sending a firearm to S&W

[mnhntr]

how does this process work? does it go ffl to smith? does it have to be sent to an ffl on the return? thanks for any help.

[mnhntr]

how does this process work? does it go ffl to smith? does it have to be sent to an ffl on the return? thanks for any help.

[john traveler]

Federal firearms law makes provision for individuals to ship guns directly to FFL holders and manufacturers (FFL holder) for repair, modification, refinishing, etc. The same FFL holder can then ship back to the individual. Otherwise, the normal routing is from FFL holder to FFL holder for interstate sales of guns.

Where you have to be careful is what shipper you use, and the rules thereof. US Postal Service can not be used to ship pistols and revolvers. Some shipping carriers will not handle firearms unless you use their express (premium) overnight service, and some others will not handle firearms at all.

If in doubt, contact S&W for instructions and a prepaid shipping container if the work is under warranty.

[bountyhunter]

True that ONLY holders of a legal FFL license may use the US postal service to ship guns.

The rest of us must use FedEx or UPS and you are at their mercy for their arbitrary rules. Out here they require you use overnight air (the most expensive) or they simply refuse service. It's been years since I shipped a gun and it was about $75 back then.

That's why I ended up learning gunsmithing, I just get sick of being ripped off.

[K-22]

Originally posted by mnhntr:
how does this process work? does it go ffl to smith? does it have to be sent to an ffl on the return? thanks for any help.

Hope This Helps

Express Services


Fast 5-Day turnaround on select Gunsmithing Packages
Priority Pick-up and Delivery Service
Customer must call Customer Service at 1-800-331-0852 to set up Express Service
Round-trip Freight and Handling Prepaid and Billed at Corporate Rate
Express Service Packages are designed for unaltered guns 1990 and newer. Finishing and major component replacement (barrel, cylinder, frame or slide) cannot be done as Express Service.

Best,
Gary

[SW CQB 45]

Also,

dont marked the mailing lable

"Smith and Wesson"

SW told me to mark it

"SAW"

Since I was sending a duty gun in for repair, they also told me to mark the box

"DG" (which would tell them to get this one done quicker)

I sent it Fed Ex and "DG" in their terms meant Dangerous Goods. YIKES

[Kirmdog]

I called S&W and told them I had a problem with a Mod 60 cylinder falling out of the frame when ejecting empties,they sent me a box along with a UPS shipping label. I just handed the box w/label to my UPS driver and got the repair back in about 7-8 days. S&W sure made it easy for me, give them a call and they can tell you best.

Kirmdog

[keppelj]

An alternative is to take the gun apart, cylinder from frame, for instance, and send them in two boxes labeled machine parts. You can use UPS or Fed-X that way and ship at any rate and delivery time you choose. Insure, of course.

[orionengnr]

^^^^^TOh no, not this again...That is very poor advice.

If you think you can "skirt" Federal Law, you may find yourself a guest of the Gray Bar Hotel for an extended period of time.

[mnhntr]

thanks for the replies. if it does not get traded this week it is going to S&W for the recall work and some minor adjustments

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by keppelj:
An alternative is to take the gun apart, cylinder from frame, for instance, and send them in two boxes labeled machine parts. You can use UPS or Fed-X that way and ship at any rate and delivery time you choose. Insure, of course.

Aside from possibly violating the law, if you don't insure the thing as a gun and it gets lost or stolen, you will never collect a dime. If you try to go after the carrier or US mail, when they find out it was a gun or a disassembled gun, they will simply refuse because of fraud as to the contents.

[mnhntr]

called them today and what a customer service they have. guy says "let me get your info and send you a free shipping package out to you" what a deal. i am impressed so far. sending it in to have the recall work done, and get it back to factory specs.

[keppelj]

Well, I haven't checked with Fed-X or used them shipping ground. My original advice for disassembling the handgun and shipping in two boxes came from Clarks where I've sent guns for action work. I checked with UPS originally (using zeros in the phone tree will eventually get you a "representative") and they said "absolutely, you can do that."

[allglock]

Originally posted by keppelj:
Well, I haven't checked with Fed-X or used them shipping ground. My original advice for disassembling the handgun and shipping in two boxes came from Clarks where I've sent guns for action work. I checked with UPS originally (using zeros in the phone tree will eventually get you a "representative") and they said "absolutely, you can do that."

You do know, that the frame is considered a firearm?

[keppelj]

You do know, that the frame is considered a firearm?

Yes, doesn't make much sense does it, given that it's non functional. Fortunately for my interests anyway, UPS doesn't consider it one.

[tbury]

FWIW, A Black rifle lower has to go FFL to FFL but uppers can go direct to the purchaser. If it has a serial number on it then it is the gun in the eyes of the BATF.

[Kirmdog]

mnhntr,

Told you it was easy! To date S&W has been one of the best IMHO as far as getting things done without a hassle. I'm sure you will be pleased with the work and turn-around time.


Kirmdog

[beemerrider]

Where you have to be careful is what shipper you use, and the rules thereof. US Postal Service can not be used to ship pistols and revolvers.

Lee Jarrett clarified this for me. If you ship FFL to FFL, then handguns can be shipped via USPS.