Stolen or lost rifles in transit?

[JoeSoap]

I was wondering has anyone had their rifle stolen or permanently lost in getting to their Safari? Trying to get a feel for how rare or not this is considering some of these rifles are pretty steep, in which case maybe renting or bringing a less expensive bolt gun which might be decent but perhaps not the favorite…

 

[pilar]

I’m sure it’s very rare, as I traveled for years on the skeet team in college and we never lost anything, but my college roommate went to Tanzania and hunted and on the return flight lost a vintage double rifle and his 1963 .300wm ( first year they were available)
It was a bad trip for him because his wife asked for a divorce on the plane and the loss of his British made double .500N.E , he got paid for the guns eventually after lots of appraisals on the double and Winchester.
He got enough money for the double to buy both himself and his son newer .470 N.E
IMO no loss on the first Wife LOL!

 

[375Fox]

15 safaris to several African countries I’ve had my bags delayed twice. I think you’ll have to search hard to find a first hand story of a rifie getting lost, but delays happen. Qatar is your most reliable airline with a rifle. It will be waiting for you at your final destination if you check it in with them.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Over the years on this forum, the general consensus is if you're worried about losing rifles, rent.

 

[wesheltonj]

I would expect it’s very rare, the pilot has to sign for the gun off and on the plane.

 

[Bearkat]

Remember, the airlines liability is protected by the Montreal Convention. Have the appropriate insurance in place.

 

[dchum]

Take your guns, it’s easy

they put priority on weapons at airports.

 

[Tgood1]

I tote a wonderful but Inexpensive. 375, great gun, easily replaceable if needed, but never a problem with travels in around 10 years, use a quality travel agent and follow guidelines

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I flew United last year and on my return flights, connection in Frankfurt was cancelled. They got me sorted out within a few hours with added stops, but such is life. When I arrived in Chicago and did customs, no bags or rifle. I had an air tag and later when I finally reached Anchorage could see my rifle was in New Jersey. After it didn't move for a few days, and lots of calls without response, was worried it was lost/stolen and I was just seeing the airtag in some bin or trashcan. Rifle finally showed up, new locks without keys, had my Global Re-entry revoked because no 4457 presented with the rifle. My old locks they cut off were just tossed into the case with my Rigby, but end of the day, it all worked out.

Somehow the cut locks didn't even ding my stock, I was able to grind off the new locks they installed, CBP when I stopped to get a 4457 for another rifle checked into the Global Reentry, had it fixed and apologised for the error on their part, a quick review of things on their end showed I entered at a different location and they showed a 4457 issued to me.

I think it is reasonable to fear loss or theft of a dear and/or expensive firearm. I have insurance on several of my more expensive fine rifles and doubles which is worth the piece of mind for me.

And totally agree on flying Qatar. E-mail their special services at least a few days before departure, and they already have things noted on your booking. They have been great, flew with them in May to JoBerg and just again last month to Harare. Get a nice break in Doha with an airport that has all kinds of lounges, sleep pods and three actual hotels. Qatar has your bags and rifle during the layover, so no hassle or fuss, then arrive at destination early morning and have time to make camp whether several hour drive or another charter flight.

 

[Philip Glass]

This is a common fear among those new to international hunts. So no disrespect for asking the question. I have only had one occasion where a rifle didn't show up and was "lost" for a time. I didn't follow my TA's advice and had separate tickets on two airlines(Europe). Long story but a mess of my own making. All was well in the end just frustrating.
We rarely hear of any scenario where a rifle is stolen or just never comes back home. I do remember a story of a guy who bought his plane ticket on his phone and wound up on return in Jordan or some such country. His rifle was confiscated!
Again when starting out the worry can be real. I now fly with somewhere around $35k worth of guns and optics yet I carry no insurance (other than homeowners personal property) and do not worry one bit along the way.
Use a travel agent who specializes in travel with guns, buy some insurance if it makes you feel better, and go hunt the world!

 

[uplander01]

I’m sure it’s very rare, as I traveled for years on the skeet team in college and we never lost anything, but my college roommate went to Tanzania and hunted and on the return flight lost a vintage double rifle and his 1963 .300wm ( first year they were available)
It was a bad trip for him because his wife asked for a divorce on the plane and the loss of his British made double .500N.E , he got paid for the guns eventually after lots of appraisals on the double and Winchester.
He got enough money for the double to buy both himself and his son newer .470 N.E
IMO no loss on the first Wife LOL!

This is an unreal story,....what a life changing trip for your friend. Any woman that would do that to a guy deserves nothing out of the divorce,....I hope he had a good pre-nup.

 

[JimP]

In my book if you are going to worry about lost or stolen rifles and or luggage you need to worry about plane hijacks and or the plane going down while you are on it.

On both of my trips I didn't worry about any of it, if it happens it is going to happen. As to a loss of the rifle and ammo, I would just use a camp rifle. Odds are it will show up sooner or later.

 

[Nyati]

Delay, yes. Swiis Air somehow left my rifle and ammo case in Zurich on my way back home.

Got it the following day, and I live 15mn. from the airport, so no big deal.

 

[Rare Breed]

I was wondering has anyone had their rifle stolen or permanently lost in getting to their Safari? Trying to get a feel for how rare or not this is considering some of these rifles are pretty steep, in which case maybe renting or bringing a less expensive bolt gun which might be decent but perhaps not the favorite…

While no it has not happened to me it is why I have a $50,000 gun repair or replacement policy with Eastern for no matter what happens to them either damage or stolen for my peace of mind. I buy my guns to hunt in Africa in no way would I leave them behind going for a camp gun due to fear of being damaged or stolen

 

[kdenn]

Trip to New Zealand on return, rifles spent the night in Houston but were forwarded the next morning to Louisville. Had AirTags in each case. 4 trips overseas only glitch.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My Africa battery consists of non standard and wildcat cartridges If stolen, good luck figuring out the cartridge and forget finding factory ammo. They're the stick shift of rifles.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

@philip Glass, if inquiring about my escapade, no, it wasn’t different tickets booked separately. All booked together, all legs coming and going through United. Just bad luck with a cancelled flight and somehow roller bag went one way, rifle another, and me a third. No real explanation, just room to speculate, which I try to avoid.

I do like an insurance policy that covers my traveling rifles just in case, covers me even if stolen out of the back of the cruiser or my garage, and a decent number of accidents. Super cheap for the coverage you get. But, just like insurance on a car you pay cash for, some like coverage others prefer just liability. Comes down to personal choice, and whatever makes you enjoy your firearms and hunts.

 

[Hunt27]

Columbus oh airport lost my ammo case on my return. Joburg checked the ammo case as a firearm so the airport employees where extremely worried thinking it was a firearm. It was delivered to my house couple hrs after i got home.