Question about shipping a firearm

[SuaSponte]

I served in the military and was stationed in WA and while serving I obtained a USP Tactical in 2007. I got out in 2008 and moved back to CA. I left the tactical with my friend in Oregon to hold on to it for safekeeping until I figured out how to legally bring it into CA. I found out all I needed was to permanently remove the threads and/or replace the barrel with a Jarvis or standard barrel. Well it is still in OR and was wondering if I he can ship it to me or does he have to do an FFL transfer and pay for all the fees even though I already own the firearm. I had also left my USP compact with another friend in WA in 2008 and how I got the compact back in my possession was through FFL transfer last year. I found it to be ridiculous as I already owned the firearm.

I know BATF law states that you can ship a firearm to your self for hunting and legal purposes but am I allowed to have a friend ship my personally owned firearm to me? or will I have to go back up there and ship it to myself if I don't want FFL fees. In fact the firearm isn't even on the DOJ list so my only resort would to bring it back myself.

Please let me know as this is frustrating and I miss that beautiful firearm.

[Librarian]

Got the new barrel?

Easiest would be to visit Oregon and pick it up.

The reason for that is the business policies of the shippers: US Mail will not allow a non-FFL to ship a handgun, and FedEx/UPS have introduced idiotic, but legal, business policies requiring an FFL either as the origin or the destination of a shipment.

FFLs have not yet figured out how to act only as a shipping agent, and probably don't want that business.