Enter the 5.11 Tactical Hard Case. Taking this case out of the box, it was obvious right away that it is very well-made. It looks great. It has four beefy hinges and four latches. The outside dimensions are approximately 38.5”x 17”x 7″, and it weighs a hair over 17 pounds when empty (this differs slightly from the website specs). The case is injection molded from high strength polypropylene co-polymer resins. It is dust proof, crush proof, and watertight. The lid has foam glued inside. There are two removable foam inserts – one 1.75” thick, and one foam pad 0.5” thick. With inside dimensions of 36.5”x 14.5”, The 5.11 Tactical Hard Case can easily accommodate a 16” AR style rifle with the stock retracted, and its associated goodies.
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The 5.11 Tactical Hard Case has two wheels on one end. I’ve never used a roller bag, but I could get used to this! It’s much easier to roll than carry, especially if you’re walking a long way in an airport. There are 4 metal reinforced padlock holes, and a pressure valve to regulate pressure inside the case. This is for pressure changes due to elevation and temperature fluctuation, to prevent damage to the case. The case surpasses current applicable Military Standards MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-648C.
SKIP AHEAD
Cutting the Foam
Flying with a Firearm
There are a lot of reasons to fly with a firearm. A hunting trip, a training course, so you can carry your CCW at your destination, or just for the hell of it. It still is America, after all (in most places). Because the 5.11 Tactical Hard Case is a lockable rigid case with wheels, it is perfect for transporting via aircraft. Flying with a firearm is still easier than you might think.
Secondly, I would definitely check your airline’s website. They may have specific information on how much ammunition you can bring with you, and where and how to declare your firearm.
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Lastly, you need to check your firearm when you get to the terminal. I strongly dislike checking bags, but in this case, you will have to. This is a pretty easy process. All you must do is declare the case and firearms at the ticket counter. The idea of carrying my firearm into an airport made me pretty uneasy the first time; these days, people lose their minds over gun shaped Pop Tarts (I’m not kidding). Just be sure to keep the firearm locked up. You can call ahead at the airport if you gives you a warm and fuzzy.
As far as ammunition goes, the amount you can fly with varies by airline. 11 pounds seems to be pretty standard. That’s about 350-400 rounds of 5.56 NATO or 9×19, give or take (despite their size differences, the two cartridges are pretty close in weight). The ammunition must be completely enclosed in a box (cardboard, plastic, etc.) or magazine. I take that to mean Magpul P-mags with the dust cover in place are OKAY, but aluminum GI mags that are open at the top are NOT okay. The TSA agent of the day will have the final judgement call on that. The ammunition can be transported in the same case as your firearm, and the firearm must be unloaded (no magazine inserted).
Back To Your Regularly Scheduled 5.11 Tactical Hard Case Review
If you can afford a good rigid case, I highly recommend it! A hard case will make your life easier and will help you exercise your second amendment rights away from home. 5.11 also carries 42” and 50” rigid cases for your longer hunting rifles or shotguns; they even offer handgun and camera sized rigid cases. If you’d like something soft with more storage, 5.11 offers options for you as well. And here’s my favorite detail: they’re made in the USA!
What do you think? Does a hard sided case make your SHTF plan or get daily use? Sound off in the comments below!
References:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
MIL-C-4150J, MILITARY SPECIFICATION: CASES, TRANSIT AND STORAGE, WATERPROOF AND WATER-VAPORPROOF (29 NOV 1989). Scope: This specification establishes the requirements for rigid, reusable, fire retardant, waterproof and water-vapor proof, rectangular cases manufactured from ferrous or non-ferrous metals or non-metallic materials.
MIL-STD-648C, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DESIGN CRITERIA STANDARD: SPECIALIZED SHIPPING CONTAINERS (11 FEB 1999). Scope: This standard establishes general design guidelines and associated tests for specialized shipping containers used by the Department of Defense. Definitive requirements for specific containers will be defined by the individual specification, acquisition, or task order. This standard is intended to be used as the basic reference document in all specifications and standards prescribing performance requirements to be applied to a shipping container.
MIL-STD-810G, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TEST METHOD STANDARD: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS AND LABORATORY TESTS (31 OCT 2008) (24 MB)., Scope: This standard contains material acquisition program planning and engineering direction for considering the influences that environmental stresses have on materiel throughout all phases of its service life.