Travel cases

[kcrippen]

I wasn’t sure where the best place to post these question, I’m planning on flying to PRS matches and classes next year:
Besides Pelican is another hard company I should look at?
Suppressor, should I keep a copy in the hard case besides in my carry on?
I’ve read the TSA information on ammunition, and thought about making a metal box fitted in to the case to hold MTM cases that would be lockable, thoughts?

Any other inputs would be appreciated,
Thanks

 

[Punkur67]

I wasn’t sure where the best place to post these question, I’m planning on flying to PRS matches and classes next year:
Besides Pelican is another hard company I should look at?
Suppressor, should I keep a copy in the hard case besides in my carry on?
I’ve read the TSA information on ammunition, and thought about making a metal box fitted in to the case to hold MTM cases that would be lockable, thoughts?

Any other inputs would be appreciated,
Thanks

Pelican is always solid. I have a SKB that is nice too. Whatever you do don't cheap out on one. We watched the guys loading our rifles on the plane like they were competing in shot put. I have had a few brand new cases that looked like they were years old after 1 flight. You don't want to skimp and damage your gear. Also make sure to keep 1" of foam between items like scopes and the side of the case.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Reading the TSA rules is a good start, but read the rules for the airline you're traveling on as well. If you plan on having the ammo with the rifle, have a backup plan to have the ammo secured in a separate bag as well - because the fat lady behind the baggage counter is god when it comes to making your flight and some fights aren't worth having.

Vortex 10m talks has some episodes on flying with guns and ammo, and some with horror stories... Just remember to keep your cool no matter what, even when the counter lady waves your 1911 around verifying that it's unloaded... (personal horror story).



For the inside, I like kaizen foam as opposed to the pluck and play type. You can get it off amazon and I think it's easier to work with as opposed to the stock pelican or storm stuff.

 

[Jack Master]

I've like the Boyt H51 Double long gun case. Its a bit bulkier then the Pelican but has the same protections. I picked one up from Amazon last week for $112.
Boyt H51
Amazon
Midway - $112 today, super good deal!

 

[CShooter92]

Look at Nanuk cases. I won one at a PRS match and actually prefer it to my pelican and SKB hard cases.

 

[LostinMT]

I’m a big fan of Pelican. Have gotten one back and forth to Africa and it held up well. I don’t like the aluminum cases as much as they get damaged more it seems. For cans more copies is better than less. Tuck a copy in the case. Have a spare. I have removed a buttstock before and placed a copy in there before for extra safety.

 

[clcustom1911]

I wasn’t sure where the best place to post these question, I’m planning on flying to PRS matches and classes next year:
Besides Pelican is another hard company I should look at?
Suppressor, should I keep a copy in the hard case besides in my carry on?
I’ve read the TSA information on ammunition, and thought about making a metal box fitted in to the case to hold MTM cases that would be lockable, thoughts?

Any other inputs would be appreciated,
Thanks

I fly to places with firearms on the regular.

Pelican, SKB, standard master locks.

Keep ammo in the boxes they came in so it doesn't rattle around.

Keep ammo secured in the same case as the rifle so it doesn't rattle around.

When you check in, declare you have your guns in the cases. They will probably want to show they are clear/completely unloaded. Do not have a loaded mag in the firearm. They will have you sign a stupid declaration card saying its unloaded and you put that card in the case. Lock the case and give it to them. You keep the key. You may have TSA call you off to the side to open the case for them so they cam inspect your stuff for explosives.

After they do the stupid swab thing, lock the case, keep the key.

Go to your flight as normal.

Collecting it at the destination will be told to you when you initially check in for your flight.

Based on my experiences:

If you're flying American Airlines you will likely have to go to the baggage office at the baggage claim to get your shit.

United puts it on the baggage claim with all other luggage.

Easy cheesy, lemon squeezy. Don't overcomplicate it.

/end

 

[Incahoots]

Like Pelican also, but haven't used any of the others mentioned to compare

 

[LuvDog]

I’ve had Pelican, Plano, Nanuk, Boyt, SKB and others.

my favorite are the Boyt cases. They are rock solid and I like their latches.

 

[Dr. Davy Jones]

Another vote for Pelican. I've used their cases for years with high-end cinema camera gear. There's nothing like trusting a case to hold $70k worth of lenses. Love my 1750 as far as weapon cases go.