I read these forums a lot and have read of some of the horror stories of people loosing guns either in transit from the US to Africa or Africa to the US.

My question is what can a person do to minimize the chances of a loss? I would like to travel with my .375 but it has so much sentimental value it would be devastating to loose it. I have even thought of buying a couple of new rifles to travel with just in case. If they were lost it would be no big deal, I would just be out some $.

Joe,

One thing you can do and it might be a significant pain is to only check your guns and gear to the first stop, retrieve your luggage and check it in yourself for the next leg etc etc. That way if there ever is a problem you will know which leg of the trip your stuff was lost on.

Mark

joe ,
i completely understand you concerns and yes , its not uncommon for guns to be late ...I stress the word late rather than lost ... i have never had anyone who has completely lost their guns ...they always get there , or get back , albeit sometimes with some delay ...i am sure there are instances but they are very rare ...

Apparently, you can also check with each airline during the layover/airplane change to see if the checked bags have been scanned into the new flights' records.

I have done this, and the bags have made it all the way, both ways, but sometimes the agents claim not to be able to check, other times they very quickly check and assure that they are "in the system"! I don't know whether to believe them or not but it is something to try anyway.

The only problem I would see with picking up your bags at every stop would be the need to "import" them into, possibly, several countries on a single trip [ USA to London To Johannesburg to Harare for example]. And if connections are tight it could create a worse issue than checking them through.

I have bought the best case I could find, I have TSA locks on it to ease the USA security issues, I check the bags all the way through, [and I check on them enroute], and, I have sufficient insurance on them to replicate if need be.

Les

Never gamble what you can not afford to loose. In other words, if it truly would be devastating to loose it, don't take it.

It happens, it is extremely uncommon, but it happens. More likely that it would be delayed.

I agree with Wendell. Besides, who doesn't need a new gun!!

I have a system that works for me.
I use a take down shotgun case. I put the gun(s) into it and then stuff that into a duffle bag. I declare it at the airport and do all the drills, but when I am done it goes back int eh duffel.
I have a very strong suspicion that the anti gun baggage handlers just put the gun cases aside and then put them on a later flight just to mess with us.
If your gun is in a case it can be locked and legal, but if you put that into the duffel you now have no one able to see it.
I would highly disagree with checking in and out at each airport. you will be late (almost 100% of the time now) and miss a plane and they are not responsible if the baggage is not checked through.
Checking on it at each airport is really no use…..what will you do if it is not reported to be on? Will you miss the plane? What good will that do? You will just have to buy another ticket! That’s more than my guns cost! It may be worth some peace of mind, but there is really nothing I know of you can do if your baggage is not loaded. I have been there a few too many times, especially with friends/clients with full-on gun cases. You are best just going on to your destination and hoping it shows up on the next plane.
Camshaft

I also agree with Wendell.

I have several rifles that I inhereted, some of them will never see a hunting field that I cannot drive to. Fortunately I have enough of my own that I don't hesitate to take. Really, a 375 H&H and a 30-06 and you can hunt anything, anywhere.

TerryR

If it means so much to loose it,,, keep it locked up. I have inherited guns, some I can never shoot,, they are that old, but, and to many look like junk,[non gun owners] nevertheless priceless to me. I bought a new 416 rigby for this next months trip back to Africa,, maybe someday it will look like junk to my grandkids,,, but priceless to my son. Never risk what you can not afford to loose....We always need an excuse to buy new guns!!!!!drwes

Buy gun insurance. But, first of all, take the guns that you want to hunt with and which will give you some very fond memories and go! You could lose them to theft at home just as easily.

If it is something that money can't replace, you may be better off finding a suitable substitute. Even with the best insurance, all you'll get is a new rifle.