Stupid question of the week: flying with a Great Plains rifle?

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store in hard case and declare it as you would a modern firearm. Not that you [may/may not] legally
need to, but never underestimate the stupidity of people including TSA.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The airport counter is not where you find out the answer,
 
4v50 Gary

That said, store in hard case and declare it as you would a modern firearm. Not that you legally need to, but never underestimate the stupidity of people including TSA.
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Priceless advice!


MEHavey

The airport counter is not where you find out the answer,
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I most unequivocally concur!
 
It's not a stupid question. Having done it repeatedly, I can say:
1. Yes, TSA and the airlines treat it as a firearm, no matter which end it loads from. That means it goes into a locked case. You ask for a "firearm card" when you check it. The card goes in the case.
2. No, you cannot take black powder or caps on the airplane. Not as checked luggage, either. I've heard of ways to smuggle both, but have not done it and will not discuss how.
3. I recommend a cheap trigger lock. This reassures people who don't know anything about muzzle-loading arms that it's harmless.
4. I recommend a top-quality gun case. Pelican makes OK cases, but my go-to is KK Air. They make a special hard case for long rifles. And will do up a custom case at a reasonable price - like mine.
 
Mike OTDP said:
3. I recommend a cheap trigger lock. This reassures people who don't know anything about muzzle-loading arms that it's harmless.
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Yeah, like the trigger lock on the Brown Bess musket on the wall of the Massachusetts state capitol building. That made me laugh. And cry.
 
It may be silly, but it works. Otherwise, you get to try to explain how to show that a matchlock rifle is unloaded. Been there, did that...but it took a while.
 
Mike OTDP said:
2. No, you cannot take black powder or caps on the airplane. Not as checked luggage, either.
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And at the risk of stating the obvious, that includes Pyrodex pellets. I know one fellow who thought it might be okay since it wasn't "loose powder". But his idea "didn't fly"...
 
4v50 Gary said:
The are exempt from Federal Regulation.

That said, store in hard case and declare it as you would a modern firearm. Not that you legally need to, but never underestimate the stupidity of people including TSA.
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And be cautious of differing state laws. Some states treat MLs and C&Bs like modern firearms (e.g., IL)
 
I wouldn't travel with black powder or pyrodex or any black powder substitute. Fixed ammunition is one thing, but propellants are another. It's not worth it the headache. Arrange for the powder to be available at where you're going.
 
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