Combo Locks for airline travel with rifle?.....

So next month I'm going to Canada for a moose hunt and I need to get locks for my rifle case, question is.....

Are combination locks ok?.... I have been told you have to lock all the available locking holes on the case with lock that only you have the keys to (no TSA locks)

I hate carrying extra keys around and I'd like to use brass combo locks like these https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-175D-...mbination+locks

Anyone had any issues with this?

There are conflicting instructions. TSA says to use locks only you can open - whether combo or keyed. Some airlines say to use TSA locks. Go figure. I had TSA locks (combo) so that's what I used. I had no issues.

I had the TSA locks where you could tell if TSA had opened them. They had not. I think you will be fine either way with any type locks - key or combo/TSA or non TSA. Hopefully your airline's rules will say the same thing as TSA (United did - Air Canada said use TSA. I figured Air Canada would be more likely to give me trouble than the TSA because that's their reputation.)

Have a good hunt!

That may get cut. They typically like the TSA approved combo locks. Just google them.

Thanks for the advice guys now here's another issue to clarify - I have read that "every lock hole must be locked"; have any of you guys had issues with this?

My case has 4 lock holes so do I need 4 locks or will 2 do?

I used 4 just to avoid any issues.

US Customs has a new (to me, anyway) process when you come back where you don't have to retrieve your luggage (rifle, bags, etc.) and bring it through customs anymore upon re-entry. They have a photo of your luggage on a screen as you come through customs. This is a real convenience.

Still have to retrieve bags and check them through going in.

Of course, none of that is an issue if you don't have connecting flights in Canada.

Thanks Nogalus.....

We fly from DFW to St. Paul Minnesota and then to Winnipeg; One of my hunting buddies is up there now fishing and he drove up there and is leaving his truck with all our non firearm hunting gear inside and stored in the outfitters barn. We fly up with rifles and street clothes and when the hunt is over we're driving his truck back.

I know I have to get some kind of registration/customs form and fill it out.... can you confirm what that exact form is and or provide a link?

Required form is the Canadian Rifle Permit form. You fill it out, have it ready, pay $25 fee and it serves as your rifle permit in Canada for 60 days. Keep the permit on your person while hunting at all times.

It can be printed off Canadian Custom's website. Don't sign it until you are in the presence of the customs officer issuing the permit.

Recommended form is Form 4457 from US Customs. You fill it out, take it to a US Customs office, officer checks rifle serial #, stamps it, and it is proof of ownership/that you brought the rifle into the country and didn't buy/get it there. It is good for life. You can also put optics, etc. (anything with a serial #) on this form.

You can get by without it, but it avoids many hassles coming back. If you don't have/get this form, use your Canadian rifle permit as proof you own the rifle/brought it into the country. This usually works fine too.

I'm out of town or I would post photos of each. I'm not good with links. Should be easy enough to locate though.

If you're concerned about TSA cutting your locks, toss a spare set inside your case for them to be able to relock. Obviously, if the locks are keyed, keep a copy of the keys on your person.

When I went to Alberta last year, I just used four locks with a key. I bought matching sets. I kept one key on my person and one in my backpack. When leaving the US, I had to go through a manual TSA inspection where I retained control of the key. Once landing in Alberta, I went through another inspection. Word of caution: do NOT store ammo in the same case as your firearm. Put them in a lockable container in a different bag. I made this mistake and other than a couple of wasted hours, the Canadian's cut me a break and turned me loose. The intent of this requirement is that someone would have to steal your rifle case and the bag holding the ammo (at least that is what I was lectured about).

You should have a great time up north.

Can not imagine it to be a problem. Took my shotgun to Michigan for a pheasant hunt and used the locks built into the case. They will check the weapon and put a tag inside before they load it.