Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Best way ship a rifle - UPS vs USPS ?

Not shipped one in years, that was UPS. Heard you can ship USPS. Much price difference?

Thanks in advance.

Lately usps has been cheaper for me and faster

USPS has been horrible for me lately. Paid for 2 or 3 day and arriving 18-21 days later. I would suggest FedEx or UPS. More expensive but haven’t had any significant delays with them lately.

What he said ^^ post office sucks

I ship stuff weekly and would not use anything but USPS. I have only seen a one or two day difference but I also believe it’s location dependent....
Bought a Geovid from CL in NY a couple weeks ago.
Shipped Saturday and arrived Tuesday......Priority Mail....

UPS for me. USPS is not an option, unreliable deliveries, unfriendly staff and very low level of assistance.

Much obliged, thanks guys!

You're likely going to get advocates on both sides here. I ship all of mine USPS because its close to me. The UPS depot is 30 miles from here and UPS stores won't ship weapons. I also use priority mail and insure for the total amount. I have yet to have an issue with the postal service.

UPS will not ship a firearm unless its at a UPS Hub Store. The franchise places will not, not even a gun part like a barrel.
I have had trouble with the mail for regular stuff, but never a problem sending or receiving a firearm.

I have had a total of three long guns that were damaged in shipping over the last 15 years and all were shipped by UPS. I have not had any damaged by the USPS. For what it is worth.

If you ship USPS go with Registered mail. Far more accountability. For some reason paper tape is required on the box.

I have no problems shipping USPS.I like to ship on Fridays.Usually it arrives any where in the CONTUS by Monday.I ship Priority Insured ask that guns be signed for and a copy of the signature sent to me.

I have a secondary question that is somewhat related to this post. I have never sold a gun through a forum classifieds like this, only face to face transactions. I am planning on selling a couple of guns and was curious on how this is normally handled through these forums. How is the best way to ensure a smooth transaction (meaning ensuring receipt of funds and subsequent shipment of the gun) and does the shipment require going through a FFL individual? Any other helpful advice will be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

I worked at FedEx here in Memphis, it's a mad house. Make darn sure you package it to withstand being dropped and make sure it's insured. They sort over 600,000 packages per shift and your package means nothing if it falls off the conveyor or off the cart before conveying. I'm sure UPS isn't much difference.

I have shipped firearms to almost every state in the last 20-30 years all via USPS Priority Mail----insured ! Almost all arrived at their destinations in 2 to 3 days!
I have never had a firearm damaged or lost through them. I also received many firearms for others, and USPS still has a clean record. I also received a lot of firearms through UPS and had the worst service than any other shipper but still not bad. Just slower and handled rougher!
Also, for me to ship UPS was to drive 40 miles.
I no longer have a FFL and am not doing much shipping and no receiving, but for long guns I still use USPS. I have noticed recently that Priority mail 2nd day air doesn't necessarily mean that anymore. I am not sure of the reason but I suspect politics! Fed-ex has usually been the worst for me! I do think they are improving while the others seem to be going down hill.
I am probably just lucky, but that is my opinion.

Also, however I ever shipped or received I requested or paid for an adult signature. I had too many high dollar firearms left on my doorstep----usually by Fed Ex!

FEDEX!!!!!! UPS requires you bring to a hub that has limited hours. USPS has been absolutely terrible. Pay for 2-3 day Priority get actual delivery 2+ weeks later. FEDEX has 2 convenient drop off places in town and neither gives any static about firearms.

UPS..

USPS Priority Mail. Used them all, Fedex, UPS, PO..............never an issue, but Post Office is cheapest and gets the package there twice as fast.

They all suck! I have a rifle coming from South Carolina via Fed Ex that sat in Georgia for 11 days. Spent half the day yesterday on the phone with the lying sacks of [bleep]. USPS shipping prices have gotten outrageous. UPS has had several employees arrested lately for stealing guns and ammo.

Shipped a shotgun across country two weeks ago, via usps. Took three days and arrived and was delivered Labor Day. Cost was around $50 with some extra insurance.