Jake,

Not sure about shipping, becuase it most likely needs to be done at an FFL who might charge another price. But, I just got back from a trip out west from Newark, NJ to Phoenix, AZ to Denver, CO,back to NJ. I took my trusty Benelli Supernova and S&W 686+ with me. I flew Continental and Frontier airlines.

And, I was SHOCKED at how easy it was to travel with guns. Basically, it's painless as long as they are in a locked gun luggage with TSA-approved locks you're fine.

You announce your firearms when checking in the rest of your baggage. The clerk says ok and asks to see them. You then get a personal escort to the TSA post nearby where upon you hand them over and watch them be inspected again by TSA. After, they are locked away and you don't handle them again.

Next time you see them is at your destination. Now, I did notice that each time they left my possession they were inspected by someone a final time out of my eyesight. But, there were no issues at all and my guns arrived safe and sound. They even came out with the rest of my baggage vs. the oversized section where bikes and golf clubs come out.

So, with my limited experience traveling with guns, I'd say it's first rate and safe. That said, I bought a Pelican gun luggage, which is virtually indestructable. I don't recommend skimping in this area.

I have travelled quit a bit with guns and never had a problem. You can ship your own gun without FFL help. One thing I do know is that airports will not insure guns. So if you are really concerned about the gun coming up missing, go ahead and ship it. Will cost a few dollars. The airport will count a guncase as a piece of checked luggage if it is not inside another bag.
A suggestion would be to get a gun case that will fit into a suitcase you own. Then you can lock your suitcase after declaring a gun at the airport with the guncase locked and the suitcase locked. The only people that will know you have a gun case in your suitcase is the initial xray and there are so many people around at that time that it would take a large set of "cahonies" to break your lock on your suitcase and remove the gun.

x2 The Only way I would even consider traveling with a gun is to have it packed in another larger bag....

Thanks for the help guys, I intend to use FED-EX the idea of no insurance coverage scares me.

I got an idea though, I can go get a glock, and try that with my checked luggage, if it gets lost no biggie eh? jk jk jk