Colt Mfg. Customer Service regarding Colt GCNM

[chevyext02]

I contacted Colt's Customer Service requesting a price quote on refinishing a Colt Gold Cup National Match. Spoke with a female (I didn't get her name & I am so mad at that) but she was very helpful & nice of course. She told me to send it in & Colt's Mfg. will send me a letter with the quote.
I then asked her if it still needed to go through an FFL to ship. She asked me what state I was in (TX). She stated, no you don't have too, you can send it in as is through UPS OR FEX OVERNIGHT & they will disassemble it & even test it out before it gets shipped back to me.
I am confused here about this shipping process..................I guess what im trying to ask is...........(I've never shipped a gun by the way).....
Am I allowed to ship it myself or does it have to go through an FFL?
I forgot to ask them if they were going to ship it back to my address or if it had to be picked up somewhere else.
I would hate to lose my baby in the process of shipping & receiving.

[Hawkmoon]

There are special rules that apply for shipping a firearm to the manufacturer. If it's a handgun, you cannot send it by mail but you can send it by FedEx or UPS. It can't be shipped through a storefront UPS Store, though -- you have to take it to a UPS or FedEx hub.

The manufacturer can send it right back to you, direct.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b8

See specifically # B8

[cliff731]

Ditto what Hawkmoon said!!! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

I called a couple of years back and inquired the same question.

Pay close attention to what Hawkmoon has written... and it will go overnight next-day delivery if I recall correctly. That part is a FedEx and UPS requirement.

Be especially aware of Colt's instructions for printing the shipping label. Colt's website has information regarding this...

"A Colt customer is always welcome to return a firearm for repairs at any time. Please ship via United Parcel Service (insured) to: CMC, Attention: Product Service, 2 Talcott Rd., West Hartford, CT 06110. Before doing so, please check local and state regulations."

If you can obtain a cooperative FFL to ship for you (and they'll probably charge you a fee for that), they can mail thru the Post Office. However, Colt will return your pistol to the FFL in that case.

[chevyext02]

Even if you disassemble it yourself and send it that way it still has to go as NEXT DAY AIR.........It's pretty expsensive shipping NEXT DAY.............any other suggestions.....

[cliff731]

Even if you disassemble it yourself and send it that way it still has to go as NEXT DAY AIR.........It's pretty expsensive shipping NEXT DAY.............any other suggestions.....

Nope... none that I'm aware of... other than what's been detailed above.

There are exceptions for individuals to ship via the U.S. Mail... but unless you're Fed LE or certain U.S. military, I don't think you'll qualify.

Why would you want to disassemble your Colt? The frame is considered as a complete firearm by itself for shipping purposes.

[chevyext02]

Nope... none that I'm aware of... other than what's been detailed above.

There are exceptions for individuals to ship via the U.S. Mail... but unless you're Fed LE or certain U.S. military, I don't think you'll qualify.

Why would you want to disassemble your Colt? The frame is considered as a complete firearm by itself for shipping purposes.
Wow.....so if its just the frame..its still considered a complete firearm.......Iv'e never shipped before so this shipping issue is new to me.....Guess I have no choice but to pay some serious shipping :butthead: :butthead: :butthead: ......Hopefully its all worth it in the end........... :D

[daveohno]

You can send just the slide USPS, because it's not considered a firearm.

No matter who you send the pistol to, it has to go overnight. The firearm is going in for repairs, so you don't have to be an FFL. If I'm not incorrect, an FFL can send via USPS to another FFL holder and save you some money, but now you have to pay him for his help.

It is pretty safe to assume that shipping a firearm is going to cost you about $100. You pay both ends, the initial shipping and then return shipping.

Unfortunatley, there are no shortcuts to save you money that I have ever heard of. You have to ship correctly and pay the extra money or you risk breaking any applicable laws, not only will you break laws and be possibly criminally liable, you might not get you Colt back.

[cliff731]

Wow.....so if its just the frame..its still considered a complete firearm.......Iv'e never shipped before so this shipping issue is new to me...

Yeah... it's a learning curve for sure.

The frame has the serial number of your firearm. By ATF regs, that's the part all those rules apply to... and it's like buying or shipping an entire pistol to the gubmit. For instance, you'll have to use a FFL if ordering a frame only from a manufacture/distributor/etc. Were you buying a slide, that can be shipped directly to your home - it's not a firearm... requires no FFL involvement whatsoever in most places. Of course, the shippers are free to establish their own rules regarding "firearms parts"... reject outright or require Next Day Air.

Most manufacturers will reimburse or prepay shipping for warranty returns. If your Gold Cup National Match is being serviced under warranty... i.e.- Colt decides that there was a manufacturing defect in the finish and you're within the limited time of said warranty... they will surely reimburse you for the shipping cost. If that is indeed your circumstances... make certain to specifically ask for reimbursement.

[cliff731]

...Unfortunatley, there are no shortcuts to save you money that I have ever heard of. You have to ship correctly and pay the extra money or you risk breaking any applicable laws, not only will you break laws and be possibly criminally liable, you might not get you Colt back.

Well stated!!! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

One does not want to get crossed up with the U.S. Post Office and their regulations regarding firearms... :nono:

[chevyext02]

Well stated!!! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

One does not want to get crossed up with the U.S. Post Office and their regulations regarding firearms... :nono:
So in other words......be up front with them & say..........man w/firearm coming through...do not be alarmed...... :D ...j/k

Informed them of what I am trying to ship & they will let me know which service to use correct? UPS is closer so im guessing that's the service I will use....

[cliff731]

...Informed them of what I am trying to ship & they will let me know which service to use correct? UPS is closer so im guessing that's the service I will use....

If your UPS customer service person is experienced and knowledgable, they will know exactly what to do and how to do it.

[daveohno]

Just box up the pistol before you get there and you should be fine, the pistol is packed for shipping. Where I am, I have to go to the hub, you probably have to use your hub also. The little storefront UPS and Kinkos FedEX locations are not an option. I normally go to the FedEx hub north of me. They are less trouble than UPS. You UPS hub may be fine though. It's always tricky to ship a handgun. Laws and rules make some of them uneasy and the fact that "Is that a gun?!" scares some people. It's like the thing in the box is some sort of communicable disease that they have to be afraid of or it is an explosive device that will blow them up.

[Hawkmoon]

So in other words......be up front with them & say..........man w/firearm coming through...do not be alarmed...... :D ...j/k

Informed them of what I am trying to ship & they will let me know which service to use correct? UPS is closer so im guessing that's the service I will use....
YOU cannot ship a handgun by mail, so don't even worry about it.

When you take the package to the UPS hub, there will be a counter with several computers. You use the computer to fill out the shipping data, in which there's a space to put what the contents are and the value. The computer then prints out a small ticket, which you take up to the counter with the package and hand to the agent. The agent then enters that ticket number and prints out the actual labels that go on the package. Filling out the computer form lets them know its a handgun, and you have fulfilled your legal responsibility. They don't put anything on the outside of the box, and they are prohibited by law from doing so.

It's pretty straightforward.

The expense is the painful part. If you have a working relationship with a local FFL, it might actually be less expensive to pay him a transfer fee to ship it, because an FFL can send a handgun through the mail -- and doesn't have to send it overnight.

[chevyext02]

YOU cannot ship a handgun by mail, so don't even worry about it.

When you take the package to the UPS hub, there will be a counter with several computers. You use the computer to fill out the shipping data, in which there's a space to put what the contents are and the value. The computer then prints out a small ticket, which you take up to the counter with the package and hand to the agent. The agent then enters that ticket number and prints out the actual labels that go on the package. Filling out the computer form lets them know its a handgun, and you have fulfilled your legal responsibility. They don't put anything on the outside of the box, and they are prohibited by law from doing so.

It's pretty straightforward.

The expense is the painful part. If you have a working relationship with a local FFL, it might actually be less expensive to pay him a transfer fee to ship it, because an FFL can send a handgun through the mail -- and doesn't have to send it overnight.
It can't get anymore simple or straightforward than that HAWKMOON.....
Thank you very much fellow member........ :appld: :appld:
Now comes the planning & modification ideas for my GCNM...............
New Thread coming soon.........

[azreloader]

When it comes to filling out the Contents Value box, enter either the MSRP of a new one, or what you paid, whichever is higher, in case you have to file a claim for loss. :o

[1saxman]

UPS has let me send a pistol 'Next Day Air Saver' which is cheaper, but not by much.

[Tombeis]

I have shipped pistols to be repaired/refinished. I use FedEX because they seem to be less trouble the other ways. You have to ship next day. You may save a little by asking for afternood delivery. They usually deliver it in the morning anyway. If you ship in a Fedex box, the maximum insurance available is $500.00. If you ship in a brown cardboard box, you may insure the gun for whatever you wish. Go figure.

The last time I shipped a Colt Commander from Ohio to Mississippi, the charge was $65.00 including insurance.

Long guns can be shipped for repair, or to a FFL via Fedex ground. Excellent service.

If you are on good terms with a dealer, he can ship for you for less.