I've got 2 handguns that need to be shipped for warranty work...shipping question

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I've got two relatively inexpensive handguns that need to go back the manufacturer for warranty work. I know the only insured/proper way to send a handgun yourself is to take it to UPS/FedEx, declare it a handgun, and pay for overnight shipping.

My issue is that neither gun is really worth me paying $50-$75 to ship back. I know if a handgun is shipped and lost and was not shipped appropriately, they will not reimburse. However, if I am willing to take the risk of the carrier losing the gun, is it illegal for me to not declare it a handgun?
 
That seems to be a self answering question like if I step out of this airplane will I fall to the ground.....just saying!
 
I don't know the legal on the issue, UPS and Fed x are covering there selves on the high rate of theft for hand guns shipped through them. If they are inexpensive guns is the warrenty true? I would take it to a local smith for advice.
Jim
 
I understand why UPS/FedEx have their policies in place. And if these were "good" guns I'd send them via their instructions. I would also have the guns serviced locally but again, they are not worth much. If I'm not going to pay $50-$75 to ship them, I'm sure not going to spend an equal amount in gunsmithing costs - especially when both guns are under warranty.

In fact, one of the manufacturers sent me an email telling me to ship it via UPS/FedEx and declare the package "machine parts" when asked. I would assume they wouldn't tell me to do something illegal.

Again, I'm OK in taking the risk of losing the package in transit as long as it is LEGAL to do so.
 
is the overnight thing a federal law?

I don't know for sure, but if you wanna take the risk, be my guest...
 
From what I understand it would be a violation of their company polocy, not a illegal offence. I have shipped with UPS before and told them it was a handgun and they didn't know their own company polocy. So I shipped it for 8 bucks.
 
here's what it says on gunbroker..

(last updated on 10/25/2010)

Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide' (ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]
Click to expand...

and FedEx and UPS both require a handgun to be mailed overnight if you tell them it's a handgun...

so to me it sounds like you'd be breaking a federal law not telling them what it is..
 
MidwestRookie here's what it says on gunbroker..

(last updated on 10/25/2010)


Quote:
Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide'
(ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]
Click to expand...
so to me it sounds like you'd be breaking a federal law not telling them what it is..
Click to expand...
If you read the actual Code of Federal regulations cited in that passage you would see that the portion in red applies ONLY when you are shipping to someone other than a licensed dealer or manufacturer (or collector if the firearm is C&R eligible)
 
I shipped 2 SIGs for non-warranty work via UPS Next Day recently and got them back via UPS 3 day. I specifically asked the SIG rep if I should declare that there were firearms and he said from experience it would be better not to. Furthermore, the preprinted labels I attached to the unmarked box did not mention SIG Sauer at all but were addressed to the rep that I talked to.
 
Just more of that Stupidity from the Sig Customer Service Department instructing customers to break Federal Laws. Very Typical of Sig! :barf:
 
I think dogtown tom has it right in post #10. This came up on the calguns forum and the code of regulations were posted where it says about being shipped to other than a dealer or maufacturer. Now what's law and what's company policy with the shipper is two different things. Here's a cut and paste.

§ 478.31 Delivery by common or contract carrier.

(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped:
Click to expand...
Mark
 
From what I understand it would be a violation of their company policy, not a illegal offence. I have shipped with UPS before and told them it was a handgun and they didn't know their own company polocy. So I shipped it for 8 bucks.
Click to expand...

+

If you read the actual Code of Federal regulations cited in that passage you would see that the portion in red applies ONLY when you are shipping to someone other than a licensed dealer or manufacturer (or collector if the firearm is C&R eligible)
Click to expand...

The biggest issue will be if it is lost, damaged or stolen in transit you will not be able to make a claim to recover you loss. If you are shipping on your own UPS account you would also be indanger of losing that account as well. I personally think going to a local FFL and having them ship USPS is a better choice.

IIRC FFLs and manufacturere like Sig are allowed to ship 3 day air.
 
Having read the back and forths several times on this, dogtown appears to be correct on the matter. You don't have to state it as a firearm in the description if you're mailing it to a licensed person.

I've received numerous guns shipped via Fedex and/or UPS 2-day shipping (SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than overnight), and have sent one that way myself. No problems have arisen. Seems like if they're trying to curb theft telling them specifically that there's a gun in the package isn't going to help that situation.

Heck even the overnight thing is a red flag to people who know the policies (as most employees - the source the. Any package of the appropriate size that is going overnight to any company that sounds firearms related is almost guaranteed to contain a handgun.
 
docnyt said:
I shipped 2 SIGs for non-warranty work via UPS Next Day recently and got them back via UPS 3 day. I specifically asked the SIG rep if I should declare that there were firearms and he said from experience it would be better not to. Furthermore, the preprinted labels I attached to the unmarked box did not mention SIG Sauer at all but were addressed to the rep that I talked to.
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FWIW, I had the exact opposite experience with Sig when I shipped my P226 to them for maintenance work.

I shipped mine overnight using UPS. I had to go to a UPS customer service center. You can not ship a handgun with a UPS service location that does not use UPS employees. Sig sent the gun back via 2-Day FedEx (adult signature required).

I will say that I professionally packaged up my gun before sending it off to Sig. Excellent box, with lots of interior padding. Sig sent it back with almost no interior wrapping, so my gun probably got bounced around a lot. I was a little pissed about that!
 
It stinks but that is the law. Can't say it'll work everytime, but when I sent my pistol back to EAA I went to FedEx just before they closed on Friday. Since it was too late for next day delivery, they charged me $26 instead of $60. Worth a try!

That is why if the maker won't pay return shipping their customer service is second tier off the bat no matter what happens next, it costs them like $8-10 max if they send you a pre-paid FedEx or UPS label. Its what they all do on recalls.

Heck I'd be happy to pay $10 to them on a warranty return to meet them half way. I'm sure they get a lot of guns back that are fine and the magazines were the problem.
 
Do you need to ship the complete firearms or is the work limited to just the slides or frames? I believe you can ship just the slides -or- frames via USPS as "machine parts".
 
wally said:
No way! The frame is legally THE GUN.
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Not true. That's one of the reasons why I like my P250 so well. The modular piece that sits inside the frame is technically the "gun." I can order caliber exchange kits (slide, barrel, and grip) and receive them without an FFL or poking my way through government red tape.
 
I know I can legally ship pistol slides (with serial number) for repair via USPS. I can't see how shipping the frames would be a problem (though I'm not sure) because they can't be fired... but my polymer-framed pistols don't have serial numbers, which may make a difference.

ETA: After more research it seems that frames (with or without serial numbers) may not be shipped via USPS. I'm still uncertain about that though. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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I can order caliber exchange kits (slide, barrel, and grip) and receive them without an FFL or poking my way through government red tape.
Click to expand...

You do realize that you can do that with any handgun?
 
My FFL will ship to anywhere in the States for $15. I don't use UPS/FedEx. Way too much money for no reason.
 
ive been wanting to send my cz to cz custom shop for a while now but this whole shipping thing has got me paranoid...

so if i were to just wrap it up in a box, put the address on it (which is not clearly gun-related), walk into the fedex store and say "i need to send this box to this location" and leave it at that and just pay regular shipping costs....do you think anything 'bad' would happen?
 
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