Shipping Slide for Sight Install

[KentF]

I'm getting ready to ship my slide to Heinie's to have new sights installed and I have some questions for those of you who have done this before.

How do you pack the slide. I was thinking of just wrapping it in bubble wrap.

Do you insure it when you ship and if so, for how much?

Do you request a delivery confirmation?

Is there a preferred method of shipment? Fedex, UPS, USPS Priority?

Thanks.

[orionz06]

I will oil the hell out of it, zip lock it, then bubble wrap it in an insured USPS flat rate box.

[willowofwisp]

If i am sending something important I normally bubble wrap it and then make sure its surrounded with packing peanuts or newspaper. I would then send it UPS with insurance and of course tracking.

I woudl probably over insure it too, incase they loose it, I don't see to many spare p30 slides for sale online.

[DocGKR]

Bubble wrap, ship in a FEDEX box insured for the cost of the pistol.

Whenever possible, I no longer use UPS given the numerous problems we have had with them.

[JDM]

What do you say when they ask about what you are shipping? My stock answer has always been antique lamps or precision machine parts.

[VolGrad]

What do you say when they ask about what you are shipping? My stock answer has always been antique lamps or precision machine parts.

Shipping slides is not prohibited by USPS or any of the shippers so there's really no reason for them to care what is in the package.

I have only mailed a slide once. I wrapped bubble wrap around it then secured it with a rubber band. I put it in a USPS Priority flat rate box, insured for cost of a replacement slide (I think it was around $175), then requested delivery confirmation for my sanity.

I wouldn't worry about oil and such either. It will be in transit for no more than a couple of days and will not be in the elements.

[JV_]

USPS generally doesn't ask what's in the box, they just confirm it's not hazardous or restricted.

If you don't ship by USPS and are directly asked what's in the box, I would suggest telling the truth. I doubt 99% of the folks would know anything about a "steel slide".

[VolGrad]

USPS generally doesn't ask what's in the box, they just confirm it's not hazardous or restricted.

If you don't ship by USPS and are directly asked what's in the box, I would suggest telling the truth.

This. Lying about the contents or playing coy with the wording (calling it "machine parts" or whatever people think is clever) will likely negate any claim should the item be lost or damaged in transit. Fedex or UPS will prob tell you to take a hike if you try to claim a loss on something you lied about to begin with.

[JV_]

I forgot to mention: If you open up your own Fedex or UPS account, you can print the label online and just hand it to a clerk at any shipping center. There are no questions to be answered, and filling out the description (accurately) is even less of an issue.

If you're a USAA member, you can get a discount on your Fedex account so all of your shipments are much cheaper. For those that are interested: Log in -> Products & Services -> Shopping & Discounts -> Shipping

[JDM]

This. Lying about the contents or playing coy with the wording (calling it "machine parts" or whatever people think is clever) will likely negate any claim should the item be lost or damaged in transit. Fedex or UPS will prob tell you to take a hike if you try to claim a loss on something you lied about to begin with.

Never thought about that. I was always more worried about people stealing what was in the box because they could.

[jslaker]

I was always more worried about people stealing what was in the box because they could.

That's what adequately insuring and properly declaring the package is for.

[DocGKR]

Uh...there are no legal restrictions on shipping slides.

We have our own Fedex account, so no one ever asks what is inside the box. However, if they did, I would answer, "a slide".

[BWT]

Exactly, the only reason you might run into an issue is if it's a private shop the business owner might get upset.

Like I had a Lady making a box for me to ship my SGL21-71 back to Arsenal (Dude... I went to four or five businesses, including the Fedex Hub, looking for a box to fit it), she told me, they weren't allowed to ship any firearm parts, even a firing pin.

She was the manager. But it was also a small U.P.S. Satellite shop.

I've mailed two guns and used Fedex both times. Had a good experience both times. Cheaper than I though too.

I happen to have the receipt next to me, I mailed a 12.1 lb package, insured for $800, ground and it was $24.67.

[John Ralston]

If you're a USAA member, you can get a discount on your Fedex account so all of your shipments are much cheaper. For those that are interested: Log in -> Products & Services -> Shopping & Discounts -> Shipping

What is USAA?

[JV_]

What is USAA?
https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/products_services_main?wa_ref=pub_global_products_ and_services

[JM Campbell]

https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/products_services_main?wa_ref=pub_global_products_ and_services

USAA headquarters are huge....several city blocks, I work across the street from it and curse the morning and evening traffic...for a insurance co their employees can't drive for crap always accidents at the security gates.

[KentF]

I wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I ended up shipping my slide USPS Express on Wednesday. After cleaning the gun, I lightly lubricated the slide and wrapped it in bubble wrap before putting it in the box. I insured it for what I paid for the entire gun.

[vaspence]

Let us now when you get it back I'm curious as to the turn around time.

[KentF]

Will do. I'm curious from those who have sent a slide to Heinie's... Do they notify you before they return the slide, or does it just show up on your door step?