USPS, ship firearm frames?

**EvoRich** · April 18th, 2012, 09:09 PM

I'm considering sending one of my Glocks to have the frame Cerakoted tan. I know USPS will not ship firearms. But would they ship a JUST a frame? Since the frame is considered the "main part", is USPS not capable of shipping it?

I only ask because I live within walking distance of a USPS building and use them for most of my shipping. I've never shipped a firearm before. I'd field strip the gun and only include the frame in the package.

**knight0334** · April 18th, 2012, 09:17 PM

The frame is the firearm. Since a Glock is a handgun, a Glock frame would still be a handgun. ...only FFLs can ship via USPS.

**EvoRich** · April 18th, 2012, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by knight0334

The frame is the firearm. Since a Glock is a handgun, a Glock frame would still be a handgun. ...only FFLs can ship via USPS.

This is what I was thinking. Thanks.

**Xringshooter** · April 19th, 2012, 08:21 AM

You could take it to your local gun shop and have them ship it for you, it would probably be cheaper than doing UPS or FedEx due to their internal rules dealing with shipping handguns.

**Neilthepilot** · April 19th, 2012, 09:25 AM

Check with Glock, I know Springfield and Sig have round trip shipping packages.

**Xringshooter** · April 19th, 2012, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Neilthepilot

Check with Glock, I know Springfield and Sig have round trip shipping packages.

He's not sending it to Glock, he's sending to an independent shop to have a special coating applied so getting in touch with Glock won't do any good.

Since FedEx and UPS have strict rules on how to ship handguns (overnight) the cost is pretty high. By going to his LGS, they will charge him to ship it but by them shipping it USPS Priority Mail, insured, the cost will probably be about 1/2 that of him shipping it himself via FedEx or UPS.

After the work is completed, the shop doing the work can send the gun directly back to the owner.

Q. Is an ATF Form 4473 required when a gunsmith returns a repaired firearm?

A. No, provided the firearm is returned to the person from whom it was received. [27 CFR 478.124(a)]

In this case, the LGS is just acting as the shipper, the owner would have a note in the box with his return address so the shop doing the coating can ship it back to him. I have done this a few times for customers and have had a BATFE compliance check since then and the compliance inspector said there is no problem doing it this way.