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I will be flying with my gun (S&W 642). I've read the last couple of threads on the subject but wanted to give a rundown of my plan and see if anyone has anything to add or recommend.

- I am going to use a Nanovault steel gun safe with a keyed lock and steel security cable.
- I will place the unloaded gun and two speed strips of ammo (10 rounds) inside and lock it.
- I will secure the cable to the structural reinforcement bar inside the suitcase so the gun safe cannot be removed.
- I will keep the key in my possession.
- I will have printed copies of TSA and Southwest Airlines rules and regulations in my possession.

Of coarse I know to go to the luggage counter and fill out the firearm declaration form and I will probably have to let TSA visually inspect everything, but other than that, does anyone with experience in the matter have anything to add?

Thank you in advance for you thoughts.

Keep the case at the top of your luggage, and double check its unloaded. Most likely you will have to carry your checked bag that contains the gun to the TSA. Hang around until the TSA clears it. Other than that, it is pretty much a painless process. I flew with mine in December. As long as you have read the TSA rules, you should be more than fine. The issues arise when you get the people who try to leave their handgun open in a soft sided bag, or have it loaded (not having read TSA regulations).

Doesn't the ammo have to be packaged separately from the gun in an appropriate container?

The Annoyed Man wrote:Doesn't the ammo have to be packaged separately from the gun in an appropriate container?

Here's what the rules say...

# You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
# You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
# You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.

I plan to keep the ammo in speed strips (which cover the primers) and keep the speed strips in an ammo wallet/pouch which completely encloses the ammunition.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Doesn't the ammo have to be packaged separately from the gun in an appropriate container?

Yes...
"Appropriate Container" can be the original box the ammo came in, assuming it came in a typical cardboard outer box with a simple plastic rack inside. You should not try to use a plastic baggie or any container that would allow the ammo to knock around. The ammo cannot (?) be "contained" in a loaded magazine for air transport. As of the last time I flew, about 18 months ago, you did not need a locked container for ammo. Just a "separate" one.

Call the airline to confirm current requirements or check their web site.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AA.com wrote:Ammunition in its original packaging from the manufacturer is preferred, however it will be accepted in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Loose ammunition or clips will not be accepted.

EDIT: after reading the AA web site above, they do not seem to require a separate container for ammo.. looks like they will allow you to put ammo in the same locked box as the gun.. as long as the ammo is packaged separately.. Again.. check with YOUR airline..

I actually didn't carry any ammo. I would guess you would want to carry your personal defense rounds, but with how much airlines charge for weight in bags now I would say it would be better to just buy ammo on the other end. (Assuming you can get it) . It also needs to be in the box you bought it in, can't have it loose and rolling around. Basically it needs to be secure so that as your bag goes onto the ramp, you don't have bullets or a gun falling out. That would give the baggage handlers a scare, and probably get your gun detonated as a suspicious object by the bomb squad.

But in all seriousness, my father being an airline pilot, these rules are there because some smart person, actually had his gun fall out of his bag, which caused a HUGE ordeal.

OK, I talked to someone at Southwest Airlines. She seemed well versed in proper procedures. I was told that keeping ammo in the same hard-sided case as the gun is allowed. She did recommend that the ammo should be in its original manufacturers container/box to avoid problems.

I just test fitted my Nanovault to make sure everything fits and it does.

From TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard)."

From AA Website:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Ammunition in its original packaging from the manufacturer is preferred, however it will be accepted in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Loose ammunition or clips will not be accepted."

From Southwest:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer- ... e-pol.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition). "

I take my weapon with me often even though TSA says one thing, many airlines have their own specific rules. AA is very inconsistent. I have been turned away once for having it in clips. Also, I would not reply on anything anyone said. There oral guarentee is as good as the paper it was written on. I have the link to AA's polices set as a favorite on my phone, and have had to show AA employees what their policies are multiple times.

USA1 wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:Doesn't the ammo have to be packaged separately from the gun in an appropriate container?

Here's what the rules say...

# You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
# You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
# You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.

I plan to keep the ammo in speed strips (which cover the primers) and keep the speed strips in an ammo wallet/pouch which completely encloses the ammunition.

I don't disagree with you at all, and I flew with my ol' snubbie, with the ammo in two speed strips and a speed loader, to Az from DFW. on the way there, no problem. on the way back, the old asian lady who barely spoke Engrish flipped smooth out, called her supervisor and they "confiscated" the ammo. was the only way they would let me on the plane. You can argue rules and rights and all that, but at the end of the day, they have the "power" to decide if you get on the plane.

is worth the moment of time to get a little ammo box to put the ammo in. I had a box of Monarch .357 (was like 20 rds) that I used. I'd just tape both ends of the box and was good to go. least, that's what I did after that...

Speed strips, ammo wallets, magazines, etc, aren't considered "secure containers" for ammo. But the cardboard box it came in seems to be just fine. Oh, and don't try to carry it in any of those fancy plastic containers that reloaders use either.

Cardboard boxes, that's what you need. With the original factory writing on it. Even if it isn't the same ammo that belongs in the box, it's OK. Just as long as it is cardboard.

Trust me, as one who flies, and has previously tried to apply logic to this process. I have given up my share of ammo to the TSA.

Crossfire wrote:Speed strips, ammo wallets, magazines, etc, aren't considered "secure containers" for ammo. But the cardboard box it came in seems to be just fine. Oh, and don't try to carry it in any of those fancy plastic containers that reloaders use either.

Cardboard boxes, that's what you need. With the original factory writing on it. Even if it isn't the same ammo that belongs in the box, it's OK. Just as long as it is cardboard.

Trust me, as one who flies, and has previously tried to apply logic to this process. I have given up my share of ammo to the TSA.

completely agree with you. I tried explaing, "The point is, to cover up the primer, so something doesn't impact the primer and and and..."
it was like playing handball, against the drapes...

I've flown a few times with my .45. I put a padlock on the plastic case the gun came in and threw a box of ammo in the suitcase seperate from the plastic gun case. I did wrap the cardboard box in some clear packing tape to make it hold up a little better.

I was on the way to Little Rock on SWA. I got to the counter, asked for and filled out the declaration form and the lady said put the card in the suitcase. I asked if whe wanted it in the gun case. She said no, just in the suitcase. She never looked at the gun case or the gun.

Different story on the way back. The lady checking had me open the suitcase, open the gun case and look at the chamber. Put the card in with the gun and closed up, locked the gun case and got on the plane.

Not much hassle, just different styles.

mikeintexas wrote:I've flown a few times with my .45. I put a padlock on the plastic case the gun came in and threw a box of ammo in the suitcase seperate from the plastic gun case. I did wrap the cardboard box in some clear packing tape to make it hold up a little better.

I was on the way to Little Rock on SWA. I got to the counter, asked for and filled out the declaration form and the lady said put the card in the suitcase. I asked if whe wanted it in the gun case. She said no, just in the suitcase. She never looked at the gun case or the gun.

Different story on the way back. The lady checking had me open the suitcase, open the gun case and look at the chamber. Put the card in with the gun and closed up, locked the gun case and got on the plane.

Not much hassle, just different styles.

Depending on which TSA agent you get you could possibly get refused with the box that the gun normally comes in due to the fact that you can pry it open and get the gun out. TSA states that you must not be able to pry open the container by hand.

I fly all the time for business. I use a Secure-It Combination Lock Handgun Storage Safe from Cabelas.

I pack two fully loaded clips alongside the firearm and have had no problems with the TSA.

Make sure it not loaded; That seems to be their biggest concern.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

To be honest, at first I was a little hesitant to even try to take a gun with me on my trip... mostly because of the thought it might get lost more than anything else. But once I started thinking about being unarmed while in three other states, I knew I had to have it with me.

I'll post a "TSA" report from my phone once I make it through security at the airport. (this coming Tuesday)

BTW..The last time I flew was 1989. Back then I just walked through a metal detector and boarded the plane.
.........Things sure are different these days.