Do any of you trust the flimsy looking and light weight TSA approved locks on you gun cases for the Trans-Atlantic hop? Maybe there are heavier ones but all I have found have small hasps that would fit in zipper tabs.
I have always used regular padlocks in the past and hoped they would call for the keys and they usually have, but not always.

I use a master padlock, combination style. (The same type we used to use on our school locker.) Never had any problems and no worry where the keys are. As for TSA locks, my opinion is that any lock that "everybody" has a key to, is no lock at all. If TSA wants to look inside, they call me and we look togeather. Only had one TSA dudleydoright question that in my last 4 trips.

I have used a good keyed pair of brass padlocks for the past several years for both domestic and international travel. I also keep a separate pair of locks in the case with a note to the TSA to please use those if they have to open the case by cutting off the locks in my absence (which they should not do.) So far, I have not had any problems and have never had the locks cut off.

I do. I have 4 TSA type locks on my Starlight 2 gun case. I only made one trip to Africa so perhaps I'm just lucky.

I never use any of the TSA locks on my gun case. As I understand the rules you are the only one that is suppose to have the ability to unlock them. Using the TSA locks gives the ability to a lot of people you do not know and they can open it with out you present.

You are not supposed to use TSA locks on gun cases!!! You are to use a lock to which you retain the key or combination, which you provide to TSA at the time of inspection and which they then return to you. The expectation is that the lock provide sufficient security to your guns.

I use the tsa padlocks on my rifle cases and the only problem I have had is when they steal one of the locks.

My SKB case came w/TSA locks on it...not worried about everyone having the key, if they really want it they will steal the case too! As the locks/latches don't stick out, there is nothing to get caught on....and the locks are "field replacable" so you can fix it them wherever.
Robert

Pelican case with two keyed alike Master locks with two more inside the case. This last trip, they wanted the case unlocked so they could do whatever it is that TSA does. When it was reclaimed in Windhoek only one padlock was on the case. I put one of the extras on for the return home.

The royal bitch of it is that in four trips since 2001, the guncase has been handled by TSA in a different way each time. You just have no way of knowing what will make the idiots happy.

quote:

Originally posted by Pancho:
I use a master padlock, combination style. (The same type we used to use on our school locker.) Never had any problems and no worry where the keys are. As for TSA locks, my opinion is that any lock that "everybody" has a key to, is no lock at all. If TSA wants to look inside, they call me and we look togeather. Only had one TSA dudleydoright question that in my last 4 trips.

Thanks for the idea!