Sounds like there are many one here that wouldn't use anything else. Most of the posts I found were older so I think that was before you could get Tuffpaks with the TSA approved locks. Is that the way to go?

http://www.tuffpak.com/retail/...1.asp?P=TP%2D1049KYB

Thanks, Brenden

Grayduck, I personally would not get a tuffpak with the TSA lock... It is going to house my rifles and no one should be able to access your case after it is examined by the TSA reps and they will relock it and put a seal on it..
My case is returning to Africa for its 5th time...

Mike

Good point. Glad I asked.

I will be going to AK this fall not Africa but I know there are a ton of people on here that travel.

I am only taking one rifle but plan on filling up the rest of the space with gear and clothes. I assume they don't care what's in it beyond your rifle. According to Northwest Airlines website it is okay to have your ammo and gun in the same checked bag

I agree with Retreever (in theory), but let me relate a story for thought...last July going to Namibia, I had my Tuffpak with TSA lock. My cameraman had my other Tuffpak with regular lock and had his tripod, most of his clothes, boots, etc. We flew from Lexington to Cincinnati to London to Windoek. We are sitting in the Cinn Crown Room on a 4 hour layover, and I get a call. It is Delta in Lex. They weren't able to open the Tuffpak of my cameraman, so they didn't let it get on the flight. It had my contact info on it, so they called me before we took off for London. They said they could either break the Tuffpak lock (ruining it from ever being locked again) or it couldn't be sent.

I didn't see that we had a choice, so we told them to break it. They did (no guns mind you), sent it on to Cinn, and it made the connection to go with us.

Coming home, it didn't have to be locked because there were no guns in it...BUT...what would have happened if that case had of had my gun in it?

I fly with guns on about 15 trips a year - so check them abouut 30 times. In 3 years using a Tuffpak with TSA lock, I have never had a single problem. Just my experience - though again, I agree with Retreever in theory...

A tuffpak is a great product for your rifles to rattle around in. But if you want your rifle held securely...

I modified mine with as has been noted by others here ... save that I used a tang made of ATS-34 hardened to RC45.

Will use a standard padlock as firearms are not supposed to have TSA locks on them. WIll put a spare lock inside to just in case someone feels compelled to cut it off.

Same with the ammo pack.

Going out I always put xerox copies of the 4457s and Dutch Transit Permits on the outside. Coming back I do the same but include a copy of the info page of my Passport in case they need to "catch up" with me.

Never had a problem with rifles "rattle around" in a TuffPack ... but then I understand they're intended to contain rifles inside gun cases.

fhead
- Obviously you know nothing about the correct way to pack a Tuff Pak. Some movement is warranted as to keep the "guns" from taking a direct solid hit. No matter how much padding or how tuff the case, a direct blow can damage guns in other cases. Not fiction, just fact.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by fatbutnotdead:
A tuffpak is a great product for your rifles to rattle around in. But if you want your rifle held securely...

The TSA lock on my Tuffpak hit something, or something or someone hit it and was broken when I picked it up in Windhoek. Fortunately nothing was missing, and I suspect it just hit something during loading or unloading. In any case, the PH very effectively juryrigged a fix using a chain and padlock for the return flight, and Tuffpack replaced the TSA lock with their standard lock for free when I told them about it. So, I'd go with the standard lock. Carrying a spare padlock and a chain off of a chokechain or somesuch is a great idea.

Rattle Around? Who are you trying to impress?
Tuffpak is king. Forget the TSA lock. I have made nine trips with mine and never had a scope issue. Whats really nice is that TSA now wants ammo containers in your locked case. I use a locked shotshell container for rifle ammo and the rifles in soft cases. There is still room for a few pounds of gear.

zzz - Ammo in the Tuff Pak is OK here in the USA, where TSA is the rule maker. However, their rules do not apply on International flights, especially ones involving SAA. No ammo in the Tuff Pak going to Joburg and beyond with SAA. Must be in a seperate, lockable, sturdy container in your checked bag. That's how I see it as of right now?? Who knows what will be the norm down the road aways?

I don't use a TSA lock on mine and have had no problems to date. You simply wait at the check in counter until TSA gives you the green light or requests your key for further inspection.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by zzz:
Rattle Around? Who are you trying to impress?
Tuffpak is king. Forget the TSA lock. I have made nine trips with mine and never had a scope issue. Whats really nice is that TSA now wants ammo containers in your locked case. I use a locked shotshell container for rifle ammo and the rifles in soft cases. There is still room for a few pounds of gear.

Tim, the Tuffpack with the tripod and clothing, had it been inspected and sealed by TSA as Mike said?

At the LEX airport - TSA is behind the scenes, not outside where you see them inspect it. SO they wanted to inspect it in back, and didn't track us down to get the key until we were already in Cinn.

In airports where TSA is in front of the counter and you stand and watch them inspect everything, this isn't much of an issue, but I travel through quite a few where you never see TSA. I used to get paged occasionally for keys to a gun case, but honestly, you don't always hear the page. Since I use the TSA lock, I have never had a problem. Again, just my experience...

Thanks, Tim as I have usually traveled from Dulles I have always watched them inspect and seal my Tuffpack and duffle with the ammo in and never had a problem.

I used a Tuff Pac going to Africa this year with the TSA lock after modifying it to accept a pair of non-TSA locks so if TSA cut off my locks they could still re-lock the case with their TSA lock. My modification is more secure than the lock that comes with the Tuff Pac and I don't have to worry about TSA breaking off a non-TSA lock and not being able to re-secure the case. The lock on the Tuff Pac is a filing cabinet lock and at the Johannesburg airport leaving Africa the small nut that holds the flange of the TSA lock came off so I did not have a functioning lock other than the one that I added. The nut and flange have been replaced and are secured with blue locktite so it will not come off again.

With the case shut, I marked a spot on each side of the lid, cut two overlying slits through the lid and the case, then formed an aluminium bar to slide in these slits and put a lock through the ends of the bar. The bar is "U" shaped, goes through the case and the lid on two sides, and would require a hack saw to cut.

Nothing in the case was damaged in transit, the case held 2 rifles, scopes and some gear, and was easy to repack after inspections with the Tuff Pak gear glove.

I've also used a Storm Case by Hardigg case for single rifles and it seems to offer good protection, also, but is heavier than the TuffPak. It also can use 4 locks so with it I've use 2 non-TSA and 2 TSA loks, just in case someone "needs" to reinspect it...

Best,

jpj3

TSA regs clearly state that a guncase is to be locked and ONLY the owner is to retain the key/combo which he will surrender to TSA for inspections. This precludes a TSA lock on a guncase and they should not be used. A TSA LOCK DOES NOT SECURE ANYTHING.

My original TuffPak was purchased in 1996 and has made more than a dozen safaris as well as other international trips, all without incident. On one return from Africa, just 5 weeks after 9/11, my luggage arrived in the USA at a different airport. It took me a week to locate it but when I received it it was still secured and all the contents, including two rifles, were secure and the lock had not been broken.

Get the TuffSac and also be certain to remove the bolts and pack them on top of the case just prior to replacing the lid.

LionHunter is right about the law. We have had this conversation on AR before about TSA locks on gun cases. A gun case is not supposed to have a TSA lock on it. That's the law, period. Tuffpak sells them with TSA locks for use with other equipment, but for guns you must have one without a TSA lock. I know that convenience is an issue, but the law does not address convenience.

To my previous post... You declare your rifle and ask for a TSA rep to come and inspect your tuff pak.. either they will come out to inspect it or take the key back inside and inspect and relock... Bring key out to you...

Mike

Thanks for the info guys...I guess I will switch over and request an agent to inspect. The way our airport works stinks - and on early morning flights, they have about 2 people behind the scenes checking all the bags at peak business travel times.

About 1/3 of the time - TSA doesn't even inspect my case when it goes back!

Thanks for all the feedback. UEG is right. TSA is pretty clear about it on their website and right now I'm only concerned with travel in the US.

The Tuffpak w/o TSA locks will be on order shortly.

Does tuffpack warrantee to cover damage to guns in transit?

I try not to let TSA inspect my gun case without observing. A friend had a TSA agent casually drop his bolt into a nearby trash can. Had he not heard the "clang" and followed up, he'd have been screwed when he arrived at his destination. Fortunately, he knew a local airport police officer and asked him to check the trash can. Turns out, the agent was unaware of Michigan Hunter Harrassment laws and he was arrested and fired. My buddy got his bolt back with tons of apologies from the TSA bosses. Needless to say, I'm no fan of the airport shoe inspectors. TSA - acronym for Thousands Standing Around.

I also give the Tuffpak my plus Mims will go out of his way to help you should you have any problems.

Amen.

Does Ford Motor Company cover your guns if they are damaged will in transit within one of their vehicles? Please???


Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Cdr_McBragg:
Does tuffpack warrantee to cover damage to guns in transit?

how about this for an even simpler solution- RENT OR BORROW A CAMP RIFLE. has worked for me on my last 5 safaris.

OK, my only question is where can I buy a tuffpak on very short notice around Sacramento or Reno?

I would call Mims (Harry) and ask him. He may be able to steer you to the right place, or get something to you fairly quickly.

Mims Reed
Hunters Headquarters
1725 Woodhill Lane
Bedford, Texas, 76021
(817) 267-3700
service@huntersheadquarters.net
http://www.huntersheadquarters.net/

I realize you didn't ask, but I will be the voice of dissent and vote against the Tuffpak. I do own one, and have used it several times. I do continue to use it on some limited trips where I take only one firearm. The big problem with the tuffcase is that two large bore rifles, in gun cases, puts you very near the wieght limit. While there is still plenty of room in the case, you can't add sufficient padding / gear to properly secure the cased rifles. This is not an issue with only one rifle, where clothing can be added to keep the rifle case from "sliding around", as was mentioned earlier. Back when the weight limit was 70 pounds, the Tuffpak was a great solution. I think it has outlived its usefulness if you intend to take two guns. I use a Storm or Pelican case for two rifles to Africa. I've considered selling mine several times to the many cheerleaders on this forum, but do keep the case and yes, do still use it when I am only traveling with one rifle and lots of extra gear. (Think Alaska)

Bill

Hey Bill, thanks for the feedback. I don't tote heavy big bores in mine, so it works. I can load two normal rifles (8 pounders) into the Tuff Sack, wrap some jackets and coveralls around them, and drop the whole shooting match in the TuffPak. I keep a wadded up towel at the bottom of the TuffPack and than add a wadded/folded jacket on top after the guns are in. It works well enough and usually comes in just shy of 50 pounds. But as you point out, it's really nice with one rifle, a couple fishing poles, and your clothes.

Does the military use tuffpaks?

Maybe Harry can chime in on this one, but suspect they do? Tuff Paks get used a lot for video gear, surveying equipment, golf bags, and various other assortments as well as a gun case.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Magara:
Does the military use tuffpaks?

All I do is dust off my hard golf case place my rifle in a soft case inside then pack clothes around the soft case.
I've made no less than 20 trips to all sorts of places on either side of the Atlantic with no problems at all. I do use TSA locks on the golf case lately.

2th doc,

For what it's worth, you are using a non-approved travel case for firearms and are also in violation of TSA rules by using their locks.

I agree with your interpretation of the TSA regulations for non-TSA locks on gun cases and being present for inspection of my property but you can use substitute a standard padlock for the TSA lock of the Tuff Pak. I modified my case so it could still be relocked by TSA if they cut the standard padlocks off as I'm not sure all of the agents have read the same regulations that I have and print off the TSA web site prior to each trip. Like using a belt and suspenders!
jpj3