Tuffpak review

[Mekaniks]

I got a new Tuffpak 1050 with TSA lock system for Christmas and had the chance to take it on its maiden voyage last weekend. With all of the discussions regarding gun cases here on AH I thought I would add my two cents and give a short review.

I took my new Tuffpak from Anchorage to Kodiak and back for a weekend duck hunt. I also had a meeting on Friday so I also had to take "meeting clothes" and documents, as well as my gun and hunting gear. Anyone that has hunted sea ducks in January knows first hand that it can take LOTS of gear.

I started packing the Tuffpak with my chest waders and boots, then put my shotgun in a soft case, and put the soft case inside the waterproof shell case, and slid it down alongside the waders. Then I packed (or maybe stuffed) my gun cleaning kit, heavy coat, rain jacket, heavy gloves, baklava, hooded sweatshirt and over whites until it was full and the lid just fit on. I locked it up with a key style master lock. Everything else I packed into my regular suit case. When I got to the airport the Tuffpak weighed in at 48lbs and my regular suit case was 41lbs with all my other stuff, including shotgun shells. If I had taken a regular "traditional" style guncase I would have ended up with with 3 prices of luggage instead of two just to stay under the 50lb maximum or would have left some gear home.
When I checked in at the airport in Anchorage I made sure to declare the Tuffpak had a firearm. But when I was checking in at the counter in Kodiak on the way home, I walked up to the counter and didn't say anything until the lady started to take it away and was surprised when I told her it was a firearm. She said she thought it was golf clubs and didn't think to ask about a firearm declaration.

So anyway, I am sold on Tuffpak. Everything that was packed in it came through perfect. I am not sure why I didn't buy one along time ago.
The only negative (if you can call it that) is the shipping label custom nameplate that goes on the side of the case. The plate has two sticky strips that attach it to the case. When the case came out in Anchorage the plate was loose and looks like it could easily get knocked off. So I am going to remove it and put it on with some epoxy or something to ensure that it won't come off. Other than that, I can only say good things so far!!

 

[Royal27]

Totally agree with your review.

I got the padlock version when I got mine. I didn't want to fool with a key I could lose. If I had it all to do over again though I would do the key. It just seems more secure.

 

[Pheroze]

I really wish we could get these in Canada. Our low dollar now makes it difficult to buy cross boarder.

 

[CAustin]

Thanks for sharing Mekaniks ! How much does that 1050 run and where did you get it?

 

[Custom]

I have used a Pelican on both of my African safaris, but I can see the benefits of the Tuffpak. Couple of questions, though. One thing I really like about the Pelican is the cut to fit layer of foam sandwiched between the other two. I really feel like my rifles are protected extremely well. Do you feel the Tuffpak provides the same level of protection using the soft cases surrounded by clothes, foam, or whatever? What brands of soft cases do you guys use? I use Boyt quilted cases for toting my rifles inside a vehicle, etc., but I suspect they may be too heavy for this purpose.

 

[Mekaniks]

Thanks for sharing Mekaniks ! How much does that 1050 run and where did you get it?

I think they are 395.00 and ordered it straight from Nalpak. Wanted to order from Amazon Prime for free shipping but they were out of stock.

 

[Mekaniks]

I have used a Pelican on both of my African safaris, but I can see the benefits of the Tuffpak. Couple of questions, though. One thing I really like about the Pelican is the cut to fit layer of foam sandwiched between the other two. I really feel like my rifles are protected extremely well. Do you feel the Tuffpak provides the same level of protection using the soft cases surrounded by clothes, foam, or whatever? What brands of soft cases do you guys use? I use Boyt quilted cases for toting my rifles inside a vehicle, etc., but I suspect they may be too heavy for this purpose.

My shot gun case is a basic Browning padded soft case, and I put that in a Kolpin floater. And my Rifle case is a Cabela's padded floater. I think the key is to just make sure that there is enough stuff packed around them so they can't bang around. I don't have the Tuff Sack, which is the zip up bag that fits inside, but I think that would also make packing the case easier. All that said, I stood on the side of the case and could not crush (or dent) it. I am 6'2" 275lbs. I don't think I could do that with a flat style guncase without being worried about damage to the guns. So unless the baggage handlers run over the Tuffpak with a truck, I am confidant that my guns will be ok.

 

[Hank2211]

I really wish we could get these in Canada. Our low dollar now makes it difficult to buy cross boarder.

Agree completely. I bought one a few years ago, and prefer it over my Pelican cases, but they are expensive, and shipping to Canada is prohibitive. I bought it in the US and carried it home as luggage.

With the US dollar where it is now, I'm afraid the value proposition just isn't there.

 

[tarbe]

I think the key is to just make sure that there is enough stuff packed around them so they can't bang around.

Exactly. You want that sucker stuffed full so nothing moves. Just make sure (when going to RSA for instance) that you can still unzip the case and slide the rifle out, for serial number verification.

You don't want to have to pull everything out to get at the rifle.

 

[Custom]

Thanks, guys. that's helpful.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Guys, here's an alternative to consider. BTW, there's another recent discussion thread asking about SKB cases.

Similar to the Tuffpak, the SKB golf case @ $158 on Amazon is an attractive alternative. I like how the SKB opens compared to the Tuffpak where you loasd from the end. I have a golf club case and used it for 3 rifles in softcases, plus clothes. You could probably fit 4 rifles, but you'd be over the 50 lb limit. The one I have is older and pre-TSA locks. I also have a 2 gun rifle case and a bow case. Been very happy with all three.
SKB website: http://www.skbcases.com/sports/

 

[sandman0921]

I've used one for 5 years now, and will never go back to the traditional wheeled gun cases.

As others have alluded to, they are tough as nails. Mine has been banged up, and scratched by the luggage handlers, but is still going strong. I have never had an issue with the firearms getting banged up, or worse, broken. I use a basic Kolpin padded gun case to store the rifle(s) in. I did purchase the Tuff sack, and it is nice because it allows you to keep smaller items from falling down under the nose of the gun case, and thus preventing the firearm/case from going all the way down. Also it keeps it a more manageable "package" to slide down into the opening of the case, as well as pull out if the TSA guys need to see it. As another poster stated, you simply need to pad up around the case with other items such as clothing, jackets, boots, extra duffle bags, etc., to keep the firearms case from moving around too much inside the container.

I originally ordered mine with the TSA lock, but after reading the interpretation of the rules by someone smarter than me, I decided to put a regular brass Master Lock on the case instead so that I had the only key at all times. I simply, don't leave the check-in desk until I've gotten the thumbs-up from the TSA guys. I've only had one time where a junior TSA guy tried to argue that it wasn't an approved case. I asked him to explain to me why, and how it was different than the traditional Pelican-style cases. He finally had to admit that there wasn't any difference, but said others might not see it that way. About that time, the supervising TSA person came up, and said it was perfectly fine. He had seen them before, and actually liked them because they were less obvious than the traditional cases. Which brings me to my next point....

The real advantage I see is that it looks like a hard sided golf bag, or camera equipment case. I can't tell you how many times I've had other passengers standing at the baggage carousel ask me where I'm going to be playing golf at on my trip. Usually I just smile and say I'm not sure, and that I'm leaving that to my friends to decide. A little white lie, but all in all better that no one knows what I've got inside. I really see that being important when you can't get to the baggage claim right away, and the case is sitting on the carousel.

I also have 2 sizes of their hard sided ammo cases for standard and "Rigby" length shells. Each case will fit down in the case with the rifle, up towards the top, and prevents the ammo form moving all around.

All in all, I'm very happy with the case.

 

[ack]

Guys, here's an alternative to consider. BTW, there's another recent discussion thread asking about SKB cases.

Similar to the Tuffpak, the SKB golf case @ $158 on Amazon is an attractive alternative. I like how the SKB opens compared to the Tuffpak where you loasd from the end. I have a golf club case and used it for 3 rifles in softcases, plus clothes. You could probably fit 4 rifles, but you'd be over the 50 lb limit. The one I have is older and pre-TSA locks. I also have a 2 gun rifle case and a bow case. Been very happy with all three.
SKB website: http://www.skbcases.com/sports/
This is what I have used for 5 Alaska trips and 2 Namibian hunts ...Can't beat it and I paid $98 back in 1997.
View attachment 54141 View attachment 54142 View attachment 54143

 

[Pheroze]

I ended up buying one and taking it to Africa. Afterwards I read @rookhawk concern and have looked into buying some closed cell foam for my tuffpak. I am thinking of glueing a piece to the bottom and perhaps at other points in the case as a belt & suspenders kinda thing. I had no complaints with my trip to Africa but why not make a good thing better?