How is best way to ship a rifle for sale?

[GentleBen]

Hey, fellas, I am preparing to advertise for sale a pair of customized target rifles (Ruger 10/22 and CZ 527 .223) and I hope to sell them locally in the Baton Rouge area. However, I am willing to ship them to Lower 48 if needed. But I've never had to do so. I know they would have to be shipped to an FFL dealer but what are the usual requirements, packaging, etc. and who is best to use, FedEX or UPS or other. Cost range?

 

[CJ6]

I've usually gone to a local FFL. Because they get firearms all the time they usually have boxes appropriate for shipping (from prior incoming shipments) and are more than glad to get rid of them (re-use), also, some FFLs will only receive from another FFL so check on that beforehand.

 

[andrewsben]

I always keep my factory boxes and a good amount of bubble wrap and peanuts. I just make sure to have the rifle wrapped in the bubble wrap at least two wraps, bolt out and in bubble wrap, then fill with peanuts or small foam chunks (good use for pluck foam from rifle cases), put in docs and tape the crap out of it. Haven't had an issue yet.

I use usps and only ship long guns, so I can just use regular ground shipping. USPS wants there to be no ability for determining the package contains a firearm, so I either use a black marker or spray paint (depends on how much marking there are) and remove any references to company or firearms. I put a copy of my license and ccw, a copy of the atf ezcheck or ffl's license I am shipping to, along with a detail sheet on who the rifle is for a make/model/caliber/serial, as well as any other contents if brass, dies, etc are in it as well. Although it isn't required the USPS offices around where I am like to keep a copy of the license or atf ezcheck just in case anything happens in route, so print a couple extra copies (one for usps and one to keep for your records).

Today I shipped a steven's 200 in a boyd's provarmint (heavier than synthetic stocks) with heavy aftermarket barrel (not crazy heavy but bigger than normal, probably standard varmint contour), a set of 22-250 ai dies, and 100 brass and with $800 in extra insurace it was roughly $26. I have found the charges vary a lot by who rings me up. If it is the guy I played basketball with his son my whole life, it is $26ish insured, if it is the crabby old lady who I don't know, it is usually a little higher.

Be upfront with the clerk that you are shipping a firearm and that you have documentation to prove that the recipient is legal.

 

[DennisH]

I usually take 3/8 bubble wrap to start with, then take Kraft heavy paper and try to square off the rifle. I take measurements and have a heavy cardboard box make. Shipping out of state required the proper paperwork inside the package, and I usually put a copy on the outside in a shipping pouch.

If it's a rifle I really want to protect, I buy a cheap plastic rifle case from Academy. I have a heavy cardboard box to fit the case and fill the voids with heavy kraft paper. I put cardboard square in the case to keep it from collapsing, usually in the middle somewhere. So far, no problems. On expensive stocks, I wrap them with 3/8 bubble wrap, put it in a round cardboard tube, then stuff it in a square box tightly fit.

I go overboard, but it's cheaper in the long run. Filing an insurance claim is a pain, and worse, you beautiful piece of art you spent several months on is gone. For those reasons, I stay safe.

I usually start with the USPS, then UPS, then FedEx. USPS, well I personally have good luck with them. I can say the same for UPS as well.

Build the package and make sure it survives a 5ft fall to concrete. Drop it on the ends, sides, flat, etc., you get the point. They all tend to throw packages around when loading.

 

[tenring]

Several years ago, I sold 33 Sako rifles - my entire collection - most of them sent insured USPS. Two very old rifles arrived with split stocks. They were shipped in heavy cardboard boxes, packed tightly with foam and newspaper. The USPS wanted: The original receipts; an appraisal of each; photos of the damage; letters and photos from the buyers regarding condition on arrival; inspection by the local PO regarding packaging (they will decline the claim if not packaged securely). You can go online to make the claim, and the initial response will be a denial because "firearms cannot be sent by other than FFL's" which is not true and I had to quote the BATF regs to them. It took about 3 months to collect. The local PO kept the damaged rifles.

After jumping thru al these hoops, I decided to photo every rifle after it was packed in the box and before shipping; and to hereafter ship them only in a hard case, wrapped in reinforced tape around the outside. No problems thereafter.

 

[dickn52]

Several years ago, I sold 33 Sako rifles - my entire collection - most of them sent insured USPS. Two very old rifles arrived with split stocks. They were shipped in heavy cardboard boxes, packed tightly with foam and newspaper. The USPS wanted: The original receipts; an appraisal of each; photos of the damage; letters and photos from the buyers regarding condition on arrival; inspection by the local PO regarding packaging (they will decline the claim if not packaged securely). You can go online to make the claim, and the initial response will be a denial because "firearms cannot be sent by other than FFL's" which is not true and I had to quote the BATF regs to them. It took about 3 months to collect. The local PO kept the damaged rifles.

After jumping thru al these hoops, I decided to photo every rifle after it was packed in the box and before shipping; and to hereafter ship them only in a hard case, wrapped in reinforced tape around the outside. No problems thereafter.

I will always buy the plastic/foam cheap cases at Gander. Use strapping tape to lock that case, then warp the case and box it so that there is absolutely no movement in the box. The box must always be three ply or better. I mean as thick as you can get. Insure after doing the photo thing with the serial number.

 

[spclark]

UPS, FedEx, USPS... pack what you ship to withstand a 10' drop onto concrete & you'll usually be OK.

The other posts I can't add much to, I've encountered much the same over the years. I prefer USPS first, then FedEx. UPS as last resort but sometimes they're the only option depending on shipper's choices (for stuff coming to me).

 

[rkittine]

I always keep my rifle boxes. People like it if they can get the original box. Then I get either a over box or some sheet corrugated material and make an over box. Many states allow a dealer (yes even New York) to book in a firearm received from out of state as long as they have a copy of your drivers license.

Bob

P.S. - Just sent you a PM about the 10/22.

 

[danny]

Several years ago, I sold 33 Sako rifles - my entire collection - most of them sent insured USPS. Two very old rifles arrived with split stocks. They were shipped in heavy cardboard boxes, packed tightly with foam and newspaper. The USPS wanted: The original receipts; an appraisal of each; photos of the damage; letters and photos from the buyers regarding condition on arrival; inspection by the local PO regarding packaging (they will decline the claim if not packaged securely). You can go online to make the claim, and the initial response will be a denial because "firearms cannot be sent by other than FFL's" which is not true and I had to quote the BATF regs to them. It took about 3 months to collect. The local PO kept the damaged rifles.

After jumping thru al these hoops, I decided to photo every rifle after it was packed in the box and before shipping; and to hereafter ship them only in a hard case, wrapped in reinforced tape around the outside. No problems thereafter.

You should have also quoted their rules about shipping right from their DMM. I once was denied shipping a rifle at a small USPS branch by a clerk that did not know their DMM. I shipped it UPS and went on with life. I went into that branch a few days later with other business. The clerk was all apologies about denying the service. Aparrently, the next day, she told the Postmaster about how she foiled a crime. She (the clerk) even tried to call me at home to apologize to me. She tried look through checks to see if I had paid that way for the service I did get that day, and had a phone number available.. I did not pay by check. Some days later I ran into the Postmaster and we talked about this. She told me that she better not find out that one of her people had denied me long gun shipping that was going in accordance with Federal Law and the DMM, and if it did happen, I should call her direct. She then gave me her direct number at that branch. Her husband is, or was a LEO.

Danny

 

[Dan Hall]

I have sold and bought many(over 50) rifles over the years and I always buy a cheap hard case. You can usually buy cheap used ones from the gun stores. Put the rifle in a gun sock, make sure it's secure in the gun case and then put that in a box appropriate for the size of the case. You can buy card board boxes specifically for shipping rifles. FedEx and UPS both will ship to FFLs with no problems. Make sure to insure for full amount in case it's lost, not just damage.