Need hard case advice for travel.

[Freuderlocks]

Hello all!

I'm going to the communist west in February, my mother is having her hip replaced Feb 14, so I'm headed to Palm Springs. Plan on going and doing a bit of shooting in the desert while I'm there. Planning on taking myn6inch gp100, my match champion and my SRH. I'm looking for an airline approved case to hold some ammo, 3 revolvers (1scoped), speedloaders and some ammo.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks again guys!

Freuderlocks

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
First,,, contact TSA to see what they approve of & what they do NOT approve of. Then look into what's available that will allow you to fly legally.
I haven't had to fly with a handgun in a LONG time,,, so I'm not up to speed on which brands etc are the best.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Years ago I purchased cases directly from the airlines that I was ticketed with.
The cost was less than any retail outlet I could find.

 

[gtxmonte]

The case you choose matters little, you will just likely have to use a TSA approved lock. As far as the case, hard to beat a Pelican case. Not cheap but they are likely the best

 

[Kevin]

You cannot pack both ammo and gun in the same case. Not only that but you are limited in ammo by a certain weight limit. Last time I flew with a gun a Pelican case worked out great.

 

[427mach1]

You cannot pack both ammo and gun in the same case.

From the TSA website,

"Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm."

 

[Yetiman]

I'm looking for an airline approved case to hold some ammo, 3 revolvers (1scoped), speedloaders and some ammo.

I am glad your not skimping on the ammo LoL

(I have been to the department of redundancy department a few times myself)

 

[ADP3]

OK, I'm a pessimist, but with the requirement that handguns go in checked baggage and the airlines tendency to lose baggage, I wouldn't risk that many of my handguns. I'd carry the fewest number I could get by with. You may also want to look into ammo restrictions in the state you'll be visiting. From what I've gathered California is restrictive on lead ammunition at least in some hunting applications. It also would not hurt to look at transportation requirements within the state you'll be visiting too.

Hope your mom's surgery goes well.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[Kanook]

The case you choose matters little, you will just likely have to use a TSA approved lock. As far as the case, hard to beat a Pelican case. Not cheap but they are likely the best

Firearms
When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock.
Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.
United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44, firearm definitions includes: any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; and any destructive device. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm.
Ammunition
Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

[Freuderlocks]

Thanks guys. It's always good to hear it from someone other than an airline agent! I've traveled quite a lot with rifles and shotguns, with maybe one or two pistols, always in my long gun cases though. I'm looking for suggestions from owners of hard cases designed for larger handguns.

ADP3,

I lived out in the area I'm going to visit for a few years in college, and a few more voluntarily. State rules for transportation of firearms are about the same as the TSA prescribed. Locked separately from ammunition and unloaded in vehicles. It's pretty terrible. But I digress.
Every time I have traveled with firearms has been fine. They are forced to take care because they know exactly what you are transporting. Each time my firearms are the last luggage off the plane and hand carried to me in the baggage area with ID check.

Freuderlocks

 

[Rumrunner]

I have a Pelican case that is probably about 30"x30"x30". Might be bigger than you are looking for, but would easily carry everything and not so small that someone would be able to readily take off with it. I'm at work for another week, so don't have the model number.

SKB also makes some good cases, but not sure of handgun sizes.

 

[contender]

One thing to also consider. Look into "baggage insurance." Insure the firearms for an absurd amount of money,,, via the airlines,,, for say $10,000.00. I can bet you that you will get them hand carried to you at your destination.

 

[David Bradshaw]

Freuderlocks.... hard plastic cases of the Pelican type are heavy and bulky, but strong, with good weather sealing and pressure vents. Cases of lighter construction can work well with thick padding, but baggage smashers will break them sooner or later. Padding which prevents movement of contents is important. Guns should be prevented from contacting one another if the case is dropped, and prevented from contacting the sides of an aluminum case. Contact info should be painted on the outside of the case, and written on the inside. Anticipate a case will be tossed, dropped, or fall off a conveyer belt.

Locks built into the case and which TSA cannot access may be cause for rejection of case. Either remove or glob-glue the tumbler. Locks must be TSA approved so that TSA can access with its own keys. TSA combination locks are available at hardware stores. The TSA lock with cable-type shackle is easier to use and more versatile than the standard solid shackle. You will be shocked at how small these locks are.

TSA ignored Federal law which states only the owner shall be able to open the case. The effect is: TSA shall have access or the case will be rejected.
David Bradshaw

 

[Freuderlocks]

Thanks guys! Given !Y needs and what I already have, plus the suggestion that I use a case that's harder to walk off with, I'm going to use my hard case for rifles, it's got compression closures, cuttable foam inserts, locks and is TSA approved plus it's can fit some more boxes for reloads into it!

I'm still on the fence about buying an actual pistol case but that may wait until later.

Freuderlocks