Combo.
Real world application story:
Took the family out to WA state several years ago. I use my truck lock box as my checked gun box. Packed it all nice and neat, even wove the steel cable through the suitcase frame (so you’d have to steal the whole suitcase to get it). Closed it all up the night before like a good boy who wanted to stay right on schedule. Got everyone to the airport early early AM (like 5am) only to find an absolutely circus mess of people. Apparently the Boy Scouts had an international meeting in VA and CLT was the main airport for them all. I’m talking security line out the front door. Panic mode is already setting in for making our 7am flight.
I get to the counter to check our bags and my gun—and ohhhhh S. I picture exactly where the key to my box is: sitting on my dresser with my truck key attached because I looked right at it and thought “won’t need that for a week so I’ll leave it right here.”
This is where the palpitations began. If you’ve ever flown with a checked gun you’ve probably encountered the “open it and let me see if” check. I was about to be screwed as there was no way in hell I’d make it home and back in time for the flight. Thankfully the chaos of the crowds made the bag check lady not ask and simply handed me the orange card to slip into the bag with the lock box.
Cleared that obstacle.
Now fast forward to landing in SEA, I needed to get the gun out of the box to, you know, carry. So we hit the first Lowes store we see to get a pry bar. Then the fun began of prying the damn thing open in the back of the rented mini van in the parking lot.
Luckily there was a sporting goods store across the street which had combo versions of the same metal box. I went over and bought it and all was right in the world once again.
So, kids. Combos all the way.
Example specimen:
https://a.co/d/iGn3IKL