I just might do this!

The Arapaho Kid · January 28, 2005, 11:40:42 PM

Sagebrush Burns has invited me to come to Craig, Colorado over Memorial Day Weekend and participate in the annual Northwest Colorado Rangers match. It's a two day event and (I think?) 8 stages per day? This match will be limited to 100 shooters and ya get lunch with your entry fee!

Ok....I'm open for suggestions on how to transport my guns there. I'm flying. I've never transported guns on a plane, so what do I do? I have a hard plastic (or fiberglass?), lockable gun case that'll hold my rifle, scattergun and pistols. My gun leather and Cav Boots will go in my suitcase. I would presume getting to the airport a couple hours before flight time would be good....so the security gorillas can inspect the gun case. I also presume....NO BULLETS!

So...you guys who have flown with your guns.....lemme know how to do this!

Thanks!

Micheal Fortune · January 29, 2005, 03:55:49 AM

Well this is a whole new world in the last couple of years. I would call the airline and get it straight from them. Now the last time I flew and transported guns was in 1989.

They had to be unloaded, locked with a pad lock in hard gun cases and declared. I'm guessing I must of packed the ammo in my luggage as I remember having some but don't remember buying any while I was there.

Not much help but good luck with your shoot, it sounds like a great time.

The Arapaho Kid · January 29, 2005, 10:21:48 AM

Michael: Thank you for this information. I suppose I could also call airport security on this? There might also be a set of gun transport rules on the net? I'll check that out.

Lizzie Marie · January 29, 2005, 10:50:03 AM

Instead of calling the airlines, go to the website of the one you are planning on using and do a search for guns....most have their policy online and then make a copy of it so you can show it to whomever you need to at the airport.....I'm writing this from memory...so whatever my memory is worth

Four-Eyed Buck · January 29, 2005, 11:17:24 AM

AK, As far as ammo goes, you'll have to ground ship that ahead. I'm not sure if it has to go to an FFL or not. Possibly to a gun shop there to be picked up by your friend or you.........Buck

$:-\$

Uncle Eph · January 29, 2005, 12:09:07 PM

Kid, I was just checking Alaska Airlines regs and they will allow you to fly with up to 50 pounds of ammo. I don't know about any other airlines but it can't hurt to check.

The Arapaho Kid · January 29, 2005, 03:23:18 PM

I just got an e-mule from Sagebrush. I can pick up .32-20 rounds in Craig...no problem, so I don't need to fret over packin' ammo on the plane. As for the hardware...I checked that out. My guns have to be in a hard side, lockable rifle case and locked. Breaking them down is optional. They will be inspected before they are loaded on the plane, so a two hour arrival time before my flight is a good idea. That'll give those security gorillas lots of time to show up and do the inspection.

Willie Wheelgun · January 29, 2005, 05:56:45 PM

For all that BS, I would drive there. What, you will rent a car when you get there? A long two day drive. Screw the airlines.
My not so humble opinion.
Willie

The Arapaho Kid · January 30, 2005, 11:22:05 AM

What? Drive from Seattle to Craig, Colorado in a 32 year old VW? I think not! From Seattle to Craig it's 881 miles. In my car....that would be a three day drive. I don't even like making a 3 hour drive down to Oregon! I'll just fly to Grand Junction. Someone from there who is doing the shoot in Craig will pick me up and deliver me back there. Problem solved!

Micheal Fortune · January 30, 2005, 01:41:42 PM

Yea, most of your drive would be through Montana and Wyoming anyway. You probably couldn't stand all that fresh air, no rain and freedom anyway.....

Willie Wheelgun · January 30, 2005, 03:14:42 PM

I had to attend a three day meeting in Charlotte, NC in 2000. I rented a fliver and when the meeting was over, drove to another meeting in Atlanta and two days later drove to Nashville to do The Grand Ole Opry and all the other fun things. I can tell you it was a ton less expensive to drive that rental than to fly to Atlanta and then Nashville, and I got to see some real pretty country.
I drive to Wounded Knee, SD from the Seattle area every year and do it in two days. Craig, Co is no further. Just rent a car with no mileage limit.
If you have to fly, post on SASS and maybe someone that is driving to the shoot will haul your contreband and save you the hastle.

The Arapaho Kid · January 30, 2005, 03:41:22 PM

Quote from: Micheal Fortune on January 30, 2005, 01:41:42 PM
Yea, most of your drive would be through Montana and Wyoming anyway. You probably couldn't stand all that fresh air, no rain and freedom anyway.....

I could handle the fresh air and the no rain. The one "small" problem is (and you have this to look forward to!) is...when you have to go...you have to go NOW! You can't drive on down the road to the next rest stop. You gotta get outa the car and find some bushes to hide in while you are watering them. As I recall...having driven through Montana and north Dakota...there ain't a lot of tall bushes along the road, so you're out there, only knee deep in bushes watering away!

Micheal Fortune · January 30, 2005, 04:50:35 PM

AP, your right about that, the no tall bushes part, and East of the divide there ain't no rest areas, nor gas stations open on the week ends or after 5 pm for that matter, except in the big city's, and they are every 200 to 300 miles apart, just so you can get gas I guess. Plenty of nothing to go around. But the road, and the sky go on forever!

Tensleep · January 30, 2005, 07:03:00 PM

Quote from: The Arapaho Kid on January 30, 2005, 03:41:22 PM
Quote from: Micheal Fortune on January 30, 2005, 01:41:42 PM
Yea, most of your drive would be through Montana and Wyoming anyway. You probably couldn't stand all that fresh air, no rain and freedom anyway.....

I could handle the fresh air and the no rain. The one "small" problem is (and you have this to look forward to!) is...when you have to go...you have to go NOW! You can't drive on down the road to the next rest stop. You gotta get outa the car and find some bushes to hide in while you are watering them. As I recall...having driven through Montana and north Dakota...there ain't a lot of tall bushes along the road, so you're out there, only knee deep in bushes watering away!

Yer tryin' to find problems where thay ain't none AK.
Long ago an' far away while drivin' over the road trucks I learned to spell
p l a s t i c j u g

Relief is just a smile away.

The Arapaho Kid · January 30, 2005, 08:33:43 PM

Sleep: I know the ol' plastic jug trick. Been there....done that! I'm just not all that hot about driving 800+ miles for a shoot. I'm not all that hot about driving 800+ miles for anything! My bug is sound, but 1600+ highway miles at 55 to 60 MPH whould beat it and me to pieces! So I'll be flying to that shoot.