looking for tips on sending a revolver for gunsmith work

[Nemovir]

Sorry if this an old subjuct, but I will be mailing my detective special to Cylinder & slide, when they are ready. I've read their instructions, but do any of you all have any tips?

Thanks in advance.

[dfariswheel]

First, you MUST ship by UPS or Fed-Ex.
YOU cannot ship a pistol through the US Post Office, only FFL Dealers can do that. A non FFL who ships through the US Mail has committed a Federal crime.

Fed-Ex and UPS demand that the gun be shipped by the fastest method, which will cost up to $80.00, depending on where you live.
This is not the law, it's the companies policy, to cut down the chances on their own people stealing the gun.

When you ship, take it to a UPS or Fed-Ex depot.
USP Stores are not owned by UPS and they will not ship a gun.

When you ship it, be prepared for the counter person to tell you that you can't ship a gun. Many counter people just don't know their own rules.
Ask to speak to a supervisor, and keep asking to speak to a higher person until you get one who knows his own companies policies.

When you fill out the shipping document DON'T LIE.
Some people think it's smart to lie on the form and claim they're shipping "parts" or "tools". This way they can avoid having to pay so much money for the shipping.
If you lie on the form and the gun gets lost or damaged, they won't pay you a dime, because you defrauded them by making a false statement on the form. The form is a legal, binding document.

Write up a SHORT letter to Cylinder & Slide telling them exactly what you want done, or referencing whatever you discussed with them. Keep the letter short, they don't have time to read a lengthy letter about you and your Uncle Bob shooting the gun.
Keep it focused on the work to be done.
Since I assume you've talked to C&S, reference any invoice numbers or correspondence you had with them to insure there's no miscommunication about what's to be done.

Include in the letter your complete address, phone, email, etc and their address. This is so if the gun gets lost, when the shipper opens the box, they have ID info on who owns it.
Put the letter and gun in the same plastic bag.

Don't send the original box, or any custom items like custom grips.

Wrap the DICKENS out of the gun.
Start with a large enough box that the gun will have plenty of padding room in case of penetration or crushing of the box, and to make it a little harder to steal.
Wrap the gun with bubble wrap or whatever like a crazed, enraged gorilla is going to be handling it.
Use plenty of strong tape to seal all seams. You want no holes or untaped seams or joints that might fail or give access to the contents.

Put shipping addresses on two sides of the box, covered by clear tape.
Use whatever shipping address info C&S gives you and DON'T use their name on the box. People who steal guns know who Cylinder & Slide Shop are.

When the gun is returned, be prepared for the delivery man to just toss the box on your door step or leave it with a neighbor, irregardless of the company rules or the instructions about getting a signature.
I once had a friend who had a $10,000 double gun left in an open breezeway type apartment house during the week he was out of town on business.
It was still there when he returned, but when he saw the box and that it was wet from blowing rain, his heart almost turned to lard. (Gun was okay).

[Nemovir]

thank for the response. Just out of curiosity, can you purchase more insurance then the item is worth?

[Colt75]

You could take it to your local FFL holder or gunshop and have then ship the handgun. As noted and FFL holder can ship handguns through the USPS. Even if you have to pay the FFL holder/dealer a small transfer fee it is safe and cheap way to ship handguns.

[morecolts]

Sorry if this an old subjuct, but I will be mailing my detective special to Cylinder & slide, when they are ready. I've read their instructions, but do any of you all have any tips? Thanks in advance.

i wouldnt use "Cylinder & Slide" on the label. Maybe use "C&S" instead. send via "signature Required" send via tracking if its available. make sure you get insurance. imo, they wont sell you more insurance then its worth. get an idea on what it would cost to replace it only. now on the way back is a different store. i would make sure you can have the work done again. Some shippers will automatically cover up to a limit just by using them. iirc, UPS ccovers upto 300 and the rest is up to you. pack well. if there are any separate parts, make sure they dont bounce around causing damage.

[capstan]

If you have original wood grips, Id take them off and put some cheap rubber packmyers or other such grips on. I sent a DS to Colt and it came back with the wood grips cracked/smashed. Like dfariss said wrap the gun real good with cushioning wrap-styrofam or the bubble wrap or the air bag wrap or something good. Even with Colt's packaging, someone managed to smash hell out of mine,on the way back from Colt, and since Colt didnt have any more original wood grips, they gave me the rubber ones with colt medallions.