Author Topic: Shipping a revolver out for custom work? (Read 2133 times)

GunNut89 · « **on:** February 16, 2012, 02:45:03 PM »

Hey all , I have a quick question for anyone who may have done this before. Soon I will be shipping out a revolver to Mr.Reeder in AZ for some work and I was wondering what would be the safest and most secure way to ship? I apologize if this isn't the correct forum to ask this question.

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2012, 05:01:01 PM »

If you have a local FFL you use, I would contact them. Typically I find that paying their $25 or so fee is about 1/3 what UPS will do to you. They require you to send it Next Day and last time I sent my Blackhawk somewhere that way it was $69 bucks! Now I do my FFL and pay $25 for their fee and $13 for postage.

GunNut89 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2012, 06:01:25 PM »

Thanks for the reply Tacklebury, thats the route I will probably go (ffl)

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2012, 12:59:57 AM »

If i'm not mistaken, don't FFL's have to ship their pistols via NDA also?

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2012, 01:20:27 AM »

Quote from: Singleshotsam on February 17, 2012, 12:59:57 AM

If i'm not mistaken, don't FFL's have to ship their pistols via NDA also?

No! Tacklebury is correct. Your favorite local dealer can make arrangements with the post office to ship the gun via USPS Priority Mail (usually 2-3 day delivery). The dealer/ manufacturer can return the gun to him the same way.
I haven't sent or received guns using the legal thieves at UPS or FEDEX in more than a decade. The USPS Priority Mail is more dependable, and less than half the cost, in most cases.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:30:08 AM »

It's pretty bad when you can pay the 25 bucks for a transfer fee, plus postage and still be half as cheap as ups...

pastorp · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:29:36 AM »

And, why is that bad?

If it was a long gun you could mail it yourself too.

I think saving money is a good thing....

Regards,

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:32:17 AM »

Use your FFL, that is usually cheaper than most other options out there. Also a side note, what are you getting done at Reeders, I have a few of his custom guns myself.

tacklebury · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:39:16 PM »

I'd rather give my local dealer 25 bucks anyday than UPS big brown anyway. lol

GunNut89 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2012, 04:11:29 PM »

Hi Redhawk I'm sending in a S&W m29-3 out to have the canted barrel corrected and pinned hopefully so the sights will line up.

Mikey · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2012, 12:05:43 AM »

Gunnut: if I recall correctly, handguns must be shipped ffl to ffl, regardless of purpose. Shipping your handgun to Gary Reeder is no different than shipping it back to the factory, it still has to go ffl to ffl. And it really doesn't matter who the carrier is, the sending ffl should/will cover it under his insurance. When Reeder is finished withit he will send it back to your ffl. HTH.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:10:02 AM »

Quote from: Mikey on February 18, 2012, 12:05:43 AM

Gunnut: if I recall correctly, handguns must be shipped ffl to ffl, regardless of purpose. Shipping your handgun to Gary Reeder is no different than shipping it back to the factory, it still has to go ffl to ffl. And it really doesn't matter who the carrier is, the sending ffl should/will cover it under his insurance. When Reeder is finished withit he will send it back to your ffl. HTH.

Mikey, that is not true. I have had gun companies send me a pick up label, and I arranged for pick up of the gun, no FFL was used. I have also sent my handguns directly to Gary Reeder, via UPS. As long as the receiver is an FFL. I have shipped over 15 handguns through UPS, directly to an FFL. I am not an FFL and never had one problem with UPS not sending it, and they were aware of the contents in the box. The next day air is a policy UPS put into place due to high gun theft, not because it is a law. Also, when you send a gun to Gary Reeder or any other gunsmith, they will send the gun directly back to you, same as any gun manufacture if you send you gun in for repair. You will either have to sign for it when it is delivered, or pick it up from the distribution terminal if you were not home during the time of delivery, you can also call and make arrangements for a delivery date.

Now if you sell a gun on Graybeard, he wants you to use an FFL to send your guns to another FFL, as he is looking to protect himself from any legal recourse.

Here is the legal requirements. Shipping Legalities
Federal Law requires that all modern firearms be shipped to a holder of a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) only. The recipient must have an FFL; however the sender is not required to have one. Any person who is legally allowed to own a firearm is legally allowed to ship it to an FFL holder for any legal purpose (including sale or resale).

http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.aspx?faqid=1118

tacklebury · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2012, 05:35:45 AM »

Mikey, you might be thinking of purchase. When purchasing a new or used, you MUST go through an FFL.

They gotta keep track of who's got what afterall... hehe

coyotejoe · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2012, 06:05:43 AM »

Actually it is NOT legal for anyone, FFL or not, to ship a handgun via U.S. Postal Service. That is not an ATF regulation but a USPS reg, no handguns. I know it is commonly done, I have shipped them in a USPS flat rate box but it is in violation of Postal Service regs. The link Redhawk 1 posted clearly states that fact.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2012, 01:29:31 AM »

Actually FFL's can use the USPS to ship handguns as well. Almost every gun shop I have had ship my handguns through, used the USPS. Some FFL's will not accept from a non-FFL, so a FFL dealer must be used to ship.

US Mail: Licensed persons can ship a rifle, shotguns, or handguns by US Mail. In fact, we suggest that you use the USPS as it is now the most cost-effective way to ship a handgun. To ship a rifle or shotgun, you need only inform the Post Office that the package contains a firearm. A licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer can ship a handgun via the US Post Office if the licensed dealer fills out a US Post Office Form PS 1508 and files it with the local Post Office branch where the handgun is to be shipped. You can search the US Post Office Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations regarding firearms and ammunition.

ole 5 hole group · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2012, 08:10:27 AM »

Reeder has some advise on his order/shipping page. http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/shipping_info.htm
I've shipped to him using his suggestions and he's shipped back using 2nd day air, if my memory serves me correctly.

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2012, 01:17:30 AM »

Redhawk, Tacklebury, Coyotejoe: Thanks guys. I may not always be correct (though I'm rarely in doubt - lolol) but I am grateful for the clarifications. I would really rather err on the side of caution than to read about someone who lost a gun in shipment or who got busted for doing something wrong. Thanks again.

Flash · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2012, 12:24:57 PM »

Quote from: Singleshotsam on February 17, 2012, 12:59:57 AM

If i'm not mistaken, don't FFL's have to ship their pistols via NDA also?

An FFL can walk into the post office with a boxed handgun and ship it to any one of the 50 states. My dealer handles any shipments for me this way and charges me $25 for insured priority mail. I've also shipped a Security Six to Ruger for refinishing and they sent it back to me at my front door. No FFL either way.

AfricanHandgunner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2012, 03:30:13 PM »

Quote from: ole 5 hole group on February 19, 2012, 08:10:27 AM

Reeder has some advise on his order/shipping page. http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/shipping_info.htm
I've shipped to him using his suggestions and he's shipped back using 2nd day air, if my memory serves me correctly.

That is a VERY bad isea. A friend of mine took his gun apart and sent it UPS as "Gun parts". UPS lost his gun and when he went to file an insurance claim, they said he did not truthfully disclose what he was sending, therefore, tough luck. He consulted a lawyer and was told the same thing. he did not truthfully disclose what he was shipping, so UPS was not liable for any compensation. Either use an FFL to ship the gun or pay to have it sent 2nd day air fully insured, like the shippers require.

pacecars · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:55:35 AM »

Late to the party but according to BATFE regs you do not have to disclose the contents to USPS but you are required to tell a common carrier such as UPS or Fedex. As others have said you have to be an FFL holder to ship handguns through USPS and a C&R does not count.

casca1 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2012, 08:57:56 AM »

sorry, but the way I do it- ( use at your discreation)
I always ship in a short rifle size box through USPS get all the add on ship ins- delivery confirmation.
if asked whats in the box "yes, maam it's a firearm.

35 years never been in trouble.
just my $.02 worth.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:42:13 AM »

Quote from: Mikey on February 18, 2012, 12:05:43 AM

Gunnut: if I recall correctly, handguns must be shipped ffl to ffl, regardless of purpose. Shipping your handgun to Gary Reeder is no different than shipping it back to the factory, it still has to go ffl to ffl. And it really doesn't matter who the carrier is, the sending ffl should/will cover it under his insurance. When Reeder is finished withit he will send it back to your ffl. HTH.

Anyone can ship a handgun to have it reapired or back to the factory. FedEx overnight is pretty much the only way to do it and that's expensive. Best to get an FFl to ship it.

Ladobe · « **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2012, 09:47:32 AM »

My FFL, who has transferred a ton of firearms for me in and out for a reasonable fee, would send a handgun for repair/custom work for me for just the cost of the flat rate priority mail. Might be an option if you have an FFL you use often who will work with you.

Bigboar · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2012, 08:36:27 AM »

This is what Gary Reeder has on his web site about shipping to him;

If you are shipping a handgun to me for work or a conversion, UPS and sometimes Fed Ex can be real anti gun and force you to ship the gun overnight, which, by the way IS NOT A LAW, just their silly rules. So, to bypass all this crap, take the 5 screws out of the gripframe, ease it off, being careful not to lose the 2 small springs inside the gripframe. Put these parts in a baggie along with the gripframe and loose grips. Take the cylinder out and the housing off and base pin out and put them in a baggie. You can then put the rest of the gun in another baggie and put all these little baggies in one large baggie. If you are familiar with the gun, feel free to take it the rest of the way apart, if not then that is far enough.[/size]This way you can tell them, if they ask, that you are shipping gun parts to a repair station, which we are and if they look, they will see a lot of parts in baggies and shouldn't give you a hassle. When it gets to us, it won't matter if it is all in parts as that is the first thing we do anyway. And of course, when your firearm is returned, it will have been re-assembled, fully test fired and ready for the field.

bigboar

S.B. · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:23:40 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on February 16, 2012, 05:01:01 PM

If you have a local FFL you use, I would contact them. Typically I find that paying their $25 or so fee is about 1/3 what UPS will do to you. They require you to send it Next Day and last time I sent my Blackhawk somewhere that way it was $69 bucks! Now I do my FFL and pay $25 for their fee and $13 for postage.

Don't know about your state but, in Illinois you don't need a FFL to send a gun to a gunsmith.
Steve

gypsyman · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:49:28 PM »

Sad part of all of this. Is, all the company's involved, work together. My UPS driver was parked at the local little post office, this was about 2 years ago. When I asked him what he was doing, he said making a delivery, and picking up. When I went in and asked the women that I knew behind the counter about this, she laughed and said, oh we use the same trucks all the time. You might take a package into the post office to mail, but a very good chance it will end up in a UPS or Fed Ex truck somewhere along the route. gypsyman

Hank08 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:53:53 AM »

That's true, our local UPS driver picks up and delivers to the USPS all the time. I was just talking about this very thing yesterday to a ATF agent. He showed me in the Fed regulations, 2005 issue (that's the latest one) Sec. B8, page 178 tells you who can ship out of state and most of you were right, except Mikey and Coyote,so many rules, it's easy to become confused but it's a good idea to not post unless your sure. H08