Airline flightcase for two rifles - help

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zambezi

zambezi

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Advice please: I need a rifle flight case whose internal dimensions are approx 120cm by 38cm. I have seen a lot of contenders online, but all seem to have some negative reviews. So SD user experience would be valued.

The front runner is currently a Panzer Sabre 58. But there is little change from £300 which seems a lot to tie up in something I will use occasionally. Anyone want to sell their case? Part ex a new pair of ViperFlex quad sticks?
 
zambezi said:
Advice please: I need a rifle flight case whose internal dimensions are approx 120cm by 38cm. I have seen a lot of contenders online, but all seem to have some negative reviews. So SD user experience would be valued.

The front runner is currently a Panzer Sabre 58. But there is little change from £300 which seems a lot to tie up in something I will use occasionally. Anyone want to sell their case? Part ex a new pair of ViperFlex quad sticks?
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Circa £300.00 is about right for a high quality case.

Be carefull, the sizes you quote are "external", and a better option would be the Peli Storm 3300 https://peliproducts.co.uk/cases/storm/im3300-storm-case.html
 
Lateral said:
I hate using the Storm 3220 unless I have to. It's like a tank !
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And my ankles can attest to that! :(

Thank god for breakdown rifles. I can easily get two in the Storm 3100, + an extra barrel, and sticks, if required :D
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Amateur. If you can’t fit them into a Storm iM2720 you’re not trying. ;)
 
iM3300 arrived today. It will accommodate the two intended rifles plus mods, bolts and slings perfectly. Solid build. Great choice.

If I had one niggle it would be the ease with which the lid clasps can be opened [press button operation, no key]. Final security is delivered by the fitment of 4 padlocks, granted. However, pretty much any padlock shackle size does allow a few millimeters of lid to base separation if clasps are released, so a dishonest baggage handler could create a letterbox sized slot to peer into the case or attempt to hook bits out. [Nightmare scenario: wire coathanger raced up and down the Swaro's body/lens]

To further dissuade ne'er-do-wells , I am planning to drill 2mm holes in the fastening latches and their adjacent shroud to accept the addition of security tags. Easily broken, but a visual deterrent and a matter of record that entry had been attempted should an otherwise inexplicable damage to contents claim need to follow any airline trip:

iM3300_security_tag.webp
 
Get these folks to build you a custom flight case, this particular one is a great case for a single shotgun or takedown type rifle and it will fit 30 inch shotgun barrels no problem if you just want something off the shelf but good quality. You can loop a security tag through each of the butterflies plus it has loops for padlocks as well and you couldn't buy the bits and make it yourself for this money:

Pick Pluck Puzzle Foam Flightcase Twin Long | Swanflight
 
zambezi said:
If I had one niggle it would be the ease with which the lid clasps can be opened [press button operation, no key]. Final security is delivered by the fitment of 4 padlocks, granted. However, pretty much any padlock shackle size does allow a few millimeters of lid to base separation if clasps are released, so a dishonest baggage handler could create a letterbox sized slot to peer into the case or attempt to hook bits out. [Nightmare scenario: wire coathanger raced up and down the Swaro's body/lens.
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Don’t overthink it. Although there will be exceptions, firearms are generally dealt with as secure cargo and will be signed for at each and every movement point after they leave your possession. Use a couple of 4 digit TSA combination locks (EBay for a few quid) and, if you feel the need your security seals through the other available holes after clearing departure to airside security and you’ll be good to go. Returning from Portugal the problem is trying the remove the police security stickers that they liberally apply to the case to prevent tampering- that’s some sh*t adhesive to try and get off afterwards!
 
Orion said:
...firearms are generally dealt with as secure cargo and will be signed for at each and every movement point after they leave your possession...
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My next destination will involve OT airport in SA. On a recent trip involving that airport, my friend's companion had his case damaged by attempted access. In January of this year, my 30.06 arrived unattended in the baggage hall of ELS after my internal flight from CPT. I walked out of ELS without a single security check.

So my concerns regarding security are experience-based and SA-specific. I am sure that your statement holds good for Europe.
 
I use standard padlocks on mine, and they just fit. The lid barely opens a few mm at the front, and you can't see past the inner lip.

Sadly, no number of locks, or seals will prevent someone walking off with the case, if it's left in a public area, and whilst a broken seal may tell you the case has been tampered with, or it just got caught on something, it's a little too late.
 
We use tamper seals in work. Fancy stickers that show a door has been tampered with. If they’re any use drop me a PM and I’ll send you some, cheers
 
I use 2 combination padlocks on my Pelicase and have in the past also used plastic ties through the 2 spare locking holes. I carry a cheap little multi tool in my checked in luggage outer pocket to cut off the plastic ties.
 
Mr B said:
We use tamper seals in work. Fancy stickers that show a door has been tampered with. If they’re any use drop me a PM and I’ll send you some, cheers
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Thanks for kind offer Mr B. A bit of lateral thinking and I believe I now have the simplest and most elegant solution: I have slipped a stainless nut onto each of the four padlock shackles and this effectively takes up the slack such that the lid cannot open even if the fitted case clasps are released:

nut.webp
 
zambezi said:
Thanks for kind offer Mr B. A bit of lateral thinking and I believe I now have the simplest and most elegant solution: I have slipped a stainless nut onto each of the four padlock shackles and this effectively takes up the slack such that the lid cannot open even if the fitted case clasps are released:

View attachment 102449
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Hmmm, I think there may be a flaw in your plan :suss:................................. unless, you use two nuts ?
 
Lateral said:
Hmmm, I think there may be a flaw in your plan :suss:................................. unless, you use two nuts ?
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There's always one! Good point, but it takes some brutality to thread the padlock's top radius of the shackle around the tight fitting eyes through which they pass . Not impossible though...and I have more nuts...
 
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