anti-gun USPS

[Jappo]

I had a revolver way over due. Finally got a letter from the USPS about 20 miles from me. It stated I had an item that needed to be picked up in person. I went to pick up my item and it was the revolver and the label. They told me it had fallen out of the package and couldn't be repacked. Since it was a firearm, they couldn't forward it to me. Said it was legal to ship but just wanted to make sure the right person picked it up. I just showed my ID, was handed the revolver and I left.

 

[wiscoaster]

I think it's the packer who caused the problem. In my experience, USPS has never shown interest in what is in the package. I don't think they are allowed to ask.

Yes, they ask, but not specifically. When you ship a package you have to answer a question about whether there's any hazardous materials inside. I don't know what a "yes" answer triggers because I've always been able to answer "no".

 

[Packrat]

Recently I tried to ship a ROA by the local postal service, when I said I wanted to insure it as a Black Powder revolver, (MY Mistake) the agent pulled out a little book full of regulations and said I could only ship if I had a FFL. After a little discussion I left. Went to another post office and kept my mouth shut, it was shipped and arrived four days later at destination.

 

[Elkhorse]

Never had a problem.
Sometimes it's 2 days sometimes 10.

 

[godutch]

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.

 

[Sorry Dude]

When I ship something like that, I insure it and describe it as a pipe with lead weights. Why would I insure it? In case they lose it.

 

[Wncman]

I shipped a ML barrel to Bobby Hoyt. I stripped everything from it except the ramrod thimbles. I was hoping Bobby could remove them if he needed to. I couldn't loosen the screws and was concerned that I might strip them. So the status for several days has been "received, package acceptance pending". I called the shipper, a local pack and ship company. The USPS x-rayed the package. Said that it looked like bullets were packed in the box with the barrel (the thimbles). So now it sits waiting for them to open, inspect and accept for further shipment. The shipper has instructed them to open it but it is still sitting in their possession with no progress.
So beware if shipping anything gun related via USPS. I have heard similar stories about UPS and FEDEX.

I’m experiencing a similar issue (maybe) with an antique un mentionable. It’s being shipped by the seller via USPS. The seller is a licensed FFL and Shipping to. Licensed FFL. The tracking has not been updated since accepting it.
Granted I’m in an area with still limited access due to Helene and things have to go around some obstacles. But the updates gives me pause.

 

[longcruise]

Yes, they ask, but not specifically. When you ship a package you have to answer a question about whether there's any hazardous materials inside. I don't know what a "yes" answer triggers because I've always been able to answer "no".

I think the "yes" on that standard question would probably trigger a hazmat fee.

As regards FFL requirements, I've never heard of a postal reg to that effect . Maybe there are some state laws but fed laws only require shipping to an ffl. Don't have to be an ffl to ship.

 

[Jay Templin]

Once received a firearm in a package labeled "Garden Art". That was probably asking for trouble.

For our 15th anniversary, my wife and I got a cannon. It was shipped FedEx in a crate labeled as “Household Goods.” The delivery driver said “that’s really heavy,” and without skipping a beat, my Bride responded “we’re historic reenactors - it’s a lot of cast iron.” Had our 26th a couple of months ago…
Jay

 

[Relic shooter]

Having once owning a Postal/USP & Fax shipping business I learned the importance of packing well & if the item is valuable ship by Priority to reduce handling & damage.
Over the past 3-4 years due to advance age & need to downsize I've shipped numerous antique firearms by USPO Priority & insured & knock on wood no damage problems with any.
Tips;
Try to find a suitable length long gun box at a gun store or buy one from a shipper, can often run $30.00 or so for a heavy duty double sleeve box.
-If shipping a long rifle in a home built cardboard box line the inside with thin wood paneling & outside edges with small dia. pvc pipe or wood trim.
Smooth off any sharp wood edges & use lots of packing tape to protect all corners & edges.
-Better yet, construct a box from thin wood paneling edged with 1"x 4" trim , put rifle in a soft case, fill interior with padding & use small sheetrock screws to seal up.
-Never throw away a Kibler rifle box

 

[Terrier]

Having once owning a Postal/USP & Fax shipping business I learned the importance of packing well & if the item is valuable ship by Priority to reduce handling & damage.
Over the past 3-4 years due to advance age & need to downsize I've shipped numerous antique firearms by USPO Priority & insured & knock on wood no damage problems with any.
Tips;
Try to find a suitable length long gun box at a gun store or buy one from a shipper, can often run $30.00 or so for a heavy duty double sleeve box.
-If shipping a long rifle in a home built cardboard box line the inside with thin wood paneling & outside edges with small dia. pvc pipe or wood trim.
Smooth off any sharp wood edges & use lots of packing tape to protect all corners & edges.
-Better yet, construct a box from thin wood paneling edged with 1"x 4" trim , put rifle in a soft case, fill interior with padding & use small sheetrock screws to seal up.
-Never throw away a Kibler rifle box

My Kibler shipping box was ripped open at one end when I received it and some of the extra items I ordered with the kit (extra jags and ramrod tips, etc) were missing. The rifle itself was still in good shape.

 

[Rifleman1776]

USPS does NOT require to to describe your contents.

Correct. You only must declare the contents are not explosive, will leak or stink, etc. I have shipped a number of ml rifles via USPS using Click 'n Ship never a problem. Also have received two antique barrels from England with no problem. Your situation seems most peculiar.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Something doesn't seem right here. I've never heard of USPS X raying anything. Did you at any time declare to the shipper what was in the package? Did you have the shipper wrap it? Did they label it? It looks like your shipper raised a red flag to the USPS.

Yes same questions I have! The OPs story to me is, He had one of the shipping stores ship the barrel.
Why he didn't wrap and box then take to the USPS or get in line to print a label. Then drop it off.

 

[hawkeye2]

I just shipped a Remington C&B repro from VA to California via USPS. Absolutely no problem whatsoever. The local P.O. was closed so my wife dropped it in the outgoing mail receptacle in the lobby, just barely fit.

Package your item with extreme care, buy the postage online and attach the label yourself. You should not write anything on the outside of the package including misleading labeling (a garden rake handle). Do not volunteer information at the P.O., only answer the question about hazardous contents, no embellishment period. It is OK to say "thank you and have a nice day".

 

[longcruise]

Yes same questions I have! The OPs story to me is, He had one of the shipping stores ship the barrel.
Why he didn't wrap and box then take to the USPS or get in line to print a label. Then drop it off.

I guess who would expect the shipper to do something stupid

 

[SDSmlf]

I called the shipper, a local pack and ship company. The USPS x-rayed the package. Said that it looked like bullets were packed in the box with the barrel (the thimbles). So now it sits… So beware if shipping anything gun related via USPS.

Might be better stated, beware if shipping with a local pack and ship company. Got to wonder how the ‘local pack and ship company’ labeled the package, a possible reason for drawing scrutiny from the USPS.

 

[wiscoaster]

Might be better stated, beware if shipping with a local pack and ship company. ....

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

 

[B P Arn]

I have never had a problem with UPS or USPS, sending or receiving. So far, anyway...

 

[sturmkatze]

I shipped a ML barrel to Bobby Hoyt. I stripped everything from it except the ramrod thimbles. I was hoping Bobby could remove them if he needed to. I couldn't loosen the screws and was concerned that I might strip them. So the status for several days has been "received, package acceptance pending". I called the shipper, a local pack and ship company. The USPS x-rayed the package. Said that it looked like bullets were packed in the box with the barrel (the thimbles). So now it sits waiting for them to open, inspect and accept for further shipment. The shipper has instructed them to open it but it is still sitting in their possession with no progress.
So beware if shipping anything gun related via USPS. I have heard similar stories about UPS and FEDEX.

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

 

[kelljp]

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.