I have to hand it to the USPS ; THEY FINALLY GOT TO ME. I very securely packaged a mint condition, custom Sako in 17 MachIV (with new, custom barrel, never fired) SERIAL NO. 167101 and sent it from my home in Kingman, AZ to a gunsmith I know in Idaho. I insured it, but not for enough. The container arrived at the gunsmith, but the ends had been opened and the custom Sako was missing. The rifle was in an extremely heavy cardboard tube with circular plywood cutouts in both ends strapped heavily. My feeling is that some postal employee opened the container and stole the rifle as it could not break open accidentally. I was wanting to make it a switch barrel with the new barrel to be 222 Remington - the 17 doesn't do well in AZ wind. Recently there has been a number of questionable delivery issues with the USPS, so I doubt I will ever use the USPS for shipping again.
USPS strikes again with loss of Sako.
- Thread starter LoganDon
- Start date
WOW not good for sure Bro. Probably will be hard to find it. Sorry for your loss.
Stories like this really freak me out. I HATE shipping guns because they just stand out to people that know what to look for and want to steal them. Add to this the fact that theft is hardly even prosecuted as a crime anymore. Just fill out a form and collect the insurance money. If this was taken more seriously by the shipping companies in general, not just the USPS, and the thieves were caught and given some prison time for the crime - maybe it would subside. Seems to me that this wouldn't be that hard to investigate. Track the package and drag the people in that had contact with the package as it made its way to the final destination. Someone in that chain is a thief.
Sorry for the lost of your nice rifle. If it's any consolation, It doesn't involve the USPS, but I had a S&W revolver taken in a burglary of my home returned to me after 28 years. Hopefully you can get your rifle back sooner than that.
Sorry for the lost of your nice rifle. If it's any consolation, It doesn't involve the USPS, but I had a S&W revolver taken in a burglary of my home returned to me after 28 years. Hopefully you can get your rifle back sooner than that.
The incredible part is that they won't pay a cent no matter how much you insured it for. I hope the gunsmith didn't sign for it because if he did you don't have a leg to stand on!
Sorry to hear this. I’m going to try and sell a few of mine and I don’t think I will sell them if I have to ship because of this kind of thing being so prevalent.
Thud
Gold $$ Contributor
I have shipped a bunch of rifles out by USPS and UPS.
I have done this to prevent theft.
I bubble wrap the rifle first.
Always remove bolt, mags and scopes if sending them to the buyer.
Then I wrap the rifle in shrink wrap. That prevents the rifle from shedding the bubble wrap.
Get a new box never a used box they don't stand up well. Fill box with peanuts and make sure the item in in there solid and doesn't move around.
Get another box and place the 1st box in the in the 2nd box and also fill with peanuts so it doesn't shake or move.
I also place the bolt or mag in the top of the 2nd box on the top. and tape any paper work to the outside of the 1st box(insidebox) so the receiver can see it before opening the 1st box.
Remember to tape it well and take a picture of the box to show what it looked like before shipment.
Remember the boxes and peanuts and tape are cheap in respect of the the item.
Insure it for the full amount.
I have been told by a ups worked who bought a rifle from me that he and the guys in the depot were impressed on how the rifle was shipped. They had a hard time opening it at the Smith.
Also never use a tube to ship any thing large it will roll off the conveyors and fall and as yours did burst open.
If need help on packing info contact me.
Thanks,
Thud
I have done this to prevent theft.
I bubble wrap the rifle first.
Always remove bolt, mags and scopes if sending them to the buyer.
Then I wrap the rifle in shrink wrap. That prevents the rifle from shedding the bubble wrap.
Get a new box never a used box they don't stand up well. Fill box with peanuts and make sure the item in in there solid and doesn't move around.
Get another box and place the 1st box in the in the 2nd box and also fill with peanuts so it doesn't shake or move.
I also place the bolt or mag in the top of the 2nd box on the top. and tape any paper work to the outside of the 1st box(insidebox) so the receiver can see it before opening the 1st box.
Remember to tape it well and take a picture of the box to show what it looked like before shipment.
Remember the boxes and peanuts and tape are cheap in respect of the the item.
Insure it for the full amount.
I have been told by a ups worked who bought a rifle from me that he and the guys in the depot were impressed on how the rifle was shipped. They had a hard time opening it at the Smith.
Also never use a tube to ship any thing large it will roll off the conveyors and fall and as yours did burst open.
If need help on packing info contact me.
Thanks,
Thud
The two times I have sent a hunting rifle to be rebarreled, I sent them without a stock to make the package smaller and less obvious.
Shipping firearms is never safe. I refuse to do so. there are always good gunsmiths within driving distance. I don't mind driving a few hours to get a job done. Ye there are a few outstanding gunsmiths whose work can't be duplicated, but the smith I drive a 140 miles to is extremely competent.
Even with enough insurance to cover the entire cost, it will take months to recover your money. there are times money can't compensate you for the loss of a cherished item.
Even with enough insurance to cover the entire cost, it will take months to recover your money. there are times money can't compensate you for the loss of a cherished item.
Federal employess commiting felonies. Oh wait, subcontractors?
Bring them to me....
Bring them to me....
I wiuld demand to talk to the postal inspector from where it disappeared and tell him to watch the security tapes from where it disappeared. If he wont let him know CNN is interested in running the story.
Postal inspector ain't got time for customers (unless you're buying millions of dollars in junk mail).
Like I've said before, I wouldn't trust the Post Office to hit the ground after they trip.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Make sure you report it stolen and file a detailed police report. I know if your gunsmith does it then once it turns up it will be a huge felony stealing from an ffl and all
And shouldn’t this be reported to ATF as if the gun is used in a crime later and traced back to original owner, that wouldn’t be good.?
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
As Thud said, round tubes seem to be a challange. I received two barrels in separate tubes. The tubes were taped together. Typical barrel tubes with steel end caps. When the barrels arrived the driver told me that it was open and to be careful. Sure enough, one of them was open, the barrel had fallen out and the threads were damaged. Opened the other tube and it was empty. They found that barrel under a conveyor belt at the local facility.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.