Packaging a rifle for USPS shipping

[AlaskaHunter]

I have a rifle I want to ship using US Postal Service.
Anyone have any tips on where to get a cardboard shipping container for a long rifle?
Thanks.

 

[mevertsen]

I just used an arrow box. Broke it down. Wrapped the gun in clear plastic. Wrapped the box in brown paper. Put copy of my DL and destination FFL in box. Sent it off.

 

[BrentD]

I have a rifle I want to ship using US Postal Service.
Anyone have any tips on where to get a cardboard shipping container for a long rifle?
Thanks.

If at all possible, take the action out of the stock. Greatly reduces the chance of breakage. Also shortens the package. But be sure the two pieces can not shift and collide with each other.

You can ask for a box at any gun shop or store that sells gun. They may charge a bit for these. Otherwise, you probably need to make one from some larger box - like an appliance box.

 

[Washington Hunter]

I've gone to a gun store and asked if they had any boxes. The store owner took me outside the store where they put all their cardboard for recycling. There weren't any long enough but I grabbed a few and at home made one box out of two. I've also just used regular heavy duty cardboard boxes and cut them as needed, and with lots of tape, made boxes that were just the size I needed.

 

[BackofBeyond]

I ended up just buying the cheapest gun case off Amazon that I could find. Figured I could use the box that it came in…

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I ended up just buying the cheapest gun case off Amazon that I could find. Figured I could use the box that it came in…

View attachment 277268

Great idea! Thanks.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Great idea! Thanks.

Just be prepared to cut down the box, I ended up cutting it in half and it was still to big.

 

[2rocky]

Wonder what would happen at the Fed ex store if you plopped one down on the counter to pack'n ship?

 

[p_ham]

I recommend a hard case with additional packing inside. Add bubble wrap to the muzzle and butt along with optic. Wrap the whole thing in cardboard. No mention of firearms on the outside package. If you're doing USPS you should fill out form 1508.

 

[BackofBeyond]

If you're doing USPS you should fill out form 1508.

good reminder. find it online, print it out and bring it with you, dollars to donuts they won't have one and you'll have to make a second trip.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I recommend a hard case with additional packing inside. Add bubble wrap to the muzzle and butt along with optic. Wrap the whole thing in cardboard. No mention of firearms on the outside package. If you're doing USPS you should fill out form 1508.

Yes that is why I liked the cheap case from Amazon suggestion.

 

[BrentD]

What is form 1508? I have never filled out a special form when mailing a firearm and I've mailed a lot of them.

 

[Sheltowee]

Wonder what would happen at the Fed ex store if you plopped one down on the counter to pack'n ship?

Last time I tried to ship a *scope* through a local FedEx store, guy acted like I'd brought in a live nuclear weapon and plunked it down on his desk.

Shipping a Glock back for warranty work through the shipping hub was easy-peasy, though.

 

[BackofBeyond]

What is form 1508? I have never filled out a special form when mailing a firearm and I've mailed a lot of them.

Not needed for C&Rs, so waaaaaaaayyyy out of your wheel house.

 

[BrentD]

Not needed for C&Rs, so waaaaaaaayyyy out of your wheel house.

I've got a lot more than C&Rs you know. There is no form needed to ship a long gun through the USPS.

 

[p_ham]

I've got a lot more than C&Rs you know. There is no form needed to ship a long gun through the USPS.

Most usps locations don't know their own regs. Most don't bother with the form. It basically states that it's a firearm and it's being shipped legally to or from an ffl. They're supposed to be kept on file with the postmaster but end up in the box instead.
I've dealt with a few people stating their local office wouldn't let them ship long guns and they ended up having to provide usps regulations to their postmaster to be able to do so.

 

[BrentD]

Most usps locations don't know their own regs. Most don't bother with the form. It basically states that it's a firearm and it's being shipped legally to or from an ffl. They're supposed to be kept on file with the postmaster but end up in the box instead.
I've dealt with a few people stating their local office wouldn't let them ship long guns and they ended up having to provide usps regulations to their postmaster to be able to do so.

I have read through the regs and I see no mention of it anywhere. While I agree that some do not know all the regs - most know a lot of them. And I've been through 3 postmasters here over the years.

I have had one USPS person say I could not mail a gun, until I made him call his postmaster. Otherwise, they have all been great. I have not seen any mention of this form in the regulations that I have read. If you can point it out, I'd love to see it.

 

[BackofBeyond]

I've got a lot more than C&Rs you know. There is no form needed to ship a long gun through the USPS.

I argued that fact with the lovely clerk at my PO for 10 minutes, then went home printed out the 1508, filled it out, then returned and the transaction went right through.

 

[buckbull]

You can buy boxes straight from Uline but it appears you have to buy in bundles.

Rifle Shipping Box, Rifle Box, Cardboard Rifle Boxes in Stock - ULINE

Uline stocks a wide selection of Rifle Boxes. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 41,000 products in stock. 13 Locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Rifle Boxes.

www.uline.com

I like BackofBeyond's idea of buying a cheap rifle case from Amazon. You could actually just put the rilfe in the case and then back into the box then ship.

 

[p_ham]

I have read through the regs and I see no mention of it anywhere. While I agree that some do not know all the regs - most know a lot of them. And I've been through 3 postmasters here over the years.

I have had one USPS person say I could not mail a gun, until I made him call his postmaster. Otherwise, they have all been great. I have not seen any mention of this form in the regulations that I have read. If you can point it out, I'd love to see it.

You're right, I re-read the reg. The form is for ffl holders, pertaining to handguns.