What pistol case are you guys using to fly with? I will be using it for a Glock G45 gen 5.

I currently have a pelican case vault series that I have used several times. But I would like to find something a little smaller. The one I have is thick enough to pack two Glock 19's on top of each other. I have been packing my Glock on top then two boxes of ammo under it and 2 mags.

Also, does the ammo have to be packed in the case with the pistol or can I pack the ammo boxes in the suitcase? It's been a few years and can't remember.

The smaller the case, the easier it is for a thief to hide.

I'll put an air tag in the case. If it still gets stolen, then it is what is I guess.

I use a small Pelican for my 365, ammo and mag have to go in case as well. I put a bicycle cable lock trough the metal bars in the suitcase and attach to lock on Pelican

Have a link or part number for the case you use?

Here

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/...120?sku=1120-000-110

I agree with BigSwede. Get a Pelican case and a decent lock. No "authority" gets into that case without you present, too.

If I started flying with firearms again, I'd get this: Pelican 1595TRVL.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
If I started flying with firearms again, I'd get this: Pelican 1595TRVL.

I'm only looking to take one pistol, not all of them!

You would still have to buy a gun case to put in there, TSA locks on it

Last time I flew with a handgun, granted a long time ago, I used a full sized airline rated rifle case. Filled it with clothes, with a zippered pistol case in the middle. Don't know if they frown on that now days.

^^^Exactly

The last 4 times I flew with my hunting rifle, I packed my clothes, laptop, ammo, knives, two handguns and the rifle all in the rifle case. The handguns were holstered and pack in between clothing. That was 5 years ago and things may have changed.

The case I linked meets the TSA’s requirements for transporting firearms. It has two hard points for non-TSA padlocks. You do have to wait for them to scan it and open it for them if the request.

With a regular suitcase, I just used the the blue plastic sig case with locks in the lock spots and a cable around the suitcase frame.

For the OP, I’d get a Pelican 1200 or V100 case, or a Condition One 184 case. Should be good for the pistol and 2 mags. Possibly a small box of ammo and a knife.

I use a Pelican 1510 as the gun case with padlocks, don’t need an inner case. It is a locked hard sided container, not a piece of luggage. Pistols visible, mags in an MTM mag box or MagPul DAKA pouch. Holster and belt etc etc as well.

Lots of folks use the larger Pelicans as gun cases with no internal case. Though, some do double up, especially pending destination and or high end competition guns.

Ammo can go in soft side luggage, up to 11 lbs. Factory cardboard ammo box is fine, but I’d get a few MTM or similar clear or translucent boxes. I would also tape them shut and tape the bundle together. I usually need enough that I ship my ammo via UPS, and put an extra 100rd box in my gun case and a 50rd box of carry ammo.

https://condition1.com/product...ot-2-mag-precut-foam

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/...200?sku=1200-000-110

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/...?sku=VCV100-0000-BLK

My mistake, I thought only the gun had to be locked with no TSA locks. They inspect the whole bag and then you lock it up, interesting

I've flown with my ccw about 5 times. I have never had TSA request I unlock the case.

I travel with a Pelican 1170 or a Vaultek Lifepod when I a traveling with a pistol or two. I can get 2 G19 sized guns in the Pelican and 1 in the Vaultek. I put secure locks on the Pelican and the Vaultek is a built in electronic. Both are relatively lightweight and easy to pack, especially the Vaultek. I usually run a zip tie through the barrel as a way to show very quickly that it is unloaded.

If I am traveling with long guns or a combination of handguns and long guns, my go to case is an ICC aluminum or a Kalispel aluminum case, but also have a few longer Pelicans in my gear. I’ve had an airline actually put a hole through one of my Pelican long cases, so far the aluminum cases have taken the abuse well.

I have been called back to open my long gun cases but never my checked CCW. We bird hunt all over the country, so we fly with firearms pretty regularly.

Depending on how many I’m bringing, I have 2 different Pelican cases.
However, my favorite is the Locking Glock Case.
Haven’t had problems with Tub Stacking Assholes yet, it will hold a G-34 & G-43x.

The first time TSA asked me to open my rifle case I was in the terminal already and they had to call my name over the PA. The problem wasn’t the guns, knives, and ammo; it was the tablet, computer, and associated wires I had packed in there. I figured since I had to check a bag anyway, I might as well pair down what I was carrying on the plane. The TSA supervisor said they would normally open the bags with those items, but couldn’t with mine because of the non-TSA locks. He suggested carrying on the tablet, computer, and wired next time which I did. I also stayed with my case while it was scanned from that point forward, but had to open it only one more time. They didn’t say why.

The ticket agents are fun. I had one ask me to show her the rifle wasn’t loaded. I had everything well packed, but fine. I open the case, mess up my great packing job, pull the rifle out go to open the action (lever action Marlin) and Superwoman says that’s OK, she can see that it’s not loaded. On returning on the same trip, another one asks me the same thing, OK fine again. I open the case, she sees the 30lbs of vacuum packed venison jerky and sausage and says you can’t put that on the plane. Now I get two TSA grunts and a TSA supervisor, all super guys who are trying not to laugh while trying to assuage the ticket agent. The TSA supervisor gives me his card and says call him if I have any trouble in the future.

I used to fly a ton with guns. Unless anything has changed:

1. Put TSA lock on the checked luggage bag.

2. The gun case should have a non-TSA lock they can’t open.You wait until everything has been cleared in case you have to open the gun case. I have had a few times where they asked it to be opened and only looked at it without touching.

3. Ammo can be in the original ammo packaging. I usually put the ammo boxes in something such as a shaving kit bag or something so they aren’t loose. Ammo can also be in their magazines as long as the magazine is in a mag holder and the primer of a round is not exposed.

4. If I remember correctly, the ammo cannot be inside the gun case with the guns even if they are in the ammo boxes. The ammo has to be outside of the gun case. I guess they think a bullet will get out of the ammo box and go insert itself into the gun.

I will see if I can find a link to the metal case I used for pistols. I could hold two pistols side by side and had a cable you could secure to the frame of the luggage inside.

I can’t find the exact metal cases I have, but THIS is very close to what it is.

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:

4. If I remember correctly, the ammo cannot be inside the gun case with the guns even if they are in the ammo boxes. The ammo has to be outside of the gun case. I guess they think a bullet will get out of the ammo box and go insert itself into the gun.

Guys, as mentioned this isn't the first I've flown with a gun. I'm just looking for a smaller case.

#4 is incorrect. Everytime I've flown with a gun I had a full 50 round Federal HST cardboard box packed under the gun in the same case. TSA has never once asked to open the gun case.

Here is a screenshot from TSA.gov.