Mailing Barreled Actions

[Papa72]

I’m a little confused. Just got off the phone with Shaw Barrels, and they told me an FFL is not required to USPS a barreled action to them. In fact, he stated Shaw does not furnish their FFL info to anyone. Just curious if anyone has sent receivers via USPS without furnishing FFL info at the PO?

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m a little confused. Just got off the phone with Shaw Barrels, and they told me an FFL is not required to USPS a barreled action to them. In fact, he stated Shaw does not furnish their FFL info to anyone. Just curious if anyone has sent receivers via USPS without furnishing FFL info at the PO?

Yes this is correct,

You are shipping a firearm that you own to a smith so no need for FFL and they can return it to you the same way as you are the legal owner of the firearm.

On the other hand if you were buying a barreled action from them, they would have to send it to your FFL so that you could fill out the 4473 background check.

 

[TnKen]

I had a rifle re barreled by ER Shaw. I boxed up my barreled action and received it back from them with no FFL involved.

 

[Papa72]

Wow. Ok. Thanks, y’all. I remember looking up the USPS regs a while back and reading about inter and intra state shipments but musta passed over the gunsmith part. Makes sense.

 

[mcaustin]

I shipped a barreled action to ER Shaw back in August via USPS, and the post office was very confused about the entire matter. The lady at the counter kept telling me that she needed "a form". I asked what form she needed, to which she replied "I don't know."

After reminding her several times that it was going to a gunsmith, that I owned it, and it would be returned to me, so there was no transfer occurring, she eventually asked me to stand aside so she could go in back and research it. About 5-10 minutes later she came back to the counter and said she could send it. All told, it took about 45 minutes from the time I stepped into the post office. It was an exercise in patience to be sure.

 

[Papa72]

That’s what I expect to encounter here. The “form” might be a copy of the gunsmith’s FFL?

 

[mcaustin]

That’s what I expect to encounter here. The “form” might be a copy of the gunsmith’s FFL?

Perhaps, and that's what I figured she was alluding to.. but since it absolutely isn't actually required, I just asked her to tell me what she needed.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

No form required for what you are asking, based on my recent experiences with the USPS.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

USPS is the last carrier that an individual can use to send a long arm without an ffl now days. UPS and FedEx both require a ffl now.

Now as far as making the process as smooth as possible and avoiding an interrogation by the muppets behind the counter, it's always best to pack and print the label at home to avoid all the unnecessary hassle.
And also, less is more when it comes to the questions you are asked if you just insist on going to the post office in person to mail it.