Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Shipping Handguns?

I'm selling most of my handguns. I took a handgun to UPS Regional center today. It was a little SW Bodyguard in a lttle box, probably only a pound maybe two. I was told all handguns needed to go next day air. It was to go cross country, so I figured $30. The price was $110 plus change. I contacted buyer, he declined and I don't blame him. My FFL charged me $40 or $45 for shipping my last one I sold.
I see lots of ads with $25 shipping. How does one ship that cheap.
Thanks
Bfly

I haven't tried it yet, but this seems to be a popular option for handguns: https://www.shipmygun.com/go/index.php

Many FFLs charge actual shipping plus and handling fee for themselves that often equates to ~$50. Many FFLs only charge actual shipping and that will often cost only ~$25 because an FFL can ship a handgun thru the post office and you cannot.

Great a UPS account and you’ll save 50% or more compared to the stores.

Generally it is because FFL's get volume discounts with UPS. Many have negotiated contracts where they don't have to ship them next day air as well. They can also ship them via USPS, where as a non FFL cannot.

Try USPS 2nd day air with adult signature. That's how I receive them, but I'm a FFL, that that might be why. Since you're selling quite a few, maybe you could work something out with your FFL.

So, where is your list?? I don't see them in the classifieds.

I don't think it's so much an FFL thing as much as it is having a business account set up with UPS or FedEx. I have an account with UPS, FedEx and USPS and its cheaper to ship UPS and FedEx when I use those accounts. Not USPS.

Dealers can ship via USPS Priority Mail.

Fedex and UPS require handguns to go overnight/next day, so are more expensive.

UPS has had a problem with handguns being "lost" during shipping. S&W was returning a handgun that I had sent to be engraved via UPS and it was stolen. At that time S&W didn't insure guns that they were returning, but would replace them with a comparable handgun out of current production. That is how I became the owner of a 5" 629 Classic, sent to replace the custom 624 that I'd sent to S&W. I had to fight them to engrave the 629 with the same lines that I had paid them to do on the 624.

I charge the actual shipping fee and refund any portion that is leftover or cover any portion that is in excess of the amount that the buyer sent. I have an FFL, so I ship most handguns via USPS, but have sent them via Fedex if the buyer insists and is willing to pay the difference.

FFLs can ship a handgun FDX 2 day air so much cheaper than next day. I don't even mess with shipping handguns... just take it to my FFL and have him do it. Usually it's $40-50 plus insurance.

The USPS website clearly states in bold type that they require you to ship handguns by a different carrier. They do NOT want shipments of handguns, against their policy.

That's the way to go as long as there's an in network dealer close by. If not, it's not even worth the bother selling and shipping a handgun.

I read somewhere recently that Fed Ex will no longer ship any guns unless you're an FFL

Not for FFLs.

I've only shipped 1 and this was the route I used, ffl shipped it flat rate.

FedEx isn’t accepting handgun shipments from non-FFL holders anymore. Looks like UPS is the only game in town now.

Ship My Gun is definitely the way to go for a non FFL to ship handguns or even long guns for that matter. I’ve used them several times without a hitch. If the ship to dealer is not on their approval list it’s just a matter of having them call and send their FFL to the Ship My Gun folks and you’re good to go. Only hitch is they won’t ship to Ak.

As HORRIBLE as usps service is, I don’t know why anyone gives them any business.

Back on topic, I usually pay a local dealer to ship anything.

On a side note.. there are few here that might like to buy some handguns..

I've shipped directly with FedEx, but they require it to go overnight. If I recall, it was $130ish to send it from VA to TX.

The most efficient way for me to ship a handgun
is I ship through my FFL (he is very reasonable)

and we ship with a USPS flat rate box plus insurance

So Toms fee
Plus Flat rate
Plus ins

This usually works pretty good
Hank