Flying with a finished 80% AR

[cudabnu]

Ok, finished a AR10 build, gun is complete. I'm flying to Oregon in the next 2 months and want to take it with me to go shooting with my brothers, I have a pelican case and TSA locks, anyone know if there is any problems with it not having a serial number? Flying Alaska Airlines. Or since it is 3 days shipping, can I FEDEX it to myself where I will be staying? I'd personally be the one shipping it and receiving it.

[BrassCase]

You just have to declare them at check in so I think you are GTG. But why not put an sn on? I have 2 80's that are anodized so I engraved a sn on the inside of the mag well. I mostly did it so if it were stolen they'd have something to look for.

[cudabnu]

Good idea, can do that with DL # I suppose

[Chaos47]

You do not use TSA locks on a declared firearm!
Plenty of info out there on how to fly with a firearm, look it up.

They are not going to look at your S/N. They won't even touch the firearm.

[baggss]

You do not use TSA locks on a declared firearm!
Plenty of info out there on how to fly with a firearm, look it up.

They are not going to look at your S/N. They won't even touch the firearm.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!

1-Declare it to the airline when you check it with your baggage. Be LOW KEY, don't stress the word GUN or FIREARM. I usually say I have a special item to be checked and they look at the case and discretely ask "Is it a firearm?".

2-MAKE SURE THE WEAPON IS UNLOADED AND THE MAGAZINE IS NOT IN THE WEAPON.

3-The airline will have you fill out and sign a simple form that goes in the case. You will have to open the case. BE DISCRETE. The airline employee is SUPPOSED to look at the weapon and make sure it is unloaded. They may, they may not. You should be the one to put the form in the case and close it up and lock it again.

4-The airline employee will call TSA who will come and take the gun case away from you for separate screening. DO NOT GIVE TSA THE KEYS TO THE LOCKS. If they ask you for the keys know the TSA code or paragraph that says you must keep control of the keys at all times. If they insist, it is your call but I have NEVER had a problem with this.

5-TSA will come back and tell you that the case is "good to go" and is on it's way with the other luggage or may ask you to come with them to a separate room where you will be asked to open the case so they can examine the weapon. If you follow Step 2 above this will not happen.

6-They don't care about your SN or an 80% lower.

[Decoligny]

Good idea, can do that with DL # I suppose

I would suggest not using a number that is connected permanently to you. If you should choose to sell it later, do you really want the buyer to have you DL#? Even worse would be using your SSN.

Go with something completely made up, but keep a copy of it written down somewhere in case you ever need to report it stolen.

[Chaos47]

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!

1-Declare it to the airline when you check it with your baggage. Be LOW KEY, don't stress the word GUN or FIREARM. I usually say I have a special item to be checked and they look at the case and discretely ask "Is it a firearm?".

2-MAKE SURE THE WEAPON IS UNLOADED AND THE MAGAZINE IS NOT IN THE WEAPON.

3-The airline will have you fill out and sign a simple form that goes in the case. You will have to open the case. BE DISCRETE. The airline employee is SUPPOSED to look at the weapon and make sure it is unloaded. They may, they may not. You should be the one to put the form in the case and close it up and lock it again.

4-The airline employee will call TSA who will come and take the gun case away from you for separate screening. DO NOT GIVE TSA THE KEYS TO THE LOCKS. If they ask you for the keys know the TSA code or paragraph that says you must keep control of the keys at all times. If they insist, it is your call but I have NEVER had a problem with this.

5-TSA will come back and tell you that the case is "good to go" and is on it's way with the other luggage or may ask you to come with them to a separate room where you will be asked to open the case so they can examine the weapon. If you follow Step 2 above this will not happen.

6-They don't care about your SN or an 80% lower.

My experience with this is very similar but a few differences. (I'm sure every airport is different)

I used a sky cap because some guides say it helps, it did. He brought me up to the check in desk separate to the line and I got priority. The check-in person was great and very calm. So here's my personal additions to the above great post.

3- The check in agent told me to unlock the case but to not open the lid till I had turned it towards them. Smart! I had also removed the bolt from the rifle so there was no question if it was loaded or not

4- They paged the TSA guy and my skycap wheeled it over to the room for me. I was then asked to come into the room carrying the case myself and place it on a table. I asked if they wanted me to open it and they said no. They just swabbed it for explosive residue with a cloth on forceps and never even touched the case with their hands. They said it was GTG and said I could go on my way.

I suspect that many airports do not have their room located outside the secure area and thats why most report that it is taken from them at that point.

[cudabnu]

awesome, thanks for all the tips!

[cudabnu]

here she is

[GOLDEN GUN]

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU SHIP YOUR LOWER OR FIREARM!!!

Even if it's just to you and next day air.. The last thing you want is a firearm with no serial number to get "lost" and in the hands of a bad guy...

[BrassCase]

here she is

Very nice. What are those dimples in the barrel near the flash hider for?

[cdtx2001]

People at the airport don't give a rat's arse about serial numbers. All they will check us to see if the firearm is unloaded.

Oh yeah, make sure to declare it when you check in and DO NOT use TSA locks on your gun case.

[pterrell]

I just put PT1 and PT2 under the pistol grip when I dropped them off to be cerecoated. Hell, put a simple one under the FCG if you want to. More places that nobody will ever look anyway.

[coryhenry]

Very nice. What are those dimples in the barrel near the flash hider for?

My guess is those are the ends of the flutes milled into the barrel.

[cudabnu]

Correct, fluted Lilja barrel