Moving cross country with firearms

[gcrtkd]

Well, it's been nearly a decade that I've lived in CA. I bought my first gun here and I've become hopelessly addicted. I don't have a large collection, but I like what I have... 1 Beretta, 4 Glocks, 1 Smith & Wesson, a 10/22, a Remington 700, and an 870. All of these sleep in a 600 lb. Liberty Safe in the back bedroom.

And now it is time to move on... goodbye CA, hello VA!

In about 1 month I'm headed to start a new job in DC/NOVA and I'm taking the whole family with me. I am sure that this has been covered before, but I'm sleep deprived and searching seems like no fun. I have 2 or 3 basic questions. I know that anything that I have here in CA will be legal in VA so that's not the issue... but my relocation package specifically says that they will not move "firearms" or large "hobby" items, like pool tables (and one would assume a 600 lb. gun safe). So, I am stuck with trying to figure out how to get my goodies out east with me.

I will not sell/give the guns away (sorry guys)... so what's the best way of transporting them? Should I just bite the bullet, buy a large case, and pay the extra baggage charge to check them for the flight out? Or should I separate all of the uppers/lowers-frames/slides, take the lowers/frames in my checked baggage (properly declared and locked of course), and pack all of the barrels, slides, springs, etc. for the movers to move? Or is there a better way? Should/can I FedEx them whole? (UPS? Another carrier?) You guys have any thoughts or recommendations?

Also, what to do about the safe? My gut instinct is that it would cost a boatload to have it shipped from the Bay Area here to DC/VA. I paid over a grand for it (plus CA tax). Would I be better off to try to sell it out here and buy a new safe out there?


-thanks!

gcrtkd

[56Chevy]

Shipping the guns won't cost too much. I once shipped a rifle across the country for about $20. It's probably easier to ship them than deal with the airlines. Handguns have to be shipped either Fed Ex or UPS next day. Checking in a handgun or two may be a good idea, just so that you will have a gun once you get there.

I remember that a few years ago it was about $300 to ship a pinball machine across the country. The safe is probably a little bit bigger and a lot heavier. So Maybe $500? Forward Air (I think that's the name) is a popular shipper for large items.

[oddball]

No advice for moving, but congrats on the new job and new location.

Let me see- in my crystal ball, I see an HK 45 in your future. And standard capacity magazines also


Good luck.

[gcrtkd]

Ugh, 500-bones?! That's like 1/2 the cost of the thing. I don't see that making a lot of business sense. That sucks. Ahh well, perhaps Mr. Safe will end up on the WTS board here at CG. Or up at Mom's place.


C'mon guys... what else have you got?

I've actually traveled on planes with a firearm in checked baggage numerous times. I have never had a problem. So I'm not uber-concerned about that. I would want to call ahead to the airline offices to confirm that they're cool with me shipping a crate-o'-guns... or a box-o'-glocks. So maybe that's the best way to go... esp. if I could fenagle the relo package into paying for my checked "baggage"... i.e., guns, guns, guns!!

So, handguns have to be shipped "next day"? Do they have to be shipped to myself or can they be shipped to another person?

I think I'm set for handguns these days... I can only carry one or two at a time. Maybe a Kahr pm9 for the missus and an AR for me when we get out there though...

-keep those ideas coming, guns... erm, guys...

[56Chevy]

Ugh, 500-bones?! That's like 1/2 the cost of the thing. I don't see that making a lot of business sense. That sucks. Ahh well, perhaps Mr. Safe will end up on the WTS board here at CG. Or up at Mom's place.


C'mon guys... what else have you got?

I've actually traveled on planes with a firearm in checked baggage numerous times. I have never had a problem. So I'm not uber-concerned about that. I would want to call ahead to the airline offices to confirm that they're cool with me shipping a crate-o'-guns... or a box-o'-glocks. So maybe that's the best way to go... esp. if I could fenagle the relo package into paying for my checked "baggage"... i.e., guns, guns, guns!!

So, handguns have to be shipped "next day"? Do they have to be shipped to myself or can they be shipped to another person?

I think I'm set for handguns these days... I can only carry one or two at a time. Maybe a Kahr pm9 for the missus and an AR for me when we get out there though...

-keep those ideas coming, guns... erm, guys...

Shipping big items is usually pretty expensive, but you should try shopping around for a deal. You can ship the guns to yourself.

[gunboat]

Are your household goods being shipped commecially? Make a side deal with the shipper to include your safe & weapons.
Be sure to visit Interarms - foot of King Street in Alexandria -- That was the general location of "ye Olde Hunter" where I got my first Remington 7mm Rolling block rifle -- $4.95 -- Also on sale at that time 55cal British anti-tank rifles for about $50, but where would I get $50??? Russian 42 cal Berdan rifles were sold for about $20 --

[gcrtkd]

Are your household goods being shipped commecially? Make a side deal with the shipper to include your safe & weapons.
Be sure to visit Interarms - foot of King Street in Alexandria -- That was the general location of "ye Olde Hunter" where I got my first Remington 7mm Rolling block rifle -- $4.95 -- Also on sale at that time 55cal British anti-tank rifles for about $50, but where would I get $50??? Russian 42 cal Berdan rifles were sold for about $20 --

Yes, it should be a commercial firm making the move... I don't know which one specifically, yet. This is a good idea... I will see if I can find out who's doing the move and see if I can work out a side deal for the safe, the guns, and my Jeep.

Interarms? Haven't heard of it. Sounds interesting. I am going to be in hog heaven out there. While I was out for the interview I got turned around and ended up @ NRA HQ. Got to put their range on my "to-do" list. I feel sorry for my better half... she tolerates my "habit," but her idea of fun isn't spending 3 or 4 hours in a gun shop, fondling the merch.. She'll come around...

-gcrtkd

[freakshow10mm]

Ship the guns to yourself at your new address. This is legal.

Handguns must go overnight.

I recommend UPS.

[caldude]

Ship the guns to yourself, but you might want to sell the safe and get a new one. While it's probably a wash as far as the cost of shipping the safe, versus selling it and getting a new one, but if you sell it, you don't have to deal with moving it, and that's worth something in my book.

[Capt. Speirs]

I see one of these in your future, you lucky dog!

[old-trapper]

sell the safe here...and when you get there ...buy a BIGGER one

[gcrtkd]

sell the safe here...and when you get there ...buy a BIGGER one

Oh, I'm sure the woman would just LOOOOVE that. She already refers to my projects as "contraptions." I have seen that Liberty does make a safe that is larger than the one I currently have. I think the next size after that though is a vault door.

-gcrtkd

[JDay]

Well, it's been nearly a decade that I've lived in CA. I bought my first gun here and I've become hopelessly addicted. I don't have a large collection, but I like what I have... 1 Beretta, 4 Glocks, 1 Smith & Wesson, a 10/22, a Remington 700, and an 870. All of these sleep in a 600 lb. Liberty Safe in the back bedroom.

And now it is time to move on... goodbye CA, hello VA!

In about 1 month I'm headed to start a new job in DC/NOVA and I'm taking the whole family with me. I am sure that this has been covered before, but I'm sleep deprived and searching seems like no fun. I have 2 or 3 basic questions. I know that anything that I have here in CA will be legal in VA so that's not the issue... but my relocation package specifically says that they will not move "firearms" or large "hobby" items, like pool tables (and one would assume a 600 lb. gun safe). So, I am stuck with trying to figure out how to get my goodies out east with me.

I will not sell/give the guns away (sorry guys)... so what's the best way of transporting them? Should I just bite the bullet, buy a large case, and pay the extra baggage charge to check them for the flight out? Or should I separate all of the uppers/lowers-frames/slides, take the lowers/frames in my checked baggage (properly declared and locked of course), and pack all of the barrels, slides, springs, etc. for the movers to move? Or is there a better way? Should/can I FedEx them whole? (UPS? Another carrier?) You guys have any thoughts or recommendations?

Also, what to do about the safe? My gut instinct is that it would cost a boatload to have it shipped from the Bay Area here to DC/VA. I paid over a grand for it (plus CA tax). Would I be better off to try to sell it out here and buy a new safe out there?


-thanks!

gcrtkd

Whatever you do make sure you're flying into Norfolk and not DC with those firearms. Even a can of pepper spray can get you in trouble in DC.

[Seesm]

Keep the guns and ship em with a reputable shipper...

The safe I would sell that for sure...

Hey if your in Norcal I may want your safe if it's a nice one...

Congrats on move and job!! We all wish you the best...

You were a Cal-gunner now your gonna be a Vag-unner... Sounds naughty doesn't it?

[gcrtkd]

Keep the guns and ship em with a reputable shipper...

The safe I would sell that for sure...

Hey if your in Norcal I may want your safe if it's a nice one...

Congrats on move and job!! We all wish you the best...

You were a Cal-gunner now your gonna be a Vag-unner... Sounds naughty doesn't it?

Wow, that does sound REALLY nasty. It is, however, true.

I am most certainly keeping the guns. Who told you I wasn't?! (I don't use those winkey-smiley things... too cool for me.)

I'm in San Jose... The safe is very nice. The woman's father came by a few weeks back. He is a very quiet man and has probably only said 10 or 20 words to me, or even around me, in all of the time I've known him. I took him in the back room and he took one look at it and he just blurted out, "Now I LIKE that!" Can't do much better than that. It's the burgundy gloss Colonial model seen in the photo at http://www.libertysafe.com/safe_colonial.php T'is less than 2 years old and is in mint condition. Hell, all I did was put guns in and take guns out of it. If the price is right and someone buys it and lives nearby, I might even be willing to help them move it... I'm just that kind of gun... erm, gun... I mean g-u-y. (Yes, I really did type "gun" twice. Oh lord.)

I will still be a CalGunner at heart and follow your exploits via the internets. Luckily we get that out there. Which is nice.