Hello, I am looking at selling a couple of rifles that I do not have boxes for. Do people just send them UPS in a single gun case or do they get a cardboard box that will fit over the guncase?

IF you send it just in the gun case do you duct tape it shut?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jim

Well, it kind of depends on the value of the rifle. It has and will be done both ways. My preference, if it has significant value, say in the $2000 range or more, would be to ship it Priority Mail in a hard case with the "latches" on the case all taped shut with Priority Mail tape. If it has a really high value, say $5000 or more, I'd use registered mail. The mailing costs will be higher with registered mail, but you will save significant amounts of money on the insurance because reg. mail is almost never lost because everyone who handles the package has to sign for it. It is slower, but it is almost certain.

Many gun shops throw away good shipping cardboard boxes that they receive rifles in everyday. Just ask and most of them will give you all you need. Packed carefully, which primarily means no movement allowed, these are fine for most rifles.

I'd tape the hell out of whatever way you send it. The more tape the better. As mentioned the priority mail tape the Post Offices uses is sticky, strong, and free IF you are going to use priority mail.

Gatogordo, thank you taking the time to share your advice.

Have a good Christmas,

Jim

I always ship via US Post. I avoid UPS and FEDEX. They will reject any claim, regardless of insurance. I have had stuff broken (though very well packed) by them....and they reject claims, telling me "inadequate packaging". Add to that.....there is alot of thievery in both. On the other hand, USPS makes an honest attempt to deliver safely, and claims are dealt with legitimately.

Several years ago when I caught an estate sale that had a pair of cons.ser.# SSA in .45 Colt.Still had the old rubber grips. I wanted Ivory.Called Hartford;was told just remove the cylinder (s) then ship frame as it is now a non-gun. It did work. My 1st attempt at mailing was through UPS (wrong) when I told him what was in the box he went ballistic. His comment was "That'We are s how terrorists get their guns you know."We are inundated by idiots. Sorry for the rant (not really if some one learned anything).

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
Several years ago when I caught an estate sale that had a pair of cons.ser.# SSA in .45 Colt.Still had the old rubber grips. I wanted Ivory.Called Hartford;was told just remove the cylinder (s) then ship frame as it is now a non-gun. It did work. My 1st attempt at mailing was through UPS (wrong) when I told him what was in the box he went ballistic. His comment was "That'We are s how terrorists get their guns you know."We are inundated by idiots. Sorry for the rant (not really if some one learned anything).

Point of clarification, I believe those SAA's are serial numbered on the frame, not the cylinders. Shipping may require FFL intervention

Norman,

It's the frame on the SAA that is considered the "firearm" according to BATFE, so removing the cylinder does nothing for the legal classification. Also, you can legally send your own firearm directly to a gunsmith or repair facility for repairs or custom work, as long as it's sent directly back to you again when repairs are finished, so removing the cylinder was also not necessary in that respect.

And Merry Christmas