As far as the USPS goes,you can ship a hand gun in pieces. I usually send my frame in one box and the slide and clips in another. I found out this info at our local post office. You do have to let them know that you are shipping a part of a gun. I always ship insured and someone must sign for it when it arrives. I usually leave the box open and seal it in front of the postal employee.
WRONG! No offense RetiredNak, just want our readers to know the facts and the law, regardless of what the postal employee behind the counter says. I know you were talking about postal regulations; but this is restricted by Federal Law.
You can send ONLY the parts of the gun that are not designated as the "firearm" part of the handgun. That means no serialized frames. Also can NOT send the "silencer" part of a silencer, which is normally the serial numbered external tube. ONLY FFLs can send handguns or firearms using USPS, and then only if they send to another FFL. And a handgun frame is considered by law to be a handgun.
PLEASE do not send handguns through USPS unless you are an FFL or certain law enforcement.
The key language is here. NOTE that "firearm" by definition includes the frame of a pistol or handgun:
18 USC 1715 starts with: "Pistols, revolvers, and other
firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable"
18 USC 921
"Sec. 921. Definitions
(a) As used in this chapter--
(3) The term "firearm'' means (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm."
(29) The term “
handgun” means—
(A) a
firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and
(B) any combination of parts from which a firearm described in subparagraph (A) can be assembled.
"DEFINITION OF "FIREARM": 18 USC § 921(a)(3), (4). Any weapon (including a starter gun) which will expel a projectile by means of an explosive or is designed or may be readily converted to do so.
This includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any firearm muffler or silencer or any destructive device. A "destructive device" includes any explosive, incendiary or poison gas --- (i)bomb; (ii) grenade or (iii) similar device, or any combination of parts designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device, or from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. Does not include antique firearms.
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