How do I ship my firearm for repair?
Posted by theEdward234@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Need to ship my rifle for check/repair because it won't group well. Got a FedEx shipping label from the manufacturer. Do I just go in and drop it off? I assume clear box needed? Do I ship in original cardboard box rifle came (with manufacturers logos/name and etc on it) in or ship it in my hard case?
Or do I need to do it through a FFL? Never had to ship firearms before but trying to get it done today to make sure I get it back in time for hunting season.
Thanks for the help!
keinekompromisse@reddit
The manufacturer/gunsmith label informs the shipper of the firearm it’s a restricted item. There’s no need to announce it otherwise at the shipper, just causes problems, so simply drop off. I wouldn’t ship the original box or hard case, or anything you’d miss. Bubble wrap etc.
fitzbuhn@reddit
S&W made it explicit I had to inform the shipper it was a firearm when I had an RMA recently (fedex) I would follow whatever instructions from the manufacturer.
Inspi@reddit
S&W told me that too and the FedEx guy didn't care lol
AccomplishedTrack211@reddit
Same. I've never informed the shipper it was a firearm. One time I had to send a rifle back to Winchester and they wouldnt pay the shipping so I just put it in a box and shipped it UPS. When they asked what it was for the shipping description I told them metal parts. Winchester got my gun, did the repair and shipped it back.
Dragonnuttz@reddit
I sent mine in a old amazon box wrapped in walmart bags. I stuck the label on the box and dropped it off at shipper. they scanned the label and gave me a receipt. They didn't ask and I didn't tell what the item was.
BeenisHat@reddit
Amazon has nice boxes.
Unicorn187@reddit
That's it. Box it.and send it.
The FFL (manufacturer/gunsmith) the person doing the actual shipping informed FedEx it was a firearm as required by law.
And make sure an adult is home when it arrives to sign for it.
Hot-Win2571@reddit
Previous answers to similar questions are that no FFL is needed because you're not transferring ownership. You're just shipping your property back and forth. No special box, no special label.
skunimatrix@reddit
My local gun shop will make sure it gets to FedEx. Otherwise drop off at a depot not a retail store. Retail freaks out.
NetworkPIMP@reddit
pack it in its oem box that you still have, put that box in another box to cover up the logos... not sure what "clear box" means, but of course not, LOL ...
Broke_Bak_Jak@reddit
Most people I know just ship in plain packaging themselves, and there’s probably nothing wrong with that. But I prefer to go through my ffl on the rare occasion that I need to, just for the extra insurance in case something should go wrong in transit. Of course it’s a bit more hassle, but I feel it’s worth it for the peace of mind.
hamerfreak@reddit
I just went through this with Ruger & my Mini-14. They sent me a shipping label which I had to buy. They ask to ship in an unmarked box with no references to firearms, which is probably a good idea anyway. I was only able to send it from an authorized Fedex Ship Center (hub) which was 20 miles away. So I couldn't use my local drop off points. They sent it back directly to my house when the work was completed. I live in PA FWIW.
Danny_PSA@reddit
Wrap it in something protective, put it in a non-“Hey, check out this box with a gun in it” box, slap the label on it, and take it to your local FedEx hub.
When I was the pistol repair lead, I got guns send in just about every kind of box you could think of, including cereal boxes wrapped in duct tape.