Recommend a TSA approved rifle case

[PRDATR]

Probably a one time use.

[dmoto]

I use a Plano 1532 Pro Max when going back and forth to MN in the fall every year to blast some ducks. You're more than welcome to borrow it. When do you need it?

[Red Sparky]

Haven't used one. If it were me I would buy a strong aluminum one that will handle the abuse of the baggage handlers. They are the ones you have to worry about. When my daughter went to Spain and Italy the only thing was the lock on her suitcase had to be TSA approved. Of course she didn't have a firearm with her in checked baggage.

[firstcoueswas80]

I've got a pelican you can borrow if you meet me in Casa Grande.

[dse]

SKB is hard to beat! Mine has made several trips to Alaska and the rifles have always been in perfect shape when I got there. TSA did manage to knock one of the locks off. I was 500 miles from the nearest road and SKB had a new set to me in 4 days.

[metau]

I've gone through several of them and now only fly with pelican cases. Got a smaller one for pistols that I can chain to the risers inside my rolling luggage and a IM3300 for everything else. Even my bows will fit in it. They are pricey but well worth it. Made 50+ flights with the 3300 the last two years and though it is scuffed, there's no issue with it what so ever. As for TSA approved, it needs to be hard sided and the contents cannot be accessed when locked, so no long shank locks. You are the only one that can control the key/combo. Do not give either to a TSA agent. And no TSA locks. If they swab it and the swab test fails, they will call a supervisor and ask you to open it. I suggest you keep a copy of the TSA regs and the airline regs in the container as well as your carry on. When you go to check in, kindly tell the agent at the counter that you need to declare a firearm for check in. You cannot do curbside check in. Firearm must be unloaded, no mag inserted and magazines unloaded as well. The form you fill out will need to be placed in the case next to the firearm. Ammo must be not be loose and in approved containers to protect the primers from being impacted. There's also a weight limit on ammo. No primers or powders.

 

When are you needing to travel and what with? I have a cut out that it would fit and you can use my 3300. Or my small one for a pistol. If you want to buy one, I got all of mine from casetech in Tempe. Small local shop with awesome service & I highly recommend them.

 

If you have any questions about flying with guns, feel free to ask. I'll be more than happy to help.

[duckhunter175]

Pelican... it is the only one to trust. There's a reason they're used by the military for everyone from M4s to $$$$$ commo equipment.

[rossislider]

Probably a one time use.

I've got a big aluminum one that was given to me. Can't remember the brand. You are welcome to borrow it. It looks like the one below.

[IA Born]

 

Probably a one time use.

I've got a big aluminum one that was given to me. Can't remember the brand. You are welcome to borrow it. It looks like the one below.

Case.jpg

 

 

I have this exact one from Cabela's and love it. You just have to get a TSA approved lock for it, but Masterlock makes decent ones. Sounds like you have plenty of offers for loaners, but I'd let you borrow it if we can figure out how to get it from here to there.

[metau]

Do not put a TSA lock on your firearms case. Doing so is a direct violation of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 1540.111©(2)(iv). Doing so can result in a civil fine of up to $2,000 and referral to local authorities for criminal prosecution.

 

Just use a good padlock at each point and enjoy your flight.

[IA Born]

I've gone through several of them and now only fly with pelican cases. Got a smaller one for pistols that I can chain to the risers inside my rolling luggage and a IM3300 for everything else. Even my bows will fit in it. They are pricey but well worth it. Made 50+ flights with the 3300 the last two years and though it is scuffed, there's no issue with it what so ever. As for TSA approved, it needs to be hard sided and the contents cannot be accessed when locked, so no long shank locks. You are the only one that can control the key/combo. Do not give either to a TSA agent. And no TSA locks. If they swab it and the swab test fails, they will call a supervisor and ask you to open it. I suggest you keep a copy of the TSA regs and the airline regs in the container as well as your carry on. When you go to check in, kindly tell the agent at the counter that you need to declare a firearm for check in. You cannot do curbside check in. Firearm must be unloaded, no mag inserted and magazines unloaded as well. The form you fill out will need to be placed in the case next to the firearm. Ammo must be not be loose and in approved containers to protect the primers from being impacted. There's also a weight limit on ammo. No primers or powders.

 

When are you needing to travel and what with? I have a cut out that it would fit and you can use my 3300. Or my small one for a pistol. If you want to buy one, I got all of mine from casetech in Tempe. Small local shop with awesome service & I highly recommend them.

 

If you have any questions about flying with guns, feel free to ask. I'll be more than happy to help.

 

 

Do not put a TSA lock on your firearms case. Doing so is a direct violation of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 1540.111©(2)(iv). Doing so can result in a civil fine of up to $2,000 and referral to local authorities for criminal prosecution.

 

Just use a good padlock at each point and enjoy your flight.

 

I just finally read both your posts (missed the first one somehow) and want to thank you for the info, Jerry! I had no idea about not using TSA-approved locks. Learn something new every day. I even researched it on my own to verify. As for the weight limit, I learned that one the hard way several years ago. I had a few bandoliers of .30-06 for my M1 Garand that I bought back in Iowa at a great price. American Airlines just about flipped a major back flip on that. I had to go back through security, after declaring it in my luggage, and answer over and over why I had so much. It wasn't illegal, but I was right at their weight limit. I explained over and over that I was a collector and found a great deal that I can't find in AZ. The lady was just dumbfounded. A cop nearby overheard it all and started laughing. He verified I was legal and legit, but the lady kept saying "But you have so much!" I offered to take it out have my parents ship it to me, but she finally relented.

 

And then, a few years later, I had 4-5 spent blanks from my dad's 21-gun salute roll out of the bag they were in on my flight home from the funeral. The primers were very obviously dinged, but the crimps never opened. TSA wouldn't allow them in my luggage. The others, still in the ziplock bag were fine because they weren't rolling around. A cop even verified that they had been fired and weren't an issue, but TSA wouldn't back down. The kind lady at the ticket counter offered to mail them down to me.

 

I have another good one about the time we flew back to Iowa after my dad died and I brought most of the rest of his firearms and all of his butcher's knives home, but I don't want to hijack the thread any more than I already have. Another time...

[metau]

No need to apologize, just trying to make sure everyone, including the OP, is properly informed. I hope my post did not come across in any other way, and if it did, I do apologize. As for ammo, you are correct. I would also point out that in addition to the regulations I referenced above, each airline will have additional requirements as well. The weight limit for ammo, as you mentioned, is a prime example of that, and everyone needs to be aware that those limitations do vary from airline to airline, to include subsidiaries and regional carriers operating under major carriers.

 

Another auspice to consider is that due to the fact that you are the only one with access to the lock on the container, some local jurisdictions have concluded that you therefor are legally in possession of the firearm, not the airline, while it is in transit from place of origin to final destination. These jurisdictions tend to have major restrictions on firearms possession and I have heard rumors of folks being arrested while on layovers(never seeing their checked luggage), or after diverted flights, for being in "possession" of a banned firearm in said locales.

 

Back to the OP's question. I recommend Pelican cases as a brand, but there are other options fi you are just looking to send it one direction. Value of firearm, budget and size will determine what suits your needs best.

 

Another aspect to consider is destination. If you are doing a fly in drop camp in the Alaskan or Canadian bush, you need to seriously consider the size and weight of the case, of which Pelicans are some of the heaviest. Without more information from the OP, I think there is not much more that can be said on this subject.

[PRDATR]

Well I am going back east on vacation and am toying around with the idea of taking a bolt action back with me to leave with a relative as I may go back in the fall to deer hunt.

I have a hard case but it is a latch type and there isn't anywhere to add a padlock which if I understand correctly just needs to be a regular lock like these;

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/storage/lockers/locks/master-lock-keyed-padlock-1-shackle-keyed-different?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CIKq88_T0M0CFYpbfgodE3cFRw

 

And not these

http://www.target.com/p/master-lock-luggage-key-padlock-2-pack-silver/-/A-14439955?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BImprovement%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Home%2BImprovement&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9030087&gclid=CPj0uODT0M0CFQeRfgod3dQK0Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

[metau]

Yep, just the regular lock. What is the barrel length on your bolt gun and when is your trip?

 

Not sure who you are flying with, but if they are going to charge you for checking a rifle case, I would just look at shipping it. You are allowed to ship it to yourself in another state, "in care of" the person who will be receiving the shipment on your behalf. The person receiving the package may sign for but shall not open the package. I'm not sure on the value of the rifle you are wanting to transport, but most airlines have a fairly low limit on what is covered in the case of lost luggage. If they charge you to check it, you might actually save money by shipping via USPS(since it is a long gun) or common carrier and be able to insure it for full value as well. You can ship it in the case you have slid into a cardboard box, without any markings indicating the contents. USPS recommends sending via registered mail.

[PRDATR]

A T3 & SW, Sat Morn. Thought about UPS but it has to go to an FFL. Never thought about USPS but I'm showing up unannounced, only one person knows about it and a family member who was in love with this will probably be it's longterm caretaker> i'll probably just come out and use it once a year.