Affordable flight cases?

[ZenMoto]

Hey guy,
I'm new to the forum and have been searching to no avail; hoping you might have some good ideas.

I recently inherited a small cache of firearms from my Dad, but due to California's ridiculous laws, I cannot ship them here from Illinois (maybe I could a couple, but most have to be physically carried across the border, which includes flying).

...so that's the plan. Fly back to Chicago, take delivery of the guns, and fly back with them as luggage.

What I'm looking for are any tips on affordable (yet good) options for carrying 4 -5 long guns and a pair of hand guns.

I'm thinking a pair of large Pelican cases and I should be able to arrange them with room for the pistols. Those Pelican cases (1750 seem the right size) run a couple bills each.

Do any of you, who travel with guns, have an affordable option worked out?

Much thanks, and Merry Christmas.

Dale

 

[CJ6]

Cheap is not what you want if you're not personally in control of the firearms at all times. Have you seen what/how baggage is handled at airports, just saying...

 

[ZenMoto]

Like I said, just looking to see if anyone has found a more affordable alternative to Pelican. Not looking for cheap, but I know there are shooters who travel a lot and thought some of them may have figured out a thing or two over the years.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

 

[dkhunt14]

Look up SKB cases. They are not cheap but they guarantee them to survive a plane or they pay. They have a double and depending on guns you might get 3 or so in. You can always sell them after you use them. Matt

 

[michaelnel]

I have a Pelican 1750, and chose it over the alternatives.

That said, Plano makes a similar (but inferior in construction) case at considerably less than the Pelican. I see a lot of them at local ranges. The current model is (gag) The Bone Collector.

 

[ZenMoto]

Thanks guys. I had totally forgotten about SKB, I'll give them a look. ...have some old Plano cases; I wouldn't trust them with a baggage thrower!

Have a great holiday!

 

[dkhunt14]

SKB makes a real strong case. They pay money to fix your gun if it gets damaged by airlines. I believe it is around 2000 dollars they will pay. That is what I call backing up your product. I have one and I like it. You could always sell one or both after you use it. I also have a Pelican but like the SKB much better. Matt

 

[hogpatrol]

Another vote for the SKB, double ATA or quad ATA. Click through this site to Amazon. I bought mine through them & they had the best price. Check your airline's policy on gun cases and max weight per case. On one of my trips last year, a buddy had one of those big aluminum trunk types and got whacked $150 oversize and overweight charge each way on a round trip.

 

[jlow]

You could always drive. Gas is cheap right now and so your only real cost would be a few hotel rooms. Beat trying to buy gun cases, wondering if they would fit. dealing with the gun in airport, number of pieces of check luggage, airline ticket cost, and the hassle of trying to sell the cases when you get home.

 

[hogpatrol]

Not sure about California's transfer laws but how about an FFL to FFL ship by UPS, Fed-Ex or USPS (yeah I know, USPS has issues but so do the other two)? Box them up in rifle boxes with the proper packing material, it'd probably be cheaper than flying or driving.

 

[michaelnel]

California will charge sales tax on the transfer (about 8 1/2%) and the FFLs will ding you too. The one I use charges $75 for a PTP transfer (including the $25.00 California DROS fee), and then you have to wait 10 days before you can take possession of the weapon, because California DOJ thinks that no matter how many weapons you already have, you need this particular one to do whatever dastardly deed you need a weapon for.

Dunno what the laws are about bringing in weapons from outside California if you already own them. Knowing California, it must be illegal without lots of paperwork and fees paid to the state.

 

[Kookie]

Starlight cases are as strong as any and are significantly lighter than the Pelican cases. You should consider the weight since some airlines charge substantially more if you exceed the limits.

 

[CJ6]

California will charge sales tax on the transfer (about 8 1/2%) and the FFLs will ding you too. The one I use charges $75 for a PTP transfer (including the $25.00 California DROS fee),
Dunno what the laws are about bringing in weapons from outside California if you already own them. Knowing California, it must be illegal without lots of paperwork and fees paid to the state.

This is my question on the transfer part here, Does the OP NEED to do the transfer in Cali ? He's taking posession in Ill. Would not the transfer take place here ? Is it even needed for the LONG guns ? Pistols,AR maybe, but the long guns? Something I'd look into first.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Man- illinois and california? Bad on both ends gun wise.

 

[JRS]

California will charge sales tax on the transfer (about 8 1/2%) and the FFLs will ding you too. The one I use charges $75 for a PTP transfer (including the $25.00 California DROS fee),
Dunno what the laws are about bringing in weapons from outside California if you already own them. Knowing California, it must be illegal without lots of paperwork and fees paid to the state.

This is my question on the transfer part here, Does the OP NEED to do the transfer in Cali ? He's taking posession in Ill. Would not the transfer take place here ? Is it even needed for the LONG guns ? Pistols,AR maybe, but the long guns? Something I'd look into first.

Yes, he does

 

[michaelnel]

In California, you also have to pass a really Mickey Mouse safety test before taking possession of the firearm, and pay a fee and get a little card that used to be good for five years. That used to only apply to handguns, but as of Jan 1 it now also applies to rifles and shotguns, and your five year handgun card is now null and void, you have to get one of the new ones.