Tips on choosing a pistol safe for airline travel.

[Armored farmer]

I'm not exactly a frequent flyer, but I'm sure we will be traveling again soon.
Help me choose a airline/TSA approved container for my handgun and ammo.

I want one with a cable to secure it.
I bought one locally, but upon opening the box...the lock mechanism fell out. Not too secure!

What works for you frequent flyers?

 

[Ramone]

my preference is to put my pistols in rugs, pack them in the pelican case I use as my suitcase, and lock the suitcase.

this means that all my checked gear is locked with non TSA locks, and less likely to be stolen backstage at the airport.

 

[alfsauve]

I flew with the ~18"x18"x10" Pelican style case with two pad locks. And while it worked it was much to big, bulky and heavy when all I was carrying was one EDC gun. I ended up striping out most of the padding and putting everything I could in there. With minimal clothing I was over 40# for that suitcase.

The next time I'm flying, I'm getting a metal case/safe that's just big enough for the guns I'm carrying. For a single gun the Hornady metal safe comes with a cable and a key lock, would save me so much space and weight.

 

[herrwalther]

First point of order, there is no such thing as "TSA-approved" locks or containers for travel. There are just too many products for TSA to put a notional stamp of approval on. The only TSA requirement is it must be locked, in a hard sided container. No soft pouches or bags. Some airports I have traveled through use the "flex test" a very unscientific method of trying to flex the container when it is closed and before it hops on the Xray machine.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

I use an older model Plano case that doesn't look like a gun case, which is why I prefer it. The more discreet you can make your luggage, the better. It has been carrying my checked handguns for 10 years or so without any issue or second glance. Any pistol box from recognizable companies will work. I prefer integrated locks for the pistol case. So I am not always losing and replacing padlocks and their keys.

 

[earplug]

Inexpensive Harbor Freight metal case. I have learned that a small pocket pistol is the easiest for me to travel with.
Case fits into my backpack and the cable secures to the backpack. Its all easy to access at the airport restroom when I arrive at my destination.

 

[FL-NC]

I just use a smaller plastic pelican box with 2 padlocks, and place it inside of whatever suitcase I am using. The box only needs to be "hard-sided"- not metal. This will also cut down on weight in your suitcase. The plastic pelican is also nice for things you want to keep safe and dry when in a boat, or on a ATV, in a motorcycle saddlebag, etc. The small metal safe gizmo is pretty much useless for anything else.

 

[alfsauve]

For just one pistol, this is the case I'm getting next time it's the Hornady Lock Box comes in M/L/XL sizes.

https://www.hornady.com/security/lock-boxes/

 

[.455_Hunter]

I use a cheap metal pistol box, just big enough to hold the gun, and run the cable around one of the luggage handle extensions. Never had an issue, even when Southwest "lost" my bag on a direct flight from Phoenix to Denver. Bag was delivered to my house the next day- firearm still secure.

 

[BrotherMaynard]

I use something similar to the Hornady Lock Box and added an MTM Ammo Wallet to carry enough for a cylinder full plus a reload.

http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/ammo-boxes-handgun-ammo-wallet.php

The ammo wallet is small enough to fit inside the lock box.

 

[ejfalvo]

I took regular size Pelican case, loaded it with my handguns, and put it inside a plain black roller bag. Pad locks on the Pelican, TSA locks on the roller bag. For the rifles, I took a longer Pelican case, loaded my rifles, pad locked it and stuffed it into a cheap rolling golf club bag. TSA lock on that. When TSA guy inspected my set up, he stated what a smart way to send my cases through without screaming "guns".

• For a single handgun, I bought a Vaultek Pod. Cable run through the suitcase frame. Expensive versus a typical clamshell unit, but durable and doubles as my 'cant bring my pistol into the store' temporary vehicle storage.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I use a GunVault NanoVault 200. It comes with a cable like you're wanting. It takes up very little space in your baggage.

https://gunvault.com/product/nanovault-200/

 

[Riomouse911]

Armored Farmer, whatcha plan on packing? The Pelican 1150 is not heavy and will hold a Colt Cobra - Glock 19(44) - Ruger LC9 with ease (pluck foam can be pulled out to fit.)



Put in your checked luggage wearing a small padlock or two, another small case with a box of factory ammo and you’re golden!

Stay safe.

 

[Armored farmer]

Armored Farmer, whatcha plan on packing? The Pelican 1150 is not heavy and will hold a Colt Cobra - Glock 19(44) - Ruger LC9 with ease (pluck foam can be pulled out to fit.)

View attachment 1027036 View attachment 1027037 View attachment 1027038 View attachment 1027039

Put in your checked luggage wearing a small padlock or two, another small case with a box of factory ammo and you’re golden!

Stay safe.

I will likely be carrying my sr9c or my 2.5" s&w66.

We were almost ready to book an impromptu trip to Yellowstone in early September, but I didn't get my harvest equipment ready as quickly I wanted . It was going to be too close to harvest.

 

[Riomouse911]

I will likely be carrying my sr9c or my 2.5" s&w66.

We were almost ready to book an impromptu trip to Yellowstone in early September, but I didn't get my harvest equipment ready as quickly I wanted . It was going to be too close to harvest.

Sorry the delay cancelled your trip. Pretty much all of my field-harvesting experience involves helping to cut and bale hay for winter feed, so I can’t imagine all of the moving pieces and dates that need to align to successfully prep-sow-grow-harvest-transport-and then market food crops. My hat is eternally off to the men and women like you who do so much every day to keep us fed!

As for the 1150 Pelican, it’ll literally squeeze in a 2.5” Model 19 or 3” Model 13, but there won’t be much, if any, padding left around the edges to keep the gun from getting knocked about. I’d go one size larger to the 1170 if you’re looking for a great travel case for those guns.



Good luck with the harvest… and stay safe.

 

[jstert]

i have made perhaps 100 flights with declared and checked handguns. i just returned from a long distance trip on american airlines and haven’t fully unpacked yet. with no chance for plinking in the forecast this trip i carried all 38sp. if plinking one piece would be 22lr. always two is one, one is none: handguns, ammo, especially non tsa locks. i have also used a plastic ammo box with two locking points when taking a longer ruger single six plus more 22lr ammo for plinking. all goes into a tsa-locked & checked piece of luggage with usual clothes and toiletries. double check that all firearms, mags and speedstrips are fully unloaded, with all ammo in factory boxes (i reinforce with tape). essential for at least two locking points on the handgun case with both locked.

best experiences are with female checkin staff in las vegas: we compare notes about handguns. worst is seattle: we are shunted off to wait almost an hour for antigun tsa staff to interrogate us. most checkin staff don’t care but enough are clearly antigun and question why i need two, let alone one, handguns, and are either afraid or upset to do checkin quietly and efficiently.

i have several nonresident ccw permits, and i always check airline guidance and handgunlaw.us before each trip for updated guidance. never connect through or arrive in a state where having a handgun under any circumstances would be problematic, e.g. ny, nj, ma, hi...

 

[Jimster]

Pelican for my 1911.

 

[Speedo66]

I see many mentions of padlocks, are cases with included 3 separate dial locks okay for TSA?

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I use... an MTM ammo wallet

Surprising. I understand ammo is supposed to be in the box it was packed in at the ammo mill. Am I wrong?

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Just make sure you put a Build back better sticker on your case
On a serious note I used to use a SKB gun case on my flyin trips

 

[Armored farmer]

I've flown with my fishing gear a few times. TSA always opens my case to check it out. I dont even lock it.

 

[BrotherMaynard]

Surprising. I understand ammo is supposed to be in the box it was packed in at the ammo mill. Am I wrong?

I cannot speak for other airlines but Southwest’s policy is that it be in a container designed for small amounts of ammunition:

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html

Specifically:

• The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

 

[WrongHanded]

Pelican case for me too.

 

[alfsauve]

Delta's policy is that it must be in a container designed for ammo, not necessarily the original carton. I guess they're thinking they don't want loose ammo rattling about.
And it can be in or outside the lock container.

 

[tarosean]

I want one with a cable to secure it.

Thats why those mandated cable gun locks, are handy.. I secure the case to my luggage rails with those. Case doesnt matter as long as it has holes to fit the lock/cable.. Ive flown with countless stock pistol cases and will continue to do so.

I fly around 1 million miles a year... granted most of its for work which = no gun. nevertheless I have flown all over the USA with one... * obviously not the anti states.

 

[herrwalther]

Surprising. I understand ammo is supposed to be in the box it was packed in at the ammo mill. Am I wrong?

You are sort of wrong. The regs on TSA are clearly written by someone who doesn't know anything about firearms.

• Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
• Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
• Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline.
• Ammunition may be transported in the same hard-sided, locked case as a firearm if it has been packed as described above. You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.
• Please check with your airline for quantity limits for ammunition.

Their own rules say magazines, loaded or empty, must completely enclose the ammo. That is a lot of ambiguity there left up to an individual TSA officer. Standard semi-auto magazine, the top round is enclosed, somewhat. I have flown with loaded magazines, outside of their firearms. But I have also flown with ammo inside factory and non factory boxes. The method I use largely depends on how much ammo I am bringing and how much space I have to work with. All firearms related slowdowns I have had at TSA have never been ammo related. Usually some clerk that believes you can fly with a checked firearm.