TSA gun case?

[fingers]

My son and I are flying to an out of state sandhill crane/duck hunt and we need an airline approved double gun case. We both have Browning A5s which can be disassembled, so we dont necessarily need a full length case, but I suppose it's possible (but unlikely) that we might take a future trip with rifles, so Im leaning toward a double rifle case. I want something that will hold up to airline abuse but this case will rarely get used and price is a key consideration.

Any suggestions on a decent affordable case? Im currently looking at a Cabelas all American for $165 or Harbor Freight Apache 9800 for $150. There are endless Pelican and other options.

Thanks in advance

 

[Ohio Darin]

Pelican Vault

This is close to your budget and a decent case. I use an aluminum one that I purchased 20 years ago. They are pretty spendy now. I have the Pelican and use it as for storage under the back seats of my truck.

Edit: Don't cut the foam on a gun case. It's better to sandwich the guns and allows for different guns to be used.

 

[Telemark]

Go ahead and buy the Pelican. The TSA only cares about your locks. Your guns care about the case.

 

[bigboreblr]

Check your dimensions and weight from your airline your using.

Pretty sure it's gun only, got to have ammo at your destination.

 

[Telemark]

Ammunition in checked luggage should be fine, but it must be declared, and the international standard is a limit of 5kg (11 lbs).

Definitely call the airline ASAP ton find out their specific requirements for firearms and ammunition, including possible required advanced notice to the airline. And get the name of everyone you talked to, including the date and time in your notes.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Any of the pelican style cases work. I've got Boyt single gun, a cabelas branded boyt double, and skb double bow case. They all work fine. A sturdy double gun case gets heavy so I do like having roller wheels on one end in case you've got to carry it a long ways. finding locks that fit tight in the slots is more important. If the locks dont squeeze tight on both sides of the case and someone can pry it open enough to pull a gun out, that's where you have issues.

I've got to disagree with calling anyone at the airline because a lot of the airline employees i've talked to dont know their own damn rules. What someone tells you on the phone means little if it doesn't align with what is written/published. I've had to show them their own rules in print multiple times because of that. So that would be my suggestion - look up the airline's rules and tsa rules and have them either printed or ready on your phone in case the employees act dumb.

I'm pretty sure you can fly ammo in the same case as well in "manufacturers original packaging or similar" or put it in a separate checked bag. Wouldn't be surprised if @bigboreblr has different rules up there in the commie northeast though. Never been an issue for me flying with guns/ammo throughout the midwest, southwest, northern rockys, AK, and CA.

 

[buckdeer1]

Just order TSA locks of amazon,set your combo and you are good.Some airlines make you put your ammo in a locked box in your carry on. Check quantity limits also on ammo. May be cheaper to order from Rogers sporting goods and have delivered to wherever you are going

 

[Westwind]

The airlines website is the best source of info. Lots of people fly with guns, they are used to it, I was surprised how easy it was once I did it.

That’s going to be an awesome trip.

 

[The Fishman]

Just as an FYI, the Apache case will be on sale for $105 at Harbor Freight on Friday. Their gun case is pretty sturdy and also has rolling wheels.