I bought a nice, heavy duty Pelican gun case. Bought two master lock combo locks to lock it. They weren't the cheapest, but were a mid grade. Lucky I bought them.
Three legs (domestic, not international). All four latches were popped, but thank goodness, the locks held up and kept it closed, no losses.
I thought Pelican was a top brand. It certainly seems stout enough, but the latches didn't w-o-r-k.
Is it operator error? Should I have duct taped the latches or did I just waste my money on a plastic boat anchor?
I bought it assuming it was a good case for future trips to Africa. Did I goof up?

Pelican DOES make a good case. I have 5 of them. At least on the ones I have, and I assume yours are the same, there is no way the latches would pop open all by themselves. Someone popped them open and didn't bother to relatch them.

TRavelled to Africa with mine twice no problems. I do tape up all latches as well as the padlocks though.

Cheers

Nick

Dave, I have shipped a dozen or so Pelican cases full of training materials (computers, projectors, cables, papers, etc) all over Africa for work and have never had a latch come open. Somebody jacked with yours. That is why you use good locks!

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
TRavelled to Africa with mine twice no problems. I do tape up all latches as well as the padlocks though.

Cheers

Nick

Explane this a bit better if you don't mind.

I have several of the Pelican cases. Had the same problem once and fortunately, with the locks, they couldn't get it open. I've gone to the Tuffpak. With the added locking mech that I copied from JudgeG, I don't believe they can get into it without a sawzall.

Never a problem with my Pelican cases. I agree with the other postings in that someone opened the latches and did not close them.

As said, i use electrical duct tape and tape over all the latches, as well as the 2 padlocks holding them tight on the case and not loose and flapping about.

cheers

nick

I have used the duct tape method on latches of a pelican bow case in the past. Can't figure out how to do this with the rifle case as one has to open the case at check in to place the "unloaded firearms tag" into it. One would have to tape the latches after that at the counter. Plus if TSA needs/wants to look in the case behind the wall while you are waiting for the OK to go, the tape will be removed. There is no way to re tape at this point. Wish Pelican would incorporate some sort of locking mechanism for their latches.

Usually use a Tuff Pak, but my trip to Moz in September will be with a Pelican because of the take down features of my rifles.

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

Well, thanks for the replies. Sounds like it is what it is. Duct tape it is.

Like I said, kudos to master lock for a great product. I'll use tape and zip tie the other two non reinforced lock holes after the TSA guys look inside next time.

quote:

Like I said, kudos to master lock for a great product. I'll use tape and zip tie the other two non reinforced lock holes after the TSA guys look inside next time.

I called pelican and got 4 of the little reinforcing brackets and installed them on the inside, non-reinforced lock holes. You have to shave away a bit of plastic (the same way the factory does for the reinforced ones) and you can slip the metal brackets on and super glue or epoxy them. Now I have 4 reinforced lock holes.

Dave - Just curious. TSA in Albuquerque will not let you touch the case after they inspect it, and it is done behind the wall of the check in counter. So if they take the tape off while inspecting there is no way to re tape it. They simply give you the "all clear" or ask for the key so they can open it. You will not know if the tape was removed until you arrive at your final destination.

Baxter - like the idea of additional reinforced holes. I'll get in touch with Pelican and get some of these. Thanks.

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

quote:

Originally posted by A7Dave:
Well, thanks for the replies. Sounds like it is what it is. Duct tape it is.

Like I said, kudos to master lock for a great product. I'll use tape and zip tie the other two non reinforced lock holes after the TSA guys look inside next time.

I added a pair of old fashioned hasps to my Pelican gun case, secured by Master locks, with spare matching locks inside the case, in case "some agency" needed to look inside. Keep in mind, you are supposed to have the only key for that case, not TSA, and not the airlines or customs. It is only supposed to be opened in your presence, if it is, raise hell about it, IT'S THEIR RULE!!!

Also use a Pelican for my ammo case, that HAS had the lock cut off, and the spares not attached, but only returning to the US, probably happened in Frankfurt I am guessing. Didn't have much ammo in it, none was missing.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Dave - Just curious. TSA in Albuquerque will not let you touch the case after they inspect it, and it is done behind the wall of the check in counter. So if they take the tape off while inspecting there is no way to re tape it. They simply give you the "all clear" or ask for the key so they can open it. You will not know if the tape was removed until you arrive at your final destination.

Baxter - like the idea of additional reinforced holes. I'll get in touch with Pelican and get some of these. Thanks.

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

quote:

Originally posted by A7Dave:
Well, thanks for the replies. Sounds like it is what it is. Duct tape it is.

Like I said, kudos to master lock for a great product. I'll use tape and zip tie the other two non reinforced lock holes after the TSA guys look inside next time.

Larry, my experience was with Anchorage TSA. They had me open the case, show them the gun and lock the case. I had a range safety flag in the chamber, so maybe that made them happy. They never touched it (I was a little surprised, but I haven't traveled with a gun since pre-2001). I guess they were checking to see there was no ammo in the case.

That's a great idea regarding the lock hole reinforcing tabs. I'll definitely get two more.

I've either handed the TSA agent my roll of duct tape after they looked inside or asked them to please tape the latches with their "TSA INSPECTED" tape in the (vain?) hope of discouraging subsequent curious TSA eyes. They've let me do it myself under their watch too.

As an aside, I pack two locks inside for the trip back in case curious TSA types decide to cut them off.

be sure the air vent is open

I taped my case for the return trip. Three legs and no problems. Another gent was picking up his case and 2 out of 4 latches were popped - no tape on his.

I have had that happen to my Pelican case as well, here is why.

If the air vent is closed, the case body will get sucked down in flight and the latches will become loose. The locks wil;l keep the4 case from comming open of the case adjusts to altitude at landing. however actually I could not open my Pelican case after landing untill I released the negative pressure with the air valve.
After this happende to me the first time Im started duck taping the latches...

Later I switched to the Tuffpak. I have used it many, many times.
I prefer it to all other methods for gun transportation...

Here is one I haven't seen in a while...

I somehow lost my keys to the my gun case while to ANC. I overnighted there, so I called TSA at the airport and they said they would cut off my locks. I bought four new ones and was good to go. If I had an internal locking gun case, I would have been screwed.

Incidentally, my case has one of those rods that goes thru the latches. Right after 911 TSA forgot to put the rod on (they wouldn't let me see it; just said all was clear). So now I put a lock on each latch. No problems now as long as I remember the keys.

In my opinion the gun cases made of heavy aluminum with a rod locking devise with high density foam cut to the out line of of the rifle are by far the best worth the extra effort to carry them.

I have seen a couple of those aluminium gun cases with the long rod come off the plane with the latches holding the rod broken off, I assume by rough handling.

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
In my opinion the gun cases made of heavy aluminum with a rod locking devise with high density foam cut to the out line of of the rifle are by far the best worth the extra effort to carry them.

I agree. I have one exactly as you describe and it is very, very rugged. It came through my Namibian adventure scuffed up, but contents were perfect. I believe mine is from ICC.

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
In my opinion the gun cases made of heavy aluminum with a rod locking devise with high density foam cut to the out line of of the rifle are by far the best worth the extra effort to carry them.

I agree. I have one exactly as you describe and it is very, very rugged. It came through my Namibian adventure scuffed up, but contents were perfect. I believe mine is from ICC.

I have been using the same one for over 20 years - like I said, take the rod out and use four locks on the latches - no issues at all.

Having second thoughts now on the Pelican case. With take down guns seemed like a good idea at first but may go back to my Tuff Pak that has been on 12 trips to Africa and back. The takedown guns in soft case should still be OK in the TP and I would be able to include a lot of other items like, day pack, boots, jacket, small Pelican with knives, flashlights, etc as well.

I really don't need the latches coming undone while in transit and have no way to tape them out of Albuquerque as TSA is behind closed doors should they choose to open the case.

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

TSA rules state the gun owner be present if they want to open your case. The three times I have flown out of LA I was asked for the key and present when they opened my case. When flying out of San Diego when they ask for the key they would not allow me to be present when the case was opened I reminded that this was THEIR rule, but was ignored. A friend protested more vigorously. His gun never made it on the plane and was still at the airport when he returned to San Diego.

One time at Dullus I was in the boarding waiting area when the TSA sent a guy to get the key to one of my Tuffpaks, so tjhey clould take a look inside.
So I told the guy OK lets go. He said, No I only need the key. Well I tole him that they could NOT open the rifle case without me. He called his supervisor on the phone, and to keep a long story short I talked to him, and I was escorted to the TSA area where I unlocked the case. I also tole them that there were some expensive guns and other stuff in the case and they would not be able to repack it properly.

So they had me unload the case to check what looked funny. I had some saws, boxcutters and extra blades for the PH I was taking over.
Well everything checked out OK and I repacked the Tufpak. Wjem all was done another higher ranking TSA guy happened to sho up and he was Mad that I was there, so I had to get "tacky" with him and "advise" him that IF I was not present they would be breaking their own rules.
In the end he calmed down, and escorted me back to the wating area, as I had no idea how to get back. On the way back I discovered hec was a hunter and we actually had a nice conversation on the way back.

Bottom line is when you go some where, know ALL the Rules, know ALL the Laws, and stand firm over them.

If the people you arte dealing with do not know the laws/rules,[or do not want to follow them], keep going up the chain of command till someone shows up that does.

Be sure to get the names and ID numbers of those that don't, and if they have treated you rudely make phone calls and sent registered letters of complaint...

Say what you want about the rules, but if they can't find you (say you are in an airline club for example), they will cut your locks or otherwise get in the case.

The problem with being present when they open your guns is that TSA is often in an area where the traveling public is not allowed to go. I suppose you could insist on seeing your case, but they could insist on taking it back to the front counter, where you now stand to miss your plane.

The solution is to travel with nothing in your gun case but guns. Since I started traveling with nothing but guns in my gun case, I have never been asked to open my case.

As for knowing the rules, that reminds me of the time I was getting sick and tired of having my carry on bag inspected at the jetway (remember how they did this for a year or two after 911?). They always checked the first and last guy on the plane, and I was running late and happened to last. I thought, "I will show these guys..." I insisted on having a private viewing area - which the TSA constantly said was their policy. When I got done, my plane was gone. I was livid, but there was nothing I could do about it. The pilot thought I was a smartass and left me there.

NWA put me up for the night, gave me a free ticket, and put me on the first plane the next morning, but it taught me something we all know: you can argue about rules till the cows come home, but those in a position of authority can do whatever they want. Sure, I was right and got a free ticket, but I didn't get home that night, and back then I was flying every week and really didn't like spending a Friday night in a hotel.