Shipping a pistol

[tammons]

What is the best way to ship a black powder revolver.

UPS, Fedex are both telling me they have to go over night.

Thanks

 

[FishDFly]

USPS

RDE

 

[R.M.]

USPS, and you don't have to declare it, no matter what they say, and that over-night manure is only for modern guns.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Agree with R.M.and Richard Eames.

Do not get frustrated trying to educate UPS, Fedex or USPS folks who do not know their own rules or are anti-firearms. If you run into a problem at the post office ask for a supervisor or the Postmaster.

Also, if shipping a valuable black powder revolver or valuable antique firearm you may want to consider USPS Registered Mail.

 

[rafterob]

I just usually answer "NO" a lot of times until they get to the part where they say how much the shipping fees are :wink: Maybe put a big note inside the box declaring it a Replica Black Powder firearm in case they open it.

 

[mykeal]

The following post by Zonie can be found in the General Muzzleloading subforum, Topic #222527, FedEx Refused Shipment; it is post #586973, and I believe it accurately describes the situation. An antique firearm is classifed as restricted material by the USPS regulations, you must tell them that the contents of the box is restricted material (you don't have to tell them it is an antique firearm) and those same regulations say they must accept it for mailing.

flehto:
I think the reason the PM said you must tell them if it is an antique firearm is because it falls under the "restricted" clause of the rules.

Quoting from Bubba45's post:

"...I found this at usps.com :...

Restricted Matter
-A manufacturer of firearms or a bona fide dealer in firearms is one duly licensed ... Registered mail service is recommended Unloaded Antique Firearm. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are acceptable for mailing."

Note that antique firearms are mentioned in the "RESTRICTED" items.

Then quoting mykeal:

"YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT'S IN THE BOX. IN FACT, THEY CANNOT ASK YOU WHAT'S IN THE BOX - IT'S AGAINST POSTAL REGULATIONS. THEY CAN ASK (AND IT'S ALL THEY CAN ASK) IF IT'S PERISHABLE, HAZARDOUS, FLAMMABLE, FRAGILE OR RESTRICTED. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ANSWER NO! "

Notice the word "RESTRICTED".

Putting the two quotes together results in saying you have to tell them it is an "Unloaded antique arm" and their rules say that they have to ship it.
Telling them this information allows them to use the proper method of transportation (ground only?).
Just Jim...

Note that my statement that all you have to do is answer, "No" is incorrect; you do have to declare the restricted material.

 

[Murf425]

I've done A LOT of shipping via USPS the last few years, and they always ask me, quote, "Anything liquid fragible, perishable, or potentially hazardous?" I've never been asked about "restricted."

 

[arcticap]

I prefer to ship by USPS Priority Mail.
It usually only takes 2 days and there are no rural surcharges.
They also have flat rate shipping boxes.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I've done A LOT of shipping via USPS the last few years, and they always ask me, quote, "Anything liquid fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous?" I've never been asked about "restricted."

My business has been shipping Priority for about ten years and that's all they ask me too. They never ask "what" is in the box and I never volunteer anything. It works for me.

 

[torn moc]

I have never heard the word " RESTRICTED" either.
The writer of this post has to be aware that there are stated now that are restricted even for black powder arms....those stated require the sender to ship to a FFL holder. Cabelas has a list of alot of the states...

 

[R.M.]

I think a lot of that is just a Cabela's policy, not law.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

All I've ever seen is a list of states where Cabelas asks that you check for local restrictions.

 

[Zonie]

I may be totally wrong but I think the word "Restricted" when used by the Mail is speaking of the materials that cannot be shipped by air due to other regulations about what has to go by ground and what can be airlifted.

I don't believe it is referring to State or Local Laws about the item.

Basically, the Postal Service is interested in delivering things from A to B and they don't usually get involved with local issues (unless the Federal Government forces them to).

 

[mrclean100]

I'd go ups . My UPS driver told me its a good idea to be creative when declaring the contents if its a pilfer risk . So a black powder pistol might also be " wood & metal artwork " or " family keepsake ". Pack it well and use this great big privately owned carrier ( that means no x-ray or inspection ) .