Flying with my XDS

[smith629]

Hi guys I just picked up my XDS 9mm and I have a question about flying, specifically: can you keep your mags loaded or do they have to be empty, and are there any issues I can run into flying out of Kali with an SSE pistol? I purchased a combination metal lock box off amazon that I plan to throw store the unloaded pistol and loaded magazines, which I'll then place in my checked bag and lock with a wire lock to the frame.

BTW despite the recall first impressions are positive with this little bugger. Fit and finish is excellent, awesome sights, small and compact (but not too small, still has some heft), and the mags look like good quality. My gripes: the slide is a bit hard to release due to the low profile slide release, and the trigger could be better--lots of take up before the 2nd stage, and the 2nd stage has some grit. I kind of wish it was a single stage, which IMO would be preferred for a defensive encounter, but overall its better than the LC9 it replaced.

[003]

This is a direct cut and paste from the TSA web Site.

"To avoid issues that could impact your travel and/or result in law enforcement action, here are some guidelines to assist you in packing your firearms and ammunition:

All firearms must be declared to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.

The term firearm includes: Any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.

The frame or receiver of any such weapon.

Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer.

Any destructive device.

*Please see, for instance, United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44 for information about firearm definitions.

The firearm must be unloaded.

The firearm must be in a hard-sided container that is locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft.

If firearms are not properly declared or packaged, TSA will provide the checked bag to law enforcement for resolution with the airline. If the issue is resolved, law enforcement will release the bag to TSA so screening may be completed.

TSA must resolve all alarms in checked baggage. If a locked container containing a firearm alarms, TSA will contact the airline, who will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and advise the passenger to go to the screening location. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.

If a locked container alarms during screening and is not marked as containing a declared firearm, TSA will cut the lock in order to resolve the alarm.

Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation.

Travelers must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Firearm magazines and ammunition clips must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm.

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above.

TSA prohibits black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder.

Rifle scopes are not prohibited in carry-on bags and do not need to be in the hard-sided, locked checked bag."

[dwtt]

Hi guys I just picked up my XDS 9mm and I have a question about flying, specifically: can you keep your mags loaded or do they have to be empty, and are there any issues I can run into flying out of Kali with an SSE pistol? I purchased a combination metal lock box off amazon that I plan to throw store the unloaded pistol and loaded magazines, which I'll then place in my checked bag and lock with a wire lock to the frame.

If you keep ammunition in the magazines, the TSA inspector will not allow it because that's not how they want the ammunition stored. They want the ammunition stored in boxes like the factory ammo boxes or one of the reloading boxes where each round is in an individual holder. Bringing a big box with the ammo dumped in bulk will also not be allowed. Just put the empty magazines and the pistol in the locked case and you won't have any problems.

[decepticon6551]

I'd buy a much better case than that (I own the one you have in the picture) for flying. Meeting CA transportation requirements while you have your gun in your possession, & actually protecting your XDS while you're flying & it's out of your sight, are two very different things.

[GR8Guns]

I'd buy a much better case than that (I own the one you have in the picture) for flying. Meeting CA transportation requirements while you have your gun in your possession, & actually protecting your XDS while you're flying & it's out of your sight, are two very different things.

I have a metal case like that which locks with a key. I haven't used it yet for flying. What kind of case do you think would be better for flying?

[Markinsac]

I've flown several times with loaded magazines in the same case, and they have been inspected without issue.

Your mileage, however, may vary.

[Irv]

Read the rules of each individual airline..
The main concern is NEVER, EVER take possession of your luggage if you get stranded for a day or two in certain states. People have been arrested and their firearms taken as they try to recheck their luggage and found to be in possession of a firearm in their state.
Stay in your same clothes in a hotel till your final flight destination..

[sigstroker]

That's baloney. McClure-Volkmer (FOPA) specifically protects against that.

[farmerjoe]

I've flown several times with loaded magazines in the same case, and they have been inspected without issue.

Your mileage, however, may vary.

X2

I've flown dozens of times with loaded magazines and only once have I had an issue (NYC/JFK) and they had me put tape over the first round out of the magazine. Seemed silly, but I didn't argue the point.

[smith629]

Well guys just to be safe I am going to order an 18 round MTM hard shell case. Its only $8 shipped and it should squeeze in the combo safe. I actually like the Sentry Safe so far.

Does anyone have any magazine holster and XDS holster recommendations? That's my next order of business...

[NorCalNative]

Just be sure to not bring any firearm parts in your carry on. I was on a business trip a couple weeks ago and stopped by a Cabela's to kill some time before flying back home. While there I picked up a few small items, including a magazine for my Browning Buckmark. Through it all in my brief case and headed for the airport.

Holy s#*|, what an ordeal that caused.

[smith629]

Just be sure to not bring any firearm parts in your carry on. I was on a business trip a couple weeks ago and stopped by a Cabela's to kill some time before flying back home. While there I picked up a few small items, including a magazine for my Browning Buckmark. Through it all in my brief case and headed for the airport.

Holy s#*|, what an ordeal that caused.

Of course it caused an uproar--only terrorists carry empty .22lr mags in their carry ons!

[bwiese]

1. I'd say it's best you keep your mags empty.

Even though you prob meet the letter of the law with loaded mags unattached to gun, varying individual
airline regs often specifiy packing of ammo into "factory boxes or secure ammuntion storage containers".

Last think you need is an argument with airline staff or TSA idiots abouttheir rules vs. law. If your destination
allows it you can just load up after you pull outta airport.

Your #1 goal, remember, is to stay legal and GET ON THAT FLIGHT WITH YOUR GUNS LEGALLY CHECKED in
in as little time as possible. Don't be a Ron Paulist drama queen type and jump up and down about trivialities,
because the airline/TSA chickenheads you deal with are just that - and even if/when you "win", you will have
likely missed your flight at best.

Also, different states may have different laws on 'what is a loaded gun' - and there perchance may be in your
destination state "loaded mag == a loaded gun" concept in their statutory or case law. KNOW THE LAWS IN
YOUR DESTINATION. Think also what happens if your airliner has to land in an adjoining 'less gun friendly'
state due to fuel/weather/congestion.


2. Your handgun is your handgun regardless of its Roster status. Most handguns in California are, in fact,
NOT ROSTERED and people travel to/from CA with their non-Rostered handguns. The gun - if DOJs AFS
system is working properly and data entry went OK - will show up on the AFS system as being yours.

Local LEs/DAs don't give a crap let alone remotely understand the Roster. That's administrivia for DOJ; the
only time local DA and US Attorney etc ever really got into CA Roster crap was when a bunch of Sacramento
LEOs got into trouble 'flipping' non-Rostered guns and the initial news reports were that cops were "OMIGAWD
FLIPPING ASSAULT WEAPONS AND MACHINEGUNS AND SHARKS WITH LASERS ON THEIR HEADS.... OH THE
HUMANITY!'

I regularly fly from/to CA with non-Rostered handguns and my registered AWs as well as my (legit) pre-2000
hicap mags.

[Irv]

That's baloney. McClure-Volkmer (FOPA) specifically protects against that.

I will give you a little info and you can look for the event.
The person flew via New York City when his connecting flight was cancelled. He acquired his baggage and left for a hotel. Next morning rechecked his baggage and informed of firearm.
Caught with an illegal gun in NYC, not registered in New York. Confiscated and arrested.
Don't think he ever got the firearm back.

[Kraviwannabe]

I've heard a lot of conflicting advice here. I'm a retired Peace Officer and travel by air frequently with my firearm. As long as you have your weapon unloaded and magazines kept separate in your hard sided locked case, you will be fine. Your problem is less likely to be with TSA and more likely to be individual airline policy or poorly trained ticket agents. My case happens to have (2) layers of foam. I keep my magazines in between layers and my gun on top. I secure the gun in the case with the slide locked to the rear, so when I present it to the ticket agent it is obviously unloaded. Some carriers will send it to baggage claim at the other end of your journey and some will just stick the case on the luggage carousel. Make sure to inquire before they take it away. If they put it on the carousel, you might want to hustle to baggage area when you get to your destination, for obvious reasons.