TSA decock a rifle bolt??

[BigRed323]

Just flew up to Missouri for rifle opener tomorrow morning. Unlocked the case, got the rifles out to put back together (just bolts and mags) and neither of the bolts fed back into the rifle.

Started a brief moment of panic as there’s no local gunsmith but then I looked at the bolts and BOTH of them were in decock position. There’s absolutely no way I rotated BOTH of the back of the bolts as I just pulled them out of the rifles last night by bolt handle and went directly into case. No other messing with them whatsoever.

Anyone ever heard of TSA ever doing anything like that?

[diamond10x]

No never heard of it or had that happen but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Did you just drop your gun case off and leave when checking in?

Whenever I fly with firearms, or anything TSA thinks they need to put their grubby fingers on, I stand there and make sure they aren’t up to any funny business as well as put everything back the way they found it. Usually the agents are respectful but I’ve had a few that were a pain to deal with.

[BigRed323]

Nope. Stood there at the checkin counter while they opened up the case to inspect. I know they aren’t supposed to open cases after, but blows my mind that BOTH bolts were the same.

I’ve never even done that to a bolt on purpose let alone on accident.

[Austin]

Did you have TSA locks or non TSA lock? Anytime I fly with a gun after check in the case gets locked with non-TSA locks

[BigRed323]

Did you have TSA locks or non TSA lock? Anytime I fly with a gun after check in the case gets locked with non-TSA locks

Have a locking rifle case with the built in locks but I’m gonna start throwing an additional padlock on there.

[manwitaplan]

Yes. I believe when happened to us we watched a video where you use a shoe string to pull the pin back and turn into posistion. It has been a while.

[TN_boy]

I also add zip ties to the lock holes as a visual if they open.

[Austin]

When you fly you should always have non TSA locks in the holes. Once checked it should be locked and no one but you should be able to open it.

[Kevin]

I don’t even follow what you are trying to describe.

[sticknstring]

You may have to hold down the trigger when feeding the bolt back in. Make sure there’s no ammo in it obviously. I had a rifle that I had to do this- maybe a savage; can’t remember…

[Bisch]

Can someone please explain what decocking a rifle bolt is? I’ve never heard of it before?????

Bisch

[Greenheadless]

Releasing the firing pin.

[Kingfisher789]

Releasing the firing pin.

So basically TSA pulled the trigger?

[Greenheadless]

So basically TSA pulled the trigger?

No, releasing the firing pin in the bolt itself.

Bolts are removed from the firearm when taken on a plane.

[twosixteens]

Most modern bolt action rifle cock (tension the spring that drives the firing pin) when opening the bolt so when you pull the bolt out of the rifle it is cocked what they did was release the tension on the spring not sure what rifle OP has but usually the bolt wont go back in the rifle uncocked unless the trigger is pulled back while inserting the bolt