Author Topic: More on shipping (Read 502 times)

Questor · « **on:** February 02, 2006, 01:45:55 AM »

I thought the earlier post was a good question.

I do think it was appropriate to lock the thread.

I've wondered that myself, considering the cost of shipping a handgun today. I just sent a target pistol in for repairs, insured for its $1500 value, and it cost me $75. That kind of change will get anyone thinking about alternatives. I'm sure the original post was motivated by well founded financial concern rather than any attempt to circumvent the law for nefarious purposes. The gunsmith will charge me a similar amount when he returns it.

Thanks for the clarification GB. You may want to make that one a "sticky" post for a while.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2006, 02:15:31 AM »

Questor - you know, that is interesting. Men spend lots of bucks for a nice handgun or rifle and spend more to have it customized to their specification. Then they find that if they want something else for it they need to send it to a smith. They pay $1k or more for the piece, another $3-500 on custom work, insure the hay out of it just in case it gets lost or stolen, and then gripe about the 50-75 clams it's gonna cost to get it to and from the gunsmith. To me there is just something wrong with that picture, especially when your other options are losing that gun, and all your others on the way to a jail term. Just a thought. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:14:29 AM »

The total gunsmithing bill for this repair job will be about $200. Shipping nearly doubles the cost.

Because I use my guns a lot, I routinely need repairs that cannot be trusted to any local smith that I know of. I have to send it to a trusted specialist. My guns are high-end target pistols and should not be serviced by the locals, not even the 1911s. I have seen what horrors occur to those who have used "the best" locals. The particular gun is a Pardini 45 and there is only one shop in the U.S. that is qualified to work on it. The repair I am asking for is to correct a quirk which only two people in the U.S. are factory trained to handle.

I've had some local work

I have also sent guns back to S&W and Rock River where the entire cost to me has been the shipping.

It adds up.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:35:25 AM »

The original poster had a valid question but some of the answers given were sure way off base and perhaps only intended to get someone in trouble with the law.

At this time there are no cheap shipping options for handguns. The folks who will ship them for you and who are allowed to do so by law are charging outrageous fees to do so. They have you where they want you, know it and intend to take advantage of it.

But if going for repairs or warranty work to a manufacturer or gunsmith it is not mandatory to use an FFL holder. Any and ALL other shipments do require it tho. I didn't write the law, don't agree with the law and am certain it is unconstitutional. Trouble is the judges don't agree with me.

Heavyhaul · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2006, 06:21:54 PM »

This got me asking question a USPS. You can ship a long guns, but they said "no hand guns period". The other post some body mentioned disassembly. I'm not being smart, I just asking for future reference. What would make it a handgun. Without a barrel, my DW would be non-functional. I won't try it, and sure wouldn't recomend it unless I knew it was ok, but haw many "parts" constitute a "handgun"? Just a question. I am considering some work for one of your sponsers. This just raises some couriosity. If I opt for the work, I WILL use an FFL. Better the extra cost rather the legal cost. :eek:

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2006, 06:27:17 PM »

The part with the gun's serial number on it is the firearm under federal law.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2006, 01:10:18 AM »

Oxygen is probably water under federal law, too.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2006, 04:35:26 AM »

Pistols may only be shipped via USPS by FFL dealers (01 FFL) or firearm manufacturers. UPS and FedEx allow firearms to be shipped by anyone, however firearms (the part with the S/N, usually the receiver with or without any parts attached) shipped by a private individual can only be shipped to an FFL holder. All other shipements of firearms must be shipped by an FFL to an FFL. I do recommend NOT using UPS to ship firearms, they pick and choose which packages to beat up and loose and which of their own policies they wish to follow. In fact I have had the pimply little brat behind the counter try to make up rules on the spot. After quoting him UPS's Policy and raising a large stink we finally got it straightend out. Also all firearms shipped via UPS must go to the UPS customer counter or given directly to a driver. You cannot use the "UPS Store" or any other UPS drop-off points.

doncisler · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:39:20 AM »

see GUN-LIST Feb. 24, 2006 pages 57 thru 59. "the smart gun buyer" pull-out section.
tells what is allowed, what is affordable, what is legal.
federal regulations and each companies rules.
IN GENERAL anyone can ship to a FFL, cannot ship to each other unles it is manufactured prior to 1898.
handguns can only be mailed ffl to ffl.
ups if ffl to ffl only.