Advise on flying with a gun

[garand4life]

I am flying to NM next month and need a dummies guide to transporting via plane.
I plan on taking my AR and my 2 SIG handguns. No, I'm not paranoid, my friend there that's getting married wants to go so spend a day at the range for his bachelor party.
I understand only as much, at this point, that they must be in a hard shell lockable case. I would also be taking ammo for my carry gun only. I have not bought a case yet so please, someone, walk me through step by step how I should package these to check them as luggage. Assume that that is all I know and that you were flying, how would you pack it. Them refresh me as to the full check in process and what to do and not to do.
Totally lost.....

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[Dakotaranger]

What I did when I flew with my 1911 at Christmas I ran a bore snake through just so it was obvious that it was clear.  If I had taken my XD I would have torn it down.  Make sure the ammo is in original packaging I put the mags in mag pouch in the hard case. I put my knife in the hard case also.  I had gotten the official TSA locks, but from the way the TSA agent in Missoula acted it's not unusual to use normal padlocks. 

They'll at least swab your hands. 

[MikeBjerum]

garand4life:

You need to find three websites:

1.  TSA - They will tell you everything you need to know;
2.  The airline you are flying on - They will tell you their expectations (rules);
3.  Your airport.

Basics are you need a hard sided case with padlock; the guns must be unloaded - I leave the actions open; ammunition must be in a factory box and not in the gun case; TSA will give you an ammunition weight and count - I believe it is ten pounds or 200 rounds, which ever is least, but our airport maxes you at 100 rounds, so out to the pick up I went to stuff some under the seat; number of guns you can take with you; and they want you at the airport to check in two hours early.  Our airport also has asked, but not required, that the gun case not look like a gun case, so I put my Kalispel in a duffel bag.  When I just take handguns I put the case in my suitcase, and the ammunition is in the suitcase as well.

It is really easy!  Just be open and honest - I tell the clerks at check in that I have firearms as I unlock and open the case, I go through the showing they are unloaded, and I do what they ask.  When you go from the check in to TSA make sure they escort you!  The biggest issue I had was one time they just sent me over.  The TSA agents were ready to explode ... They did explode!  However, it was the check in guy that dang near got hauled off.

Enjoy the trip!

[twyacht]

Michael Bane is probably the uber "Go To Guy" on flying with a firearm.....

Some good some bad,...but try to avoid NYC.....

[MikeBjerum]

Dakotaranger,

I usually fly out of Minneapolis, and the check in folks turn pasty white when I start the gun thing.  Once in a while I fly out of Sioux Falls, and out there they turn pasty white if you don't check a gun in your luggage.  I thought they were going to ask the guy behind me if he was sure he didn't have a gun he needed to check.

[Sponsor]

[garand4life]

OK thanks. My big questions at this point would be:
Can I use one hard case to keep the rifle and 2 handguns in with their magazines (empty obviously)? For the ammo, any particular way  anybody would suggest packing it? In a small lockable container in the suitcase?

[Dakotaranger]

Dakotaranger,

I usually fly out of Minneapolis, and the check in folks turn pasty white when I start the gun thing.  Once in a while I fly out of Sioux Falls, and out there they turn pasty white if you don't check a gun in your luggage.  I thought they were going to ask the guy behind me if he was sure he didn't have a gun he needed to check.

When I flew out of Bismarck I just told the ticket agent I had a sidearm.  He didn' even care if he checked it.  Missula convinced me that the TSA could be replaced by any mall ninja and we would be safer.

[twyacht]

What gets a pass in one airport, may call the dogs on you in another.....Cover your bases,...

[garand4life]

Just a note... I'm flying out of Pittsburgh to Dallas to Roswell NM... Can anybody recommend a reasonable price hard case and lock/locks that would be big enough for a collapsed AR15 (Ruger SR556c) and 2 handguns with 40 rounds of ammo? TSA and AA said the ammo can be in the rifle case as long as it's in a cardboard/plastic/metal container made for ammo.

[Dakotaranger]

Just a note... I'm flying out of Pittsburgh to Dallas to Roswell NM... Can anybody recommend a reasonable price hard case and lock/locks that would be big enough for a collapsed AR15 (Ruger SR556c) and 2 handguns with 40 rounds of ammo? TSA and AA said the ammo can be in the rifle case as long as it's in a cardboard/plastic/metal container made for ammo.

I've got a Plano for about $80