Guys,

Packing my pelican to head to Africa. Was planning on just removing middle foam and putting rifles in cases in the middle of the two external pieces, but not enough room. Looks like I can leave one side in and have two well padded cases. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Many years ago I used a Pelican case, [and I have used an aluminium take down case this way as well], I removed all the foam and put the rifles and handguns [USA travel], in quality soft cases, and placed some other items in the case with the guns to help keep every thing in place.

Worked fine.

If you just want to have some foam in the case go to an Army surplus store and get a couple of the thin green rubber roll up sleeping pads.
My brother tells me the Marines call them a "Rubber Bitch".
I have used them cut up to fit smaller Pelican cases and even in soft luggage to add padding.

I put a couple of pieces cut to fit in the bottom of a Tuffpak, and one piece in the top of the Tuffpak.

The Pelican Rifle case is intended to be used with all three sheets of foam in place.

The middle sheet should be cut out in the shape of the rifle[s] to be carried. I also have a cut out for the removed bolt!

The rifles can slide around in the case without using the middle sheet of foam. This can cause significant damage as the rifle impacts the ends of the case in transit.

I have packed additional small items around the edges, and very thin items under the top and bottom foam sheets.

I pack the [very thin] soft case in my checked bag, wrapped around the inside edge of the bag.

Les

John,

I have to agree with Les. These high end cases are designed to work perfectly with the foam in place. For maximum protection put your guns with bolts out in the case and take some light gun slips with you to Zim.

Mark

My Pelican is a 3300 and has a 4th piece of foam on the bottom half. I removed it and placed my slings and a soft case with no issues. My bolts were removed.

Les is right.

Here is the test: pack your rifles in the case as you plan to travel with them. Step up onto the bed of a pickup (or something of similar height) throw the case as far and high as you can onto concrete. Repeat 3 times. If you can do this without cringing even a little bit then they are properly packed.

Also note that if you are traveling in the US with TSA It must be absolutely dirt simple for them to put the rifle back in the case properly after they have checked it. Packing a Tuff pack "just so" doesn't work

The TSA here in the US doesn't check your gun without you being present do they? At least they haven't the times I've flown with rifles.

JG

Sometimes they take your case out of your sight and check it. You have no idea what they are doing.

Mark

Out of Albuquerque you never see your guns after check in. You wait by the counter for the TSA to come back for a key or give you the "all clear". All is done in the back room out of sight. Never had them ask for the key or ask any questions.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter
R8 Blaser
DRSS

TSA will not let you touch the case after they have checked, so you are usually dependent on them repacking if they have pulled out the rifles

Ok, but that's news to me. So if TSA decides to "re check" my gun case out of my sight, and cuts off the master locks that I put on there, and there are no replacement locks handy, they just shut the case and put it on board without any locks? I thought that was against the law. I've checked gun cases in Dallas, ATL, Phoenix and never did TSA check it without me present.

I think if they recheck without you being available and cut the locks off. Without backup locks inside, the case does not fly after that at all.

I always ask the TSA inspectors to wrap the locks and / or the case with their " TSA Inspected" tape. They usually will.

Les

Why would they recheck it, if it already had been tagged, taped, etc by TSA?