Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing shipping shotgun

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,looks like I have to send my shotgun to a gunsmith in NY,I live in ILL.Cabelas won't ship to a smith,what would be my best method to ship,Thanks

By which ever method makes you comfortable. Except for small parts, I've been shipping all my stuff by UPS for over 30 years. I haven't had a lost or damaged gun yet. Ooops, I probably shouldn't have said that.

If it is valuable, and you can't stand the possiblity of damage or theft, the best bet is USPS Registered Mail, Return Receipt and insured for the correct amount.

Otherwise, either Fedex or UPS Second Day delivery is OK, but not bullet proof.

If you can take the gun down to make its package look less like a gun you will lessen the chance of theft. Make sure the delivery address label doesn't mention guns, gunsmith, sporting goods, etc.

In any case, make sure your packaging is very protective and externally rugged. Insure for the correct amount.

RAN

I didn't know you could ship through USPS,if I use fed ex,ups,or usps,don't I have to tell them it's a firearm?They all have metal detectors around Chicago,a local gun shop around here won't even send it.Thank You.

Don't walk into the Post office with the shotgun hoping they'll package it for you.

Go to the prospective shippers web site and read their regulations regarding shipping firearms. And print out a copy while you are at it to give the stupid clerk when he/she begins to give you crap about it.

P.S. This America. You don't need the local gunshop to ship it for you. But you might want to tell them what a bunch of turds they are for refusing to assist you.

Thanks,i'll let you guys know what happens,will ship next week,Thanks

I'm just the opposite.. I refuse to use UPS for firearms.. Get a copy of the FFL you're shipping to. Verify (if you wish) through this site:

https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/


Then ship via USPS insured.. Package well, exterior box must be unmarked as to contents, and all the clerk can ask you is if the contents is liquid, fragile, perishable or hazardous.. Nothing else..

Best of luck.

Long guns are OK with USPS. Pistols are not. They must be sent via UPS or Fedex.

RAN

You can/should send it to the 'smith direct (presume he has an FFL), he can/should send it directly back to you. No transfer paperwork involved. I recommend USPS, pack it well, insure it for full value. You are not obliged to tell them anything else, and I wouldn't.

With the exception if the shipper and receiver both have FFLs and have filed a Form 1508 with the USPS..