Shipping

[Coolpig59]

I recently had to ship my MkIII Target to Ruger for repair and was forced by FedEx to ship it priotity overnight at a cost of $83.00. Now it is repaired and Ruger is sending it back to me by USPS, 2 day shipping.

I was told by FedEx that is was due to the BATF ruling that they did not want guns sitting around shipping terminals where they could be stolen. Ruger says it is because they have a class 3 license and do much more business with FedEx.

So, what is the real reason I have to ship overnight priority and Ruger doesn't?

 

[freedomcosts]

They have a special permit for shipping weapons, most manufacturers do. In fact, some have special permits to even use the US Post Office. Next time, ask Ruger before you ship it, they send you a mailing label and they pay for shipping. You may already know that and this was a used pistol, out of warranty or something, but just in case...

 

[cjs1945]

Best way to ship is to find a LGS that will ship it back to manufacturer. My LGS charges $20.00 and takes care of everything, i try to give my LGS my business even if their price is a little higher than other places because the service is well worth the difference and they usually have the best price anyway.

 

[Ruger Packer]

I recently had to ship my MkIII Target to Ruger for repair and was forced by FedEx to ship it priotity overnight at a cost of $83.00. Now it is repaired and Ruger is sending it back to me by USPS, 2 day shipping.

I was told by FedEx that is was due to the BATF ruling that they did not want guns sitting around shipping terminals where they could be stolen. Ruger says it is because they have a class 3 license and do much more business with FedEx.

So, what is the real reason I have to ship overnight priority and Ruger doesn't?

Never heard of such a BATF ruling. FedEx is full of horse apples!! :roll: The private carriers (UPS & FedEx) instituted the policy because their own employees were stealing guns.

 

[mike7mm08]

ATF is not involved at all. UPS and FEdEX had so many of their package monkeys stealing guns they require overnight to reduce the amount of time said package monkeys have a chance to steal them. Ruger as well as other gun companies do so much volume they can pretty much dictate how they choose to ship guns. UPS and FEDEX know that they could ship USPS way cheaper so they make exceptions for the companies so as not to lose the business.

As far as shipping a handgun UPS is usual cheaper than FEDEX. FEDEX requires overnight earliest delivery UPS will ship overnight late day delivery. As mentioned shipping through a dealer is the cheapest route. I have yet to find a dealer in my area that will ship for me though.

 

[blume357]

I've never shipped a gun... but it I did I think I would let my local FFL do it and make the money... they can ship is U.S. Mail and charge me to do it.... better than going through the Fedex UPS BS... and of course Ruger and ship it through the post office they are just slightly bigger than an FFL.

then again it only cost 150 bucks and a little insurance to become a manufacturer, last time I checked.

 

[eveled]

S&W sent me a prepaid label via email. They said I was required to tell the driver what was in the box. The driver acted as if I was shipping anthrax! She had to call her supervisor to get permission to take it.

 

[dwd]

Never heard of such a BATF ruling. FedEx is full of horse apples!! :roll: The private carriers (UPS & FedEx) instituted the policy because their own employees were stealing guns.

I believe this is exactly right.
I recently shipped a handgun back to Ruger. I went to the FedEx depot and they wanted $70 to ship it. I walked out, went to an OfficeMax and sent it FedEx for $15. Yes, it took a little longer to get there. No, I didn't tell them it was a handgun(they didn't ask)

 

[GKC]

although there doesn't appear to be any requirement for it to be an overnight shipment:

"A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]"

 

[freedomcosts]

I've been told by several sources you can't ship from one of the FedEx boxes, you have to take the gun to a FedEx depot- hub I think they call it. Same with UPS, can't ship thru the UPS Stores you see around. guess you can if you don't tell them what's in it- I just figured since S&W and Ruger were paying for shipping, I would follow their rules. Since I did it their way, each time they were shipped overnight- free.
If the package is lost, and you have to have them locate it, they may not cooperate well once you tell them it was a gun, and THEN they find out you failed to notify them as required. Company policy, Fed'l law or not, I figure it's best to go along.

 

[mike7mm08]

It is hard enough to collect on a claim if a package is lost when you follow their regulations. Don't follow their regulations and you are SOL.

 

[RugerHound]

It is hard enough to collect on a claim if a package is lost when you follow their regulations. Don't follow their regulations and you are SOL.

Yep... It'd be hard to explain! If you're gonna ship on the sly, don't ship anything you don't wanna lose.

 

[JLarsson]

The part I don't get is Ruger mailing it back to you via USPS. If you don't have an FFL, you can't legally receive a handgun through the mail.

 

[RoninPA]

It is true that you WILL NOT be able to ship a gun through one of the satellite UPS or FedEx stores. It has to go to a hub. The BATFE only says that you can use ANY commercial carrier to ship a gun (as long as the commercial carrier will do it). UPS and FedEx are the biggest of the commercial carriers. Shipping through USPS is limited to long guns unless you are a FFL. An FFL can ship handguns using USPS (at about 1/3 the cost).

The overnight/next day air, etc. is UPS and FedEx internal rules, not mandated by the BATFE or any other government entity, don't let them tell you otherwise.

When shipping via commercial carrier, NOTHING should be on the outside of the shipping container that denotes that there is a gun inside. Again, do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you have to ship a gun to a manufacturer for repair, and they will not send a prepaid shipping label, go to your local gun dealer and see if they will ship it for you. Remember to include your home address in with the gun as they are allowed (by federal law) to return the gun directly to you after a repair. It does not have to be returned to your dealer (unless state law says otherwise).

And BTW, I am an FFL.

 

[freedomcosts]

jlarsson, isn't there something about- you can't buy a new handgun and have IT shipped to your home, because it has to go thru a FFL when purchased. BUT if it's already your gun, they CAN ship it BACK to you..? That's what's happened with me, purchased online, had to go to FFL- when sent for repair, Ruger (and S&W) shipped it right to my door.

 

[JLarsson]

jlarsson, isn't there something about- you can't buy a new handgun and have IT shipped to your home, because it has to go thru a FFL when purchased. BUT if it's already your gun, they CAN ship it BACK to you..? That's what's happened with me, purchased online, had to go to FFL- when sent for repair, Ruger (and S&W) shipped it right to my door.

"Shipped"? Or "mailed"?

My understanding is that the manufacturer may indeed ship a handgun that has been returned for repair straight to the customer, but that common carriers (UPS, FedEx) must be used as the handgun is not going to an FFL holder. I do not believe it is legal for them to MAIL the handgun through the USPS to a non-licensee.