First step is to contact S&W to ask about having the work done:
You can call the Performance Center:
Precision Gunsmithing - Smith & Wesson
OR
Contact Us - Smith & Wesson
Once they say to send it in, they'll give you info on how and where to send it.
You are allowed to send the gun in yourself without going through a FFL Dealer, and S&W can ship it directly back to you.
Some shipping info.
You MAY NOT MAIL a pistol through the US Post Office. Only an FFL Dealer can do that.
You have to ship via UPS or Fed-Ex.
They have their own standards for shipping and that includes shipping by the fastest method, usually overnight air.
A friendly FFL Dealer can mail the gun for you if he won't scalp you on the cost. In some states you may have to have a back ground check to get the gun back from the Dealer when it comes back.
If you use UPS, you have to take the package to a UPS Depot. UPS Stores will NOT ship a gun, and are not owned by UPS.
Write a SHORT letter detailing exactly what you want done. Forget any non-essential information. The gunsmith doesn't have time to read how well it shoots or anything other then the needed info on the work.
I recommend doing this is a numbered form like:
1. Re blue.
2. Change barrel to....
Etc.
This numbered format prevents a busy gunsmith from missing something.
Include on the letter your full contact info, name, address, email, etc. the model and serial number of the gun, and the shipping address S&W will give you.
Put the letter in a plastic bag WITH the gun. This is so if the package gets lost due to a damaged label, they can find you and so there's no mix ups at S&W.
Don't send custom items OR ANY AMMO with the gun. Things get lost during work.
If you've done any custom work on the action, S&W will un-do it and put the gun back into original factory spec condition.
Don't send it in the original box, you usually don't get it back.
Wrap the gun is a larger than needed box, and pack it like Godzilla is going to be throwing it at King Kong. Use a slightly larger than needed box to make it harder to steal.
Wrap it so there's no chance of the gun shifting and contacting the outside of the box where it can get damaged.
Use fiber type packing tape, not duct tape. Fiber tape is stronger and harder to pop open and steal the gun.
Tape the shipping label under clear packing tape.
At the shipper, be prepared for the counter person to tell you that you can't ship a gun. Ask for a supervisor and keep working up until you find someone who knows what their own policies are and what the law is. You CAN ship a pistol to an FFL Dealer like S&W.
When you fill out the shipping paperwork DON'T LIE.
Some fools lie and say the package contains "machine parts" or something else in order to save on shipping costs, which are often around $30 to $50 or even more.
1. You've just committed a Federal crime.
Under Federal law you're required to tell the shipper the package contains a gun.
2. When you sign the paperwork you're signing a legal contract with the shipper. Lie and if the package gets lost or damaged, they will pay you NOTHING because you defrauded them on the contract.
If you lie about the contents of a lost package and try to collect on those really expensive "machine parts" ya think maybe they might notice the address was the S&W gun factory?
When the gun is returned, be prepared for the shipper to just drop your gun on the front steps or even give it to a neighbor, NO MATTER whether a signature is required or not.
What delivery people are supposed to do and what they do are two different things.
