Shipping Handguns

[SanPedroShooter]

I will start off by saying, I tried to search and got pages of randome threads that had nothing to do with my question

So, I want my Father in WA to send me one of my C&R handguns. I am a licensed collector.
From what I read, FEDEX is the way to go. You must ship hanguns priority overnight. Fine, my question is, almost all shippers I see, from individuals to FFLs charge about 25-30 dollars to ship anywhere in CONUS. When I run the numbers, I get quoted like 75 to 100 dollars.
What am I doing wrong? Does anyone have any real world experiance shipping or recieving handguns using FEDEX?

This also got me thinking, do all handguns shipped into the state must be DROSed through a dealer? Or does that only apply when you BUY a handgun. I already own this one, and I would like it sent to me. I checked the Wiki, but didnt see this specific question addressed

[Librarian]

Shipping cost, I dunno.

But if the guns were already transferred to you at some point, they can be shipped directly to you, no FFL required.

[SanPedroShooter]

Thank you. Yes, they are my personal firearms, duly logged into my bound book.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

This doesn't answer one of your questions, but I just thought I'd add that in your situation your dad can even send you C&R handguns that you don't own. For instance, your dad could find a nice C&R handgun at a local shop in Washington and buy it for you as a gift. He could then ship it directly to you. This is because your status as a C&R FFL exempts you from the Federal restrictions on interstate shipping of C&R firearms and your status as your father's child exempts you from California's dealer transfer requirements on handguns.

As to shipping charges, I think many of the $25 shipping quotes for handguns are from dealers planning to ship to another dealer. 01 FFL to 01 FFL handgun shipments can use the much cheaper USPS shipping option. Many unlicensed sellers and 03 FFLs are also under the impression that they can use the USPS. Other sellers are just quoting $25-$30 because that's what they see in other auction listings, but then they are surprised to find out how much UPS and FedE Express really charge. I've seen a few posts on gun forums over the years where a first time auction seller asks for help because he listed a $25 shipping fee for a $200 handgun and then found out after the payment arrived that he had to pay $75 for shipping.

[bsim]

Dealers don't have to ship overnight. "We" do. 3-day select to Overnight is about a $50 upgrade.

[Flintlock Tom]

This doesn't answer one of your questions, but I just thought I'd add that in your situation your dad can even send you C&R handguns that you don't own. For instance, your dad could find a nice C&R handgun at a local shop in Washington and buy it for you as a gift. He could then ship it directly to you. This is because your status as a C&R FFL exempts you from the Federal restrictions on interstate shipping of C&R firearms and your status as your father's child exempts you from California's dealer transfer requirements on handguns.

...

Nope, bad info.
Any handgun made after 1898, and using modern ammunition, being shipped into California, must be shipped to an 01FFL. An 03FFL does not allow you to receive handguns directly.
The simplest way is to go get it.
Your dad can have his local 01FFL ship it to your local FFL, but you'll be paying transfer fees in addition to shipping charges.

[akjunkie]

I will start off by saying, I tried to search and got pages of randome threads that had nothing to do with my question

So, I want my Father in WA to send me one of my C&R handguns. I am a licensed collector.
From what I read, FEDEX is the way to go. You must ship hanguns priority overnight. Fine, my question is, almost all shippers I see, from individuals to FFLs charge about 25-30 dollars to ship anywhere in CONUS. When I run the numbers, I get quoted like 75 to 100 dollars.
What am I doing wrong? Does anyone have any real world experiance shipping or recieving handguns using FEDEX?

This also got me thinking, do all handguns shipped into the state must be DROSed through a dealer? Or does that only apply when you BUY a handgun. I already own this one, and I would like it sent to me. I checked the Wiki, but didnt see this specific question addressed

I got some recent/personal experience with Fedex.

Feb 2010. shipped my CZ Sp-01 to CZCustom in Arizona.
Fedex overnite Priority. $70 including insurance up to $1000.

Fedex asked for copy of CZCustom's FFL.

CZCustom charged $36 to return gun to me. Fedex 2day Select.
Shipped thurs nite @ 5pm got it Sat morning 10am.

Long guns overnite not mandatory.

hope this helps.

[ke6guj]

Nope, bad info.
Any handgun made after 1898, and using modern ammunition, being shipped into California, must be shipped to an 01FFL. An 03FFL does not allow you to receive handguns directly.
The simplest way is to go get it.
Your dad can have his local 01FFL ship it to your local FFL, but you'll be paying transfer fees in addition to shipping charges.

per what PC would that be? CA law exempts intrafamily transfers (even interstate transfers, from needing to go through a CA FFL (but federal law normally requires that the CA FFL be used so as to comply with federal law). But since the handgun in question is a C&R handgun, and the OP has an 03FFL, he can receive a C&R handgun directly from an out-of-state person, without violating federal law.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Nope, bad info.
Any handgun made after 1898, and using modern ammunition, being shipped into California, must be shipped to an 01FFL. An 03FFL does not allow you to receive handguns directly.
The simplest way is to go get it.
Your dad can have his local 01FFL ship it to your local FFL, but you'll be paying transfer fees in addition to shipping charges.

Flintlock Tom, I can't believe you have been on Calguns this long and not heard about the intrafamiliy handgun transfer exemption.

[SanPedroShooter]

So what is the cheapest, easiest way to ship a handgun? If USPS will take slides and frames seperatly, can I break the gun down?
My dad sends me stuff USPS all the time. I think for five bucks they give you a box, and anything that will fit, ships (up to a certian weight).
I am going to the USPS site for answers...

Who does everyone else use?

[SanPedroShooter]

The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.

Okay, I found this. If the frame and slide are separated and mailed in separate boxes?
I know the ATF consider the serialized frame as the "gun" but its "reassembled as a weapon". Pretty hard to use a frame "as a weapon" unless you have the corresponding slide on hand, or use it as a bludgeon...

[Librarian]

You're trying to be logical. You should know better.

No, unless you are an FFL, USPS is out for the serialized portion; simpler to just bite the expensive bullet and sent the gun in 1 package by one of the non-USPS companies.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Here's the actual U.S. Code that backs up what the Domestic Mail Manual says. Don't mess around with felony convictions just to save $50.

Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such articles may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe, for use in connection with their official duty, to officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps; to officers of the National Guard or Militia of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District; to officers of the United States or of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitments; to employees of the Postal Service; to officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States; and to watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District. Such articles also may be conveyed in the mails to manufacturers of firearms or bona fide dealers therein in customary trade shipments, including such articles for repairs or replacement of parts, from one to the other, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe.

Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail according to the direction thereon, or at any place to which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, any pistol, revolver, or firearm declared nonmailable by this section, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

[Mr. Beretta]

Been to hell and back ref shipping handguns.

I will only use FedEx overnight! Last time (Sept. 2010) it cost $73.39 to overnight a S&W to Ohio from San Diego, insured. Worth every single penny in my opinion.

Good Luck!

[akjunkie]

You're trying to be logical. You should know better.

No, unless you are an FFL, USPS is out for the serialized portion; simpler to just bite the expensive bullet and sent the gun in 1 package by one of the non-USPS companies.

Thanks for the clarification. I stand corrected.

FEDEX is the way to go then. Expensive but worth it.