Now that I have to start looking into guncases for air travel, I'd like to know what you all use? I don't want recommendations on what to get (I know what you'll say) or an advertisement on how great the tuffpak is. I just want to know what you used and how it held up to the baggage gorillas. Thanks.

Sevens

Sevens,

I have about one of each gun case that is out there. I have used a Tuff pack on many occasions, but unless you are bringing 3 to 4 guns on a trip they are too bulky. The best gun case on the market is made by Impact Case and Container. http://icc-case.com/
I have owned two of these for over ten years. I have taken trips to various places in the United States and Canada. The airlines have literally thrown everything they had at them including throwing them (Philadelphia). I have never had anything damaged inside of them or had one broken into. I just purchased two more for my trip to South Africa that I am leaving for in a few weeks. Both are single gun cases, one is for me and the other is for my father. They are worth every penny and are not too expensive either (I think they are around $230.) Hope I could help.

I love my Safari Alumiasport Safari case .It has gone over 100,000 air miles .It takes a lickin like timex.My skb case and others all failed in one trip.

I've used Pelican cases for years now, and they've been on numurous flights without problems. Which is the way it should be since they are Milspec. They're water and air tight and can be driven over by pretty big trucks without failing (I've seen this done!). The only drawback is that they are quite heavy. The new ones come with wheels though so you can drag them along which is nice.

http://www.pelican.com/cases/cases.html



Erik D.

I have used Cabelas Heavy-Duty "bullet-proof" gun case. It is made of .080" aluminium so it is quite heavy. I have used it on nomerous trip worldwide and never had any failures. The are of a VERY tough construction. Price: 180 $ which is very cheap in my opinion for the best guncase made ( very similar to the ICC-cases mentioned elsewhere in this thread). See it at www.cabelas.com

Bar none, the best case I have ever used is made by a small company in Mercersburg, PA, APX Enclosures. The case is made of welded aluminum, has recessed wheels, and holds two guns with a compartment at one end for shells or binoculars, etc. Mine has been through a bunch of airports with absolutely no damage to rifles or scopes and a lot of positive comments from security personel and other hunters. If you would like more information, email Crawford Peters at the following email address:
cpeters@tricountyencls.com
They make cases in a number of configurations up to four long guns.

For about 15 years now I've been using a 2 rifles, side by side Americase with a canvas cover. It's Aluminum, but it's HEAVY. The only damage I've had was when one of our own people didn't properly fasten the rifle inside the case. TO explain, in Ethioppia the rifle is cleared through security to leave the country. Used to (the Commie days) it was sealed and you couldn't reopen it to inspect the rifles. Today, it is permisable to open it and repack if necessary. Once (1990)I had the case on top of a trailer behind a small Landcruiser (jeep type). The hitch was a "pintle" type hitch. Going app. 50 MPH down a gravel road I felt the jeep lurch a bit and looked back to see the trailer following me but going end over end down the road...the hitch had broke. Believe it or not both rifles..a Rem. .375 H&H and a Rem. .30-06 were still sighted in. Whether this reflects on the case or the Leupold scopes, it's still a good testamonial to both.

Rich Elliott

I use a Kallispell case. Its pretty heavy but locks up well and is tough. It is made of very thick aluminum. I think Brownell's used to sell them.
Doug

After having my Americase beat into junk on one trip to Africa (more dents than a golfball), and having grown tired of lugging my Browning Gunvault which screams �rifles, rifles�, I switched to a TuffPak. I cannot begin to describe the utility of this case. I can now pack with one secure, hard-sided suitcase (highly recommended) and the TuffPak.

http://www.tuffpak.com/m-original.html

We have one or two guys here on the forum who carry them...

My case is also a Kalispel, made for two rifles. Thick alum and welded seams. The interior foam is two layers on each side, I discovered that by removing one of the layers from each side the alum case will hold my rifle and shotgun while they are in their "regular" canvas cases. That provides good protection and gives me the canvas case upon arrival, if I want to use it. Also, I put a good full-length cleaning rod under the foam- much nicer than using a jointed rod.

I'm going on my first out of country hunting trip this summer and will be carrying my TuffPak. I've taken it on one trip to Texas so far and was extremely pleased with it durability and versatility. With the extra capacity of the TuffPak, you have a lot of packing options that "regular" gun cases don't provide. At least that's why I'm taking it...

I was a bit hesitant to buy a tuffpak for the very reason mentioned here. It is bulky! But I bit the bullet and bought one and do not regret it a bit. I carried two rifles, some clothes, other equipment and a pop-up blind with me on the way over to Africa and the two rifles, clothes, equipment, and a carved giraffe that my wife had to have on the way home. Everything made it through with flying colors. No dents, no dings, no scratches.

K

Sevens,

I also used a Kalispel case; a two rifle model (GC521404) even though I only took one rifle on each of two trips to South Africa. It's nothing fancy but it worked for me. No complaints.

-Bob F.

http://www.kalispelcaseline.com/

I have used two and both have withstood several beatings without a problem. KKAir and the Pelican. I think the Pelican is stronger but sure is heavy, thank goodness for the wheels they came out with.

I still think that the tuff pack is the best. A case strong enough to support more than 750 lbs. of weight while it itself weighs only 18 lbs. is amazing. At Harry's table in Dallas 4 years ago three of us stood on a tuffpack and bareley made it creak. If you calculate the weight of the aluminum cases and calculate their volume you will find that thought the tuffpack is taller and narrower it has the same "bulk" as the others with substantially less weight. My aluminum two gun case weighed close to 40 lbs. dry. That only leaves 30 lbs of goods to go inside.

The biggest problem is weight and size, you don't need a guncase that holds 4 to 5 guns for a 1 gun trip. I originally bought my Tuffpack for that reason in mind. Then realizing it was too big for a lot of other functions. I do like it in that it looks like a "golf bag" airline security almost failed to check it a few times until I told them I was carrying guns. The ICC cases are 14.5 pounds, welded aluminium and the such, but make a single gun trip to africa that much better, plus there locking device in my opinion is the best with a big padlock, and steel rod through all of the locks.

I started out with an Americase two-rifle case. It is sturdy, but heavy.

I shifted to NalPak's TuffPak I think it was for my '01 trip to Zim, and it is now my multi-purpose travel system.

You pack your rifles in padded soft cases. Then you can pack clothing and gear around the soft gun cases. I use small bungi cords to package the "innards" in the case so they hold together. Put the butts of the gun cases at the top so you can withdraw a rifle from the case without unpacking. Show the serial number, and it slides back in -- no problemo. I also pack boots in the bottom of the case.

I also have the pleasure of knowing the owners of NalPak, and they are really great people. They are local here in San Diego.

The TuffPak also is more secure, no airport staff person has guessed I had guns (I have the green color and they think golf clubs I guess).

This really is a superior prodcut for the traveling hunter.

jim dodd

I use tuffpak exclusively now. It has held up very well and have had several comments about the nice "golf" case.Two trips to Africa with it and several to the rockies. I just take the tuffpak and a carry on and can bring what I need. I only take one rifle however.

I have owned a number of different cases...But I have settled with a tuff pak and with the inner sack can be loaded and unloaded easily...


Mike

I second the nomination for the TuffPak. On a trip to Russia in 1997 my aluminum 3 gun guncase arrived in Moscow with one end dented in so far it formed a Vee from each corner, essentially ruining it. Fortunately none of the guns were damaged. Delta Airlines refunded the full cost of the case on my return which I promptly used to purchase a TuffPak. That TuffPak has made 4 trips to Africa, undoubtedly suffering numerous abuses judging by the scratches and lacerations in it's surface, with no other lasting damage to itself or it's contents. The other nice thing is you can pack the guns, in their cases, as well as a lot of other junk (boots, jackets, vests,etc.) which just act as additional padding for the guns.
Geronimo

As always, I am amazed at what people are fitting in their Tuff Pak. I'm limited to 2 rifles, a couple fleece jackets and a little bit of clothing. I just don't see how people are fitting boots and the such. Maybe I just need a trianed monkey to come pack it for me.

Well I managed to fit four scoped rifles in soft cases in mine, so there is some potential! I haven't started practice runs on African packing yet...maybe I should just to see.

I wouldn't use anything but a Tuff Case, I have used most of them, and the Tuff case beats them all...

I sure do get a lot of stuff in mine..My bolt rifle in soft case, my double rifle in a take down soft case, several pairs of boots, cameras, binoculars, two cartridge belts and a med. heavy coat along with knives, 2 small ash bottles, and assorted small paraphanalia...

"Packed properly" all one has to do is raise the rifle about a foot out of the top of the Tuff Case to expose the serial numbers to Customs officers, and then drop the guns back in thier soft cases..bolts are wrapped in the jacket.

I got home yesterday from 2 weeks in RSA and used a borrowed Tuffpak. Everything arrived safe and sound both ways. It even came out on the carousel when I came into Albany airport! 2 rifles, a tripod, cleaning kits, a fleece jacket came in under 50 lbs. At customs and check in it is indeed easy to unzip the rear of the soft case, slide out the gun halfway for inspection and right back in.

My TuffPak has been to alaska and Africa and is still a great case.....I like it!!!

I was thinking of buying an expensive aluminum case but a friends father had one and it got ripped apart on a trip to Canada. My gundealer recommendeda "cheapo" (not the brandname!) plastic case for about 50 USD. It has now been on two African trips and several postal transports and is still in good shape.

Ask boha what happened to his Tuffpak....

So, what am I doing wrong? Are people taking their scopes off? Top to bottom I only have a little room to spare. With scoped rifles, I have room for 2 side by side. That leaves a little space on either side of the 2 rifles and the space left toward the bottom by the barrles which I take a broom stick and pack stuff down into. There is minimal room to get anything past the scoped part of the gun, so whatever I stuff down it has to be soft.

Maybe I just need to get the 52" bow case.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have never had anything damaged in either of my gun cases. Both are cheap plastic ones made by Doskodil. One of them is a 2 gun case, that people have asked me if it was a Pelican. The other is probably the first plastic case ever made. Both have been to Africa and Canada several times. I've seen stocks broken in two in Tuffpaks and older aluminum ones. I've also flown to Canada a few times and Africa once with my bow case which is also cheap plastic with no damage to items inside; I don't think this case is going to make another trip though because the case has been about destroyed.

I've had a rifle virtually destroyed on an ATV when transported in a Gun Boot; these things are absolutely worthless.

Also, I've probably made 50 flights with my SKB golf case with no damage yet, even though it usually has golf clubs in it.

I have a Starlight case. It is mil spec and water/air tight to 400 feet. Also very tough and no dents

JD,
Have you actually seen the broken gun stock and you are sure it came from a Tuffpak case? You are the second person I know to say anything ever broken in one and I have sold hundreds of Tuffpak cases.
My personal Tuffpak has been to Africa more times than I have not to mention other hunts and no damage has been done to scopes or rifles.
Before I became a Tuffpak dealer I called every dealer listed to ask what they thought about them and the comments about them. Only one dealer knew of a broken gun (his own) and it was an ancient flintlock he purchased in London and he said most likely the stock was cracked when he bought it.
Anyway...thanks for the great comments about Tuffpaks. As a retailer and hunter I have sold / used many cases. I have NEVER had a broken rifle in ANY case I have used (Pelican, ICC etc.) but I have never been able to pack in those cases the amt. of firearms and gear as I have in Tuffpak. All of those cases weighed a ton empty and none at the time had wheels.
I have seen broken cases (my own) from Pelican (corners beat off)...my metal case has some huge gouges in the metal and one latch is bent out of shape (no damage to guns in either case)...I have sent many fine Americases back to have various latches repaired or replaced.
The cases with the rod and padlocks may be fine butI have seen the cases so bent you had to drive the rod out. What about security at the back of those cases? Nothing but a simple hinge. All one has to do is to attack that side, remove the firearms and fill case with equal weight. You arrive at your destination and the locks and rod are just fine and the firearms gone. It has happened more than once.
I had a super case from Starlite...the lid and the bottom would not match up correctly. Yes I could close it but it took help from a buddy. What if I was alone and could not get it closed. Most likely a goof from the factory but it kept me from becoming a Starlite dealer.
Tuffpak holds the most, is among the lightest cases made, has one of the best locks going and the fewest moving parts.
The wheels are always there when you need them. They cost no more that the upper end quality cases. The damn things just work.
If you are happy with what you already have great...if not...buy a Tuffpak and and Tuffsak and your dollars spent on gun cases are done for life.
I have them in stock (all sizes) and ready to ship.
I sell them...I use them...They work.
www.hunters-hq.com.

Both my hunting partner and I used SKB travel cases last year for our trip to Zim. I packed two guns in cases, two pairs of boots, jackets and lots of other junk. It holds lots of "stuff." We had no problems and everything came through with no damage. They are cheap. We paid $60.00 at a golf shop.

They are light weight, but they are big and bulky. I intend on taking it again this year to Zim. My second choice would be the tuff-pak because it sounds like the same type of case.

Would someone be kind enough to explain the difference between the SKB and the Tuff-pak. I have not seen a tuff-pak in person.

Regards, PG

Have used big and medium Kalispell for maybe 15 years, entire satisfaction, unfortunately look like rifle cases, may eventually switch to Tufpak for that reason despite their bulk. Alternative is to get very rich and use double rifles which take down and can be hidden in a big suitcase.

If you will look at my site www.hunters-hq.com and click on the Tuffpak button you will get lots of poop.
No doubt the SKB case is good but I think you will like the way the Tuffpak case goes together. There are no hinges. There is a top which is held on by a big strong Nylon strap and then the top locks to the bottom with a vending machine key lock. The case is moulded one pc. (Yes I know there are mold marks on top that look like two pcs. but look under...it is molded one pc.)
If you think how the comb of a beehive looks you will see the same shape in the Tuffpak. This same shape is also used in such things as a matte backing inside helicopters to make the body stronger / stiffer without excess weight.
The cross link poly material used in the manuf. of a Tuffpak makes it different too. If dented the dent will pop back out and that is not the case (pardon the pun) with other "plastic" cases.
If you buy a Tuffpak case you are through spending money on hard cases for the rest of your hunting life. They work and they last.
I sell them and I use them. I am not going to jeopardize my personal hunt using some case that I know will not protect my firearms and equipment.

Harry: It was in the airport last year. I saw the broken stock, but I'm not sure that it happened in the case. I don't know the guy.

For pure protection for your firearms, check out the Browning Travel Vault. Mine actually has tire marks on it, NO damage to the case or its contents. It has a continuous hinge and uses two padlocks. One end has roller blade wheels with a handle on the other.

You will note I said I had a Browing case...or Pelican...Pelican made it with the Browning logo. I took this monster case to Tanzania in '92. No wheels at that time.
The baggage gorillas broke off the protective corners on one end and HEAVY....thank goodness for the grocery carts at the airports. Still could only get two rifles in it so had to carry a metal case I had too. There were two hunters and we had a 470 NE double, Rem.416 Hoffman and Sako 300 Wby.
No damage to firearms just to arms trying to carry the case. Had a couple of knives in the case and some other litlle thing but that was it...no more room.

There are no protective corners on my Travel Vault. It is a fully moulded case, with a retracted handle. Have to agree.. heavy, but with the wheels....

I saw at least three in SA.

im using the winchester double case. its the aluminum case that holds a gun on each side rather than 2 together so the guns dont rub. its got nice solid handles and wheels too. got it for 139$ at cabelas.

Another vote for the Browning Travel Vault.

I got an orange one and put my last name in 2 inch black vinyl letters on each side. I want it noticable if someone carries it off. I don't subscribe to the low profile theory, as any thief worthy of the title knows what's in those cases.

The wheels are a "must have" though!

Gun case, one checked bag with ammo locked inside, and a small carry-on bag. What more do I need?