Looking for luggage with a built in hard sided case.

FLR72 · May 15, 2013, 08:00 PM

I travel with a firearm often enough that I would like a durable medium sized (about 16”x30” ?) piece of luggage that has a built in lockable hard sided case permanently fixed to the frame inside. Usually I travel with a Glock 22 and /or 27 with three magazines for each.

Any ideas? If I have to spend some money for a custom bag I would consider that. I have been searching for a few days, with no luck, so I figure I would throw it out to the masses and see if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks much..

MutinousDoug · May 15, 2013, 11:13 PM

I have gone with a Pelican case. It's plastic but big enough that the average airline/TSA worker can't casually walk out of the baggage area with it under his coat or pry it open without a significant tool.

I don't know what you mean by a "built in lockable hard side"

JRH6856 · May 15, 2013, 11:37 PM

Most 25"-32" softside rolling suitcases I have seen have a handle that telescope into two tubes which run the length of the back of the case. In the one I have, it looks like it would be pretty easy to use conduit clamps and pop rivets to permanently (more or less) attach a hard case to these tubes. You would need to be be able to remove the padding from the hardcase in order to drill the holes for the rivets, but on this suitcase, it would be an easy job. Now you just have to find one like it.

Drail · May 16, 2013, 02:21 PM

Why do you want it to be "built in"? I cannot see any advantage over a separate case for the gun that can be used for just the gun and slipped into any suitcase when travel is required.

Czar · May 16, 2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

I have gone with a Pelican case. It's plastic but big enough that the average airline/TSA worker can't casually walk out of the baggage area with it under his coat or pry it open without a significant tool.

I don't know what you mean by a "built in lockable hard side"

BIG +1 here!!!

Pelican cases are hard to beat, plus they laugh off abuse from the airline baggage throwers! A Pelican 1620 makes a good checked bag.

Firearm in soft case inside Pelican case + whole thing locked with 2 TSA NON-COMPLIANT padlocks = No one taking ANYTHING out of your luggage without being conspicuous.

FLR72 · Yesterday, 02:44 AM

I currently travel with a pelican case cabled around the tubes of my handle just like JRH6856 describes. However on several occasions I have gotten to baggage claim and found that someone has tried to force the pelican case out of my suitcase, not to mention my suitcase has missed its flight twice. Hmmmm? Wonder what was going on there..

Hence the idea of a built in safe or case. i.e. something screwed or riveted to the frame might be more of a deterrent.

GRIZ22 · Yesterday, 05:29 AM

A steel handgun lock box affixed to the lid or bottom of a Haliburton suitcase would fill your bill. Attach the lock box with carriage bolts which will make their removal difficult. You could also use one of the super adhesives that are used to glue on auto body panels. Haliburton suitcases aren't cheap but they last forever.

beatledog7 · Yesterday, 06:26 AM

Let's be honest: while most TSA bag inspectors are honest, it takes just one dishonest agent to steal any attractive or valuable item from your suitcase. Locking the firearm into a hard-sided box and then firmly affixing that case inside the suitcase is a really good idea. I have a short cable lock that does the trick.

FLR72 · Yesterday, 11:56 AM

That's what I've been looking for, thank you..

May 15, 2013, 08:00 PM	#1
FLR72 Member Join Date: October 31, 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 27	Looking for luggage with a built in hard sided case. I travel with a firearm often enough that I would like a durable medium sized (about 16”x30” ?) piece of luggage that has a built in lockable hard sided case permanently fixed to the frame inside. Usually I travel with a Glock 22 and /or 27 with three magazines for each. Any ideas? If I have to spend some money for a custom bag I would consider that. I have been searching for a few days, with no luck, so I figure I would throw it out to the masses and see if anyone has any ideas. Thanks much..

May 15, 2013, 11:37 PM	#3
JRH6856 Member Join Date: December 5, 2011 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 1,784	Most 25"-32" softside rolling suitcases I have seen have a handle that telescope into two tubes which run the length of the back of the case. In the one I have, it looks like it would be pretty easy to use conduit clamps and pop rivets to permanently (more or less) attach a hard case to these tubes. You would need to be be able to remove the padding from the hardcase in order to drill the holes for the rivets, but on this suitcase, it would be an easy job. Now you just have to find one like it. __________________ NRA Life Member "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" — US Constitution, 2A, 1791 “Rights are not supposed to be open to popularity contests." — Rachel Maddow, 2013

Yesterday, 06:26 AM	#8
beatledog7 Member Join Date: June 18, 2011 Location: Tidewater Posts: 4,127	Let's be honest: while most TSA bag inspectors are honest, it takes just one dishonest agent to steal any attractive or valuable item from your suitcase. Locking the firearm into a hard-sided box and then firmly affixing that case inside the suitcase is a really good idea. I have a short cable lock that does the trick. __________________ "Please allow me to trade freedom for the appearance of security" is the surrender plea of the defeated.

May 15, 2013, 11:13 PM	#2
MutinousDoug Member Join Date: October 24, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 603	I have gone with a Pelican case. It's plastic but big enough that the average airline/TSA worker can't casually walk out of the baggage area with it under his coat or pry it open without a significant tool. I don't know what you mean by a "built in lockable hard side"

May 16, 2013, 02:21 PM	#4
Drail Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Posts: 2,697	Why do you want it to be "built in"? I cannot see any advantage over a separate case for the gun that can be used for just the gun and slipped into any suitcase when travel is required.

Yesterday, 02:44 AM	#6
FLR72 Member Join Date: October 31, 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 27	I currently travel with a pelican case cabled around the tubes of my handle just like JRH6856 describes. However on several occasions I have gotten to baggage claim and found that someone has tried to force the pelican case out of my suitcase, not to mention my suitcase has missed its flight twice. Hmmmm? Wonder what was going on there.. Hence the idea of a built in safe or case. i.e. something screwed or riveted to the frame might be more of a deterrent.

Yesterday, 05:29 AM	#7
GRIZ22 Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 4,030	A steel handgun lock box affixed to the lid or bottom of a Haliburton suitcase would fill your bill. Attach the lock box with carriage bolts which will make their removal difficult. You could also use one of the super adhesives that are used to glue on auto body panels. Haliburton suitcases aren't cheap but they last forever.

Yesterday, 11:56 AM	#9
FLR72 Member Join Date: October 31, 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 27	That's what I've been looking for, thank you..