Is there a reason you're shipping rather than carrying the gun to the destination? Even if traveling by air, it's relatively simple to do. There are plenty of videos on YT which explain the process.Jose_in_Dallas wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:40 pm Any good or bad experience with it? Needing to mail a gun out to Arizona and weighing my options. While I'm on the subject, any recommendations for an FFL to ship with? I went to Texas Gun Experience and they quote me something along the lines of $55 to ship it plus transfer fee I believe.
I purchased some Storm cases to carry handguns (double level for 4 weapons) https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/c ... orm/im2200 as well as long cases https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/c ... orm/im3300 all without foam then custom cut my foam for the rifles I was carrying (AR-style as well as bolt action precision). I bought regular padlocks (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Lock ... /202260755 in 4-packs so that I use same-keyed sets of locks on the cases. That way, i only have to carry 1 or 2 extra keys on my key ring.
Other than having to do the TSA dance on departure and waiting for luggage to come out on the arrival, and occasionally an over zealous airline check-in clerk who wants you to practically unpack everything in the case, I've had a seamless experience flying close to two dozen times with weapons for multi-day classes. I've traveled with SBRs and suppressors as well with no problems. Just make sure to do the NFA dance with the ATF form for SBR's well in advance of the trip. Sometimes they are quick to respond so carry the response. otherwise, carry your copy of the form. No one has ever checked mine but be prepared.
If I'm not buying ammo locally, I pre-ship the ammo to the hotel via UPS. Pack it well and make sure you use the correct chevron on the box. More information here: https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipp ... ition.page Some UPS stores will accept the box, some wont. If you're not sure, call the store and ask them if they accept boxes with the hazardous materials chevron on it. Don't tell them it's ammo. The chevron is what matters. I live pretty close to the DFW airport so I just go to the airport customer service counter and again, never had a problem. I ship a week ahead of time so it's there a couple days before I arrive, The hotel just holds it for me to claim. Other than the chevron there's nothing else on the box that indicates there's ammo, it's just heavy.
If you want to talk about the process, feel free to ping me and we can exchange contact information.
p.s. if traveling by car, which I have done once or twice, I still carry the weapon(s) in the locked cases and bring them into the hotel with me if I have to spend a night on the road.
I hope this helps.