Hello, this coming summer I will be going to Alaska on vacation. I want to bring my Marlin 45-70 trapper and my sig p320 xten (10mm) as well as ammo.
I’m including pictures of the setup I intend to fly with, Also I will be bring tier1 concealed MSP holsters for the Sig.
Are master combination locks OK?
I was also planning to fly with a copy of the TSA Guidelines printed inside the case. Yes i know my cutout is sloppy, but its generally been used as a range setup for a DD AR15
After living in AK for 18 years, as a tourist, i would leave the rifle at home and just carry the sig. Rifle is better for defense but if you plan on doing alot of hiking the weight will be cumbersome.
Not sure where you are going but generally the brown/ griz will leave you alone. Juvinile black bears could be a bother along with cow moose that just dropped calves. 10mm is just fine for that, if you shoot straight.
I generally just carried a S&W 686 unless i was hiking in to camp overnight then i had either my 45/70 or 458Lott.
Oh and flying out of AK, much more easier. They are used to firearms. Unlike most of the lower 48
we plan on doing some long back country hikes, rather have the rifle and not need it and I have a sling to make carrying it easier. W.R.T the travel question does the case/setup look OK I have never flown with guns before.
We will be flying into Spokane and spending a few days in Coeur d’Alene before taking another flight to Anchorage. I think we take a few flights and boat rides inside of Alaska as well.
Set up looks good. Usually they will ask you unlock it so it can be inspected though. Not sure of current rules on ammo with the guns nowadays. May have to throw in checked bags, no big deal as long as its in the factory box.
I flew to mi with 6 rifles and 4 handguns when i moved and all they asked me was if they were loaded. That was 12 years ago and im sure times have changed
Good choice of Spokane and staying in Idaho. One, it is beautiful there and it is Constitutional carry there. I would have the ammo locked up separately from the guns for safety reasons, covering you’re a$$.
I recommend to use lock that is not accessible for TSA or any person other than you. If TSA Officer wants to check the case’s contents, she / he will ask you to open it and then lock it
Ammo can be transported in the same hard and secured container, as long is packed in proper box (the best is to use original box), firearm is clear and there is no ammo in the magazines / clips.
Looking at the OP’s picture - all seems to be OK. I’d additionally remove mag from the P320 and keep both loose.
Truth here is relative to the people (airline and TSA) at the airport on any given time and date based on local requirements, whether they argued with their spouse that morning, or they’re just plain pissed off that day (most often the case). Airline/airport people operate much as assembly line workers: same thing over and over every day. Dealing with a firearm disrupts the assembly line and can make them both arbitrary and capricious. If you want to really piss them off and ruin your trip pull out your copy of the TSA regs and read it to them. Most airline and TSA folk have never dealt with a firearm.
When I flew with my EDC I had it in the factory hard case (which has holes for padlocks) the mags were loose in the case, the ammunition was in its factory box in the same checked bag. (Which I also padlocked the zippers)
Your setup looks fine for clearing TSA
And to those saying not to take the rifle? Seriously? To go to Alaska? Yeah, bears are huge in Alaska! And does anyone think a sidearm is enough to stop a charging moose?
I have no idea. I “fell off of a turnip truck/wagon”.
“A little bird told me” ‘consider bringing a friend and let him or her carry that rifle, don’t forget the bug spray, bear spray, enough food and water, but keep the scent of food very far from camp, bypass Canada if you gonna EDC CCW, preferably have the original boxes for the ammo in case the authorities need to be certain, Master brand locks are a long standing and quality lock maker, in case of a cold front there, spray some silicone spray or WD40 in the locks before you leave’.
I agree. Leave the rifle at home. But then again, what will you tell your wife was the real reason for buying it: Gotta defend her from those great big bears?
Just take a S&W 50 cal or S&W 460 mag. Either is a lot easier to carry too and from airport, and lug around hiking. 460 mag good for 200 yards with no hold over and does with velocity, what the 50 cal does with mass, and a lot less recoil.
You stand more of a chance getting mugged in WA, than a bear encounter in AK! That’s why you have USCCA; but will not cover Self Defense against a bear, unless it is armed!
In any case, enjoy your time together; you never know how much time you have on planet earth.
AND, remember Jesus love you in any situation; you just have to call out to Him. He does miracles.
That’s why we do this professionally with full confidence.
If TSA Officer doesn’t know what to do, just ask for supervisor. If you know what are you doing, there is no way that unknowledgeable person rejects your firearm if you do everything politely and according to Laws and rules.
Just don’t assume that everyone in TSA is a douchebag…
Use any original 50rd or 20rd box. Doesn’t need to match the manufacturer. If TSA is checking it, they usually want to see original ammo box.
If you want, use another locked container, put in checked baggage… but you will be fine if you keep it in Pelican with firearms.
