First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Duffy1298

Duffy1298

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 21, 2012
304
22
37
Jacksonville
#1
I am sure I'm going to catch all kinds of hell for this but here goes... I am sending my rifle to a gunsmith to have some work done, I've never done this before I'm just curious as to if there is anything I should know about sending a rifle via mail before it's gone and I'm in some kinda trouble for something I didn't know about. Thanks y'all
 
#2
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Rifle can go USPS no problem. Talk to your smith about his shipping requests. A lot of folks will want it shipped in a certin type of case or they'll just charge you for one of theirs when they ship it back to you. I always put my info including rifle info, services info in the box AND in the case w/ the rifle.
 
#3
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

No hell, it's simple. I use UPS, and it has to be a full service terminal, not a UPS store. Put it in a protective box/case. Insure it for a little above it's worth. Send it to your smith. He needs to be an FFL. When it's ready he can ship directly back to you. Don't know about any of the other carriers. UPS has great tracking, and we have an account. Never had an issue.
 
#4
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

I hope this isn't your smith


<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IPQM4h-UZtc"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IPQM4h-UZtc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
#6
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RugerSlinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you have to tell UPS its a rifle?
</div></div>

Per ATF, yes you have to tell them its a rifle but they can not make you label it as a rifle.
 
#7
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Do not even think about USPS. They loose far too many packages. Go to UPS.com and you can print your own shipping label. Box your rifle up in a hard case and put it in a cardboard box. Attach the label to the box and drop it off at UPS. The stores are kinda finicky about guns, but if you say custom fiberglass and metal pipe they just look at you funny and say thanks.
 
#8
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Well I can’t argue with you about USPS being a pain. Never had them lose anything, but I did have a barrel earlier this year that took 6 weeks to make it from TX to GA. According to Google walking directions, I could have walked there much quicker than the package took to get to me. I also prefer to get them shipped back USPS. I have a rifle on a FedEx truck now that I can’t get my hands on. Shipped adult sig required and no one has been at my house this week to receive it, so it keeps getting sent back to a FedEx hub about 75 miles from my house. With USPS, they just leave a note and I can swing by the next day during lunch to pick it up.
 
#9
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricM40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not even think about USPS. They loose far too many packages. Go to UPS.com and you can print your own shipping label. Box your rifle up in a hard case and put it in a cardboard box. Attach the label to the box and drop it off at UPS. The stores are kinda finicky about guns, but if you say custom fiberglass and metal pipe they just look at you funny and say thanks. </div></div>

May be wrong but you may want to go to the UPS station and declare what you are shipping. Insurance and legalities that I don't know a lot about. Just not sure how much of a claim you would have or trouble you would could get into if it did get lost or damaged,had to file a claim and you had said it was just a custom piece of a widget or pipe.

edt: I just shipped one and it doesn't cost any more being a rifle.
 
#10
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

I like to go to the Home Depot and get an old refrigerator box (free), and make my own heavy duty triangular (cross section) box, then pack the rifle inside a soft case, inside the box.

When UPS asks what it is, I say it's a tool.... it is, right?

Include no ammo.
 
#11
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

If you plan on getting creative with the description (i.e "tool" or "fiberglass and pipe") then you might as well skip the insurance as they will never pay your claim if it is lost or damaged.
 
#12
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

I just put mine in a hard case and then put it in a box that was the right size. and tapped it up pretty well and attached a shipping label I printed.

I then went to my local UPS hub and handed it to the guy and told him it was a rifle and I was on my way.

As to "stretching the truth" about what is in the package, I would not just for insurance purposes because you need to tell ups its a rifle. I don't know if they wouldn't cover it if they find out it was a rifle (through an insurance claim possibly) but I wouldn't want to take that chance.
 
#13
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just put mine in a hard case and then put it in a box that was the right size. and tapped it up pretty well and attached a shipping label I printed.

I then went to my local UPS hub and handed it to the guy and told him it was a rifle and I was on my way.

As to "stretching the truth" about what is in the package, I would not just for insurance purposes because you need to tell ups its a rifle. I don't know if they wouldn't cover it if they find out it was a rifle (through an insurance claim possibly) but I wouldn't want to take that chance. </div></div>

+1. That's exactly what I do.
 
#14
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

I have to open the box and let the LWIC behind the counter at my UPS terminal inspect it before they'll ship a rifle.
 
#15
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Really? They don't make us do it at the terminal I go to. They just ask me if it's going to a gunsmith or back to the mfgr. so they can note the waybill.

L
 
#16
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Well guys I think This is the most info I've gotten on any question I've asked yet on the hide. Thanks a ton my gun goes out for surgery tomorrow and comes back trued with a Krieger 5r hv. This is my first build y'all helpin makes a difference. Thanks
 
#17
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just put mine in a hard case and then put it in a box that was the right size. and tapped it up pretty well and attached a shipping label I printed.

I then went to my local UPS hub and handed it to the guy and told him it was a rifle and I was on my way.

As to "stretching the truth" about what is in the package, I would not just for insurance purposes because you need to tell ups its a rifle. I don't know if they wouldn't cover it if they find out it was a rifle (through an insurance claim possibly) but I wouldn't want to take that chance. </div></div>

I do the same thing as well.
 
#18
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Just to piggyback a question on shipping a rifle. Do I need a copy of his FFl or have to show it at UPS. Also what does it normally cost, thanks.
 
#25
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Go here https://www.ups.com/one-to-one/logi...=en_US&WT.svl=PNRO_L1&reasonCode=-1&appid=UIS

Click ship as a guest, then fill in the weight. Click ship now and you will be given a price, normally less than $20 for ground. Expedited is only required for handguns.

You can declare that it is a rifle on there and it will be in their records as one. I only meant for the minimum wage guy behind the counter you say pipe or tool. UPS stores are franchises and have different rules from store to store.
 
#26
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

Make sure you always insure.. I had a horror story happen to me not too long ago, I went to the USPS and had 2 Cz rifles shipped to an FFL that I did a trade with.. I requested insurance, signature confirmation etc. Well the long of the short is that I got notification that it was delivered and I called the guy 30 minutes after the notification..

He said he had not received it and that I should contact USPS, well I did, the cashier did not add insurance, no delivery confirmation, and so I was worried sick.. started calling the authorities and then the phone rings..

The man is a much older gentleman and he was in a wheelchair so he hadn't gotten to the door on time.. but never did I imagine what I saw unfold.. these rifles were delivered and left on this mans porch!!! I almost had a flippen heart attack..

Ship UPS insured with signature confirmation.
 
#27
Re: First time shipping a rifle to a smith

I have had $6000 worth of rifles destroyed, ie bent actions, cracked stocks, bent scope bells, by UPS. These were shipped in a Harddigg case, completely enclosed by foam cutout. I will never ship UPS again. I will only use USPS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
First rifle
Replies
19
Views
425
BLEE
BLEE
UKMan
First bolt precision gun
Replies
49
Views
1K
Turkeytider
T
V
Advice on Cartridge and Rifle (and a lot of other stuff) for High Accuracy Bolt Action Rifle
Replies
21
Views
529
Dead Eye Dick
Dead Eye Dick
Baron23
Send action for a Pre-fit
Replies
46
Views
1K
Baron23
Baron23
Observant25
Advice on my first Custom build
Replies
42
Views
708
Cody S
Cody S
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts