Flying with empty magazines

[JSpin]

Does anyone have any insight on traveling/flying with new, empty magazines in checked luggage? Does the locked hard case rule apply? Would it matter if they were disassembled or not?

Thanks!

[Citadelgrad87]

When I fly with a firearm, I put my magazines in my luggage, unloaded, and they are not in the locked TSAhole container, because they won't fit.

Never had a problem.

A thought, overnight them to yourself to avoid the possible theft issue.

[keenkeen]

How many rounds do these hypothetical magazines hold?

[ldsnet]

As long as they are empty, Southwest and United were not a problem, but my last flight on AA, they were questioning everything (didn't know their own rules and the regulations). The magazines were not an issue; just the handgun and the ammo in a plastic ammo container (they were under the misguided thought that it MUST be in the manufacturer's container).

As a fellow Calgun member, please don't break the law and import 10+ round mags to CA . . . not worth the court battle and eventual loss of your rights over a few $20 magazines if you are caught (and certainly don't post about it on a public forum).

[Oceanbob]

Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. Free tracking.

[djflash]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

•Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).

[SkyHawk]

Some airlines are ok with loaded mags. TSA is ok with it, so it is up to the individual airline. I fly with a slim Pelican case that has cutouts for mags, extra boxes of defense ammo, and the pistol. It fits in my suitcase.

[baggss]

Never had an issue flying with empty mags....

[-hanko]

Does anyone have any insight on traveling/flying with new, empty magazines in checked luggage? Does the locked hard case rule apply? Would it matter if they were disassembled or not?

Thanks!

Unloaded mags in checked baggage are legal whether new or used.

No on the locked hard case.

Assembled is fine, as is disassembled.

[JSpin]

Thanks for the info guys, it is much appreciated!

[rero360]

When I returned from Afghanistan I had roughly two dozen or so rifle mags and about the same number of M9 mags in my rolling duffle along with my body armor, helmet and all sorts of gun parts with no problem.

[k1dude]

Be prepared for anything. I've found many airlines don't even know their own policies regarding guns/ammo/mags. I used to travel with printed copies of the airline's own policies and those same airlines have refused those printed policies and made up their own on the spot. Basically just answer in whatever way you think they want. That usually takes care of the situation.

Is the ammo in it's original factory box in a TSA approved locked separate case from the gun? Yes ma'am. Are the magazines fully disassembled with each component in separate pockets of your locked luggage? Yes ma'am. Has your gun's "shoulder thing that goes up" been personally inspected and approved by Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, the Directors of the NSA and Homeland Security? Yes ma'am.

Expect occasional disapproving glares as well.

[dwalker]

I try REALLY hard to not fly with firearms. Generically I will ship them to myself at whatever hotel/residence I will be staying, overnight. I then ship them back to myself overnight to my home.
When I have to fly with firearms I lock them in the case with the gun usually, but I like Citadel87's idea of putting the in the check bag.

[Icypu]

I flew through Miami with my brother. My firearms luggage was locked with magazines. My brothers unlocked luggage with his 3 psp were stolen, my guns were not. If a magazine could allow you to lock your luggage it's worth it.

[RickD427]

As long as they are empty, Southwest and United were not a problem, but my last flight on AA, they were questioning everything (didn't know their own rules and the regulations). The magazines were not an issue; just the handgun and the ammo in a plastic ammo container (they were under the misguided thought that it MUST be in the manufacturer's container).

Please be careful with this statement. It's not as misguided as you may think.

The law only requires the ammunition to be in a proper container. The law does not require that it be in the original manufacturer's container.

However, airlines are free to impose packaging requirements in excess of legal standards. Some carriers elect to require that ammunition be in an original container, and they are free to impose such a requirement.