I have a 380 Bodyguard that I bought second hand and need to send it back to S&W because of light primer strikes. Does anyone have a preference as to which carrier to use; UPS or FedEx, and why? Any other tips on returns to S&W that yuo have to share?

From my personal experience: If you want it destroyed, use FedEx. If you want it lost, use UPS. Overall, I prefer UPS by a significant margin.

Both of these require overnight (read: expensive) delivery for a handgun. If you have a friendly local dealer that uses USPS Priority Mail, even with their fee you'll pay less than overnight fees.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Wow! Nice options. Maybe I should just sell the gun!

Since you are sending it back to the factory, did you ask for a shipping label so you do not have to eat the cost of shipping?

If this is warranty work I would think they would take care of it.

Call S&W;
they will give you all the info you will need as well as helpful hints.

Plus you need to know which plant to ship it to.............
good luck.

As I am not the original purchaser, it is not a warranty job... even though the gun is only 2 yrs. old.

I bought several S&W guns used and found problems and I contacted them for help . They always told me they would send a label to ship to them and said if it wasn't a warranty issue they would quote a price before work would be done . The only guns I ever had to pay for was a M-14 with a blown cylinder chamber from the previous owner shot to heavy a load in . I also had a M-29 I did screwed up myself , and they still sent a label. So call them , they will help .

I used Fed Ex to send my P226 back to Sig Sauer and had no problems. You can use fed ex 2day

Dont assume, call S&W.

I've had more damage with UPS than FedEx over the years and more packages get lost by USPS.
UPS used to have a TV ad stating they will deliver anywhere in the world yet refuse to deliver to my parents in WV.
USPS lost the wedding invitation I sent to my parents, sure they knew when it was but we thought my mother would like getting it.
Unless its warranty and on their dime and insurance don't send it, buy what you need and do the work yourself.

I'd check with them on where to send it and maybe they give a return reference number or something so your gun isn't just jetted off into limbo.

I am waiting for a gun from Buds that was shipped on Feb 21 with UPS two day shipping. Tomorrow will be the 27th and still no gun at my dealer. With UPS when the weekend comes they turn off the lights and go home. Nothing goes anywhere. Of course the Post office like all govement ran companys really is the pits. As for FED-X I have done little with them.

From what I understand USPS won't mail out guns or ammo, which is a good thing as FedEx and UPS at least know what they are doing and will be held liable. USPS just tends to somehow have things disappear. I've weighed cost factor through their web sites and FedEx tends to be the better bargain. From my experiences I usually now choose FedEx. The employees I've dealt with there seem to enjoy their jobs and everything I send out is insured and tracked. UPS is notorious for leaving items in the strangest of places.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

The advice to call Smith is excellent, I have had them fix many newer guns I have purchased second hand. I have always shipped myself and used Fed Ex.
I have never , ever had a package lost or damaged by them in hundreds of
shipments.
I use them in my business too.
Good luck and I believe you should call Smith and do whatever they tell you, It has always worked well for me.

Don't waste time waiting on the phone. Just go here fill out the form and a label will be sent to you.

Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson

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Still Running Against the Wind

My experience:
UPS - No Saturday delivery, will not deliver to address on private road (only when it's muddy), near impossible to talk to someone by phone.
Fedex - No problems

I tried this when shipping rifle back nothing after 3 days ended up calling anyway to get shipping label. It went through fedex

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US Army (Ret) 83'-05'

I did e-mail S&W and get an authorization to return number. I tried the Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson, but never got a reply back. That is why I figured they did not consider it a warranty job, because I was the second owner. I think I will try calling them & see what they have to say...what do I have to lose?
I appreciate everyones input on this subject. I have a pre-29 that I want to send to S&W for a reblue, but I'm scared to death. Thought I'd try the Bodyguard first and see how it went!

They are very, very busy. It takes several Business days to get a reply back.

If you can get through on the phone then by all means do so but that is why they set up the on line warranty procedure.

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Still Running Against the Wind

When you finally get your shipping label, the gun will probably go through FedEx. I think s&w has a contract with them. I shipped a 1522 back in 2010 and that is what happened with it. I hope this helps.

I called S&W, and they are sending me a shipping label!!
Thanks for all the help & advise!

The Post Office is not run by the Government, it is a totally private business, but it is regulated by the jerks in D.C.

A lot of folks don't understand that. The US Post Service has actually had good ideas on saving money and efficiency but have been shot down time and time again.

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Still Running Against the Wind

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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Sure you did