PHOTOS: FRIEDRICH SEILTGEN

By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright © 2023

I met up with Rocky Scofield, founder of TravelArmorCase ®, to check out his line of TSA-compliant firearms transport cases.

Rocky told me that as a hunter, gun enthusiast, and someone who believes we are blessed by our 2nd Amendment rights:

“I travel with firearms almost everywhere I go.   I have traveled with many cases and find they are usually too big, bulky, and heavy or too cheap and flimsy.  While most cases are adequate for transporting or storing firearms, it is a little different situation when it comes to commercial air travel.”

I had a TSA Agent confiscate my wife’s pistol when he could barely pry apart the gun case by a fraction.  We had to have a friend retrieve the pistol from the TSA. 

While most other cases are made with the lock holes in the rims, allowing the latches to be unsnapped while locked, we incorporate the locking mechanism with the latches to prevent this kind of tampering.

Over three years, we have developed a design that simplifies traveling with pistols, ammunition, knives, valuables, and other personal items. The memory foam used in these cases was specially designed for TravelArmorCase ® to hold valuables securely in place. No more egg crate foam, and no more plucking or carving out foam to fit one specific item.

When traveling commercially, firearms cannot be placed inside carry-on luggage. All firearms, knives, ammunition, etc., must be placed in checked baggage, and as we know, our luggage has size and weight limitations. While ammunition, knives, etc., don’t have to be inside locked cases for domestic travel, you never know what to expect from TSA agents.

I have tried to take the guesswork out of traveling with ammunition, knives, and other items by placing them inside the locked Accessory/Mag Case.

Currently, 3 cases are being offered:

The Accessory/Mag Case for magazines, knives, ammunition, and subcompact pistols. MSRP $49.95.

The Compact/Single Case will handle all compact and most mid-size pistols. MSRP $59.95.

The Double Case will handle two full-size pistols. Also, note that the Single and Double Cases will accommodate most red dot sights. MSRP $69.95

Combination Carabiner. MSRP $6.79.

12 Inch Combination Cable Lock. $8.25.

20 Inch Combination Cable Lock. $8.99.

THE CASES

TravelArmorCase ® is made from injection-molded Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).  ABS has high tensile strength and is very resistant to physical impacts and chemical corrosion, which allows the finished plastic to withstand heavy use and adverse environmental conditions.  The smooth, gloss surface finish makes it ideal for placing inside luggage, making it virtually snag-free.

Eco-friendly plastic options don’t stop there. ABS plastic is a recycled plastic compound that is itself entirely recyclable. ABS is also widely considered more durable, longer lasting, and easier to recycle plastic than PVC. ABS has a tensile strength of about 5500 psi, while polypropylene has a tensile strength of about 4000 psi. In addition to being impact-resistant, they are also water-resistant.

 THE FOAM

The foam inside the cases has been specially designed for the TravelArmorCase ®. It is a viscoelastic foam (memory foam) that will deform to the exact shape of whatever is placed inside the case and immediately return to its original shape when objects are removed. Over an extended period, with heavy use, the recovery time of the foam will increase.

Memory foam consists mainly of polyurethane and additional chemicals, increasing viscosity and density. It is often called “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam or low-resilience polyurethane foam (LRPu). The foam bubbles or ‘cells’ are open, creating a matrix through which air can move. The foam shields items placed inside cases by distributing the weight, isolating, and absorbing vibration or shock that may impact your valuables throughout travel.

THE VERDICT

Travel Armor Cases are American-made and designed to be the smallest and lightest weight case on the market, giving you an option instead of bulkier Pelican-style cases. While they meet all TSA travel criteria, they’re also great for your boat, car, or home.

Go to www.travelarmorcase.com and check them out.

That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. 

His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, Off Grid, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.  

Contact him at [email protected]