Bill from sig sauer replied that sig does not provide any return packaging. He said for the trouble they will provide a free magazine for the gun.
I looked around and found two types of foam some 3/4” soft foam something like a sleeping pad for camping and some 2-1/2” open cell foam like used in custom gun shipping cases. It will work like a sandwich the soft on the outside with the open cell inside cutout to fit the gun holding it secure for shipping. If sig returns my packing it will last for years.
so now is where I need to tap into you all for some educated advise. The paper work sig sent states to strip the rile down, meaning no sights no gadgets that did not come with the gun originally. Which is easy because it is brand new, I have not had a chance to put anything on it.
however the stock as received on the gun is not like anything that is seen any web postings or on the sig site. It came with a magpul I think sl stock and a round slabbed off sides buffer. At first I was not sure I liked it but it has grown on me. First I don’t want sig to change it, and second I don’t want them to screw it up.(I say that because from the start this has not gone good, I don’t want to give them the opportunity to make it worse.)
that said I am thinking of returning the gun for service without the stock. One t27 screw and the stock is off and when I cut out the custom foam there is less fitting. This is all good so far.
the question is am I creating atf violation by shipping a rifle in for repairs without a stock? The overall length of the gun without the stock is 26-1/4”. If I am not mistaken the atf defines the rifle at 26”oal with 16” barrel which the gun meets, but a rifle is also stated as shoulder fire, which sans stock is not doable. Or not doable by a reasoned person.
so what is the consensus am I creating a new atf category shipping with no stock, is this a atf violation, or because it is going in for repair it is exempt? Or it’s not a rifle, it’s not a pistol, is a riftol which the atf especially now will frown on. Does anyone have a clue on this?