Flying with Ammo

Derek8404

Derek8404

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Headed out on a trip next weekend and I will be flying with a couple guns, suppressors and my ammo. No big deal, I’ve flown plenty of times with a gun, although it’s always just been a single pistol for carry wherever I was going.

So I know and have read the rules on transport, my stuff will be in a large pelican case. The only question I have is, has anyone used Gcode bang boxes to store their ammo in? Seems like I should be GTG, but you never know what kind of clown shoe TSA agent you’re gonna get

Regs on ammo:
Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline

These are what bang boxes are in case anyone doesn’t know what I’m talking about:

www.tacticalholsters.com

Bang Box

Check out the deal on Bang Box at Edge Works
www.tacticalholsters.com www.tacticalholsters.com
 
That might be on the sketchy side.

The main thing I think they worry about is "loose ammo". I'm guessing that someone might consider that "loose".
 
I've always been successful with ammo contained in factory cartons. Occasionally I can get by with a loaded mag (out of the gun), but have had to empty the mag before. I always ensure that there is an empty factory carton in my luggage just in case I have to empty the mag.
 
How much ammo are you talking? If it were me I'd try to stick to factory ammo boxes or plastic boxes for reloads just so I didn't give them any excuse to frak with me.

I think I remember a weight limit on ammo as well, did you find that in your research?
 
To add on to my previous comment...

The weight limit appears to be carrier specific. Here is AA, as an example.

Screenshot_20220209-164827.png

It would be worth checking with the carrier for this, as well as any other rules that go above and beyond those of the TSA.
 
I could see them giving you a hard time for that ammo case. They want each round "secured".
I've flown with ammo a number of times. Always in plastic boxes or the factory box. I've never mentioned anything about ammo, just went through the standard firearms declaration process. No issues.
 
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Frank C Lyons said:
How much ammo are you talking? If it were me I'd try to stick to factory ammo boxes or plastic boxes for reloads just so I didn't give them any excuse to frak with me.

I think I remember a weight limit on ammo as well, did you find that in your research?
Click to expand...
I’m bringing at least 300 rounds, and unfortunately it’s 7.62x39 so I always just dump the rounds in a can and toss the factory packaging soon as I get it.
 
nettereo16 said:
I could see them giving you a hard time for that ammo case. They want each round "secured".
I've flown with ammo a number of times. Always in plastic boxes or the factory box. I've never mentioned anything about ammo, just went through the standard firearms declaration process. No issues.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess we’ll find out. I’m thinking I’m just gonna open the case (if asked) and not say anything about what’s in the 2 boxes inside the case.
 
Frank C Lyons said:
To add on to my previous comment...

The weight limit appears to be carrier specific. Here is AA, as an example.

View attachment 435942

It would be worth checking with the carrier for this, as well as any other rules that go above and beyond those of the TSA.
Click to expand...
I’ve seen the carriers regs before, but unless I’m missing something here, I don’t put any stock in whatever they say. Once the case is through and past “security” the carrier isn’t going to know if I have 11lbs of ammo, or 11lbs of crystal meth. It’s the total weight of the bag/case their concerned with, not what’s in it.
 
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vp9c said:
That might be on the sketchy side.

The main thing I think they worry about is "loose ammo". I'm guessing that someone might consider that "loose".
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know it’s gonna be up to the TSA agent’s interpretation so could go either way. IMO the ammo isn’t “loose” it’s in a enclosed box, designed to transport ammo, which is then inside an enclosed rifle case…but not up to me in the long run I suppose.
 
Nylon is a fiber, right?

They're concerned with loose or prone-to-break. I would feel comfy flying with it.
 
Keep in mind that your bag will still go through an x-ray machine; usually on a separate line from the other luggage. Loose ammo in a checked bag may cause your bag to be pulled from the flight.
 
Tim said:
Nylon is a fiber, right?

They're concerned with loose or prone-to-break. I would feel comfy flying with it.
Click to expand...
My thoughts too. Think I’m just gonna go for it. Worst case scenario I lose my 300 rounds of 7.62x39 and have to hit up and academy when I land.
 
I have also had to argue with those fedtards
Flying back from Tampa in 2003. I had just under the weight limit of 50BMG ammo with me.
They wanted to argue since their website said “up to 50 cal” that is would have said “up to and including” if 50 was allowed.
I told them they were stupid because “up to” actually means “inclusive of that last thing stated”
Well, how do you know that?” Asked the supervisor.
Because I am an English major; I said.
They let me go
 
Scsmith42 said:
Keep in mind that your bag will still go through an x-ray machine; usually on a separate line from the other luggage. Loose ammo in a checked bag may cause your bag to be pulled from the flight.
Click to expand...

That is a fair point. I would much rather lose the ammo up front that get to my destination and my weapon case not be there……..
 
An option I thought of would be to pack the 7.62x39 rounds in another larger ammo box, something like an empty shotshell box.
Lay the rounds in flat and pack the box tight. Put a layer of tape on the flap.

As ridiculous as that sounds that should be in their policy and would likely avoid any issues if you run into a particularly useless TSA agent.
 
Tim said:
I was in Mesa/Phoenix last week. Y’all need to turn up the heat.
Click to expand...
Not sure the temp out there but here in Yuma we had a “cold front” last week. Highs only in the mid 60s! I got a good laugh seeing people in serious winter jackets and cold gear, although the wind was absolutely brutal.
 
The case in question. Ignore the labels on the boxes, I just don’t have any 7.62 ones.

C4BA7912-9C7E-4BDD-8809-D6E2A67E7657.jpeg
 
Well, after thinking probably too much about it, I decided to load my rounds into some 6.5 Grendel boxes I had and transport that way, and I’m gonna hit hp academy when I land and buy a bunch more. I would have hated to have got there and they pulled my bag at x-ray for “loose” rounds.

Check in went pretty well, with the exception of some pissy TSA chick. Traveling with the guns worked out in my favor since I had to go to a separate check in area and there were at least 200 people in line at the main check in.

After I declared with the check in lady, she had me open my case so she could look at it I guess…..you should have seen the faces of the people behind me in line when they saw what was inside. Then she took me over to TSA inspection area and the chick told me I could just unlock my locks and be on my way… I said “absolutely not, I’m going to watch you and make sure you lock this back up.” Then she got pissy with me for taking the locks physically off the case as I unlocked them. After they took it I stool with the ticket counter lady and had a conversation with her (loud enough for the TSA clowns to hear) about how retarded it is to swap the inside of my case for GSR…….
 
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