Good locking FAA-approved case for airline checking of a handgun?
- Thread starter SKILCZ
- Start date
- Status
Rumline
Member
Pelican cases adhere to the Mil-C-4150-J standard, which defines requirements for rigid, reusable, fire retardant, water and water vapor-proof cases used by the military. I don't know about you, but if our boys in Iraq and Afghanistan rely on em every day, that's durable enough for meSKILCZ said:
I can't comment on use as checked luggage, as far as TSA regs go. Pelican cases have means to secure them with padlocks. However if you lock your checked bag, any checked bag, it needs to be with a TSA-compliant lock (basically one that they have a master key for) or they're going to cut your lock. And you're not going to be carrying it on, obviously.
Last edited:
Any Pelican case is good to go.
If you're not going to get much local use out of it, you may consider saving your money. TSA just wants a lockable case, and I have flown with a standard Sig pistol case. You can find these in generic for very little money as well.
With a pistol, you don't need a great case, as you should place it inside a larger piece of luggage after checking it in. It's just too easy for something to happen with a small case, and too easy for it to get stolen at the destination end. It has to be a TSA compliant lockable case, and locked, but then you can put it inside a larger bag.
If you're not going to get much local use out of it, you may consider saving your money. TSA just wants a lockable case, and I have flown with a standard Sig pistol case. You can find these in generic for very little money as well.
With a pistol, you don't need a great case, as you should place it inside a larger piece of luggage after checking it in. It's just too easy for something to happen with a small case, and too easy for it to get stolen at the destination end. It has to be a TSA compliant lockable case, and locked, but then you can put it inside a larger bag.
swinokur
Member
Sheepdog1968
Member
Would you use a different brand for a rifle? I'm in the same boat and want to get cases for both a pistol and rifle.
buckhorn_cortez
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 532
FYI -the problem with any TSA compliant lock is that most of the baggage handlers have managed to get keys....
Have done work in at least 25 airports across the US and the baggage handlers ALWAYS have keys.
Prior to TSA compliant locks being mandated to secure luggage, I used to put heavy nylon zip ties through the luggage locking holes, pull them up tight, and clip the end short. By doing this, I could see if the luggage had been opened. This so incensed some baggage handler that was precluded from pilfering my luggage - that to get even he added an additional padlock which he hoped I could not open easily because I didn't have the key. Took me about 1.5 minutes to get it off and open the luggage.
Have done work in at least 25 airports across the US and the baggage handlers ALWAYS have keys.
Prior to TSA compliant locks being mandated to secure luggage, I used to put heavy nylon zip ties through the luggage locking holes, pull them up tight, and clip the end short. By doing this, I could see if the luggage had been opened. This so incensed some baggage handler that was precluded from pilfering my luggage - that to get even he added an additional padlock which he hoped I could not open easily because I didn't have the key. Took me about 1.5 minutes to get it off and open the luggage.
trickyasafox
Member
Guns need to be locked with NON tsa approved locks.
good fact sheet:
http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/legal_sheet.pdf
good fact sheet:
http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/legal_sheet.pdf
Pelican cases rock!
After the airlines managed to ruin 3 out of 5 pieces of a luggage set I got at a warehouse club by: breaking wheels off, spilling hydraulic fluid, and tearing along a sharp edge, I decided to get something a little more durable.
I figure if they can break a pelican case, at least pelican will fix it.
Be prepared to spend 2x more for a case than you would for a regular piece of luggage, but, you get a lifetime warantee, hard shell which will protect your contents, and no zippers which can be opened with a bic pen. Also, throw a pistol in there and slap on some non-tsa padlocks and travel is good to go when you play by the regulations. You spend the money, but you only have to spend it once. If you want to save a buck get their hardigg-storm line. These also weigh a bit less too, so you're not so close to going overweight.
After the airlines managed to ruin 3 out of 5 pieces of a luggage set I got at a warehouse club by: breaking wheels off, spilling hydraulic fluid, and tearing along a sharp edge, I decided to get something a little more durable.
I figure if they can break a pelican case, at least pelican will fix it.
Be prepared to spend 2x more for a case than you would for a regular piece of luggage, but, you get a lifetime warantee, hard shell which will protect your contents, and no zippers which can be opened with a bic pen. Also, throw a pistol in there and slap on some non-tsa padlocks and travel is good to go when you play by the regulations. You spend the money, but you only have to spend it once. If you want to save a buck get their hardigg-storm line. These also weigh a bit less too, so you're not so close to going overweight.
moonman16
Member
Look at GunCruzer cases, I think affiliated with Pelican cases. Strong, Water Proof, Dust Proof, Buoyant (they Float), Lockable, Pockets in foam for guns and mags.
The cases are not cheap but they are very serious cases for expensive traveling firearms. GunCruzer.com
The cases are not cheap but they are very serious cases for expensive traveling firearms. GunCruzer.com
Rumline
Member
Wow I was completely wrong. Makes sense though. Thanks for sharing that!trickyasafox said:
swinokur
Member
highlander 5
Member
I have a Storm Case which is a division of Pelican I believe and it was not cheap,but if you want the maximum protection for your firearm get one. They have a video on their website of the abuse that they subject the cases to and any case that can take being run over by a full size humvee has my vote of confidence. My former employer has cases made for them to ship engine parts for the various comercial and military parts and I've not seen one broken yet.
Cmiller21b
Member
I just came home from Afghanistan and have used Pelican cases for everything from protecting my laptop to shipping home things that I'd bought over there. I've drug one all over Kandahar, beating and banging it and there is no better cases for protecting anything! They make small ones for rifle scopes and pistols and long ones for rifles, big footlockers for equipment! That's what I'd buy! Just my .02.
- Status
