Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Just a reminder: Tape is cheap & NECESSARY when shipping.

I always envision the delivery person kicking the box or package out of the back of the truck or van like they’re trying out for kicker in the NFL. I package and tape with that thought in mind.

Maybe it’s been covered…….

Ups doesn’t deliver to most PO Boxes!!!!!!

They will take it. Just won’t deliver it

I'm a huge fan of using the padded flat rate envelopes. I usually wrap items in them then drop the bundle into another padded FR envelope.

Today I had a discussion with my mail lady after she delivered a round tube that was shipped from VA on Dec 9th. She told me 40% of all round tubes get lost in transit. She said often times they roll off the sides of the sorting machines falling down inside. They don't get recovered until the machine gets repaired or replaced.

Take that for what it's worth. She also told me shipping firearms through the USPS is illegal. 🤦

Interesting about the tubes!

I have straightened out more than one USPS employee about mailing firearms--but it's been a while since the last one. She was the postmaster here for a few years, and was VERY confused about what was required--though very sure of herself too. She always asked me, "Is it broke down?" By which she apparently meant is it taken apart--which is NOT a requirement. The last time she asked me, the local PO had put up video cameras to record what went on at the shipping counter. She "retired" shortly afterward.

The woman postmaster who's been in charge for a while now is very good, and knows the rules.

Once received a small flat-rate priority box of bullets that had NO tape on it--and of course had busted open. Luckily the bullets were in a Ziploc bag that had started to leak a little, but toward the still intact part of the box....

I just bought some as I was getting low, cheap it wasn’t, but I also believe in making packages that I ship, bullet proof.

I use USPS fiber reinforced envelopes inside of flat rate USPS boxes for Brass and bullets then I wrap in non stick plastic wrap.

A very long time ago, I bought a Ruger #1 from someone here. When it showed up at my house, it was literally put in a long box and wrapped with one layer of newspaper! It was flopping around like a banana in a shoebox. Unbelievably, there wasn't a mark on it!

I'm pack boxes as if I were packing them for myself.

think about it guy's. a small flat rate that weigh's heavy, signals either lead, which is almost as valuable as gold, or said gold.
also if such a shipment is routed through KC area, i would give long odds that it would disappear, or be pilfered.
i gave up on buying bullets on line.

We pick up packages of 8 rolls of Scotch heavy-duty shipping tape at the local Costco whenever they goes on sale. The regular price if $24.99, but sale price is usually around $15. It really is cheap that way....

I’ve bought and sold bullets many dozens (?hundreds) of times. Almost all shipped in small or med flat rate boxes. Well packed and taped, there’s never been a problem.

I have experienced this as well and will NEVER send a round tube again.

Agreed, looks like someone swiped what sounded like bling to them.

When did this policy begin? I've had insurance claims for bullets on several occasions (usually when a seller doesn't have a clue--or doesn't care--about how to package things) and they've usually come through for me.

Some folks just will not take the time or effort to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I tend to over package items I ship. On many scopes I've sold I ripped down some old paneling scraps and made a protective sleeve for them.

My only issue with USPS was a little over a month back. Sold some muzzle loader bullets to a member in MI. Packaged them up in a small fixed rate box and added extra tape on the seams and flap. A few days later the buyer contacts me and let's me know that box arrived...without the bullets. It appeared to have been ripped open, contents removed, taped back up (sloppily), and sent on to the addressee. I immediately refunded the buyer his money and filed a claim online with USPS the next day. I uploaded photos of the bullet boxes and a screenshot from midwayusa.com to establish value. I was surprised to receive a claim check from the USPS on the same day the buyer received my refund payment.

I buy and sell quite a few rifles and scopes online. Normally I’ll package in the factory box with additional padding, or in a hard side gun case. Then I wrap everything in brown kraft paper, then wrap the entire package with clear tape, the whole thing. I hate to curse myself, but I’ve shipped dozens like this and never had an issue with damage. With the way things are today, I’m starting to disassemble the long gun, and send it in a package that doesn’t scream “I’m a Gun”.

It may not be policy, and could be just my luck. I’ve filled three claims with usps; one for a scope, one for bullets, one for a trigger. All three were denied by usps with no cause given. When I asked my local office, they told me that everything gun related was not allowed to ship, which is why they got denied. I know that’s not how their actual policy reads, but that doesn’t mean the decision makers don’t follow that same broken logic chain.

as stated earlier...take the padded envelopes from usps and wrap your bullets and brass in them, roll them up and seal them as needed then put them in another padded envelope seal and tape them secure...never a problem for me

Me too.

Have also had many firearms mailed to my PO Box, no problems.

Medium flat rate box I mailed, that somehow arrived with contents intact. It was heavy, probably 60 lbs. I didn't go sparingly on materials at all.