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Posted: 5/29/2005 5:10:16 PM EDT
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Need some help fellas. Sorry for the cut and paste. please forgive me. Ok fellas, help me out here. Im needing an aluminum gun case for airplane travel. Needs to be able to hold 2 scoped rifles side by side. I do not like them stacked on top of each other with a flimsy piece of foam between them. Good solid construction. Lockable (not some cheap combo latch like you see on a briefcase that can be popped with a screwdriver). Wheels are a bonus. Water proof/resistant is a bonus. Reasonable price would be appreciated. Im looking for first hand experience here. I can do a search and find a bunch to choose from. But unless I have it inmy hands and have traveled with it, it's nothing more than a picture on a computer screen to me. Here are 3 I have been looking at, although im not real pleased about shopping at Cabelas after the incident with a film maker who had to edit a sceen with a coyote in a trap before they would consider stocking his video. If I like the case, I'll just have to look around for that brand somewhere else. I cant figure out the whole URL thing so sorry if this dont work. case #1 case #2 case # 3 Any other options or opinions are welcome also. |
Just a note about the lock requirement - if the TSA decides they want to reinspect the case for any reason, they will end up busting the lock, and perhaps ruining your new case along with it. I'd recommend you get one that can accept a padlock, and just use a cheap padlock for your flight that you wouldn't mind losing. I also believe they make locks for which the TSA has the master key or combination, but not 100% sure on that - for use on a guncase, that would seem to violate the requirement that the owner is the only one with the key or combo. And yes, I do realize the absurdity of requiring a lock, then them cutting it off and replacing it with a tie strap... But it's the gov't, and as such doesn't need to make sense. As for the case, I prefer the plastic pelican or starlight cases, so can't suggest an aluminum one. They still scream "gun", but I don't think quite so loudly - at least not all shiny and attention-grabbing. I have the largest starlight case (the Sam's club special from a bit back) and a smaller pelican. Both are quality, and should last a lifetime. Pelican will replace anything that breaks, for free, no questions asked (mine was purchases as milsurp, it was missing the pressure release value when I got it, and they had it to me in 3 days - no charge). I'm not sure about starlight. It would be a bit of a squeeze to fit two scoped rifles side by side in the starlight, I'd say impossible if they have pistol grips. I believe pelican makes a slightly wider one, however. |
| I'd say go with an SKB. After the monkeys at the airline get done stomping on the aluminum cases, they'll probably look pretty beat-up. The plastic SKBs are just as strong, will give just as good protection, but will withstand a beating looking better. Also, while I 'm not sure, it doesn't look like any of the three aluminum cases are airtight. The SKBs are lockable, airline approved, and have a neoprene gasket to seal out water & moisture. |
| I bought some aluminum cases and after using them they suck. They dent up and look like crap with very little banging and the handles don't hold up. Get yourself a Starlight and forget the rest. SKB are ok but not nearly as good or tough as Starlight. You can get starlights loaded with wheels and all for $125 on boards. |
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