I recently sold a little Ballard .22 to a friend in Montana, and shipped it off to him Sept. 1st at my local Post Office. Tracking showed it left the station and arrived just after midnight at the Portland, Or. Distribution Center. Then later tracking simply stated, "In transit to destination", but never showed it being scanned at a certain time when it left. All subsequent tracking showed the same, but on Sept 6th it showed the Priority Mail package was arriving late, instead of the Sept. 4th estimate. As of today it's never arrived.
I filed missing package search with USPS, and also theft report with USPS. Any reports have gone unresponded to except for an email from USPS in Montana stating the package never arrived there. 
I've called my local USPS station, and can't even get anyone to answer the phones. Headed to either the local USPS, or Distribution Center today to see how they'll handle my insurance claim. 
It seems the security at USPS is very lax, or non existent for an employee to be able to remove a fairly large package from the building and not be caught be someone at USPS. 
The Ballard is pretty unique with it's deluxe pistol grip stock, checkered steel buttplate, and unusual ball type lever.

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I had a Dickson Round action stolen by a UPS employee. 

When I want something that I ship to arrive safely I ship it USPS Registered mail. The package is hand carried every step of the way and each individual that handles it is personally responsible. The packaging is time consuming using the required brown paper tape but a nice trade off is the much lower cost of insurance. 

I hope your claim is paid quickly. 

Steve

Hopefully it all works out, they find it and your friend receives it in good order.
The current state of humanity and our justice system is getting more and more concerning. It should be considered as being a very serious Felony and you would think they would be taking it allot more serious. 

Drop these folks a line; (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
At one time they were more efficient than the FBI. I dare say the Portland center is over full with Antifi types. Good luck.

Just got back from the PO locally and was told, "You can't file a claim in person." Worker said I have to do it online, but I'd already tried that and after filling out the online form I got a message stating that feature is no longer available. 
Back to PO and guy gives me a "local phone number to assist". I told him nobody answers those phones, and he said they'll answer this one, as it's local. I call and get a recording telling me I've connected to Ogden, Ut. USPS and leave a message and they'll call me back.
Seems USPS is doing everything they can to avoid being helpful, or pay a claim.

I had the same situation on the rifle I shipped earlier this year. It Went through the whole frustrating process of trying to file a claim called the ATF everything I could think of.

took 24 days but it eventually showed up.

I worked 12 years for Canada Post back in the 70's / early 80's.
PO I worked in had a group of inside workers that would re-direct "interesting" parcels to a P.O. boxes they rented in the main lobby.
After their shift was done, all they had to do is walk around to the "box lobby", open their box and walk out with it, bigger items were "carded" - present the card at the counter and a clerk hands it to them. Postal inspectors eventually caught them, they were fired and charged with mail theft, also Criminal charges. Don't know if they ever did any jail time - doubt it.

The worst part is things will only get worse and not better. THESE are the good old day's.