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Greetings all,
I’m making arrangements to have a family heirloom 1873 shipped from NY to AZ (https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1st-post-1873-38-40-inbound/). Any advice is appreciated. Here is what I’m considering pending your suggestions:
(I searched but couldn’t find the specifics I’m looking for)
Looking to buy the case new and have it and locks drop shipped to local friend that I trust. He will pick it up from my elderly relative to save him the trouble of shipping the rifle.
Can I use this case without the foam cutouts for the rifle? 50.5″ interior length, so it looks long enough for an 1873.
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/long-case/protector/1750
Should I get any sort of protective cloth sleeve to put on the rifle?
Then have it boxed in cardboard and shipped. What shipper USPS/FedEx/UPS???
Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
I don’t know which is the “best” shipper, but I’ve had several shipped to Me from U.S. to Canada via USPS and haven’t had any issues. Sounds like You have the packing down pat, although I’ve never used a case. I usually use ample bubble wrap and several layers of cardboard, in a gun box from the local gun store, and do the ends and edges with Duct tape. I usually take the butt stock off and wrap it seperately, it also makes a smaller package, and in case You were thinking , I believe You cannot ship ammo with the gun, at least in Canada You’re not supposed to. Good Luck
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
I’ve shipped and had guns shipped to me in the past via USPS without issue, BUT WOULD NOT DO IT NOW, under any circumstance. Since COVID sending anything via USPS is a roll of the dice. I’d recommend UPS.
Here’s how I ship long guns and have never had any damage.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
When ever I had a problem shipping in the past it was that a sight would get bent or broken or the hammer was sticking out of the box. Even if the gun is in a hard case you have to keep it from sliding around in the case. This is how I shipped one just a few months ago without a problem. I cut a template out of 1″ foam and then bubble wrapped the sights and hammer. Put in the case and taped up then put 1/4 plywood on each side and then in a plain card box with plenty of tape. Now if it was deluxe grade wood then I would remove the stock and package it separately and then I put a old cut off stock in the tangs to keep them from getting bent.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
My search of the forums did locate a thread where USPS had pretty badly damaged a stock recently.
I’ll go with my original plan using either UPS or FedEx. I use Pelican Cases for shipping many sensitive work related items. The case might get damaged, but the contents typically survive unscathed.
Kevin, that looks like a silicone treated gun sock. Will that harm the rifle in any way?
Thanks,
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
Matt,
I have used them for many years and had no issues
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Perfect! Thanks!
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
Kevin Jones said
I’ve shipped and had guns shipped to me in the past via USPS without issue, BUT WOULD NOT DO IT NOW, under any circumstance. Since COVID sending anything via USPS is a roll of the dice. I’d recommend UPS.Here’s how I ship long guns and have never had any damage.
Exactly my set-up as well.
I have never shipped a gun but I know that the local auction house ships hundreds of guns through Fed Ex. Like others have said pad and pack it well. A cheap case can’t hurt. Put it in another cardboard box to disguise what is being shipped. Some people go out of their way to mess with guns during shipment.
Personal experience:
Even if you fully insure through FedEx, Even if you have an expert appraisal, Even if you have it professionally packed, Even if you take your item directly to a FedEx facility – IF your item suffers damage while being shipped to Sotheby’s, and part of your item’s value is due to it’s age FedEx Will Not Pay! They won’t even refund the $200+ you paid for additional insurance.
The only saving grace was that I had the item listed on my homeowner’s policy – They DID pay.
Anyone that needs details just ask me.
However I get this rifle back to the West, where it belongs, I will independently insure it first!!!
Thanks for the heads-up on FedEx!
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
I have gotten all my Winchester 22’s by FedEx and I always request that the gun be shipped in a hard case . I also send an extra $20 for the trouble. So far after over 35 rifles never a problem.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
For me, FedEx Second Day Super Saver has been excellent, and reasonably priced, based on the importance of the rifle to you.
Also, I believe it is handled the least in the shipping process, thus less chance of damage. Kevin’s packaging is spot on.
Bill
Any updates to the current state on shippers of preference?
My elderly relative back East has determined my package plan is acceptable and he is ready to move forward with shipping the 1873 to me!
Thanks in advance!
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
Pelican 1750 Protector. 50.5″ interior length. My 1873 is 44″ overall length.
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/long-case/protector/1750
I’ve used them at work to ship sensitive instruments for years without incident. To include watching an airline ramp rat throw one in the floor.
I just received the same model case for my son’s bday present.
Plain cardboard box, and the foam is soft enough to accommodate the rifle without cutting first.
Drop shipping the case, silicone rifle sleeve, cable security ties and fiberglass tape to my relative shortly.
Any recent shipper experiences??? UPS, FEDEX, ECT…
Thanks in advance!
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
UPS has been very good with the over 20 rifles over the years. Some were somewhat poorly packed and still made it.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I’ve hesitated to leap into the middle of this discussion but it pains me to see folks spending hundreds of dollars just to ship a gun. Lord knows that FedEx charges enough already! My cost effective and safe solution is to use the 9″ x 9″ x 50″ triangular tubes that FedEx sells for $7.50 each. They are tough as nails and with the judicious use of some cardboard triangles cut to fit the ends of the tube (to protect the barrel from being thrust out the end if roughly handled), a little crumpled newsprint and/or Styrofoam pellets) they make super shipping containers. FedEx likes to think that they are used primarily for golf clubs!
Standing the box on end, I drop 2 or 3 cardboard triangles into the bottom of the tube and stuff a few sheets of crumpled newsprint on top of that to securely hold the cardboard in place. Having placed the rifle/carbine in either a gun sock or old soft gun case, I then stand the gun on end with the butt centered in the tube and fill the voids around the gun with the newsprint and/or Styrofoam pellets taking care to ensure that the gun is centered and evenly protected on all three sides by the filler. Shake the box and/or mildly compress the crumpled newsprint to fill the voids. Leave about 3 or four inches empty space (depends on barrel length) and fill with crumpled newsprint and then finish with 2 or 3 cardboard triangles. Adjust filling to remove all free space so that the item doesn’t slide back and forth inside the container. Works like a champ and is cost effective while presenting as another shipment of golf clubs! I’ve used it dozen of times with no ill effects.
Try it …….. you’ll like it!
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Rick Hill said
I’ve hesitated to leap into the middle of this discussion but it pains me to see folks spending hundreds of dollars just to ship a gun. Lord knows that FedEx charges enough already! My cost effective and safe solution is to use the 9″ x 9″ x 50″ triangular tubes that FedEx sells for $7.50 each. They are tough as nails and with the judicious use of some cardboard triangles cut to fit the ends of the tube (to protect the barrel from being thrust out the end if roughly handled), a little crumpled newsprint and/or Styrofoam pellets) they make super shipping containers. FedEx likes to think that they are used primarily for golf clubs!Standing the box on end, I drop 2 or 3 cardboard triangles into the bottom of the tube and stuff a few sheets of crumpled newsprint on top of that to securely hold the cardboard in place. Having placed the rifle/carbine in either a gun sock or old soft gun case, I then stand the gun on end with the butt centered in the tube and fill the voids around the gun with the newsprint and/or Styrofoam pellets taking care to ensure that the gun is centered and evenly protected on all three sides by the filler. Shake the box and/or mildly compress the crumpled newsprint to fill the voids. Leave about 3 or four inches empty space (depends on barrel length) and fill with crumpled newsprint and then finish with 2 or 3 cardboard triangles. Adjust filling to remove all free space so that the item doesn’t slide back and forth inside the container. Works like a champ and is cost effective while presenting as another shipment of golf clubs! I’ve used it dozen of times with no ill effects.
Try it …….. you’ll like it!
One of the advantages of the triangle shaped box is that is harder for them to set something on top of it.
Thanks all for the advice. Looks like we’re moving forward using a Pelican 1750 in its original shipping box with suitable locks. I was buying one anyway so it makes sense.
Shipping via UPS. I’m going to pull my own insurance policy prior to shipping. I’ll look back at a recent thread here on insurance. Hopefully I can find a good agreed value policy.
Thanks again!
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
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