FWIW;

Last year we bought two SKB travel security cases-the one that was originaly for golf clubs I think- at a golf store for $67.00. I see that Cabela's sells them.

They held lots of gear. There was no damage to anyones guns and they took a beating into and out of Zim. We packed clothes and boots around the rifles which were in soft cases. It is set up to use a padlock.

These have worked well for us and we will take them again this year to Zim. I can't speak as to the tuff-pac, only seen pictures of them, but this may be an alternative to consider due to the lock issue. They are very lightweight as well.

Regards, PG

I took a Tuffpak, and would do it again. You can get everything in it, including ammo. As said above, buy the stuff sack with it, and pack your clothing and ammo in that, and guns outside it in soft cases. Bring a carry-on bag with you with a change of clothes and other essentials in case the airline misroutes the Tuffpak.

If I was going to use a 2 gun case I would use a Pelican.

However, I used a Tuffpak on my June trip to Africa and think it is the best way to go. www.tuffpak.com

Get the Stuff Sack.

I have Tuffpaks and Tuffsaks in stock and as Delta would say, "I am ready when you are!"

May I be of service?

Never pack your ammo with your guns, The airline will not allow it nor will TSA. If you got away with that it's the exception rather then the rule.



I have flown back and forth to Africa with my Aluminum case over 50 round trips now not including Domestic and Alaska trips in the dozens of times. My case is not expensive or real fancy. It's made by Impact Case company ( ICC )in Spokane Washington. The case can be padlocked and no gun has ever required a single click of scope adjustment in all those trips. Just make sure you remove the bolt and place it next to the gun for transport its much safer that way. TSA X-rays will show that, and it makes them happy too.



Avoid any case which has built in or intergral locks. Should TSA, or any airline security need to open the case at any time which is their right. Your integral locks would be ruined and then unlockable for the remainder of the trip. I always include an additional opened padlock inside the case with a note to TSA that if they found it necassary to cut open my lock to open my case could they please relock it with this spare lock.



That spare lock has been used one time connecting through Houston. So that plan and theory actually works!

JJHack is right on the money in regards to all of the details to keep in mind, I fly a few times a month with guns and have never had a problem following the same advice as above. The only difference is that I use a heavy duty diamond plate double gun case with wheels, this truly helps when going through airports, hotels etc.

Doug

As always, lots of good information here. I have had several traveling gun cases and none of them were (or are) very expensive or well made...but they have all held up to the tasks that I have required so far without any alteration to the rifles that I could detect, including a trip to Africa...But, it is like health insurance..it sucks to pay for it but great to have when you need it...so I am going to quit screwing around and get a good metal case, which really are not that expensive. I will probably get a Kalispel, because there are two to choose from for sale here in Anchorage at Mt. View Sports. The discussion here is what makes this such a great forum...lots of sound advice.

I've used Americases and I've used the Pelicans...

The Pelicans can't be beat for sheer durability and protection.

I know Harry sells Tuff Paks so he is defensive but I have used one the last 6 or 7 Africa trips and it has worked much better than my dear ICC case (you can't imagine how bad they can screw up a good aluminum case).

The way around TSA messing with it is to have it hand inspected by them. Last year they were fine with ammo in the case. This year? Who knows. Though it is suppose to be defined by the airline, it probably varies by airport and who is on duty!

So if one gets a drop bottom duffle like this:



The takedown rifle case in the drop bottom and ammo inside the duffel is that considered the same package by TSA, et al ?

Who distributes TuffPaks? I can only find them at their web page.

Get ahold of Harry (Mims Reed). The local place has them too. Gun Shop: 913-782-6900

I've posted this before but TSA can and WILL "pick" your locks if you have an integral case. Also here in Jacksonville Florida TSA will "Page You" over the public adress system if there's a problem. The best method I've found are those employed by smaller airports in that TSA inspects your guns and bags in your presence then you lock them back up and they are "bonded" in that you may not even touch them until you pick them up at your destination. The catch here is that I don't know what they do in other countries so I might have to retire my tried and true aluminum gun case with integral locks. jorge

David,
Yes, extra keys are available at $35 per set of two. You will need to let us know the number hot stamped into the top of your lid under the nylon strap and that way we know which cut of key to send you.

To all other worriers...think about how this case is made. It is made in a Roto Mold. You don't go change little things in any mold that I know of without great expense.
Now, I still don't see how you are going to "cut" this lock off due to the protection around it and the way the metal is configure around the top of this more unusual lock.
While the Tuffpak is NOT waterpoof...it is water resistant so if we go and make some sort of a hasp and loop situation (this is kinda like having a clutch pedal put in the floorboard of your Lincoln Town Car) then how would you do it and how would you keep it from leaking? How much are you willing to pay for "what ifs"? There is no free lunch.
We are listening to what you say and appreciate your concerns but maybe it is like an insurance company (or modern day auto makers) we have to bet on how high the odds are on a Tuffpak lock being broken by some "inspector" in whatever country it is.
So far, in most third world countries I have hunted (Africa and South America) they have not been too damn worried about the firearms in my cases...what few concerns I have been shown have been by folks in the USA. I have managed to deal with all of them in a professional and positive fashion to date.
I might note that Remington centerfire rifles continue to sell despite what concern some might have regarding their safety and there is another "What if?".
If we can configure another reasonable method of a secondary locking system then I am sure the owner of Tuffpak will consider doing that. My question again...have you priced out having a mold made lately?