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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Quality hard case ? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/23/2005 9:22:29 AM EDT
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Looking for a good/quality Hardside guncase for my AR15. Something with good foam; hex-a-pluck or similar cut out type, oil resistant, etc... Airline transportable, either metal or "plastic". Anybody have any recommendations? Something you use or know of? Thanks, -Glofish <")))))>< |
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Pick and Pluck foam will fall apart in a few months. The soft foam - polyurethane ester, gives better protection for most objects, but it absorbs oils, water, etc... The harder stuff - polyethylene - is closed cell, so it doesn't absorb For gun stuff, generally polyethylene is the better choice. |
+2 on the pelican 1700, I have one, it holds: 1 - Colt match lower 1 - 24" Colt LR upper w/ 4.5x14 LeupyTactical scope 1 - 20", 16", 14.5" or 11.5" (w/ permFS) upper 10 - USGI 20 rnd. mags 1 - 50 rnd midway type box of 77 smk all items seperated inside, (it'll even fit on the back seat of my scoot). Mike |
I got one real cold, dropped it, and it shattered into dozens of pieces.  Frankly, the Pelican or Starlight would probably have done the same. I'd avoid the SKB for 2 reasons - poor, inconsistent quality & most of their stuff is thermoformed (you can tell by the aluminum band) and is thin and weak in the corners. |
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I used to be a pro/traveling musician, drummer. Lots of traveling and lots of airport luggage handlers tossing my stuff around like it was a toy. I've watched as thousands of dollars worth of equipment weighing 100 lbs took a ten foot dive onto the tarmac. I've used tons of different kinds of cases and the only ones that are worth a damn and that WILL take most anything are Anvil ATA cases. Problem is that you have to be prepared to give up a few body-parts to get one. Pelican cases are about as close as you can get in quality to the Anvil case and they are easily affordable. For the money, go with Pelican. Just my two cents woth. |
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It's funny how the Anvil cases are so loved in the music industry, because they aren't any where else. Anvil's are; very heavy, they aren't waterproof and are barely water resistant, the rack cases usually have no shock protection, and they are expensive. But they do have the music industry sewed up. I guess it's because the plywood they are made from does take a beating. The military won't touch that style case, for very good reasons. |
If you look on their website, they make no claims for water resistance. The way the latches are recessed into the case and the extrusion, it's impossible to seal those cases.
If you haven't guessed by now, I design and sell cases to the military for a living. |
That's good to hear. Hewlett Packard wasn't as lucky, and they bought them by the hundreds. They asked us to replace the SKB based on quality and delivery. We didn't even make that kind of case. We had to buy a new machine to make them. If you've got the aluminum closures, those are thermoformed ABS cases. The problem with thermoforming is that the corners are the thinnest part, due to the manufacturing process. Additionally, there is a lot inherent stresses from the forming process, and they tend to crack when they get cold |
I believe they're using Starlights now too. I have two Pelican's and two Starlights. The Starlights are lighter and stronger www.starlightcases.net/ rich |
I have/had all three: Pelican - First choice. The best case IMO Starlight - Second, almost as good but fit and latches are not as good. Cheaper, probably the 'best value' SKB - Cheap, poor sealing, not as sturdy. Just my opinions. |
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I prefer Starlight cases. Here's why torture testing and durability testing The handles are spring loaded steel, and they use a real pressure valve-unlike the other brands. Edited to add pic. Here is one of mine:  This particular case has been to Florida, Texas, and Tennessee by air. Considering how airport baggage handlers beat the living shite out of our luggage I no longer trust anything less. I stopped using Pelican cases after a Southwest Airlines baggage handler broke the cheeseball plastic handle right off of it. Aside from scratches my Starlights have held up perfectly. Our rifles are expensive-a high quality case is cheap insurance. Edited again: Here's a review from SniperCountry LINK Edited yet again: Screw it-I'm on a roll  Wheels, baby! Dragging a case through an airport without wheels is a freaking nightmare. My cases have wheels. In fact, they are the same wheels used in inline skates:  |
Absolutely. You can't have them in your carry on bags (obviously). You check them just like any other piece of luggage. They have to be in a locked, hard case. At check-in you have to show the ticket agent that they are unloaded. Ammo can be packed in the case as well. I can't remember what the specific ammo rules are for the other airlines I've flown, but Southwest will allow up to 11 pounds of ammo for personal use 
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Pelican 1700 series Starlites are cheaper but not as strong, The linked durability test shows the Starlite weakness, they give way under impact damaging contents while the same blow to a Pelican might crack/break the Pelican case but not compromise the contents... Nothing less than a Pelican or Metal Kalispel case period for the Airline baggage handling Gorillas. I've sat in a window seat and watched a Baggage Gorilla throw my issue double rifle aluminum case full of personal and Gov weapons 6 ft onto the AC loader conveyor ! 
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First off, thanks for all of the replies, wisdom and testomnials. It would appear that the hands down favorites are Pelican and Starlight. That is how I was leaning when I began this thread. Here is one more manufacturer I was considering, www.kalispelcaseline.com , anybody have experience with them? Looks like a well manufactured case. Again, thanks. -Glofish <")))))>< |
Kalispel 2 Gun Aluminum Large Breakdown Shotgun Case Hard Shell ($189, $209 in black) is what I use besides soft cases, 38" x 15" x 4.5" . Strongest on the market, the plastic cases don't even come close, perfect for 1 short AR or a 24" target broken down. The review of the strength of this case vs the Pelican or Starlight was pretty illuminating. I'll never go back to plastic, ever, plus you can get a case totally custom made if you like. |
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I like the Americase premium line.I have one that holds my Glock and Beretta92.Airline approved and it seems bulletproof..A little pricey,but when you paid $2k for a rifle,what's $200-$500 for a case ? I think a case that holds one Ar carbine is @ $250.I will buy one after I get an ACOG  Link |
What model # is that case? I'd like to find one to fit my AR Carbine and Remington 700 PSS |
No. SKB is a thermorformed ABS case, Storm/Pelican/Starlite are injection molded ABS cases. Gives them very different properties. The injection molded cases have lot's of features molded in, like the closure, recesses and ribs, etc... |
The model number is 061352. Mine have both extra handles and the wheel kit. The manufacturers page on this specific case is HERE |
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I work at a major east-coast airport and see first-hand what goes on once the bags dissapear down the baggage conveyor belt. Bags fall off baggage carts and get run over by vehicles. They get slung around, etc. Buy the absolute best you can afford. Don't invest big bucks in a weapon system, only to go cheap on a case. If you only take your weapon to the range, get a soft case and never look back. If you even think you might take your weapon on a commercial air-carrier, get the best hard case you can buy. For me, that is Pelican. |
Thank you very much! |
TZ case's web site must be down, but they started making these. T.Z. Case’s model TZ0052 case and TZ528 bowcase are crafted from ABS plastic and feature extruded aluminum frame molding; four stainless steel, draw style bolt latches; and a three-layer, high-density, protective foam interior. The Cape Buffalo case is made of ABS plastic and features two air-tight latches, an air pressure release knob, formed casing and a custom-formed, high-density protective foam interior. It is available in three sizes. I would be looking for a rifle or carbine sized case to come out soon. |
I just ordered a Starlight 38" from BowersTactical ( THANKS MIKE !!!). I could have purchased the double rifle case (52") for less money but I wanted OD and a smaller lighter case to haul in the trunk on my car. Also it's more manageable at the airport. The main reason I went with Starlight is, the owner is a Vietnam Vet and I like to support our Vets, and it's made in the USA. 
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I think Starlight has the best cases. One time at the ranch, my Starlight case with my M4, Aimpoint, 10x scope, and Night Vision fell out of the bed of my truck going about 25 MPH (I left the tailgate down). The two people in trucks behind me couldn't see it fall out through the dust, so it got run over by 4 tires going 25 MPH. The case has some smudges from rubber and a couple of scratches, but still works fine and protected everything in it. Wes |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Quality hard case ? (Page 1 of 2)
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