Gun case recommendations

[Hawk]

I'm in the market for a couple of cases for transporting our rifles and shotguns. I've been using a couple of cheap plastic hard cases, but the guns slop around in them.

What do you guys recommend for cases? Do you like the plastic hard cases over the aluminum ones, or is aluminum better? What manufacturers do you recommend, or does it make a difference?

[gottafish]

I bought an airline aproved one a few years ago for atrip home to Michigan. I got there and the case was held together with tape. the stock was cracked and the scope was broken. Delta airlines got to pay me 500 bills.

[adobe wall]

I'd recommend one with tough hinges and locking tabs. I've flown with firearms about once a year for the past 5-6 years and it does seem like the airlines (all of them) go out of their way to damage the cases.

I've got one with three dents that appear to have been put there with a ball peen hammer, and I've had one of the locking tabs sheared off.

Whatever you buy, make sure it's well put together and keep in mind that is it there to keep it's contents intact.

hth aw

[TheTexan]

Hawk,

I travel back home to Texas almost every year and bought on of these................http://www.tuffpak.com/retail/default.asp
You can pack other hunting gear around the guns to keep them from shifting. Best thing about the case is that it looks more like golf clubs, than guns. They are kind of spendy, but well worth it.

[kingtroller]

I travel all over the place and invested in an aluminum case to protect my bows and guns. These are just about as close to bullet proof as you can get. Here's a link for you to check out.

http://www.kalispelcaseline.com/Default1.asp

You get what you pay for and these are definitely worth the price of admission.

Kingtroller

[billc_sbio]

Hawk,

O.k., got a question for you here...

When you say "transport" are you talking about moving guns by "shipment", i.e. like sending them somewhere or taking them with you on an airplaine?

Or are you referring to taking them out hunting with you in your vehicle?

I have some of the nice Aluminum ($pendy) Airlines Approved, drop a Tank on top of style cases as well as some of the cheaper plastic ones.

But I also love my "soft" cases, good quality lined Canvas, full length zipper, maybe made for a scoped rifle, or with a choke tube pocket on the side for a shotgun...

Those don't offer as much protection, but carefully placed in your vehicle take up so much LESS room!

They don't offer the protection against getting crushed or bent, but they do offer great protection against getting scratched or dinged.

I have friends who insist on carrying their guns in giant, hard cases.

We go on trips and half their rigs are FULL of big, bulky, awkward hard cases.

Meanwhile, while they're pulling, struggling, tugging, flipping latches, fighting for clearance for the case to open.

My case, behind the seat of my truck gets unzipped 1/3 of its travel, and out comes the shotgun or rifle...

I just can't see all that size and bulk.

Boyt makes really NICE soft cases. I think that Boyt even makes some for Cabela's, or else Cabela's has some made that look just like Boyt's...

Check those out if you can put your guns on the top of the pile, alongside of it, or behind a seat or in a rear trunk. They only cost ~$50.