you are shipping some expensive fluorescent bulbs (of a comparable length) -how should you pack them?
You didn't say what kind of gun you're shipping, but if you can, break it down and ship in a shorter box.
Then put that box inside a second box, also padded. In addition to additional damage protection, If someone does a seam cut and shoves their hand inside to quickly examine/pilfer the contents, now all they will feel is another big box.

Edited May 12, 2013 by mnshooter

[RoscoeTurner]

From the FAQ section -

 

Shipping of NFA firearms:

UPS:

Shipping NFA such as a machine gun via UPS is pretty cut and dry according to their tariff -

"UPS does not accept automatic weapons, including machine guns, for shipment."

http://www.ups.com/c...s/firearms.html

Not much room for discussion with those folks. If you ship one and it is lost or damaged, you are on your own. UPS will not honor the insurance coverage for your shipment. Bottom line...don't use UPS to ship NFA under any circumstances.

FedEx: Updated 10 Dec 12

FedEx no longer has the restriction on firearms insurance as previously reported, the current level is $50,000. Questions about shipping via FedEx can be answered here under firearms - http://www.fedex.com...ound/index.html

Handy chart showing shipping options via FedEx - http://www.nraba.org...ceMatrix(2).pdf

United States Postal Service:

Finally and surprisingly is the best service for shipping NFA firearms, the United States Postal Service. Shipping via the USPS is the safest and most cost effective way of shipping NFA items. With Registered Priority Mail your package is signed for each time it changes hands and can be insured to a value of $25,000. In most locations the package will be delivered within 2-3 days.

When shipping using the USPS be sure to state at the counter you wish the package to be mailed Registered Priority Mail. If you simply state registered mail the clerk may assume you want it shipped First Class Registered Mail which will limit your
options. This was recently brought to my attention when a seller attempted to ship a NFA firearm to me and his local post office could only insure the package for a maximum of $5000.

Always declare what is in the box. If your post office is not familiar with the regulations regarding shipment of NFA items, do not take no for an answer - educate them, and escalate to management, if necessary. This process may require multiple calls or visits, and an introductory visit without the package is recommended to ensure subsequent smooth handling of the transaction.

[dalbert]

I have been considering a post about a shipping experience that I had on Friday, and I think I'll use this thread as a way to share that experience. I bought another H&R Reising Model 65 at auction recently, and it arrived Friday. The packaging used for the rifle was excellent. It was wrapped in bubble wrap, with a thick wrap of additional bubble wrap taped to the front sight. The bubble wrapped rifle was in a cardboard box, and totally immobilized with packing peanuts. Looked like a good job to me....but...The bag of parts that came with it was tied in a plastic bag, and was not individually isolated from the rifle. The parts scraped against the top of the receiver during shipment, making very noticeable bare metal marks on the top. Arrggghhh!

 

So, if you're shipping anything with your rifle or Thompson, make sure to take the magazine out, and any other items should be completely isolated. Here are some photos for comparison. The first photo is from the auction, and the second one is from immediately after unwrapping the rifle.

 

As I told Linkous Auctioneers in Virginia, who shipped the rifle, I am not one to easily complain, but this packaging error on their part has significantly devalued this rifle. I anxiously await their reply. They charged $50 for shipping and handling of this rifle via FedEx Ground from Virginia to Ohio.

 

 

 

 

My intent is to sort of hijack this post in a positive way, by adding some specific insight that may help prevent damaging other firearms in the future.

 

Your thoughts?

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[TSMGguy]

You'll get MANY responses to this question.

 

I'd stay strictly away from commercial shippers. Have you ever tried to collect an insurance claim against one of them? They also tend to do stupid things, like leaving "adult signature" packages unattended on porches.

 

Would strongly suggest using USPS registered mail only. They've never lost a shipment. Don't freak the postal clerk out by looking nervous and rambling on with questions about machine guns and automatic weapons. You're shipping "an antique firearm". That's all they need to know. The shipment is entirely legal. State the value.

 

You must seal the shipping box with paper tape that will accept the anti-tampering stamps that the clerk will apply. This means using a cardboard outer box. I suggest buying a hard plastic gun case that comes packed in a cardboard box. Turn that box inside out so that the original markings do not show. Then, in the immortal words of PK: "Pack the gun as though you are going to throw it across the room." Bubble wrap the gun and use additional packing around it so that it cannot slide around inside of the padded case. Wrap the case with plastic packing tape that covers the latches before putting it into the cardboard box.

 

Registered mail does not offer online tracking, and it is not the fastest service around, but the shipment is kept under positive control and is signed for each step of the way. At postal facilities, it wil be kept inside of a locked cage, seperate from everything else.

 

Use any other shipping service at your peril.

[RoscoeTurner]

I prefer USPS Register Mail also for shipping NFA items. Each time the package changes hands it must be signed for. Positive control each step of the way. As a side note to this discussion, this is the method also most often used for shipping diamonds between stores.

 

Dave, the lack of care in shipping is something I find all to common these days, Midway USA being the worst offender in regular shipments received in my business.

 

TSMG offers some very valid recommendations. I grew up in the moving business and learned about proper packing from experts at an early age. If you pack something and you can feel something move or rattle, it is not packed correctly.

 

On a positive note, I recently received my BAR from OOW, who had installed a barrel. The BAR was packed exceptionaly well, with foam packing on all inside sides of the box, bubble wrap on the BAR with the barrel being returned bubble wrapped separately. It was one of those rare episodes where I was impressed with someone else's packing.

[Gio]

I agree with all above. I have used USPS to ship guns and have not had a problem as of yet.

 

The biggest thing use common sense. You have to figure that a monkey is throwing that package around. It will not be handled like you handle your prized gun with kid gloves.

 

Dave that's a shame about your gun to do such a good job on packing the rifle and just throwing the parts in is not using common sense.

 

Remember that monkey.

 

Frank

[David]

Thanks for all replies and advice.

 

I'm just shipping my thompson barreled receiver to Philadelphia Ordnance to have them fix the rear sight. I think I'll be safe just wrapping and packing in bubble wrap and doubling up on the boxing.

Edited May 12, 2013 by David

[2ndArmored]

I agree with all above. I have used USPS to ship guns and have not had a problem as of yet.

 

The biggest thing use common sense. You have to figure that a monkey is throwing that package around. It will not be handled like you handle your prized gun with kid gloves.

 

Dave that's a shame about your gun to do such a good job on packing the rifle and just throwing the parts in is not using common sense.

 

Remember that monkey.

 

Frank

On an marginally-related simian note, I show "Apollo 13" to my class when time permits. This commercial appears briefly as someone is flipping through the TV channels, looking for a news broadcast about the astronauts. http://youtu.be/8C-e96m4730 Some of you may remember it.

[mnshooter]

I bought a mint M1A with scope. Told the seller to pack the scope and 6 magazines separately. The seller took it to a dealer and paid him a $50.00 packing charge, plus shipping cost, because he was worried about doing it properly.

The idiot dealer put the scoped rifle, wrapped loosely in newspaper, in a box, along with the 6 loose magazines, also each wrapped single layer of newspaper, then put the entire box inside a much larger box, with no padding between the boxes.

This allowed the inner box to bounce around inside the outer box, all the way to me. The magazines scratched the stock, and dinged the scope tube. UPS said it was defective packaging. The dealer refused to pay anything to anyone, and blamed the seller for not providing a hard case for the rifle.

Edited May 12, 2013 by mnshooter

[full auto 45]

Be sure to remove the forearm. It could get snapped off in shipping. I won't say I'm an expert at shipping, but I have been doing it for the last 23+ years.

Remove the forearm and any movable parts. If they are needed, wrap them separately.

wrap with bubble wrap so it has a couple of inches of wrap in it. This is easy if you use the big bubbles.

Place inside a tight cardboard box.

The that box goes into a larger cardboard box, with no markings.

Fill the voided space with packing peanuts. It's a pain for the receiver, but it will arrive safe.

USPS Registered mail. They have to sign for it, every time it changes hands.

[The1930sRust]

I've been told for years and years this is the type of tape that must be used...

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026RHV7A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Grasshopper]

Nevermind. Editor scrambled the post.

 

Grasshopper

Edited May 13, 2013 by Grasshopper

[First Sergeant]

I recently took delivery of a Colt Navy (finally) and a Winchester BAR that were shipped UPS. Yes I was worried and cringed at the thought of UPS handling it. The Navy was shipped inside it's original police case and that case was double bubble wrapped. Additional bubble wrap and "air inflated shipping bags" surrounded this inside the LCD TV box it was shipped in. I was out of state when it was due to be delivered and much to my surprise you cannot stop or postpone the first attempt at delivery. I didn't want the gun riding around in that brown truck anymore than it had to. After the fisrt attempt at delievery I was able to request they hold it at their facility for pick up the next day. The slip left on my door listed the item as an LCD TV ! The BAR arrived safely as well with everything , mags included, double bubble wrapped with additional packing material inside. Kudos to the shipper on the packing but not on the carrier. Like others have said, I too only ship USPS.

[RoscoeTurner]

That is correct when shipping registered mail, the edges of the tape must be stamped which will allow any signs of tampering with the box to be seen. The ink will stick to the paper tape where it will not on other types of tape.

 

 

I've been told for years and years this is the type of tape that must be used...

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026RHV7A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mnshooter]

I recently took delivery of a Colt Navy (finally) and a Winchester BAR that were shipped UPS. Yes I was worried and cringed at the thought of UPS handling it. The Navy was shipped inside it's original police case and that case was double bubble wrapped. Additional bubble wrap and "air inflated shipping bags" surrounded this inside the LCD TV box it was shipped in. I was out of state when it was due to be delivered and much to my surprise you cannot stop or postpone the first attempt at delivery. I didn't want the gun riding around in that brown truck anymore than it had to. After the fisrt attempt at delievery I was able to request they hold it at their facility for pick up the next day. The slip left on my door listed the item as an LCD TV ! The BAR arrived safely as well with everything , mags included, double bubble wrapped with additional packing material inside. Kudos to the shipper on the packing but not on the carrier. Like others have said, I too only ship USPS.

I do not know official UPS policy, but here I only have to ask, and they will hold any shipment when it arrives, until I can pick it up in person. It eliminates a wasted stop for the driver, so they are always willing to do it. If I leave my phone number, they even call me to advise it's arrived. That kind of personal service might vary with the size of your town/city, though. Just wish the company was MG friendly.

[Hawkeye_Joe]

My returned Westie from PK came directly to me from him with no FFL's involved which surprised me to no end.

[RoscoeTurner]

Firearms shipped to FFLs for repair or any other lawful purpose may be returned to the person from whom received without transferring the firearm through an FFL in the recipient’s State of residence. 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(2)(A).

 

 

My returned Westie from PK came directly to me from him with no FFL's involved which surprised me to no end.

[reconbob]

This just came in to the shop. The shipper made 2 mistakes. 1) He did not properly pack/wrap

the parts but relied mostly on those little air bags which were popped by the weight of the parts so

the parts were banging around in the box and eventually punched out the side. 2) He did not insure

the shipment. The parts that got lost were a semi-finished receiver and a trigger frame sent for barrel

work. Ouch!

 

Bob

 

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_3406_zps7f401356.jpg

[David]

Ouch! Thanks for the pic Bob! I was packing my thompson tonight to send off to you to have the sight fixed. I think I'll do another wrap of bubble wrap.

[RoscoeTurner]

Double lining the interior of the box with extra cardboard or Styrofoam never hurts.

[darrylta]

I received a 1903-A3 last month from H. Otoupalik that was bubble wrapped, with wadded paper in the voids,,,,in a styrofoam lined home made

wood box. Of course the best box bar none to use is a Pelican gun case, I get a used large cardboard box and custom bend it to fit the Pelican case.

 

I guess the bottom line on how far to go,,, is the value of what your shipping and can it be easily replaced?

 

FWIW - Darryl