Mailing Barreled Actions

[Papa72]

I’m a little confused. Just got off the phone with Shaw Barrels, and they told me an FFL is not required to USPS a barreled action to them. In fact, he stated Shaw does not furnish their FFL info to anyone. Just curious if anyone has sent receivers via USPS without furnishing FFL info at the PO?

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m a little confused. Just got off the phone with Shaw Barrels, and they told me an FFL is not required to USPS a barreled action to them. In fact, he stated Shaw does not furnish their FFL info to anyone. Just curious if anyone has sent receivers via USPS without furnishing FFL info at the PO?

Yes this is correct,

You are shipping a firearm that you own to a smith so no need for FFL and they can return it to you the same way as you are the legal owner of the firearm.

On the other hand if you were buying a barreled action from them, they would have to send it to your FFL so that you could fill out the 4473 background check.

 

[TnKen]

I had a rifle re barreled by ER Shaw. I boxed up my barreled action and received it back from them with no FFL involved.

 

[Papa72]

Wow. Ok. Thanks, y’all. I remember looking up the USPS regs a while back and reading about inter and intra state shipments but musta passed over the gunsmith part. Makes sense.

 

[mcaustin]

I shipped a barreled action to ER Shaw back in August via USPS, and the post office was very confused about the entire matter. The lady at the counter kept telling me that she needed "a form". I asked what form she needed, to which she replied "I don't know."

After reminding her several times that it was going to a gunsmith, that I owned it, and it would be returned to me, so there was no transfer occurring, she eventually asked me to stand aside so she could go in back and research it. About 5-10 minutes later she came back to the counter and said she could send it. All told, it took about 45 minutes from the time I stepped into the post office. It was an exercise in patience to be sure.

 

[Papa72]

That’s what I expect to encounter here. The “form” might be a copy of the gunsmith’s FFL?

 

[mcaustin]

That’s what I expect to encounter here. The “form” might be a copy of the gunsmith’s FFL?

Perhaps, and that's what I figured she was alluding to.. but since it absolutely isn't actually required, I just asked her to tell me what she needed.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

No form required for what you are asking, based on my recent experiences with the USPS.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

USPS is the last carrier that an individual can use to send a long arm without an ffl now days. UPS and FedEx both require a ffl now.

Now as far as making the process as smooth as possible and avoiding an interrogation by the muppets behind the counter, it's always best to pack and print the label at home to avoid all the unnecessary hassle.
And also, less is more when it comes to the questions you are asked if you just insist on going to the post office in person to mail it.

 

[gbflyer]

USPS is the last carrier that an individual can use to send a long arm without an ffl now days. UPS and FedEx both require a ffl now.

Now as far as making the process as smooth as possible and avoiding an interrogation by the muppets behind the counter, it's always best to pack and print the label at home to avoid all the unnecessary hassle.
And also, less is more when it comes to the questions you are asked if you just insist on going to the post office in person to mail it.

This exactly. Answer their questions about hazmat, flammable, etc which you can honestly as it is not. Don’t have to tell them what’s in there.

 

[Denvir Tire]

In a previous life I've shipped countless firearm components as "machine parts".
An accurate description of the contents.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

USPS is the last carrier that an individual can use to send a long arm without an ffl now days. UPS and FedEx both require a ffl now.

Now as far as making the process as smooth as possible and avoiding an interrogation by the muppets behind the counter, it's always best to pack and print the label at home to avoid all the unnecessary hassle.
And also, less is more when it comes to the questions you are asked if you just insist on going to the post office in person to mail it.

Most of us want to insure valuable gun parts (e.g. barreled actions). Answer the questions honestly or expect hassles when making a claim.

 

[flying sailor]

Just pack it and send it. That is ATF reg. Only dealers and manufacturers can send complete arms to other dealers. You get back same item you sent, no hassles, that is for individuals getting repair work. Individuals can sell a complete arm to a dealer anywhere with just a copy of drivers license.

 

[ChrisG]

I’m a little confused. Just got off the phone with Shaw Barrels, and they told me an FFL is not required to USPS a barreled action to them. In fact, he stated Shaw does not furnish their FFL info to anyone. Just curious if anyone has sent receivers via USPS without furnishing FFL info at the PO?

Never tell the USPS that you are shipping a gun. It is in their packaging instructions. There is no problem shipping a gun you own to a gunsmith and having it returned to you.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

Most of us want to insure valuable gun parts (e.g. barreled actions). Answer the questions honestly or expect hassles when making a claim.

Never said don't answer honestly. Doing as I said isn't breaking any law here at all and the clown behind the counter isn't going to make or break your insurance claim.

Problem is the person behind the counter you may get stuck dealing with doesn't know their own regulations and as soon as they hear "firearm" wants to turd joust with you over what they do not know. Hence my suggestion to just pack and ship from home and less is more. No need to get all chatty with them either and offer up the fact you are shipping a firearm like it's your moral obligation to let them know.

I don't recall ever being asked what I'm shipping either the times I have actually taken the box into the post office to ship it Registered Mail insured. One was insured for $5000 once and they never asked or batted an eye.

 

[ChrisG]

I've never been asked what I am shipping by fedex, UPS Or USPS. I exclusively use USPS because it is cheaper than the other two where I live. The dipwad at the counter is the last person I want to be aware that I am shipping a gun.

The only thing you cant ship through USPS is ammo. Long guns are no problem

 

[cajunchefray]

Never tell the USPS that you are shipping a gun. It is in their packaging instructions. There is no problem shipping a gun you own to a gunsmith and having it returned to you.

My understanding and past experience is when shipping a firearm to a shop for repairs or upgrades, and back to me, is that it doesn’t need to be declared, and is less hassle at USPS.

When shipping a long gun for transfer to an FFL, for completion of a sale, then it must be declared at USPS and I always do.
I live in a small town, next to a couple of other small towns, and around a couple of cities. It’s much easier to go to the small town Post Office. Nobody gets freaked out, always have 2 copies of receiving FFL, and the sale, my drivers license, my last vaccination card, horoscopes etc, that I promptly provide.

In and out in 10 minutes.
I know the guys and gals that are “gun folks “, and it is easy.