Travel case for four handguns

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Ape_Factory

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Minuteman
    • May 23, 2020
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    San Antonio, Texas
    #1
    Looking for a good, solid case for four hand guns, possibly five, two are full size, two are compact and one is middle of the road size wise. I'm probably going to bring 3-4 mags each and possibly two suppressors if I can figure out the paperwork for that.

    I see quite a few offerings on Amazon that look like they'll work and maybe I'm overthinking it but they all seem to have plastic eyelets for the locks instead of some sort of metal reinforcement ring. So easy to just cut through that portion of the case and take off the locks. I'll be flying and yes, I'll be using NON-TSA locks.

    Any better offerings out there?
     
    #2
     
    Last edited:
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    #5
    The Apache cases from harbor freight are actually really good cases and they’ve got a coupon for 40% off now too so you can get them for next to nothing. Cobra foam makes inserts for them too that have pistol and mag slots cut that are pretty cheap or you can buy a closed cell foam set and a hot wire setup and cut it yourself.
     
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    #6
    I’m grabbing one of these. You can get it without wheels and in different variations. There are some knockoffs on Amazon too. A friend had one of these at a uspsa match and it looked perfect. He liked it as well
    www.goutdoorsproducts.com

    Rolling Handgunner Range Backpacks | GPS Bags

    Exclusive Features Telescoping handle and ball bearing wheels for easy transport and storage The removable foam cradle is designed to fully protect and hold 4 handguns Visual I.D. storage system to identify and organize your gear Twin side pockets store 6 extra magazines each Lockable...
    www.goutdoorsproducts.com www.goutdoorsproducts.com
     
    #7
    TSA will cut your non tsa locks if they need/want to. They have your cased guns for hours, with all the tools they need to open the case. They have even more time if the case gets “misrouted.” And, that assumes your case doesn’t just “walk off.” Locks only keep honest people out. Applies to your house as well as your air travel luggage. I’m would put my money into a durable case that will withstand rough handling. But, “security” is a secondary consideration. Especially as that case is going to THE security theater.

    Everyone thinks an RSC is insufficient for a run of the mill B&E. You think a pad lock is going to slow down a nefarious airline/port worker with a set of bolt cutters?

    IMG_6523.jpeg
     
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    #8
    hlee said:
    TSA will cut your non tsa locks if they need/want to. They have your cased guns for hours, with all the tools they need to open the case. They have even more time if the case gets “misrouted.” And, that assumes your case doesn’t just “walk off.” Locks only keep honest people out. Applies to your house as well as your air travel luggage. I’m would put my money into a durable case that will withstand rough handling. But, “security” is a secondary consideration. Especially as that case is going to THE security theater.

    Everyone thinks an RSC is insufficient for a run of the mill B&E. You think a pad lock is going to slow down a nefarious airline/port worker with a set of bolt cutters?

    View attachment 8533145
    Click to expand...

    Tell me you have no clue about flying with guns without telling me you have no clue about flying with guns. First of all TSA specifies you MUST use non TSA locks on firearms so that not just anyone can open them. Second they WILL NOT open your case without you present, why do you think an airline employee personally escorts you to the TSA screening area and TSA has you wait while they scan it? Third, airports are some of the most secure buildings in the fucking world. Take the tinfoil off and try being less retarded.

    You’re far more likely to have someone grab your case off the belt who it doesn’t belong to and try to make off with it than you are a TSA agent or an anirline employee doing something and even that is pretty much unheard of.
     
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    #10
    hlee said:
    TSA will cut your non tsa locks if they need/want to. They have your cased guns for hours, with all the tools they need to open the case. They have even more time if the case gets “misrouted.” And, that assumes your case doesn’t just “walk off.” Locks only keep honest people out. Applies to your house as well as your air travel luggage. I’m would put my money into a durable case that will withstand rough handling. But, “security” is a secondary consideration. Especially as that case is going to THE security theater.

    Everyone thinks an RSC is insufficient for a run of the mill B&E. You think a pad lock is going to slow down a nefarious airline/port worker with a set of bolt cutters?

    View attachment 8533145
    Click to expand...
    Stop talking. You don't know shit about flying with guns.
     
    #11
    redneckbmxer24 said:
    Tell me you have no clue about flying with guns without telling me you have no clue about flying with guns. First of all TSA specifies you MUST use non TSA locks on firearms so that not just anyone can open them. Second they WILL NOT open your case without you present, why do you think an airline employee personally escorts you to the TSA screening area and TSA has you wait while they scan it? Third, airports are some of the most secure buildings in the fucking world. Take the tinfoil off and try being less retarded.

    You’re far more likely to have someone grab your case off the belt who it doesn’t belong to and try to make off with it than you are a TSA agent or an anirline employee doing something and even that is pretty much unheard of.
    Click to expand...
    So, TSA has never cut the locks off a bag or a case? And, they don’t have the ability to do so? Cool.

    No bags ever get misrouted, left in the wrong place, or grow legs and leave on their own? Sweet.

    What fraction of banned items make it through TSA screening? Glad the airports are secure from 3oz hand sanitizer and novelty items.

    My point is actually closer to your last statement than you realize. The overall security of the case as it travels through the system isn’t a big deal. That it does or does not have metal inserts for the pad locks is immaterial.
     
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    #12
    hlee said:
    So, TSA has never cut the locks off a bag or a case? And, they don’t have the ability to do so? Cool.

    No bags ever get misrouted, left in the wrong place, or grow legs and leave on their own? Sweet.

    What fraction of banned items make it through TSA screening? Glad the airports are secure from 3oz hand sanitizer and novelty items.

    My point is actually closer to your last statement than you realize. The overall security of the case as it travels through the system isn’t a big deal. That it does or does not have metal inserts for the pad locks is immaterial.
    Click to expand...


    How many times have you had TSA cut locks off of your guns?

    How many times have you heard of TSA cutting locks off of gun cases?

    How many times have you flown with firearms?
     
    #15
    The TSA, if they're breaking into locked gun cases that have been checked, without the owner being there, is a violation of the law. If I have NFA items in the case, certain Federal agencies would be very interested in hearing about that. The own of the firearms must be present when the case is opened. I will of course have a tracker or four inside the case.
     
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    #17
    redneckbmxer24 said:
    Second they WILL NOT open your case without you present, why do you think an airline employee personally escorts you to the TSA screening area and TSA has you wait while they scan it?
    Click to expand...
    This part is NOT true.

    Traveling for work, flew out of Amarillo. Layover in Denver, changed planes. Stop in SLC, did not deboard. Arrive in Boise. My non-TSA locks had been cut, left the pieces inside with a card saying they had accessed my armory. Case was then placed on the carousel without locks in Boise. All sorts of fucked up. When I saw the cases without locks, I opened them right then and there.

    In Amarillo, TSA guy came to the ticket counter and had me bring that case to their area. Once there, I was no longer allowed to touch my own shit. I was ok with that but the absurdity of it...I was with the TSA dipshits as they verified all the shit and then they placed my non-TSA locks on the case. They said this is the way to do it and approved and praised and all that happy horse shit.

    The problem is Denver. Denver has fucked me over several times flying with arms, even causing me to miss a flight. Then..to add insult to injury, when I made the nextish flight, my arms case wasn't with me. They ended up delivering it to me on an oil well site.
    The other place I had probems regularly was Delta in Minot. United was never an issue.

    Boise...USUALLY they send "special" stuff to be collected with an ID check. I don't know what happened that day.
     
    #18
    Aftermath said:
    This part is NOT true.

    Traveling for work, flew out of Amarillo. Layover in Denver, changed planes. Stop in SLC, did not deboard. Arrive in Boise. My non-TSA locks had been cut, left the pieces inside with a card saying they had accessed my armory. Case was then placed on the carousel without locks in Boise. All sorts of fucked up. When I saw the cases without locks, I opened them right then and there.

    In Amarillo, TSA guy came to the ticket counter and had me bring that case to their area. Once there, I was no longer allowed to touch my own shit. I was ok with that but the absurdity of it...I was with the TSA dipshits as they verified all the shit and then they placed my non-TSA locks on the case. They said this is the way to do it and approved and praised and all that happy horse shit.

    The problem is Denver. Denver has fucked me over several times flying with arms, even causing me to miss a flight. Then..to add insult to injury, when I made the nextish flight, my arms case wasn't with me. They ended up delivering it to me on an oil well site.
    The other place I had probems regularly was Delta in Minot. United was never an issue.

    Boise...USUALLY they send "special" stuff to be collected with an ID check. I don't know what happened that day.
    Click to expand...
    So, the ability to cut a lock exists within the secure are of the most secure facilities on earth? And, the weak link in your firearm case was the lock?
     
    #20
    Aftermath said:
    Your point is?
    Click to expand...
    The point is that the relative tamper-proofness of the box isn’t a big deal if someone “behind the curtain” can cut the lock. The OP started this thread because of a concern that the cases he was looking at didn’t have metal inserts for the pad lock holes.
     
    #21
    hlee said:
    The point is that the relative tamper-proofness of the box isn’t a big deal if someone “behind the curtain” can cut the lock. The OP started this thread because of a concern that the cases he was looking at didn’t have metal inserts for the pad lock holes.
    Click to expand...
    I understand.

    My post was in reference to another poster saying that TSA always follows the rules and shit.
     
    #23
    The Knuckle said:
    I’m grabbing one of these. You can get it without wheels and in different variations. There are some knockoffs on Amazon too. A friend had one of these at a uspsa match and it looked perfect. He liked it as well
    www.goutdoorsproducts.com

    Rolling Handgunner Range Backpacks | GPS Bags

    Exclusive Features Telescoping handle and ball bearing wheels for easy transport and storage The removable foam cradle is designed to fully protect and hold 4 handguns Visual I.D. storage system to identify and organize your gear Twin side pockets store 6 extra magazines each Lockable...
    www.goutdoorsproducts.com www.goutdoorsproducts.com
    Click to expand...
    Actually have a GPS bag currently, slightly different one but yeah they're quite nice.
     
    #24
    Aftermath said:
    Too bad you only have 4 because if you had 5, THIS would work for you
    Click to expand...
    I mean I could stuff a lot of extra items in that extra slot and I definitely have a fifth gun I could add to the mix. Basically flying out for the big holiday in December and told my father I'd bring some fun stuff so we could shoot at the range together. I've never done that with him and won't have many more opportunities TBH so this trip is important to me on many levels. I just need the trip to go off without a hitch.
     
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    #25
    Ape_Factory said:
    I mean I could stuff a lot of extranitems in that extra slot and I definitely have a fifth gun I could add to the mix. Basically flying out for the big holiday in December and told my father I'd bring some fun stuff so we could shoot at the range together. I've never done that with him and won't have many more opportunities TBH so this trip is important to me on many levels. I just need the trip to go off without a hitch.
    Click to expand...
    Yeah....I was trying to be humorous. It looks like that case would fit your needs. You could use the "extra" slot for the cans. Be sure to carry a COPY of your tax form. I just scanned my stuff and keep it on my phone if I ever were to need them.

    Ape_Factory said:
    So basically what I'm hearing is just ship the guns ahead of time and fuck the airport.
    Click to expand...

    This is not a bad idea but I've only had a handful of issues and I use to fly with arms 30 or 40 times a year. Mostly Denver and Minot and Delta Airlines.

    EDIT: that was 30-40 trips per year so, counting round tripping, 60-80 times.
     
    Last edited:
    #26
    Aftermath said:
    This part is NOT true.

    Traveling for work, flew out of Amarillo. Layover in Denver, changed planes. Stop in SLC, did not deboard. Arrive in Boise. My non-TSA locks had been cut, left the pieces inside with a card saying they had accessed my armory. Case was then placed on the carousel without locks in Boise. All sorts of fucked up. When I saw the cases without locks, I opened them right then and there.

    In Amarillo, TSA guy came to the ticket counter and had me bring that case to their area. Once there, I was no longer allowed to touch my own shit. I was ok with that but the absurdity of it...I was with the TSA dipshits as they verified all the shit and then they placed my non-TSA locks on the case. They said this is the way to do it and approved and praised and all that happy horse shit.

    The problem is Denver. Denver has fucked me over several times flying with arms, even causing me to miss a flight. Then..to add insult to injury, when I made the nextish flight, my arms case wasn't with me. They ended up delivering it to me on an oil well site.
    The other place I had probems regularly was Delta in Minot. United was never an issue.

    Boise...USUALLY they send "special" stuff to be collected with an ID check. I don't know what happened that day.
    Click to expand...

    When you are picking up a firearm at your destination it is supposed to go the bag office in baggage claim and collect it by using your ID.
    I have had one of my handgun cases come down the carousel because someone f'ed up. Locks were still on.

    TSA does not put you firearms case on the bag carousel, that is the rampers job...the guys that unload/load the plane.
    The rampers f'ed up. As much as I would like to blame it on the TSA, that wasn't their fault.

    Every station (airport) is a little different on how they handle the process of checking firearms. Some will put it on the belt behind the check-in counter and tell you to wait about 15-20 mins. Some will have you walk it over to a TSA checkpoint and some will have TSA come a retrieve the checked item. At my home airport, I have done all three of these over the years.

    Alot of theses variation come from the TSA supervisor that runs that particular station. Lots of inconstancy from station to station.
    When dealing with the TSA, be cool and calm and remember you are dealing with a bunch of morons.
     
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    #28
    fedupflyer said:
    When you are picking up a firearm at your destination it is supposed to go the bag office in baggage claim and collect it by using your ID.
    I have had one of my handgun cases come down the carousel because someone f'ed up. Locks were still on.

    TSA does not put you firearms case on the bag carousel, that is the rampers job...the guys that unload/load the plane.
    The rampers f'ed up. As much as I would like to blame it on the TSA, that wasn't their fault.

    Every station (airport) is a little different on how they handle the process of checking firearms. Some will put it on the belt behind the check-in counter and tell you to wait about 15-20 mins. Some will have you walk it over to a TSA checkpoint and some will have TSA come a retrieve the checked item. At my home airport, I have done all three of these over the years.

    Alot of theses variation come from the TSA supervisor that runs that particular station. Lots of inconstancy from station to station.
    When dealing with the TSA, be cool and calm and remember you are dealing with a bunch of morons.
    Click to expand...
    The Delta station chief in Minot is(was?) 100% moron. I had to print and quote to him Delta's policies for traveling with firearms. The TSA guys in Minot were good to go and I had more than one tell me that the Delta guy was simply anti-gun and did whatever he could to cause problems.

    In Minot, I had moved to a new company apartment during my shift and fucked up and left a full 45ACP mag in my carry-on backpack. FUCK!!! HAHA! The radar gal told me she wanted to talk to me and took me aside. She told me she had spotted what looked like a pistol magazine in my backpack and could I explain. I did. She had me grab my entire bag so I could go take care of the problem. I called one of my regular and trusted vendors that had a shop right by the airport, they sent an employee over, I gave him a $50ish magazine full of 45ACP and went back inside to do the screening again. About a month later, I stop by the shop and the guys gave me my still loaded mag, bagged with my name on it. Similar happened there with a knife. TSA guy said I had a knife in there and sure enough, I had left it in my backpack. He asked if I flew in/out of there often. I said yes, at least every 2 weeks. He said he'd keep my knife safe, gave me his business card and told me to let him know flight number and such when I returned. A different TSA guy gave me my knife when I came back to Minot.

    As part of my job, I was in proximity to det cord and perf guns. I almost always swabbed for explosives. After a few times of the guys giving me some side eye, they figured it out and I had only the rare super extra scrutiny.

    It's not always the TSA that is fucked up.
     
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    #30
    1730121563562.png

    Always add these hidden behind foam of my case when traveling. Fullproof? No….but I sit in gate area and watch progress of case and can see it next to the aircraft before takeoff. Makes ME feel warm and fuzzy……though it could be just an empty case getting on the plane without Daddy’s 45ACP. Flying with firearms today is relatively reliable….but never 100%.
     
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    #31
    I'm going to be flying in december with 2 guns and hopefully 2 cans (1 is 2 weeks in on form 4 along with a form 1 Sbr both on 2rp trust). Got an apache case since I could go look at it and figure out it would be the right size. Have flown with a gun before. Slc to iah wasn't too bad either direction but that was a few years ago.
     
    #32
    TSA cannot inspect your firearms without you present and they tell you to not use TSA locks. If they need access they will need you to be present.

    There are a few air ports out there I’ve been through that will not let you be there when they inspect the firearms which is against TSA policy. I’ve fought them on this every time especially when carrying DoD equipment.
     
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