Sending gun back to factory for repair

[akc47]

Guys,
1. Got a new gun I'm sending back. Is there any special instructions for shipping a firearm by UPS? S&W sent me a label to use. If I pack it in the grey box it came in, will they send that box back to me when they mail the gun back. Don't want to lose the box it came in but I do want it protected well during shipping. Of course I will also pack the grey plastic box in a cardboard box with lots of padding. Any other tips or tricks for shipping to the factory for repairs?
2. Also, I put new crimson laser grips on it when I got it. Will that be an issue at the factory. I've heard they always put a gun back to factory parts, but that wouldn't include grips would it?
3. Last question, if I wanted new night sights on the gun and was willing to pay for them, would the factory install them while they have it?
I'm sending it back for light strikes on ammo. In first 20 rounds 2 of 20 did not fire, but did fire with a second strike.
Thanks

 

[Will2]

I had similar thoughts with my first shipment back to Smith. I shipped my revolver back in a regular cardboard, well protected by foam and bubble wrap... whatever I could find. Smith will return your firearm with a nice cardboard box with foam protection. You can use their box in the future if needed.

 

[MichiganScott]

They do not want custom add ons. Strip the grips and put the OEM grips back on. You want to send it back in a plain, unmarked box.

They will install the night sights if you wish, but the gun will probably go to the end of the line into a different queue to have that done.

 

[Targets Guy]

I had my LGS do all that for me. I turned in the gun and seven months later got it back. All I had to do was write one check.

Easy peasy.

 

[Jdavis]

7 months? Either they are way behind or you had a lot specialized work done. They have had one of mine for repairs for about 6 weeks and I just approved and paid for the work (not warranty). I guess that I need to settle in for a long haul.

 

[SaberOne]

I recently sent in a new Model 48 Classic for warranty and Performance Center work. The instructions I received prior to shipment was to only include those parts needed for repair. Since I requested they test fire following the repair I included the grips. I packaged it in the factory case and everything was returned. FYI, the email excerpt provisioned for FedEx so not sure what UPS instructions include.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I have shipped firearms back to S&W, Springfield, and Winchester. Here are my recommendations:

1. No grips or screws needed. The grips can be damaged or lost (misplaced) during the repair process;
2. Keep your custom add-ons just as MichiganScott stated;
3. Do not send in your original box. You'll probably never see it again. Use a plain cardboard box with a lot of bubble wrap (Will2). I also use a gun rug with a tag on the zipper with the serial number and model of my firearm;
4. Not all UPS drop off points can/will accept firearms. Call the UPS 1-800 number and ask for the closest drop off location.
5. Be sure to include a letter with your name and address, the serial number and description of your firearm and specific details for the work that you need to have completed.

 

[Young Gun]

Remove the grips.
Put the gun back in the box with padding.
Get a box as close to the size of the gun box as possible and pack plenty of bubble wrap and paper.
You'll be fine.

 

[akc47]

7 months, wow. Is that typical? I might rather pay someone local to do the work than be without
a brand new gun for 7 months. If i only want the warranty work done and nothing else, what repair
times are people seeing?

 

[SaberOne]

I guess I've been lucky because even when I send in a gun for refinishing or other fu-fu work its never taken longer than 30-days, if that.

 

[Jimmyjones]

The 637 I returned in its original box for warranty, came back in the same box 3 weeks later with a new barrel.

I have a 681 back there (-M Mod) it'll be 3 weeks tomorrow, I sent it back in a spare S&W blue plastic box I had. Hoping to hear something this week.

I put address tags, a copy of the letter and firearm serial number on everything. I use the little mail address stickers everybody sends to me.

 

[murphydog]

It should not take 7 months for a warranty repair - perhaps several weeks.

You are probably OK sending it back in the original box, but if you have an equivalent shipping container I'd use that.

You will need to find a UPS shipping center staffed by UPS employees if there is a restriction on who will accept your package. No mention of "firearm" on the outside of the box please . Please let us know how things turn out.

 

[regalsc]

I have always packed the gun in the original box & then inside the shipping box & always got it back. I did tape a label with my name & info & the model & serial# to the top of the original box.

 

[Targets Guy]

7 months? Either they are way behind or you had a lot specialized work done. They have had one of mine for repairs for about 6 weeks and I just approved and paid for the work (not warranty). I guess that I need to settle in for a long haul.

Alas no. They (colt) just forgot about it. Removed a burr from the ratchet and put in a new mainspring. The upside is they did fix it.

 

[lrrifleman]

Last August I had to send my Model 57 back for what ended up being warranty work. I followed the instructions sent with the FedEx label, and sent it back to Springfield. I sent my S&W in a single Doskosil case, inside a FedEx box. When I spoke with Customer Service, I was told it would be about 2 months before I heard anything about what was wrong and a repair estimate. My surprise was that barely six weeks later I received an email from FedEx advising of an inbound package.

Turn around was much faster than I was led to believe.

 

[rwsmith]

Don't have any indication......

Don't have any indication on the package what it is and where it's going. I had to tell the Fed Ex counter person that it was a gun, she nodded, said 'thank you' and that was it.

Warranty work goes much faster than repair work. I had my gun back in a week and a couple of days.