New Carry

[dredge999]

Had my CHL since earlier this year and carry every day when I am in Dallas.

I have been up in Iowa working remote since April and didn't have the case necessary to check my handgun on the way down.
Took me all of 1 day to end up at Cheaper than Dirt retail store and pick up a M&P 9c. Like the feel of the handgun and I picked up a Galco IWB.
It has a thumb safety so I feel a lot more comfortable carrying with one in the chamber than I did with the 23 (I know, I am paranoid).

I usually use a Comp-Tac Minotaur Spartan and the Galco definitely feels less comfortable. I suppose I will end up with another Minotaur for this new handgun in addition to the one I use with the Glock 23.

Anyone have recommendations on 9mm carry ammo? I picked up a Pelican 1200 case and tsa approved locks (both with the TSA key and without in case they want the one with the key).
Hopefully things will go smoothly as I check the handgun this afternoon on the way back to Iowa. Wish me luck :)

Rick

P.S. - yes I know to unload the magazines prior to travel.

[SQLGeek]

You should have a NON-TSA lock on the case itself and the key/combination should stay with you. Have a safe trip!

[dredge999]

That's the plan, the little black locks are combo only - no TSA key.

If they get weird about that I will pull out the lime green ones.

Thanks.

Rick

[maverick2076]

For carry ammo, I like 124gr Speer Gold Dots.

[NEB]

If you could find a way to secure the magazines within the case, you would not have to unload the them. Edit: TSA regs are a bit vague stating only that ammunition has to be packaged in a case designed for small amounts of ammunition. I consider a magazine to be a case designed to store small amounts of ammo .

I traveled via Southwest over the weekend with my XDs in a Pelican case (looks just like yours). It's one of those cases that have the pinch/pluck foam insert that you can make custom cutouts. I was able to fit a 20 round box of .45 Hornady Critical Defense, two loaded mags, and the pistol each into their own little compartments within the case. Thus I didn't have to unload the mags as they were securely packaged as per the airline's policy. Not that it mattered because the neither of the SWA attendants at Lubbock or Dallas/Love Field wanted to look within the case to verify content or that the pistol was unloaded. SWA's regs say, "Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition)." Either way, the I left room in the ammo box within the case for the 10 rounds in case they insisted the magazines be emptied.

No trouble going to Dallas or returning.

--NEB

[glbedd53]

I guess we're both paranoid.

[Superman]

You should have a NON-TSA lock on the case itself and the key/combination should stay with you. Have a safe trip!

I'm traveling soon too and was looking into these TSA locks. What's wrong with them? Why would I not want to use them? I may need to reassess what lock I'm going to use...it's going to be my first trip taking my carry gun along so I want it to go as smooth as possible

Thanks!

[dredge999]

You should have a NON-TSA lock on the case itself and the key/combination should stay with you. Have a safe trip!

I'm traveling soon too and was looking into these TSA locks. What's wrong with them? Why would I not want to use them? I may need to reassess what lock I'm going to use...it's going to be my first trip taking my carry gun along so I want it to go as smooth as possible

Thanks!

I am on the plane. The TSA rep said that i SHOULD have used the TSA locks.

Go figure.

I told her i had those in the case. She laughed.

Rick

[NEB]

The whole reason to declare is so that TSA knows that there is a firearm and does not have to access the case. TSA regs say that if there is a case that alarms and is NOT marked with a declaration card, they will cut the locks to gain access. SWA's page, which is based on TSA information, states that only the OWNER should have keys to the locks. I take that to mean non-TSA locks. Why do I want some TSA creep to have access to my firearm? I used two masterlock shackles to lock it up, and I didn't have any trouble. The suitcase containing the hard case had a TSA lock on it so that they could check the declarations form if necessary.

Part of the problem is that there are so many TSA employees and airline employees that do not know what the proper procedure is. Lots of misinformation gets out there.

--nathan

[SQLGeek]

From the TSA:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1188.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Specifically: "The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared."

As NEB said, the idea is that beyond the screening, even TSA personnel should not be able to access the firearm.

[dredge999]

I completely agree that the rules are confusing especially when I was told to take my case, unlocked down to the TSA room by the airline rep. The TSA rep said why is this unlocked?

Then, out of the blue she stated that if I had the TSA locks on the case they would never have to cut my locks off to look inside if it set off the alarm when she swabbed the outside.

What was really strange was that when I looked in the case the slide wasn't locked back like it was when I showed the airline rep. I would really be surprised if it bumped around enough to release forward as this is an almost new M&P9c and the release is REALLY hard to move.

When I arrived, the case came out on the conveyor. That irritated me as the rep at the destination airport stated that someone would hand carry it out and shout for me by name. Nice to know that just anyone could pick up my case and make off with my firearm if I weren't Johnny on the spot.

Rick

[NEB]

If I'm flying, I make sure to lock up the pistol case in my checked luggage (TSA lock on the luggage, MY locks on the gun case) rather than send it through by itself.

[dredge999]

If I'm flying, I make sure to lock up the pistol case in my checked luggage (TSA lock on the luggage, MY locks on the gun case) rather than send it through by itself.

Next time I fly with my handgun I will do this. However, I picked up the handgun in Texas after I already had a full carry-on bag so I had to check it by itself.

I thought of this too when I was at the airport and realized that I should have just grabbed a bigger bag and checked it with the gun case inside.

Rick

[NEB]

I hear you. Luckily I was able to plan it out in advance, but I've had plenty of times that I wouldn't have been able to fit a case in my checked bags. One great thing about SW is that the first two checked bags fly free. So, if I didn't have room in the suitcase, I could always buy a cheapo duffle bag and use that.