I need some advice on getting a sturdy case that will protect at least two doubles. Are there any cases that can handle four guns safely?
Thanks, Ross
Ross,
Americase makes one for two doubles. See
http://www.americase.com. If you try to put four in one case it will be heavy and will create over weight charges at the airlines. I have used most all of the cases made and like the Americase and the old Pelican.
Jim
I use a Pelican for heavy single shot rifles. Mine will hold two rifles that are 52" long. I'd get a shorter one for doubles and break them down.
Brent
I have the Pelican 2-gun case and it is quite sturdy. I don't think you'd be able to lever more than 2 guns in there, however.
Within the last 4 - 6 months, there was an article in "The American Rifleman", by Jeff Johnston, I think, testing and rating several airline cases. (I recycle my back issues pretty quickly, otherwise I'd offer more information from the article. But if you have access to back issues, it was not a bad writeup.)
Jeff Loth
I use a Tuffpak compact. It weights about 16lbs empty. Airlines charge extra over 50lbs these days so you have to keep the case weight down. The profile of the case does not scream, GUN INSIDE, like some standard cases. When I was leaving Gatwick in Dec, the gate folks couldn't figure out what was in the case until I told them. The cases were really designed for protecting movie cameras and gear on location. They work great.
I saw Chris Batha with the same Tuffpak at a show last weekend. He told me he had used his all over the world and nothing inside had ever been damaged.
http://www.tuffpak.com/retail/product1.asp?P=TP%2D1132KYBJoe
Cabelas sells a case (believe ICC makes it) that can take two breakdown double shotguns or rifles. I have not used it myself.
Noticed that the Americase website sells a velvet interior case that fits two breakdown doubles. But the foam interior case only advertises that it is for two breakdown pump or auto shotguns (looks as if it would handle sxs doubles, too. Anyone have any experience.
I have used an ABS velvet lined case that takes two double rifles/shotguns broken down with no problems on two trips to South Africa. It's fairly light and compact without being flimsy.
Regards
This what works for me:
1-Americase two guns case, a bit heavy, but very compact, and with the cordura covering doesn't look too much like a gun case.
2-The same tufpak as mentioned above, takes 3 guns, and some extra room for other stuff, It doesn't look like a gun case at all, which is important to me.
I have used a ABS 2 guns as well, but it broke down on my last travel with it.
No harm to the guns, but I was really scared when opening to check it out...
HM
Joe,
In what do you put your guns inside the tufpak?
Not very happy with the slips I'm using, as they are too thick.
Thank you
HM
Bubble wrap. I had 9 guns total (some were .410s) in 1 compact TuffPak, butt stocks down, barrels and forends nose down. Everything arrived fine. I can fit 1 of my pair cases in the middle and 2 guns in slender leg-of-mutton leather cases on either side.
My total weight was just over 63lbs.
Joe
One great piece of advice I got for carrying a rifle and shotgun to Africa last year was to purchase a heavy plastic lockable golf club case.
They are darn tough, roll-away, have enough room to put a bunch of other gear in (and yes, you'll probably get charged an overweight fee). But they look (obviously) like a golf case, have room easily for four long guns, and probably only cost half of what a bonafide firearms case costs.
GG, I had read about using the golf club cases on another board (maybe Accurate Reloading)
and it was very positive too.
JC
The issues are number of guns versus weight. Americase has gotten the nod over the flat cases by ICC, Kalispel, etc. due to less flex and better side protection for carrying two guns. A couple of other companies provide similar cases such as Strong.
Once more than two guns must be carried, the vote generally goes to the TuffPak compact case. (Most of the manufacturers use TuffPak from I've seen.) It is tough enough and holds enough without weighing off the charts for airline travel. Generally, something like a Boyt or Hulme takedown padded slip is used on the guns inside. Clothing can make up the rest of the packaging although this is a pain if TSA wants to look at the guns.
There is a school of thought that one should minimize the risk of theft or damage by shipping guns separately.
I use a Zero Halliburton double takedown case. What I did was take the two large pieces of foam out of it. I put two doubles into Boyt canvas takedown cases then strap them into the Halliburton case. They still have foam between them and the walls. The benefit is when I get where I'm going I can leave the hard case in the room and use the soft case to go to the range, field etc.
If I'm just carrying one gun I just fill the rest of the case with jackets or clothes.
It doesn't look too much like a guncase, I usually get asked what instrument I play.
Mine probably has a hundred thousand airline miles on it, Argentina, Scotland and 3-4 domestic trips a year.
http://www.zerohalliburton.com/pursuits/gun_cases.jspDH
Dawson, have you had any problems with evidence of TSA trying to open the case without you present?
Montana,
None. I always stay with the case until it is checked by TSA and cleared then I make sure they spin the combo and lock the latches.
It has a number of dents scatches and dings from some rough handling. It lost one of the rubber feet on the bottom along the way but I plugged the hole so water can't get in. Never had a gun shift and certainly no scratches or damage.
DH