[RadTek]

Have any of you checked a rifle at the airport?

I‘ve checked a handgun several times. It’s honestly not that bad. But I’m flying to Florida next month and I’d like to take my AR. (I’ll probably pack a handgun in my checked bag as well). A buddy and I would like to go to the range.

Tips? Advice? Should I try? Hard/travel case recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[brownie]

No different than checking a pistol Rad. Same requirements for declaration and locks etc

 

[racer88]

You're gonna need a bigger case.

 

[hornet]

flew FROM Fl with a rifle. Just aways check the CURRENT TSA and Airline rules.

 

[racer88]

Just aways check the CURRENT TSA and Airline rules.

And carry a printed copy of each with you.

 

[RadTek]

No different than checking a pistol Rad. Same requirements for declaration and locks etc

That’s how I figure. But it never hurts to get input from anyone who has do so.

I‘m a little weirded out. A handgun goes in checked luggage. No one knows what’s in there but airport folks. Usually. However a hard rifle case is pretty much a neon sign comparatively. And I don’t think I can use my soft bag. I dont Have a hard case. Before I go shopping, thought I’d see what y’all use. 👍


Besides, I haven’t popped in here to say howdy in a while. It was a decent enough excuse…😂

 

[Earl 007]

I found an aluminum case with combo lock built in and tabs for padlocks for a reasonable price but that was a few years back on amazon . It only cost 59$ but that was a few years ago it was for my Howa M1500 aluminum chasie rifle in 6.5CM it's 50" long weighs 21 LBS and has an American flag paint job .

 

[AFJuvat]

You need to have a hard case that is lockable with padlocks.

 

[joeyvco]

Pelican, with the full foam & cut your rifle into it. I did one for my .300 w/scope still mounted, G22 off to the side, cutouts for a box of ammo for each & 2 mags for the G22 as well, oh & the slide for the G22 & the bolt for the .300. I kept all the cutouts & can use them as blocks if I put a different rifle in it.

 

[BeerHunter]

You need to have a hard case that is lockable with padlocks.

This, most definitely!

 

[nittany lion fan]

Pelican, with the full foam & cut your rifle into it. I did one for my .300 w/scope still mounted, G22 off to the side, cutouts for a box of ammo for each & 2 mags for the G22 as well, oh & the slide for the G22 & the bolt for the .300. I kept all the cutouts & can use them as blocks if I put a different rifle in it.

Harbor Freight sells a good knockoff (I wouldn't trust it to be as watertight as the Pelican), but it is long - more for shotguns. Two ARs fit as well.

 

[joeyvco]

Mines almost as tall as me. When I said .300 I meant WinMag, not blackout! Thank god for the little wheels on the end, they are a pain in the azz to haul around. As you sit on the plane & look down at the ground crew ….. tossing your brand new, few hundred dollar, rifle case ( not to mention what’s inside it ) like it’s a stick of cheap lumber, you reflect on how you should of perhaps had one more at the gate side lounge, before boarding.

 

[Anduril]

Harbor Freight sells a good knockoff (I wouldn't trust it to be as watertight as the Pelican), but it is long - more for shotguns. Two ARs fit as well.

NANUK cases are also actually quite good.
Hard to tell the difference between them andPelicans.
For my long rifles and shotgun, I use caseclub.com

"Use" as in range transport - have not flown with them (yet).

 

[RadTek]

Harbor Freight sells a good knockoff (I wouldn't trust it to be as watertight as the Pelican), but it is long - more for shotguns. Two ARs fit as well.

Harbor Freight is having a sidewalk sale this weekend. Nabbed that Apache 9800 case, normally $170, for a little over a bill today. It’s not a Pelican. But I’m reasonably comfortable packing my rifle in that for this one trip. provided no ramp personnel drives a truck over it like they did my bag several years ago. 😡🤬

 

[mike_2853]

Make sure the rifle is "inaccessible". All locks must be in place. If you just put one lock and there's space for four, it will get rejected.

 

[BeerHunter]

Make sure the rifle is "inaccessible". All locks must be in place. If you just put one lock and there's space for four, it will get rejected.

Welcome to FCC from Palm Beach County, mike_2853! 🍻

You apparently registered last summer, have been lurking ever since, AND since this was your very first post to FCC without first introducing yourself as described here, please now take the time to properly post you're own Introduction to FCC, letting forum members get to know you a little, particularly with regard to our inherent right to keep and bear arms. You can do that by going to the Introduce Yourself section of the Welcome to Florida Concealed Carry section and starting your very own introduction thread. Then you'll find that lots of other FCC members will know to chime in to properly welcome you to the forum, and will be more responsive in answering your questions you may have!

In case you weren't aware, you can stay current on pertinent Florida Statutes regarding the "justified use of force" and all of Florida firearms laws by going right to the source using these links for Chapter 776 - Justifiable Use of Force and Chapter 790 - Weapons and Firearms, respectively. I'd also like to suggest you obtain your own copy of FLORIDA FIREARMS Law, Use & Ownership by Jon Gutmacher!

If you're a veteran, take a look at our Military Service Thread where you'll find many of us there, too!

Finally, I highly recommend you read this thread to understand how to navigate FCC to get the most out of your experience. One particular item that's caught many veteran FCC members off guard is the "Recommended Reading" at the bottom of each page, which MAY contain quite old threads of inactive conversations lacking up-to-date information or context. So beware of the date of the last post (just to the right of the post number) in any thread you come across so you don't mistakenly think every post is recent and start responding to very old posts/threads that been dormant for quite some time, sometimes for many years.

Again, welcome to FCC!