I do not own a Tuffpak, nor have I ever handled one. But if they are simply rotomolded HDPE (thermoplastic) as I read they were, they are vulnerable not just to sharp edged shear force (i.e. pipe end at high velocity/force), but they are also vulnerable to elevated temperature. I read Tuffpaks were only rated to 140 degrees F. The interior of my car gets hotter than that on a Arizona summer day. Frankly, anyone with a Bic lighter and a pocket knife, screwdriver, metal tube or chisel, could cut a jagged whole in the bottom of any thermoplastic container, silently, and make off with its contents. This could easily be made to look accidental, and/or owner accused of attempting to transport firearms in an unsafe container. You could compromise an aluminum case with a drill and a jigsaw, but you can't make it look like an accident, which makes it much less likely to be attempted in the first place, makes the owner less likely to be called to question, and much more likely that insurance would pay off.
Customs has to inspect the firearms to verify serial numbers, which can easily be planned for by placing rifles in soft cases inside the transport case with the butts of the rifles toward the end that opens. HOWEVER, TSA, not customs, must insure there is nothing unsafe in the case, and IF x-rays are merely INCONCLUSIVE, or the minimum wage TSA operator is nervous, gun phobic, politically biased against hunting, pissed at their spouse or simply having a bad day, they can tag the case as suspicious, at which point the case will probably be completely emptied, and inspected visually for safety. The owner MAY be permitted to WATCH, IF PRESENT , BUT MAY NOT LEGALLY BE PERMITTED TO ASSIST IN UNPACKING, REPACKING, OR EVEN PERMITTED TO TOUCH CASE OR CONTENTS IN ANY SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION UNTIL THE CASE AND CONTENTS ARRIVES AT THE INTENDED DESTINATION COUNTRY. There is an outfitter and PH for African hunts, who lives in the US, but travels to Africa every year, possibly multiple times, with guns, and has for some time. In researching a book on international hunting he was writing, he devoted a chapter to traveling internationally with firearms. In addition to voluminous personal experiences over many years traveling to and from the US, and within the US, with firearms, in his research he interviewed dozens of TSA workers, and observed hundreds of TSA operations at US air terminals big and small. He observed gun owners watch in horror as the TSA took their key, unlocked their tublar gun case, held it 3 feet off the floor, and shook it until all contents hit the floor, WHILE THE OWNER WAS SCREAMING OBJECTIONS TO NO AVAIL. He also observed TSA agents unable to cram everything (boots, jackets, clothes, ammo) back in the case because they had neither time nor inclination to repack as carefully as the owner did, even with a Tuffsak, and therefore the package could never leave the US. THE OWNER HAD TO CANCEL THE FLIGHT AND/OR COME BACK WITH THE REPACKED CASE AND START THE ENTIRE PROCESS ALL OVER, or the case was held in the US until the owner returned to US to claim the whole mess. This PH does not use tubular gun cases or recommend them. He uses ICC aircraft grade aluminum cases with foam cutouts and with hinged compartment(s).
Safaris are so expensive and so much money, time and effort are invested in the guns we take on safari, and the entire experience hinges on the safe arrival of the contents of the gun case. I am not scrimping on the box I ship them in. A top flight Kalispell triple gun case is currently about a $1000, and a Tuffpak case is about $500. Both have warranties ON THE CASE, NOT CONTENTS OF COURSE. As with most things, you get what you pay for, if you are smart, and most of us are. I think you get what you pay for with both cases. BOTH CASES GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY'S WORTH. The additional benefits with the Kalispell are REAL and well worth the extra $500 to me as extra insurance on an experience I am spending tens of thousands for. I recently bought a used, but excellent condition, 3 gun case made by Cabela's. looks like Kalispell, but probably thinner aluminum, lighter but not as strong. Probably made by ICC. Only paid $330 including shipping. No warranty on the case, but same excellent protection on contents.
What the OP and this thread have confirmed for me is that high quality aircraft grade aluminum cases are the cases for me, and Kalispell is the top of the line, but ICC/Cabelas, and Ziegel are also options.
"You pays your money, you takes your chances." Nothing is foolproof. YMMV.
