anti-gun USPS

rickystl · Nov 3, 2024

godutch said:
USPS had been good for me so far except for managing to bend a 45" A wght. 40 cal. bbl. last time around. It was shipped in the usual heavy weight cardboard tube which showed the crush mark. I think most damage occurs at dist. centers not with the actual carrier. I got the hand wringing experience of straightening a 300.+ bbl. for the first time. No joy whatever.

A suggestion for shipping barrels - especially long barrels:

Shippers hate long items and round tubes in general. They tend to fall off the conveyers and have to be hand carried to their next point. And agree, damage will usually occur at the distribution centers. The heavy wall cardboard tubes are probably OK for barrels about 36" or shorter. Here is how I ship a barrel to be worked on:

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and have them cut you an appropriate length of schedule-40 PVC pipe. Probably 2" in diameter. But measure around the widest point of the barrel to take into consideration for any sights, thimbles, etc. Might have to use 2.5" or 3" diameter in some cases. Then, purchase two matching female threaded ends and PVC glue them to both ends. Then thread PVC caps to both ends (not glued so the tube can be opened and inspected if necessary). While you're at the store, purchase a length of Air Conditioning foam line insulation to easily wrap the barrel with and slide into the PVC tube.
The PVC tube will add weight. Thus, more shipping cost. But it's virtually guaranteed to get there and back to you in one piece. Plus, it allows the gunsmith to easily unpack the barrel and re-pack the same way. Just slap a new label on it.

Ditt44 · Nov 3, 2024

I ship barrels and stocks, sometimes in the same box. I have never had an issue with dozens of shipments with USPS.

UPS is a pain in the *** and requires you go to a shipment center which are few and far between. Mainly liability for their franchise store fronts.

Stuff happens but not everything is a freaking conspiracy against middle aged white men. I'm 56, btw.

Sam squanch · Nov 3, 2024

You need to realize USPS will not ship ANY concealable firearm- antique or modern. Long guns ok- for now- handguns, no. The question is , is it being enforced? Can they do anything to you for doing so? Who knows?

wiscoaster · Nov 3, 2024

Sam squanch said:
You need to realize USPS will not ship ANY concealable firearm- antique or modern ...

IF it's a regulated firearm as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, which specifically exempts black powder muzzle loading firearms that meet the definition of "antique firearm" which includes modern make replicas of such firearms, and makes no distinction as to whether it's concealable or not.

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/docs/0813-firearms-top-12-qaspdf/download

USPS guidelines for mailing handguns also exempt firearms meeting the definition of "antique firearm" (in line with GCA definition):

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm#ep344370

Though USPS guidelines referenced above also require the filing of an affidavit with the Postmaster certifying the firearm's applicability to said definition, and qualification of addressee to receive them, which frankly, I've never heard of being done.

All very confusing and probably no wonder sometimes there's problems and sometimes there's not.

Sam squanch · Nov 3, 2024

The regulations are very very vague on this point. On one hand, you can’t mail any handgun,even an antique. Then, the ATF says your antique or reproduction IS NOT a firearm. WHO knows. My friend had to do the federal check form on a 1886 Winchester….. getting strange out there!

2 shots · Nov 3, 2024

1886 wins were made up to 1935

wiscoaster · Nov 3, 2024

Sam squanch said:
.....On one hand, you can’t mail any handgun,even an antique. ....

All the black powder handguns I own came direct to my door shipped through all the major carriers, including several through USPS, without any problem.

Maybe it's one of those "don't ask and don't tell" situations.

Sam squanch · Nov 3, 2024

2 shots said:
1886 wins were made up to 1935

This one was made in 1891

B P Arn · Nov 3, 2024

Sam squanch said:
The regulations are very very vague on this point. On one hand, you can’t mail any handgun,even an antique. Then, the ATF says your antique or reproduction IS NOT a firearm. WHO knows. My friend had to do the federal check form on a 1886 Winchester….. getting strange out there!

Anyone can mail an antique firearm, or replica.

B P Arn · Nov 3, 2024

Sam squanch said:
You need to realize USPS will not ship ANY concealable firearm- antique or modern. Long guns ok- for now- handguns, no. The question is , is it being enforced? Can they do anything to you for doing so? Who knows?

Not true.

Box 'em up, ship 'em out.

Salty · Nov 3, 2024

sturmkatze said:
Doh. You take it YOURSELF, not to some you pack place. Your fault.

Wrong. When I carried it into the PO they escorted me out. Mr know-it-all.
I’ve shipped via pack and ship previously without a problem.
You don’t know spit.

Salty · Nov 3, 2024

sturmkatze said:
Doh. You take it YOURSELF, not to some you pack place. Your fault.

I posted this so others would learn from my experience. I don’t need your self righteousness.
Ya know I’ve read your other postings. It seems you are always belligerent.
Sure don’t need advice from you.

Salty · Nov 3, 2024

wiscoaster said:
Yes, got to find someone with previous experience, and knowledgeable, wrt shipping BP muzzleloaders through USPS. Always ask questions!!

I did. I know the owner of the pack and ship store. Actually Bobby Hoyt told me how to ship this. Not his fault or mine. Unfortunately my package passed through the hands of some gun hating liberal. Things are changing.
I posted this to make others aware and use caution.

The Miner '49er · Nov 3, 2024

Ditt44 said:
I ship barrels and stocks, sometimes in the same box. I have never had an issue with dozens of shipments with USPS.

UPS is a pain in the *** and requires you go to a shipment center which are few and far between. Mainly liability for their franchise store fronts.

Stuff happens but not everything is a freaking conspiracy against middle aged white men. I'm 56, btw.

Salty · Nov 3, 2024

rickystl said:
A suggestion for shipping barrels - especially long barrels:

Shippers hate long items and round tubes in general. They tend to fall off the conveyers and have to be hand carried to their next point. And agree, damage will usually occur at the distribution centers. The heavy wall cardboard tubes are probably OK for barrels about 36" or shorter. Here is how I ship a barrel to be worked on:

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and have them cut you an appropriate length of schedule-40 PVC pipe. Probably 2" in diameter. But measure around the widest point of the barrel to take into consideration for any sights, thimbles, etc. Might have to use 2.5" or 3" diameter in some cases. Then, purchase two matching female threaded ends and PVC glue them to both ends. Then thread PVC caps to both ends (not glued so the tube can be opened and inspected if necessary). While you're at the store, purchase a length of Air Conditioning foam line insulation to easily wrap the barrel with and slide into the PVC tube.
The PVC tube will add weight. Thus, more shipping cost. But it's virtually guaranteed to get there and back to you in one piece. Plus, it allows the gunsmith to easily unpack the barrel and re-pack the same way. Just slap a new label on it.

Thanks for the advice but I had it packed in a heavy triangular box. I was told that the PO x-rayed the box. Don’t know why. Liberals are getting sneaky.

Salty · Nov 3, 2024

Ditt44 said:
I ship barrels and stocks, sometimes in the same box. I have never had an issue with dozens of shipments with USPS.

UPS is a pain in the *** and requires you go to a shipment center which are few and far between. Mainly liability for their franchise store fronts.

Stuff happens but not everything is a freaking conspiracy against middle aged white men. I'm 56, btw.

I have shipped before with no problem. This is unusual.
I never said it was a conspiracy against middle aged white men. Geez.
I’m 73 btw. Whats age got to do with it?
Geez. Excuse me for warning others with my freaking experience.
I’ll keep it to myself next time.

B P Arn · Nov 3, 2024

wiscoaster said:
... Maybe it's one of those "don't ask and don't tell" situations.

Exactly! USPS has NEVER asked me what was in the package. They do ask a series of questions regarding safety. I answer these truthfully. Never a problem. Always be certain to package your item carefully and very sturdily.

Don't axe, don't tail!

...but do not lie either...

Sorry Dude · Nov 3, 2024

B P Arn said:
Exactly! USPS has NEVER asked me what was in the package. They do ask a series of questions regarding safety. I answer these truthfully. Never a problem. Always be certain to package your item carefully and very sturdily.

Don't axe, don't tail! ...but do not lie either...

Exactly, a barrel is technically a pipe, and balls are fishing weights (in a pinch). I once sent parts for a paper punching machine, never said the paper was a target and they never asked.

Mogadishu Meanderer · Nov 4, 2024

B P Arn said:
Exactly! USPS has NEVER asked me what was in the package. They do ask a series of questions regarding safety. I answer these truthfully. Never a problem. Always be certain to package your item carefully and very sturdily.

Don't axe, don't tail! ...but do not lie either...

Well said. On top of that, all packages shipped via USPS are protected by the 4A of the USC. Packages are not x-rayed as some claimed, sniffed by dogs, or searched in any way, shape or form. Now if you have for stuff hanging out of a poorly packaged box, yeah that may rise and eyebrow or two! Also, you don’t have to answer what’s in the box as long as you state is not HAZMATS, you can politely say is none of the USPS business!

sturmkatze · Nov 4, 2024

kelljp said:
Never had a problem with USPS, ship and receive rifles (muzzleloaders) weekly for several years.
FedEx has broken one for me I received ( won't pay damages) and UPS flat out refuses to ship even a gun stock (anti gun agenda) They deliver to me but won't ship any gun related items with the exception of modern gun factory generated authorized shipping paperwork.
My local post office knows the contents when I ship it at their facility.

I won’t use ups — they suck.

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