How much of a hassle is shipping a rifle?

[primalmu]

I've got a 10/22 that I'm trying to sell. The prices I'm seeing on Gunbroker are pretty tempting and I'm considering putting it up for sale online. My only issue is the hassle of shipping, mainly packaging. Also, what is the usual method, have the buyer tell his FFL to send a copy of his FFL to me for shipping?

 

[TurtlePhish]

You just need to make sure it's packaged well enough that the barrel doesn't poke through the end of the box or something. Lots of bubble wrap is helpful. Use some extra cardboard in the ends- layer it up.

Usual practice is the FFL sends a signed copy of their license to you and you ship the rifle to their business address.

 

[Canuck-IL]

It's not a big deal ... often you can get an appropriate sized box from a local gun store when they open display inventory. As mentioned, lots of bubble wrap and I've used a bubble cushion at each end.

Can't use a FedEx Office or UPS-Mailboxes'R'Us storefront to ship - has to be a hub or, since it's a long gun, you can use the USPS - my experience has been better with the big 2 - at least the urban post office I tried freaked out when I brought in a boxed rifle and a copy of their tariff showing it was legal to ship...took awhile but worked out eventually.

No markings on the outside of the box to indicate it's a gun but you do have to declare it on the consignment. Other than that, it's just the deadweight cost.
/Bryan

 

[El Mariachi]

I'm shipping an 1887 Danish Rolling block to Wisconsin this week, via the U.S. Post Office. Going out in Plano hard case, covered/stuffed into a box. Total weight is about 16 lbs, cost to ship via ground (with a tracking number, sig conf & $400 of insurance) is 'sposed to be about $38.00---if their website is correct. Finding or fabbing up the cardboard box itself is the real pita. But my advice is to not completely seal up your box at home, 'cuz the Post Office folks are gonna want to inspect your rifle to make sure it's unloaded.....

 

[gotigers]

all good advice. I use Fedex or UPS. Fedex tells you to call for a pick up, but you have to inform the driver, it is a gun. The drivers are usually idiots and will raise hell about a gun. So, i like going to a Fedex World Centers or UPS hubs and dropping it off. I do the label at home, so i hand them the box, ask for a receipt and leave.

Plain box, no markings about a gun and well protected.

 

[briansmithwins]

USPS Priority Mail, insured.

Cheap and it gets there.

BSW

 

[sage5907]

On a small rifle like a 10/22 you can just wrap the rifle in foam or bubble wrap and ship it in a strong cardboard box. For a big heavy 8 or 9 pound hunting rifle I would remove the stock from the barreled action and wrap each of them separate in foam or bubble wrap. I had a situation where FedEx broke the stock on a Model 70 Winchester by throwing the box around. I don't have a problem shipping by FedEx if the stock and barreled action are wrapped separately in the same box.

 

[El Mariachi]

Sage, that's why it's worth spending an extra twenty bux on a hard case.....

 

[sage5907]

El Miriachi, the Model 70 situation where the stock was broken by FedEx was shipped in a hard case. The hard case didn't protect the rifle from the shock of throwing the box around. I'm a firm believer in separating the stock from the barreled action and wrapping each of them separately. Another advantage is that the two items can be shipped in a shorter box which doesn't look like a rifle.

 

[El Mariachi]

They managed to bust the stock inside of a hard case? Holy crapoly but those Fed Ex(lax) guys are gooooood.....

 

[Picher]

If sent by USPS, bolt guns should have bolts removed and secured so they can't damage the rifle.

Other guns are supposed to have a critical part removed, so they can't fire. Removing the trigger/hammer group of a 10-22 may suffice.

 

[highorder]

USPS Priority Mail, insured.

Cheap and it gets there.

+1 USPS always works for me.

 

[MtnCreek]

If sent by USPS, bolt guns should have bolts removed and secured so they can't damage the rifle.

Other guns are supposed to have a critical part removed, so they can't fire. Removing the trigger/hammer group of a 10-22 may suffice.

I've never heard that.

IMHO, a cheap hard case is worth the $20 or $25. I also tape the case on both ends before boxing it up.

 

[natman]

If sent by USPS, bolt guns should have bolts removed and secured so they can't damage the rifle.

Other guns are supposed to have a critical part removed, so they can't fire. Removing the trigger/hammer group of a 10-22 may suffice.

Citation, please. Having the bolt removed from the rifle just makes a second object to bounce around and ding the stock.

There is no requirement to disassemble the rifle in any way. It just can't be loaded or concealable.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

 

[adelbridge]

fedex has an Express Tube they give out for free. it is a triangular fold up job and a 10/22 will fit perfect inside it. It works good for an inner box within a larger box.
you need an FFL to ride along inside the package with whomever you choose to ship it with. Texas allows resident to resident in state shipping with no FFL , check your state laws.

 

[dubya450]

Usually its not a hassle and very easy BUT my most recent trade was my Kimber Montana for a NIB S&W AR15 to a guy in Alaska. We both shipped on Tuesday (at least he says he did) and jis new Kimber arrived on Saturday. Well my new AR hasn't made it to MN yet and it's been a week, the tracking # has said Anchorage AK since Wednesday night and ive called the post office up there 16 times and haven't had a single person answer the phone and to top it off the guy that sent it isnt responding to my messages with more than 2 or 3 words. So lesson is, don't trade or buy from Alaska and be wary of trading a $1800 rifle to a stranger...

 

[12131]

It's a rifle.
Pack it well, lots of padding inside.
Go online, UPSPS website. Use Clip-N-Ship to buy your appropriate label (either Priority or Express). Always insure it (it's cheap).
Print label.
Tape label securely onto the box.
Schedule pick up, and they will pick it up for you. You don't even have to step outside the house.


Some FFL dealers won't give a copy of their FFL to a private seller. No big deal. They just have to give me part of their FFL number so I can verify it with ATF FFL EZ check.

And, the business of having to "remove a critical part" before shipping is just a myth.