Modestly Priced TSA Compliant Shotgun Case

[SandHill]

Buy once:cry once

With many purchases, I start out thinking I am just going to get something cheap. Then I read reviews, get educated on the product, and often realize that I should buy something better and spend a bit more. That was what happened with the case. After shopping around and reading reviews, I went with the Pelican Vault 700. With a $10 off $75 coupon from Cabela's, free shipping, some discounted gift cards from Raise, and 9% from Active Junky, I was able to get it delivered for about $117, tax included. Well worth it.

I understand this is a low-end offering from Vault, but OMG it looks tough to me. Weighs a ton (17 pounds) empty. I am sure it will do the job.

It was harder to do neat job cutting foam with an electric knife than i expected, but I think it didn't come out too bad for a first effort. I know that if I don't post pics it didn't happen so here it is with the foam cut and some goodies loaded for my trip:

Pelican Case.jpg

I had some trouble finding locks to fit. First I tried some that I had on-hand, with one inch shackle. They were too short. Then I ordered some long shackle padlocks from Amazon. They had 2.5 inch shackles. This was too long. Finally found my Goldilocks, just right, size. These Master locks with 1.5" shackles and were $14 for three:

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-3TRILF-Laminated-Padlock/dp/B0009V1WIY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Master+Lock+3TRILF+Outdoor+Padlock+with+Key%2C+3+Pack+Keyed-Alike&qid=1635373807&sr=8-1

Master Lock.jpg

Many thanks to all for the helpful suggestions on here!

[Bakerloo]

Very nice!

[Ross]

I am kind of surprised someone with a $1,000 shotgun wants to spend less than $100 for a case which a bunch of football humping monkeys will toss around harshly and on purpose.

[SandHill]

I am kind of surprised someone with a $1,000 shotgun wants to spend less than $100 for a case which a bunch of football humping monkeys will toss around harshly and on purpose.

Try to keep up. Have you been hanging out in the back with the football humping monkeys again?

[Ducky's Dad]

If you buy a hard shell case with no foam, you can make your own custom insert by wrapping the gun components in plastic kitchen wrap and then blowing insulation foam around the components (carefully, being aware that the foam expands). When the foam has cured, pull the parts and unwrap them. Trim the foam so that the case closes nicely. You'll have a case with zero internal shifting and it will be nearly crushproof. Good way to recycle old cases, and the best way to ship guns.

[SandHill]

If you buy a hard shell case with no foam, you can make your own custom insert by wrapping the gun components in plastic kitchen wrap and then blowing insulation foam around the components (carefully, being aware that the foam expands). When the foam has cured, pull the parts and unwrap them. Trim the foam so that the case closes nicely. You'll have a case with zero internal shifting and it will be nearly crushproof. Good way to recycle old cases, and the best way to ship guns.

Really cool idea, Ducky's Dad, thanks for sharing that. I have some plastic boxes laying around that could be gun cases using this method. Do you have any pictures of cases you have made this way? You know the rule around here: pics or it didn't happen!

[SandHill]

Sorry for the thread drift, but can anyone tell me if it is OK to fly with EMPTY mags in the handguns? Is it going to cause extra angst at check-in? I am trying to avoid cutting any more slots in the foam, and thinking I could just insert an empty mag in each handgun, only bring one mag for each gun, and I'm done. Am I asking for trouble?

[tanks]

Sorry for the thread drift, but can anyone tell me if it is OK to fly with EMPTY mags in the handguns? Is it going to cause extra angst at check-in? ...

I have flown quite a bit with empty magazines in the handguns. Never had an issue. Also, it is not the check-in person's job to check to make sure they are not loaded. After all, you are signing an affidavit to there not being any live ammo in the firearm.

TSA now, they will check if they need to verify.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Also, it is not the check-in person's job to check to make sure they are not loaded. After all, you are signing an affidavit to there not being any live ammo in the firearm.

TSA now, they will check if they need to verify.

I wonder if Alec Baldwin had a signed affidavit from his Assistant Director that the gun wasn't loaded, if that would get him off his impending "Negligent Homicide" charge?

Maybe the movies should check to verify? Good to hear you got a decent case, but you need more than one magazine for every handgun. 4ea. is the minimum

My .02 here.

Randy

[tigerpan]

Craigslist

[SandHill]

Good to hear you got a decent case, but you need more than one magazine for every handgun. 4ea. is the minimum

My .02 here.

Randy

LOL. Of course. I have lots of mags. The question, how many mags do you need for a weekend? Just for plinking, not going into combat? I can probably get by with one per gun for a couple days.

[W.R.Buchanan]

LOL. Of course. I have lots of mags. The question, how many mags do you need for a weekend? Just for plinking, not going into combat? I can probably get by with one per gun for a couple days.

How do you know? Things are pretty crazy right now, and you never know what is around the corner.

Better to have a few mags with you and not need them.

Randy

[tanks]

I wonder if Alec Baldwin had a signed affidavit from his Assistant Director that the gun wasn't loaded, if that would get him off his impending "Negligent Homicide" charge? ...

Airline travel and movie production are completely two different things. Your firearm is not going to get out of a locked box inside a suitcase and start firing on its own. Also, do you really want airline personnel start waiving firearms in crowded airports? I'd also bet most cops would not know how to eject magazines from an HK VP9 let alone airline personnel.

BTW, in reality your are also attesting there are no flammables or explosives etc. in your luggage when you check-in. No one if verifying that is the case. If you get caught then you face the consequences. Personal responsibility.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I know they are different. I was being facetious. Since Sandhill already got his case and actually took our advice on what to get, the thread is essentially dead, and I was trying to bring some current events into the discussion and keep it alive for a few more cycles..

My point was that Everyone is responsible for every round they send down range... Period. And having a signed Affidavit or Witnesses saying they heard the guy tell him the gun wasn't loaded means nothing! He didn't verify! He should be toast!! Your point about Personal Responsibility is the Salient Point.

This is the one thing missing from all discussions I see on TV with various pundits . Having someone tell you a gun isn't loaded doesn't absolve you from actually checking it yourself. It is designed to skirt Personal Responsibility.

Why these people don't have to go thru extensive firearms training to work in that industry as a matter of LAW,,, blows me away.

If you are going to handle guns, you need to understand guns, and since you weren't born with this knowledge, you need to be taught. And if you don't like guns, then you really need to be taught about guns, and how to handle them safely, so if you have to handle one,,, you can do it safely!

Obviously this point was lost in New Mexico.

That's all I was saying.

Randy

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Does anyone have any experience with the V770 case from vault?

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/single-rifle-case/vault/v770