Anyone have experience shipping gun from Canada to USA for repair?

[arne Langston]

Was hoping to ship a shotgun from Western Canada to DelGrego & Son to have fore end lug soldered, appraisal, and minor cleaning.

Telephoned DelGrego's and they were very kind; however, it does not sound like shipping repaired guns back to Canada is a common task for them. I believe the representative I talked to said they had difficulty last time they did this. They had to drive for 4.5 hours to some other location/business to get the gun shipped back to Canada. It was not an easy process that they really are not set up for, and they were not certain if the same method would be permitted again. Last thing they and I want is for the gun to be stranded in a Customs office somewhere. They indicated I would have to get all the return shipping process figured out in advance for them. Fair enough.

Insurance appears to be a problem as well as the shippers (couriers) seem to place a low ($5,000 limit) ceiling on insurance you can purchase. Anyone have any experience on insurance cost and maximums to ship via Fedex, Loomis etc?

Checked home owners insurance they won't insure in case of a courier losing a package.

If someone has had success sending a shotgun to Del Gregos for repair from Canada and got it back please let me know your secrets.

Failing that (alternately), do folks know of a Canadian gunsmith that would be a Northern equivalent to Del Grego for Parker repair and appraisal purposes?

[Kevin McCormack]

Contact Nick Makinson, 519-471-5402 in Komoka, Ontario. He advertises for cross-border transfers for repair work pickup and delivery thru customs, etc. necessary to get guns into and out of the US to Canada.

[Chuck Heald]

Probably easier and about the same price to fly there with the gun in hand. I've had two bad experiences with guns I've bought in Canada.

[Don Strelioff]

U must use a dealer here in Canada with a impoter expotor permitt and they must ship it to a dealerr in the us with s ffl licence . Profit river in Lloydminister is licenced to do it . Very expensive prossess

[John Campbell]

Failing that (alternately), do folks know of a Canadian gunsmith that would be a Northern equivalent to Del Grego for Parker repair and appraisal purposes?

Last I knew, Makinson did very good work himself. And could certainly address all your needs. Why not just send it to Ontario? Del Grego won't mind.

[Bob Brown]

Prophet River doesn't do export, but they do import. I thought there was an exemption for guns sent directly to and from a gunsmith? You don't need an export permit for temporary unless it is prohibited. I'd contact the Canadian Firearms Center for more info and the U.S. government for their requirements. What you need done doesn't sound too complicated and there are Canadian gunsmiths who are more than capable. The appraisal should be done in Canada anyway. Depending on the grade the number you'll get from a U.S. appraisal will be quite different than a Canadian appraisal.

[Brian Dudley]

Any good double gunsmith that is in Canada should be able to handle the things that you need done. No need to incur the additinal cost shipping it stateside.

[chris dawe]

Interesting thread for sure ,here's wishing you the best on your project

[Phillip Carr]

There is no need to ship your gun to the US. You have the finst Parker gunsmiths in your back yard. Chris Dawe has done a dozen guns for me and is definitly top shelf. Complete restock on two Parker's. Wood refinish and checkering as well as repairs on many others. Feel free to call me 520-975-0830. I Can share photos as well as discuss the work Chris has performed. Chris is a humble guy, his work speaks for itself.

[Jim DiSpagno]

I'll second that. I'm just surprised that it took so long to see one of the best is in your own back yard. Chris is a true craftsman who is so conscientious, it may be his only fault

[chris dawe]

Thank you so much ,Jim and Phil for the kind words .

[Jim DiSpagno]

Only the truth.

[Dean Romig]

I only wish it wasn't so complicated and expensive to legally get a gun to Chris for rework or repair from here in the U States.






.

[chris dawe]

You and me both Dean!

[arne Langston]

Thank you all for great insights.

Not surprisingly, the suggestion to fly to New York and take it with me was also suggested by my wife...and to take her on vacation of course...guess how much money that would have "saved" me!

You have provided endorsements for fine workmanship in Ontario and Newfoundland. How about British Columbia (BC)...do folks have any recommendations for a BC gunsmith that can re-attach (solder) a fore end hanger to barrels (without damaging original blueing) and generate an appraisal for insurance purposes?

Currently Ontario is looking like my best bet.