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.

 

[buckdeer1]

Heck when we came back from Africa there was 50 of us with our rifles open and our luggage with ammo sitting beside it in the Atlanta airport international incoming when they were cleaning our boots

 

[Telemark]

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.

I bought that last year. Haven't flown with it yet, but it seems sturdy. It weighs 23 pounds, so you might not be able to put 2 guns and 22 lbs of ammo in it.

 

[fingers]

I bought that last year. Haven't flown with it yet, but it seems sturdy. It weighs 23 pounds, so you might not be able to put 2 guns and 22 lbs of ammo in it.

Thanks. Im seeing complaints online about the foam padding in the Apache...any opinion on that? For the price, I can certainly replace it

 

[Telemark]

Thanks. Im seeing complaints online about the foam padding in the Apache...any opinion on that? For the price, I can certainly replace it

Seems cheap. No problems som far, but I can imagine with a lot of use, it might wear out. No idea how much replacement foam would cost.

If I had to do it all over again, I would probably just buy the Pelican case for an extra $60 bucks. It's on sale at Cabela's, and I get 10% off on Mondays.

https://www.basspro.com/p/pelican-vault-v800-double-rifle-case

 

[fingers]

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.

I bought the Apache today. Couldn't pass up the $105 sale. Thanks for the heads up on the sale.

 

[Ohio Darin]

Do not use TSA locks as someone suggested. You are responsible for the firearm and too many people have access to TSA keys. Get two good locks preferably keyed the same that fit the case. When you drop it off at the counter you have to wait for it to clear TSA before going through security. If you have pre-check you will be fine. If not, TSA might want to open the case just because they can. You will need to give them or a rep of the airlines your key depending on the airport. I've flown through a couple cities where TSA just calls me into a room to open for them. All went away with pre-check so I would recommend it if you don't have. I have global entry (includes free TSA pre-check) which helps flying internationally with guns. Ammo can just go in your checked baggage. I don't ever declare flying domestically. If you are concerned about the foam just put some extra clothes in the case with the guns. I swear baggage handlers see rifles cases and see how hard they can throw them. I watched mine get thrown across the tarmac once while sitting on the plane. Also, put your name, address and cell phone number on both sides of the case. I use my work address for security reasons. PM if you have any questions when you get that far.

 

[Telemark]

Do not use TSA locks as someone suggested. You are responsible for the firearm and too many people have access to TSA keys. Get two good locks preferably keyed the same that fit the case. When you drop it off at the counter you have to wait for it to clear TSA before going through security. If you have pre-check you will be fine. If not, TSA might want to open the case just because they can. You will need to give them or a rep of the airlines your key depending on the airport. I've flown through a couple cities where TSA just calls me into a room to open for them. All went away with pre-check so I would recommend it if you don't have. I have global entry (includes free TSA pre-check) which helps flying internationally with guns. Ammo can just go in your checked baggage. I don't ever declare flying domestically. If you are concerned about the foam just put some extra clothes in the case with the guns. I swear baggage handlers see rifles cases and see how hard they can throw them. I watched mine get thrown across the tarmac once while sitting on the plane. Also, put your name, address and cell phone number on both sides of the case. I use my work address for security reasons. PM if you have any questions when you get that far.

When is the last time you flew without pre-check?

Pre-check is quite along process.

The idea that TSA locks are somehow unsafe when travelling with firearms on airplanes is just silly. Who do you think has access to your firearms? And why do you think "You are responsible for the firearm"" when it is in the possession of the airline or the airport's security personnel? That's just ridiculous, and it seriously harms your credibility.

 

[fingers]

Turns out the Apache is just barely long enough for a fully assembled A5. Do you think an old T shirt wrapped around the end of the barrel would be sufficient padding? If this case gets thrown around, there isn't much gap there. I could and maybe should just disassemble and pack clothes around the parts

 

[Telemark]

Turns out the Apache is just barely long enough for a fully assembled A5. Do you think an old T shirt wrapped around the end of the barrel would be sufficient padding? If this case gets thrown around, there isn't much gap there. I could and maybe should just disassemble and pack clothes around the partsView attachment 86287

I would just take the barrel off.