Ammo and Flying

[terryg]

There have been a few recent threads regarding procedures for flying with a weapon checked in.

My first trip (post CHL) was supposed to be a work related trip this week to Orlando. But I had to cancel it and thought I was clear. Now out of the blue I have another trip next week to Phoenix - so I am preparing.

I have already purchased a Nanovault 200 (thanks USA1) - it is on it's way. (Although I wonder if I should have gotten a Nanovault 300 with the combo lock so I can use it in my car come Sept 1.)

Some have said that leaving the rounds in the magazines has been a trouble spot and that the best thing to do is to cart them in the original ammo box. This, however, seems to vary from airline to airline.

Here are the TSA rules regarding this:

Travelers 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.
Travelers may not 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).
Ammunition may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows packing guidelines described above.

And here are Southwest Airlines rules regarding this:

Ammunition. Small arms ammunition intended for sport or hunting will be
accepted only if carried within sturdy Checked Baggage and in the
manufacturer’s original container or an equivalent fiber, wood, or metal
container specifically designed to carry ammunition and providing for sufficient
cartridge separation. Magazines and clips containing ammunition must be
securely packaged so as to protect the cartridge primers. Carrier will accept no
more than 300 rounds of pistol (rim fire) ammunition, 120 rounds of rifle (center
fire) ammunition, or 150 shotgun shells per Passenger, with a total gross weight
of the ammunition plus containers not to exceed 11 total pounds per Passenger.

So I would really like to leave my magazines in tact and put them a Velcro flap magazine carrier that I have. But I don't want to greatly increase my risk of grief. So given the clear wording by Soutwest and the TSA, shouldn't I be ok?

Thank you in advance.

[74novaman]

last time I flew I just packed a revolver, so I had to just carry it in the factory ammo boxes. But I had zero grief from either TSA or Southwest. SW lady didn't even bat an eye when I declared I'd like to check a firearm.

It's always helpful to have a printout of their own rules with you. That way if they're not sure, you can show them from their own website what you can do.

[Steve M]

Go original ammo box. What is bad is that if they deny you, they won't confiscate it, they will just tell you that you can't check it, which will leave you holding all that junk at the airport watching your flight depart.

[ELB]

This has worked for me on Southwest and several other airlines: I put the magazines (usually two) in a standard cardboard off-the-shelf ammo box reinforced with some clear tape, and stuff in either bubble wrap or the rag I use to wipe down my gun to keep the mags from rattling. I use a PMC .38 box because it is bigger/wider than a 9mm box. Meets all requirements and has worked every time.

[USA1]

Last time I flew (Southwest Airlines), I just kept the ammo in it's original box
and locked it along with my firearm in the Nanovault.

I had no problem with TSA.

P.S. Don't forget to lock the cable to the bar inside your luggage......helps keep folks honest that way.

[E.Marquez]

Go original ammo box. What is bad is that if they deny you, they won't confiscate it, they will just tell you that you can't check it, which will leave you holding all that junk at the airport watching your flight depart.

Theoretically possible yes has it happened to you? Have you missed a flight because you were refused boarding due to the packaging of your ammo? Have you ever personally seen this happen?

I ask, because I have not, not in dozens of flights with ammo in mags, and or box's have I ever been denied boarding my flight.
Only once was it even question could I store ammo in the same case as the weapon, method of ammo storage has never been questioned.

I tend to just ship it in OEM ammo boxes...then load up two mags at the other end..carry for the length of trip, and put the ammo back in the box for the trip. But I often have a mag full as well.. Never been a question asked.

Thanks..
Look forward to hearing from anyone with first hand knowledge reference being detained or refused service.

Erik

[hirundo82]

As a matter of fact, I'm flying to a wedding in Virginia tomorrow. My carry gun with a couple mags is already locked in a Secure-It safe, and a box of ammo (duct taped closed and in a Ziploc bag) is in my luggage.

I've always just used the factory ammo box when flying with guns. It seems like the easiest way to avoid issues, and I don't mind taking a couple of minutes at my destination to load some mags.

[ryanr1299]

I've been surprised by the inconsistency of handling of firearms by airlines when flying. Last time I flew from Dallas Love Field I declared the guns (two semi-autos in a plastic locking case), they asked me to fill out a card and stick it in the box with the guns, that was it. On the return trip, flying out of Phoenix, I had to fill out the same card, but had to open the box and present the guns for inspection to the agent, then was escorted by TSA to the baggage security entry where I was again required to open the case for visual inspection. After that I had to wait while they ran my bag through the x-ray. It was a drawn-out ordeal in Phoenix, but out of Dallas they were more concerned about my dog being on a lease instead of in his carrier than they were about my guns.

EDIT: I had intended to include some advice, then ended up going off on a tangent. I lock factory-boxed ammo in the same case with the guns, never had a problem. Not worth it to try to pack loaded magazines, in my opinion. Just another thing that could hold up the process. Also, if you are not in compliance, you'll be asked to correct it instead of surrendering guns and/or ammo.