Bramble Mountain Buzzard Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I've never flown with guns before. So this will all be a first.... I need recommendations on a gun case(s) that will hold all 4 of my cowboy guns. I know that they need to be TSA/FFA approved. I'm looking for specific ones. Same story with the ammo. Any help/ideas are appreciated. Thanks, Buzzard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 This is what I use. Stencil you name on both sides of the case and carry your serial #'s with you. http://catalog.americase.com/rifle-cases/AT-FULLHOUSE.aspx LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checotah Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Same question asked a while back; one of the best suggestions IMHO was a Hard Golf Bag that doesn't draw attention to the fact that yer shipping gunz. Quit flying commercially myself, so I haven't personally checked it out and don't know if it still complys with fed regs, but seemed like a great idea to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Also carry the airlines regs. with you and you DON'T use TSA locks on gun cases anymore. Its NO big deal Cheers, LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigggy Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The case must be TSA approved and the gun unloaded, ammo seperate, and the gun must be in your check-on luggage. Nobody has mentioned that you must declare the gun when you check your luggage and they will want to see it -- so much for secrets. People travel with guns all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 You will sign a affadavit to the fact the the weapons are unloaded. You will then stay with the case as TSA will confirm such. The affadavit will then be placed into the case(s)and you place your locks on. Again TSA is now calling for NON-TSA locks for gun cases. Allow extra time for this. It has taken up to 45 minutes for me a few times. Cheers, LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal May Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I plan on getting a Pelican 1750 Rifle Case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I plan on getting a Pelican 1750 Rifle Case. They be heavy That's the reason I don't use mine. Extra baggage fees, can really hurt. Carry your ammo in a seperate checked "bag" for the above reason too. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly SASS #45219 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Can I take my Black Powder ammo on the airline in my checked baggage? DD-MDA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Will Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 SKB with wheels. Been using them for 10+ years. http://www.skbcases.com/sports/product/shooting/rifleshotgun.html I used to work with a couple of BANDS that used road cases made by SKB. SKB will custom make almost anything and they held up well to allot of 'road useage'. The case I use will hold a '97, a 73 and a pair of pistols. Easy to move with the wheels and easy to secure. That my experience with SKB. I do have a Pelican that split that was used for instruments. I replaced it with a SKB. Deacon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Can I take my Black Powder ammo on the airline in my checked baggage? DD-MDA As loaded ammo only. Hint: Just tell'em it's "ammo". Less "heart-burn" that way(BTDT). Let TSA ask the questions....Be truthfull, BUT don't "offer" info. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Stone, SASS #53366 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I use a Pelican 1720. In it I carry my '73, '97, 2 single sixes, 200 rounds of .38 and 200 rounds of .32 H&R. weighs in right at 50 lbs. Have had no hassles with this set up. Marshal Stone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I use a Pelican 1720. In it I carry my '73, '97, 2 single sixes, 200 rounds of .38 and 200 rounds of .32 H&R. weighs in right at 50 lbs. Have had no hassles with this set up. Marshal Stone Bet it would "go-over" if you shot .45 Colt...... Can you post a picture of how it's packed? LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Bane, SASS 13557 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Two of the (very very VERY) few advantages of traveling all the time and having an "elite" mileage status are a 70 pound, instead of 50, luggage limit and the 3 free checked bags. That said, I use Alumacases for my SASS guns...the things are heavy, built like tanks and will surviuve the trip. One of my Alumacases looks as if it was set upon by a pack of crazed Yetis, it's got so many dents. Then rings to allow you to bungee other stuff on the cases have been ripped off. It's amazing anything survives airlines for long. When I'm just carrying pistols, like today, I use a Storm Case small ebough to fit into my hard-sided regular luggage. The guncase is locked, the luggage isn't. I like Storm Cases better than some of the other brands because they have a better latching system that can survive being pitched down a runway and hit by the baggage cart...ask me how I know this... Wolf Bane SASS 13557 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockridge,SASS #8763 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Cabelas Bullet Proof two gun case will hold my rifle, SG and two revolvers. The thing is indestructable and has a very heavy duty full length stainless steel locking bar. Has wheels for easy transport. Carry the ammo in my other checked luggage. Usually shoot smokeless when I travel and buy the SG ammo at my destination - just easier that way. Regards Y'all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOUBLE B HUTCH, SASS # 23346 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Lots of good info here, waiting for a ride from the airport in Vegas I watched baggage handlers "throwing metal and hard plastic rifle cases" from a truck into a baggage carrier. I thought dang I hope those weren't carring scoped rifles because the "idiots" tossed these cases at least 20 ft. into the carrier. I guess it would pay to spend the money on a secure and well padded carrier. Hutch PS What's a TSA lock?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 TSA lock is one that TSA can open with out cutting it off. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Stone, SASS #53366 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Bet it would "go-over" if you shot .45 Colt...... Can you post a picture of how it's packed? LG LG; Sorry for the delay in responding have been off the wire the last couple of days. If your shooting .45 Colt you might get by with 200 rounds at best. Don't have pic's but will describe my setup On the bottom layer of foam I made cutouts in each corner the size of a 100 rd. .38 box. I then placed a 1/2" piece of foam over that. I did a cutout of the rifle and shotgun, one facing each direction, and cutouts of the pistols in the space between the rifle and shotgun. This was then covered with some stretch fabric. When all put together it makes a really nice looking display. Hope that helps. Marshal Stone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Way-KWEL and THX LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C. Nyle DeMencha Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Thinking a little "outside the box" here, but: Have you thought about shipping your guns & ammo to your destination via USPS, UPS, FEDEX, etc instead of dealing with the hassles of flying with them? Maybe find an FFL or a friend to send it to and set it up with them over the phone? I have no idea how much that would cost, but I don't know how much the airlines charge for baggage either. Wouldn't it be a hoot if it cost less to ship it than to fly with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Stone, SASS #53366 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Airlines charge $25.00 per bag. You ain't gonna get anyone to ship it for that. Alaska Airlines has a new deal that if you are an Alaska resident with their credit card you can take 2 bags free to or from Alaska. I know that doesn't help you but it sure saves us a bunch. I've seen some ads on TV that other airlines are doing similar things. Marshal Stone PS; Alaska also lets us carry up to 50lbs of ammo per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thinking a little "outside the box" here, but: Have you thought about shipping your guns & ammo to your destination via USPS, UPS, FEDEX, etc instead of dealing with the hassles of flying with them? Maybe find an FFL or a friend to send it to and set it up with them over the phone? I have no idea how much that would cost, but I don't know how much the airlines charge for baggage either. Wouldn't it be a hoot if it cost less to ship it than to fly with it? Shipping with those outfits when you don't want/need to is a great way to waste money This link may help. http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801089/airline-baggage-fees-chart-updated/ LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc O'Bay Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Flown with my cowboy guns a few times. Being frequent flyer definately helps with the weight issue. I have a Kalispell two rifle aluminum case that fits inside a large duffle bag that has a seperate compartment just for the case. The case wheels stick out so you can roll it around. It also has a long 1/4" steel rod that runs through all of the latches so only one lock is required. I can fit my '73, a double and two main match pistols plus a couple pocket pistols and knives without trouble. I put my leather, boots and hat (in a hat box) inside the duffle bag. It will hold a lot more, but weight becomes an issue. I usually put ammo in a separate small locked pistol case in another checked bag. Check with your airlane on the ammo; Continental only allows 11 pounds of ammo total. This works out to about five boxes of .38. Don't even think about taking shotgun shells, way too heavy. Check-in varies by the airport. Until they started all the construction, LAX was easy (with Continental) because you signed your declaration, placed it inside your gun case, locked it (non TSA lock) and then took it to the TSA X-ray machine. I always stick around just in case there are any questions. Plus, it looks cool to see an x-ray of your guns! In Houston, you have to wait for one of the half dozen trained TSA agents that are approved to check weapons. Just because they are trained, doesn't mean they know anything about them though. I have had them wipe the guns and run it through the GC and have them wonder why the alarm went off gor gun powder residue! I usually allow an extra hour to check my guns. Good Luck! Doc O'Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal TKD, Sass # 36984L Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Traveled all over the place / world with a couple of different cases. The aluminum case while tough tended to get bent around the area where rod slid through the rings and in the locking area. The pelican case has been many a place also. Other than a few scratches no dents no dings,no broken locking points. I can't say as I would buy any other case than a pelican for flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayes Cooper Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I fly all the time with guns for hunting, pelican case, 1750 holds two scoped rifles with 40 rounds ammo. Yes they throw you stuff around but NEVER had a problem with a rifle getting knocked off zero. Pelicans are what the military use and they work. I have had zero issues, just leave early and take your time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Graham, # 26112 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Some airlines have "extra" rules over and above what TSA wants. I try to fly Southwest because they don't. If it's OK with the TSA, it's OK with them. 2 free bags but weight limit is 50 lbs. Depending on the case you pick and what kind of guns/how many you have, you may or may not make it. $25 extra if the gun case is over limit. We were at 52 lbs. for 2 sets in the case, so we have to put one set of pistols in a little locked case in a checked bag, but trade off is that sucks up space intended for clothes and leather. Get the sturdiest case you can find. Make sure it has at least two ways to lock it. Ours has 4 locking latches and a ring for a padlock on each side. Had one latch sheared off on each side one trip. Had the rings bent on another. Took one wheel off on another. Trim strip smashed off the corner on another. We buy the same kind when the one we have is too battered/can't be repaired since the guns have never been damaged, the case takes the beating. We also put the guns in socks to pack them. You don't have to take the guns out and show clear at check-in anymore (at least for Southwest) I always hated doing that. Most airlines only allow 11 pounds of ammo. TSA does not allow blackpowder or caps, so you can't get those onto any plane. Flying with ammo is a giant PITA and for 11 pounds, it's not worth it. Had a TSA agent carefully remove, one at a time, lined up in a row, 25 shotgun shells. Then carefully took each one and carefully put them all just so back in the box, one at a time and wrapped a mile of TSA tape around the box. Nearly missed the plane. I ship the ammo out ground about 10 days prior to when I'm leaving. If you don't know anybody where you are going, contact the folks running the match. They will hook you up with someone to send the ammo to. It's a little expensive, but the 22 lb savings for what we could take on the plane ain't worth it, the rest would have to go gound, so it all goes that way. Take a printed copy of the TSA regs and the airline regs with you. If you get an agent that doesn't know what to do at check in, you have the directions to help them out. Take an extra set of keys for the gun case and don't keep them together. Have them out and ready for TSA to lock up after xray or looking in the case. Sometimes they swab for powder residue. They always find it, too! I generally get escort to TSA from check in, get moved to head of TSA line and the whole process only adds about 15 minutes extra when things go well. Allow 45 minutes extra for the day they don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Ron Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 TSA lock is one that TSA can open with out cutting it off. LG ...and steal your guns and then re-lock it. boy, I miss the days where I badged my way past the 'Barney' at the security checkpoint to the gates and walked on the plane wearing my pistol concealed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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