Based on the various horror stories we have all seen here from time to time, it's pretty obvious that ALL common carriers have shipping problems from time to time, and that EACH carrier's local office pretty much determines whether they will or will not accept firearms for shipment from either individuals and/or FFL licensees. In my particular area, FedEx is run by a nerd that thinks all guns are instruments of terror and simply will not accept them. And I do hold a class 03 FFL, but it makes no difference to him. Again, in my area, UPS is absolutely great to deal with, and I have never had a problem with either shipping or receiving from them. To be sure, I have had shipments from a couple of auction houses that came in via FedEx and were fine, but I can't get the local office to accept them for out-going shipments. I don't know that I have even used USPS either way, but based on other's stories, they aren't perfect either. I have concluded it's best to be well insured in any case, and in any case, it's a bit of a roll of the dice. One of my sons operates a small gunsmith shop and does keep several dozen firearms in inventory for sale, and his experience echos mine with common carriers, but he's in the same service area I am, just 20 miles away.
