Discreet rifle transport

[Donkey Basher]

Collected a rifle from Bonhams some years back & took it on the tube & then rail home inside a wheeled Pelican 1750 case. Would I do the same now? - possibly not, acceptance of risk (in various forms) has changed over the years. Forty odd years ago I took a shotgun in a slip on the bus to college so I could drop it into the gunsmith on the way to have a firing pin replaced.

 

[Andyquadra]

It sounds weird to carry a rifle on a bus but you are allowed to transport a firearm and it's not specified how beyond securely and out of sight. So I guess it's fine

I'd double check with the mode of transport, back when I was using a bus to get to school (not that long ago, honest guv) you weren't allowed to take guns on.

 

[Mungo]

Cervus Dignitas

Now there is a good name for a contractor!

 

[Pine Marten]

I just have unbranded guncases, sometimes with irrelevant stickers on them. I wear normal clothes, stay at the end of carriages, no-one cares in the Big City. People who don't expect to see rifle cases don't see them. But also on the rare occasions I take the train to go shooting now i take a broken down shotgun or drilling in a rucksack so it's completely inconspicuous.

 

[Pine Marten]

I'd double check with the mode of transport, back when I was using a bus to get to school (not that long ago, honest guv) you weren't allowed to take guns on.

Depends on the conditions of carriage for different transport companies. It's not a legal problem, it's a T&Cs matter.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I recall wheeling 2 Peli rifle cases past the gates to Buckingham Palace and through Green Park. Neither the armed Duty Officers or those heading to their Downing Street shift handover raised an eyebrow.

 K

 

[EMcC]

I used to use a short Peli, 1700 I think, and got a company called Bags & Covers direct to make a blue canvas case for the Peli.
On a two occasions I was asked what instrument I play so they had no idea it was a rifle.

 

[Leec6.5]

If you drive a van, put a gun cabinet in the back!

Travelled all over Europe before Brexit just like that keep going box bolted in the back and where you go

 

[zambezi]

provided your not dressed in cammo or obvious shooting togs

^^^^^
THIS

 

[3595wilk]

It sounds weird to carry a rifle on a bus but you are allowed to transport a firearm and it's not specified how beyond securely and out of sight. So I guess it's fine

But I park on the street so would prefer not to walk in and out with a slip even if I'm using my car

Depends on conditions of carriage of the bus operator. To be totally bulletproof () its probably worth checking with the particular provider.

While it may be legal - down to the individual company to decide on their conditions of carriage.

 

[Jason The Turner]

I used to belong to a rifle club in central London years ago and one of the members used to bring his rifle in every week on public transport. He used to wrap clothing/linen around the barrel and the majority of the gun just sat in a backpack on his back with the covered barrel sticking out the top. I think he only ever was asked once what it was., And he told the inquisitive member of public that it was a guitar he was transporting. Having said that they were different times 30 years ago!

 

[VSS]

I used to belong to a rifle club in central London years ago and one of the members used to bring his rifle in every week on public transport. He used to wrap clothing/linen around the barrel and the majority of the gun just sat in a backpack on his back with the covered barrel sticking out the top. I think he only ever was asked once what it was., And he told the inquisitive member of public that it was a guitar he was transporting. Having said that they were different times 30 years ago!

I used to take my air rifle to and from holidays like that when I was in my early teens.
Travelling from north-east Essex to north Wales, via London, by coach.

 

[opticron1]

Problems like this (for the OP) would be the one reason to go out and treat yourself to something like a Merkel Helix - easy to take down and carry discretely .......OK a "little" expensive, but far easier than trying to carry a Cello case!

 

[tozzybum]

Get a fishing rod bag ,no one or guitar case no 1 will bat an eyelid .
Talk to Pine Martin on here his stalking uses London transport

 

[Heym SR20]

I have taken a shotgun a few times on a train in days gone by. Simple dismantle and put in the middle of a large duffle bag with all the rest of your kit. Ditto with break action rifles.

With a bolt action rifle, take a wrench or turnscrew, undo the two action screws, remove stock and you now have two pieces that will again fit into a duffle bag. Some rifles will go back with no appreciable loss of zero, others will not. Worth taking a test shot or two.

Indeed there are bags designed to do this eg.

Guardian Heritage Large Shotgun Travel Bag - The Hunting Edge Country Sports

Guardian Heritage Large Shotgun Travel Bag. This is a classic canvas & leather product that combines a heavy weight laminated fabric with carefull

www.thehuntingedge.co.uk

These days I would suggest putting a key component eg the bolt, forend or trigger group in a seperate bag - eg your small day pack / lap top bag, and put a cable lock / padlock through the action.

The law requires you to take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorised possession and use.

 

[doric_prince]

Depends on the conditions of carriage for different transport companies. It's not a legal problem, it's a T&Cs matter.

Not permitted on Scot rail under t & c- but if hidden who’s to know (it’s not illegal just a civil matter between you and the operator).

 

[Pine Marten]

Not permitted on Scot rail under t & c- but if hidden who’s to know (it’s not illegal just a civil matter between you and the operator).

Right but in that case, when they've explicitly stated you're not allowed, then you're not.

 

[Heym SR20]

The one thing I would add is don’t forget to remove any from knife your belt and those bolt holsters on your belt could cause alarm to the uninitiated - why do you have a pistol on you belt??

 

[doric_prince]

Right but in that case, when they've explicitly stated you're not allowed, then you're not.

Indeed. And I agree.

However, by way of another example of t&c; when Tesco tells me I’m not allowed to use a certain que with more than 9 items in my basket and I have 10-….

I don’t really bother with what a company’s telling me what I can do and what I cannot. If they want to stop me fine, we can have a chat about that and I will comply but (within reason) if I break the terms of their conditions they can ask me to leave, and that is as far as they can take it.

 

[doric_prince]

The one thing I would add is don’t forget to remove any from knife your belt and those bolt holsters on your belt could cause alarm to the uninitiated - why do you have a pistol on you belt??

Because I’m going by train to the grand old opre in Glasgow!