Is there a "best" AG shipping company?

[mcoulter]

I'm usually on the buying side of things so I need to ask, what shipping company do people recommend for shipping a large air rifle + scope?  I vaguely remember USPS being recommended but I can't recall the details... 

[Roadworthy]

USPS is good.  UPS works.  FedEx no longer accepts air rifles.

Pack well - double box preferred.  Do not ship in a gun case unless inside a box - that advertises the contents.

Outer box should be plain - nothing to indicate contents.

Insure for full value.  Retain receipt - just in case.  Confirm arrival with recipient.

[wimpanzee]

I've used all three, and my only preference is USPS, because it's the closest to my house.

I did just recently ship my 909s to Will Piatt via FedEx...I just called it "Sporting Goods" and insisted it went ground.

[mcoulter]

Thank you for the feedback guys!

[Oldgringo]

My last few have been via insured USPS Priority Mail with Tracking Number and it ain't cheap.

[Just-a-Guy]

I'm kind of surprised anyone would recommend USPS for anything.  I've had nothing but horrendous service and experiences with them. 

I'm also surprised to hear that FedEx won't ship airguns.  Wow, really?  Why?  Is this some kind of political statement or something? 

I have little experience shipping airguns.  I do have a fair amount of experience shipping musical instruments, including guitars and other things of about that size/shape.  I used to favor FedEx, but in recent years I've had better experiences with UPS.  If FedEx won't ship airguns, I think I may stop using them at all (my company uses FedEx every day).  Would like to know more about that (but fear it is somehow not a proper topic here?). 

JAG

[mobilehomer]

No mention of airguns! Some uninformed or biased locations do not take them, but it is NOT corporate policy!
Straight from the FedEx website -
Firearms
A.FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between: 1.Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
 2.Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
 
B.If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option, depending on the requirements of your shipment. See the Delivery Signature Options section for details. Firearms shipments are not eligible for signature release or indirect delivery.
 C.Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.
 D.Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Express is required to notify FedEx Express that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm.
 E.The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
 F.The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
 G.FedEx Express will transport ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Dangerous Goods section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as dangerous goods. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.


Prohibited Items

You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:
 a.Cash and currency.
 b.Live animals, except as provided in the Live Animals and Ornamental Marine Life (Including Live Fish) section. (Edible seafood, such as live lobsters, crabs or other types of fish and shellfish for human consumption, is acceptable, provided the shipper is in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.)
 c.Animal carcasses. (Animal heads and other parts for taxidermy may be accepted but must be properly packaged. This restriction does not apply to properly packaged meat or poultry products intended for human consumption.)
 d.Human corpses, human body parts, human embryos, or cremated or disinterred human remains.
 e.Shipments that require us to obtain a local, state or federal license for their transportation.
 f.Shipments that may cause damage or delay to equipment, personnel or other shipments.
 g.Lottery tickets and gambling devices where prohibited by law.
 h.Hazardous waste. This includes, but is not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes transported for sterilization, recycling, disposal or for any other purpose, or other medical waste.
 i.Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odor of any kind.
 j.Live insects.
 k.Shipments or commodities that are prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law.
 l.Marijuana, as defined by U.S. federal law, 21 U.S.C. 802(16), including marijuana intended for recreational or medicinal use, and synthetic cannabinoids.
 m.Waste or garbage for disposal.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of the FedEx Service Guide, we are not liable for delay of, loss of or damage to a shipment of any prohibited item. The shipper agrees to indemnify FedEx for any and all costs, fees and expenses FedEx incurs as a result of the shipper's violation of any local, state or federal laws or regulations or from tendering any prohibited item for shipment.

[Booger]

I ship USPS all the time. I had only one mishap. The bolt broke on a Discovery I shipped. It was a $10 to $20 replacement cost & I offered to pay for it. The guy wanted his money back, so I gave him his money back. Had the rifle shipped to my tuner and he fixed it no problem.

[Booger]

Prohibited Items

You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:

 a.Cash and currency.

What? I do this all the time. LOL

[Oldgringo]

Wait a minute:  PA uses FedEx to ship airguns.....

[Railbuggy]

Yes, FX delivered my Disco that was shipped from P.A. last June. From Cleveland to my door in Cincinnati in twenty hours.

[mista meener]

USPS is good.  UPS works.  FedEx no longer accepts air rifles.

Pack well - double box preferred.  Do not ship in a gun case unless inside a box - that advertises the contents.

Outer box should be plain - nothing to indicate contents.

Insure for full value.  Retain receipt - just in case.  Confirm arrival with recipient.

airgun depot uses fed ex to ship their rifles got a few from them

[LAalex]

My last few have been via insured USPS Priority Mail with Tracking Number and it ain't cheap.

I agree with this.  But, it's safe and reliable.  I have had no issues at all.

Scotty

[mcoulter]

My last few have been via insured USPS Priority Mail with Tracking Number and it ain't cheap.

Speaking of prices can you give some context to "ain't cheap"?

Thanks!

[Oldgringo]

My last few have been via insured USPS Priority Mail with Tracking Number and it ain't cheap.

Speaking of prices can you give some context to "ain't cheap"?

Thanks!

My last air rifle from east Texas to western Massachusetts was $55+ for insured ($500) Two Day Priority Mail with Tracking Number.....and that really galls my gluteus maximus but it is what it is.  My next one will  be Three Day Priority and save $5-6.

I think First Class is more than a little bit cheaper but it may take your package a couple weeks to get where its going and it definitely does not have the USPS attention that insured Priority does.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I will not use anything else than USPS

[ancient1one]

I'm usually on the buying side of things so I need to ask, what shipping company do people recommend for shipping a large air rifle + scope?  I vaguely remember USPS being recommended but I can't recall the details...

I use USPS for airguns and 90% of all my ebay. The only time I use UPS or FedEx is when the package is too big for USPS.. UPS in my town is super expensive(usually 15 to 20% more) compared to FedEx or USPS, I drive 25 miles round trip to avoid the UPS in town.

One time in the last 6 years I had something break using the USPS, it was a 34 Panther with the optical sites to Don in LI. Even though it was packed and boxed properly the sights broke off. Other than that I have shipped over 500 boxes or packages using USPS without an issue.

[7624452]

USPS works best for me. I believe the quality of service you receive depends on the quality of the staff at your location.