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Posted: 4/9/2010 1:28:04 PM EDT
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This is my first attempt at a discrete case for my AR. I'm pretty happy with it, but definitely learned from this experience.
First, I found a used Saxophone case on Clist for $20. It also came with a small clarinet case...but I haven't found a use for this yet. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1207.jpg Then I wanted to make sure my mid-length would fit inside. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/IMG_1206.jpg Then the knife, screw driver and hammer came out. Some of the sides were tacked in pretty well. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1208.jpg Then I filled the compartment with some Dow foam. If I would do this again, I would drop some closed cell foam and trim it with a hot wire. I just don't know where to buy closed cell foam. I found that the foam heated up too much in the middle and created a cavity. This cavity needed to be filled otherwise it was foam at the bottom, air, and then foam on top. Any cutting exposed this cavity. If you must use Dow foam, just do one layer at a time. I used 2 cans and a third to fill the cavity after I started cutting. Use one first....let it cure....then see if you need a second. :) Still fresh...sticky...I almost wanted to lay plastic over the foam after the top layer lost it's tackiness and press my upper and lower into it. Then I had a weird vision of me digging out my upper from a hardened foam...so I didn't. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1219.jpg I then cut the shape of my upper, decided that my lower would be strapped to the lid, but wouldn't close after the foam was cut down with the lower in it. So light cut outs were made for my E-Mod stock. Since I want a red dot on my upper, I made a cut out for this...but can always do more later. I bought some elastic felt to lay over the foam and sprayed some instant fabric glue. Since My girlfriend's dad gave me a dozen mags, I wanted to carry some of these in this case, so there are cut outs for those. Each space can carry 5...in this pic, they hold spare foam, my utility razor and the can of spray glue. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1251.jpg What isn't pictured is my first trial of using Liquid Nails (silicone) for the velcro straps on the lid for my lower. That didn't work. They pulled off even after they cured. I bought some 1/4' tacks from Lowes with wide flat heads. I used the liquid nail and the tacks to put the velcro on the lid. Then I used cardboard and stapled the felt to it, made slots for the velcro to feed through, added liquid nails, clamped in place, and let cure. I decided to not glue the felt to the foam since I'm adding an optic and will be putting a quad rail with a flashlight and quick detach vertical grip and don't want to go through fitting the felt and gluing it down only to tear it up and recut the foam for the other accessories in the near future. But here's what it looks like...for now. http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1274.jpg Hippy music stickers added to the outside. I have seen some discrete cases with firearm, NRA, and some of the logos from the top of the AR website all over it...which kind of defeats the purpose of a discrete case. lol IMHO http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y363/AustinCQC/Case/IMG_1272.jpg Thoughts? |
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Well, the mags fit really snug with 5 in there. They don't move at all. And with the lower strapped in, it doesn't touch them.
With that said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So I already snagged a sheet of shipping foam that was wrapped around a tail light a buddy got in the mail. :) It will do for now...but I will cover a 1/2 inch foam sheet with some type of fabric and tack it to the wall closest to the locks and handle so it folds out and provides a place to assemble the rifle. It's a work in progress. I basically wanted something ugly enough that a would-be thief would overlook it and go for something else and my neighbors wouldn't care to notice. An electric guitar case would have added some cool factor to it...but again...that's getting some attention...and the idea is to be discrete. I found a 1992 JVC Camcorder and case today at my parent's house. :) That might work for my secondary weapons and mags. hmmmm... |
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my .308 travels with me in a golf bag.....works very well....and locks.....heavy if you pick it up....but lacks the "rattle" of clubs.
I'll get a pic later.....it's at my shop. goto the goodwill store or thrift shops.....good selections of bags, cases, and luggage.....cheap....camera bags are good for secondary weapons. 
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You did good. I feel a kinship with those who think outside the box. Your logic on keeping a low profile is excellent. If you try the spray foam again you could use a thick plastic sheet (like a 4 mil) to protect your gun parts from sticking. If I need to make a new case I'll try your foam method.
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Echo - Agreed about thrift stores being excellent places for cases and bags. The hard part about living in Austin is that there are too many frickin' hippies that will pay a premium to look vintage. 80s Transformers shirt for $30!! I'm glad bags and cases aren't in demand.
Swat Dude - Yeah, I tried that too. It rotates a around 95-100 degrees, but the lower doesn't fit even if it's detached. I like where you're head's at though. I was just thinking of it fitting...not quick deploy. hmmm.... Lt Blue - Thanks for understanding what I was going after. My thoughts were that if I was thief and I saw a nice looking case or bag in a car or in a house, I'd smash that window and snatch it. BUT if I saw an ugly and old case...I'd move along until I saw something nicer. I might refoam after the optics are installed, but I was also thinking about cutting out the shapes through a sheet of hard board (if you've rebuilt an old car, it's the stuff door panels are made out of - but you can find sheets of it at home depot) and using the plastic sheet idea. When you bake anything, the middle rises a lot more than the sides...same is true here. So i want to try to make the sides rise up too by limiting the space that the foam can expand vertically. Also, this would enable me to determine how high i want the firearms to sit. :) |
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good job. you have to be prepared to answer the question on the street if you play the sax though.
I live in a major city and the gun cases/ bags are a no go plus those so called discreet cases are still too tactical looking. I've seen pics of people using tennis racket cases and guitar cases. bu you need to be prepared to be asked if you play tennis or guitar. I use a large 30" tool box. I didn't make a fancy foam interior like you for it because I don't think it is necessary. |
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Mr. Poupon - Love the name! lol You're right about being prepared. My girlfriend played in high school and when I asked her she said, "I was second chair in high school and I'm trying to get back to it. I'm so horrible though*giggle*" I use the same line - minus the giggle. Snap some pics of your tool box. I'm trying to get ideas for alternative cases. Have you seen the post about the tool box with an SBR? I'm with you on the discrete cases sold still looking too tactical. Those just give off the message of "Not only do I have guns, I have kick ass guns. Come steal them." I work on cars and bikes, so this is a great idea.
StangFan - Thanks! I was really hoping to find some nerdy band sticker to slap on it like "Want to touch my trombone?" or "One time at band camp..." |
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The proof is in the puddin...
So my girlfriend's dad wanted to take my guns out to the range with my girl's little brother (with me of course and he's retired USAF). He wants to get him a gun for his birthday and wanted him to shoot different types to see what he likes and what he can shoot right now. He's 13 btw and plays the saxophone. My AR is in the case pictured above sitting in their living room after I showed him the new case. When her brother gets home, her dad asks him if he wants to shoot the AR at the range the next day and points to the case. His response was, "that's a saxophone case dad." Her dad tells him it's my AR case. Her brother says, "Dad, it's a sax case. It has music stickers all over it. It's not a gun case." So he sets it one the table, opens it up and shows him. He said he had no idea it was there. His sax case is a black case that looks just like mine. :) I'm getting ready to add a rail and optics to my AR along with bring a 9mm little brother to the family. They're going to share the same room for a little while. I'll take pics when it's done. This time I'm using closed cell foam instead of the spray in foam. Oh...before anybody says anything, all of the 5.56 and .223 ammo is in my car. None was inside. |
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Really Great Job and You really used your imagination !!! I went to Cabela's and bought a 24 inch high back pack with a camelback water supply thing, and I can put my AR and first aid and food and everything in one "Bug Out" bag and it can be carried on one shoulder or two and has back support and many pouches for magazines or cleaning materials. Guitar Case would be nice too! BreedLove has a nice soft one that has straps and can be carried like a back pack. Good Luck |
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