Sending my FAL off for customization. Need shipping advice!

[Nightcrawler]

Okay, shortly I"m going to be mailing my DSA STG-58A FAL to Arizona Response Systems. I'm going to have the barrel cut to 17.75" (Para length), rethreaded, and fitted with the Belgian style flash hider I"ve purchased.

I'm also going to have them install the DSA alloy lower receiver and windage-knob-equipped Para rear sight I've purchased.

So how does one go about shipping a rifle? I know it ought to be in its hard case, but what else?

Also, where can I go to get a box big and long enough to fit my gun case in? Can you buy boxes from shipping stores or whatever? It's too big to fit in an old computer monitor box, you know?

It'll be worth it, though. When it's done, it'll look a little something like this:

Now, I'm extremely tempted have it fit with Israeli furniture. I'm sorry, but that just looks cool.

Aww, yeah! Now, if someone made black synthetic Israeli style hand guards, I'd be all set...

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[nextjoe]

How I've done it...

In the past, my solution would be to go to the local sporting good store and buy the cheapest gun case they had. There was a very simple Doskocil model that was only $10 or $12. All plastic, nothing special, but foam-lined and good enough for the task at hand. Use the cardboard box it comes in for shipping. Cover it in plain wrapping paper so it doesn't scream "GUN!"

I said, "in the past" because the last time I went in to buy one, they told me that the cheap cases no longer came in individual cardboard boxes, but instead come 5 to a cardboard box. If that's the case, you might have to spring for a more expensive case.

The really nice thing about this is that the case provides good protection for the gun, and if it gets abused, they'll (hopefully) only ruin a $12 case instead of an $800 gun. Plus, if the case survives the round trip in good shape, you can always use it for transporting to the range, etc.

Oh, and you didn't ask, but I feel compelled to mention that UPS is the best advertisement in the world for FedEx. I've lost count of the number of times UPS has screwed me over. FedEx will probably cost a bit more, but what are your gun and your sanity worth to you?

Good luck,
Joe

 

[MoeMentum]

You can ship a long gun from the Post office or UPS. If you use UPS, go to the service center, not the store.(the store will not ship any firearm) In either, you must tell them its a rifle in the box. Pistols must be sent overnight in both cases. I would buy a cheap plastic gun case to ship it in, and cover it with cardboard, if you can't find a box.

 

[Atticus]

Maol Boxes Etc, or The UPS Store sells exactly what you need. Or, you can piece an outer covering togetor with scrap cardboard and tape. Mark at ARS will ship it back in whatever is handy, so don't expect your box back.

 

[MAUSER88]

Hard case from K-Mart for under $20.00 in a cardboard box. Ship via US Priority Mail.

Edited: I would ship to Ariziona Expert Arms. Derek Huffman does much better work the "gunplumber".

 

[Vic303]

Personally I would ask a friendly FFL to ship it for you & pay him the cost of shipping + any 'fee' he charges you.

 

[Zak Smith]

I've shipped MANY long guns and handguns using FEDEX. The shipper or addressee must be an FFL. In this case, it's ARS, so you're good to go.

1. Pack it appropriately to protect it.
2. Go to FEDEX shipping center (not a third party) and ship it

You are not required by law to inform the carrier it's a firearm unless shipping to a NON-licensee (ie, not an FFL), but you are so it's fine. If they ask, there is no reason to lie. If they ask if the firing pin / bolt is removed, just give them the answer they want.

-z

 

[3rdpig]

Best piece of advice I've ever heard for shipping guns (or just about anything else) is "Don't ship UPS!". Like the others said, FedEx is the way to go. Insure the package for the full value and don't try to conceal the fact it's a gun by declaring it's "machine parts" or something like that. It may save you some hassle and money for shipping, but if it's lost you'll never collect the insurance.

 

[varoadking]

You can ship a long gun from the Post office or UPS. If you use UPS, go to the service center, not the store.(the store will not ship any firearm) In either, you must tell them its a rifle in the box. Pistols must be sent overnight in both cases. I would buy a cheap plastic gun case to ship it in, and cover it with cardboard, if you can't find a box.

Can't ship handguns via USPS.

Ship your rifles via USPS Priority Mail.

 

[varoadking]

You are not required by law to inform the carrier it's a firearm unless shipping to a NON-licensee

Not so:

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b9

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]