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Shipping rifle to self

Dave45-70
Can you ship a rifle to yourself? Reason I'm asking is I will be going to a friends ranch in California to hunt hogs and as much as I hate to fly I hate the thought of flying with a rifle.I cannot get a straight through flight,sometimes I have to get two connecting flights.Someone told me I can ship my own rifle to the friends ranch if it is addressed to me.If it has to go to a dealer would I have to do paperwork and a NICS check? I can borrow a rifle but like most hunters I'd like to use mine. Any help? thanks
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • brier-49
    Sure can.
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  • andrewsw16
    Very recent discussion of shipping a firearm to yourself.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=543891
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  • andrewsw16
    Checking it all the way to your final destination as luggage would be the cheapest method. You don't have to claim it and carry it between flights. The airline will move it for you at no charge to the next aircraft. Next cheapest method is US Mail. [:)] Most expensive will be UPS or FedEx.
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by andrewsw16
    Checking it all the way to your final destination as luggage would be the cheapest method. You don't have to claim it and carry it between flights. The airline will move it for you at no charge to the next aircraft. Next cheapest method is US Mail. [:)]


    I believe what the OP is saying, is that he wants to make sure his rifle gets there, when, or before he does. Putting it in checked baggage, you are taking a chance that it does not meet that requirement, as airlines loose things on a regular basis. Pre shipping is the way to go, to make sure your rifle gets there...and then, this is no real insurance it will not come up missing, just that you will know if it gets there or not.

    DBuesching,

    The most surefire method is either priority mail, or UPS ground, about two weeks before you leave. Address it to you, in care of the ranch. Make a phone call to the ranch, and tell them to make sure they do not open it for legality.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    quote: Most expensive will be UPS or FedEx.



    That is incorrect. If you ship it regular UPS ground, you will not beat the rates with either FedEX, nor USPS. Especially if the package is insured.

    Best
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  • andrewsw16
    quote:Originally posted by tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by andrewsw16
    Checking it all the way to your final destination as luggage would be the cheapest method. You don't have to claim it and carry it between flights. The airline will move it for you at no charge to the next aircraft. Next cheapest method is US Mail. [:)]


    I believe what the OP is saying, is that he wants to make sure his rifle gets there, when, or before he does. Putting it in checked baggage, you are taking a chance that it does not meet that requirement, as airlines loose things on a regular basis. Pre shipping is the way to go, to make sure your rifle gets there...and then, this is no real insurance it will not come up missing, just that you will know if it gets there or not.

    DBuesching,

    The most surefire method is either priority mail, or UPS ground, about two weeks before you leave. Address it to you, in care of the ranch. Make a phone call to the ranch, and tell them to make sure they do not open it for legality.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    quote: Most expensive will be UPS or FedEx.



    That is incorrect. If you ship it regular UPS ground, you will not beat the rates with either FedEX, nor USPS. Especially if the package is insured.

    Best

    There's the rub. Catch-22. Since he is NOT shipping it to a FFL, but to himself, federal law requires him to notify the common carrier in WRITING that the package contains a firearm. At that point, FedEx and UPS will not allow him to ship by GROUND and will require him to use the expensive AIR option. If he ships it to an FFL, he does NOT have to notify the carrier of the contents and could then use the GROUND option. But, then he would have to deal with the expense of the CA NICS check and the FFL fee. So, in this case, USPS is probably the cheapest if you pick the cheapest parcel post rate. I'd still insure it myself. If it is going to an out of state FFL I am a strong advocate of using the UPS Ground option.

    I stand corrected per the gentleman below. I am used to shipping handguns and not long guns. I made the incorrect assumption they would try to force you to use overnight air for long guns the same way they do for handguns. Thanks for the correction.[:D]
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  • 11b6r
    I have to disagree with the gent above me. YES, you must notify the common carrier, but NO- long guns may be sent UPS Ground. HANDGUNS must go next day air- and original question WAS about a rifle. Check the tariffs published at UPS website.
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