Need Case Recommendation - UPDATE: link to review thread added

[blackscot]

Requirments:

- to fit a collapsed-stock AR (should be as close as possible to total length 34-inches)
- "discreet" design
- FDE or equivalent color
- capacity for total of four 30-rnd mags (one can be stored in gun)
- stout carry handles (these are floppy on many designs)
- shoulder strap desirable but not mandatory
- space for chest rig, maintenance kit, etc. desirable but not mandatory

Thanks for any steers.

[rob_s]

16" barrel or SBR? If 16", does the gun have to be fully assembled or is takedown ok?

Also,


- capacity for total of four 30-rnd mags (one can be stored in gun)
- space for chest rig,

Can these be the same? In other words, if there is room for a loaded chest rig, can that be your magazine storage, or do you need the mags in the chest rig plus 3 more in fixed patches? And what are we talking when we say "chest rig", since I see some posted here by some folks that look bigger than a fully-loaded CIRAS vs. my very low-profile setup.

My first answer would be the Eagle Industries Discreet Case (CAR-15) LE (http://eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=696&cat=72&page=1) but FDE isn't a standard color from them for this bag. I wish they offered both FDE and non-tactical blue as standard options on this.

[LockenLoad]

there maybe some options in this thread
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=38693

[blackscot]

16" barrel or SBR? If 16", does the gun have to be fully assembled or is takedown ok?

Also,


Can these be the same? In other words, if there is room for a loaded chest rig, can that be your magazine storage, or do you need the mags in the chest rig plus 3 more in fixed patches? And what are we talking when we say "chest rig", since I see some posted here by some folks that look bigger than a fully-loaded CIRAS vs. my very low-profile setup.

My first answer would be the Eagle Industries Discreet Case (CAR-15) LE (http://eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=696&cat=72&page=1) but FDE isn't a standard color from them for this bag. I wish they offered both FDE and non-tactical blue as standard options on this.

Sorry for the overlooked details. Yes, a 16-inch carbine, and I prefer it to remain assembled.

Also, the chest rig would be low-profile, and storing the mags in it would be fine -- maybe preferable.

I too like Eagle's discreet case other than no FDE. Something equivalent in FDE would be great.

[cynical]

http://www.ishot-inc.com/store2/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28

I love my SERT case. Discrete shape (as discreet as a gun case gets), removable plastic panels keeps it stiff, and it's stiff foam padded. With an extra set of internal straps it will hold two long guns easily. Both the main and outer compartments are fully covered in molle straps, so you can position the gun(s) as you like and add pouches to any remaining space. The outer section on the 30" bag (no longer made) will hold seven mag shingles in a row, or in my case two triples with two columns to spare. My 30" holds a side-folding AK with room to spare. The 42" should hold a collapsed AR easily, probably the 36" would too. The straps wrap around, they're not just sewn on. It's as solid as they come.

OTOH, I finally got my Saiga-12 converted, and it won't fit in the 30" case. Anyone out there with a SERT 36" case interested in trading for a great condition OD 30" case?

Oh yeah, no FDE; coyote, black, and Multicam only on the site now.

[kmrtnsn]

I have an iM 3100 Hardigg Storm Rifle Case (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pelican) in FDE that I house my 16" AR in. I have cut the foam for 6 AR mags, 4 pistol mags, and for my HK USPc.

I like the Storm case over the Pelican for several reasons;

folding carry handle,

better wheels,

Better, smoother and easier opening latches.

The Pelican people clearly like the Hardigg cases, they bought the company.

[whiterabbit05]

For a soft case, I like the 5.11 36" one.

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/All-Products/Accessories/Gun-Cases/36-Gun-Case-AR15-M4/D/30100/P/1:100:50000:50800:50810/I/58621

For a hard case, I like the Pelican 1700. If you don't want to have to cut the foam out to fit, you can replace the foam with egg crate types.

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1700

If I was going to be traveling with my rifle, the 5.11 36" soft case with a Pelican 1720 long hard case without the foam, then I could put the rifle in the soft case and throw it into the hard case.

[fourXfour]

I'm not sure if you wish for the gun to be ready to rock and roll, but for the purposes of being discreet I prefer the AR to be dissasembled. I really like my castle rock tactical bag. There is a spot for six AR mags and two general pockets for cleaning supplies. I have shoved an empty Eagle Chest rig in there in the past, but it is a bit tight.

www.castlerocktactical.com

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/edmateo50/photo-5-1.jpg

[blackscot]

Thanks for all the replies everybody.

Another detail I overlooked earlier: soft only (I've found hard cases to be too heavy and bulky for my needs).


......for the purposes of being discreet I prefer the AR to be dissasembled. I really like my castle rock tactical bag......

I'm starting to give that a second thought. Shorter is definitely less attention grabbing. I may be willing to have a little assembling/dis-assembling to deal with before and after shooting.

Those Castlerock bags also come in some really effective "not a gun" colors.

I'll give some further thought and get back once I've settled on something. Thanks again.

[rob_s]

If I was going takedown, I'd be all over the DAP.

The Sneakybags (http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1641) are nice but I'm not sure they'd have a place to put the mags or the chest rig, and they are expensive at $185+/-.

[blackscot]

Well I did some fiddling last night, and pretty much concluded that I want to keep the upper and lower assembled. My M&P is pretty tightly fitted -- which is good -- but also somewhat of a pain to disassemble. Pretty much need a softpunch to move the first takedown pin.

I'd also just really like the set-up to be in a ready-to-go config.

Shall keep looking......

[rob_s]

Out of curiosity, why the FDE requirement?

[Outlander Systems]

I've been dying to get one of the Pelican 1700s.

Anyone have any luck cutting the foam?

[zchen]

I use the Tactical Tailor Covert Carry Case, they make 32", 36" and other sizes


Stickman's Review (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=537)

My case is the 32" in Tan color(which has been discontinued by TT, but they still make Coyote Brown). It does come with a sling. There was a TT label on the case, but I undid the stitching and replaced it with NOTW :D

It currently houses my carbine that has Noveske N4 Lite 14.5" w/fixed Vortex upper. I can fit my 16" BCM middy in there as long as the lower uses the shorter retractable stocks and not EMOD etc.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2497copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2498copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2501copy.jpg

[blackscot]

Out of curiosity, why the FDE requirement?

"....or equivalent," i.e. tan, coyote, what used to be called "khaki", etc. Basically anything that won't turn into a crucible under the central VA summer sun (like black does). A medium, "foliage" type gray would also work in this regard, but the gun already has all FDE furniture.



I use the Tactical Tailor Covert Carry Case........the 32" in Tan color(which has been discontinued by TT, but they still make Coyote Brown)......

I had forgotten about TT (there are so many different makers these days), and this looks the most promising yet. Shall definitely check it out -- thanks.

ETA -- Just ordered the 32-inch TT in coyote. Will report back (with pics) once received.

Thanks to all ! ! ! :D

[Skang]

http://www.ishot-inc.com/store2/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28

I love my SERT case. Discrete shape (as discreet as a gun case gets), removable plastic panels keeps it stiff, and it's stiff foam padded. With an extra set of internal straps it will hold two long guns easily. Both the main and outer compartments are fully covered in molle straps, so you can position the gun(s) as you like and add pouches to any remaining space. The outer section on the 30" bag (no longer made) will hold seven mag shingles in a row, or in my case two triples with two columns to spare. My 30" holds a side-folding AK with room to spare. The 42" should hold a collapsed AR easily, probably the 36" would too. The straps wrap around, they're not just sewn on. It's as solid as they come.


only thing stops me from buying them is, i tried to email them and got email back one time. however it was not easy. just so hard to get contact with them.

they have 42" in stock now. price seems high compare to look-a-like case. if i remember right, i think they said it's made in USA.

[whiterabbit05]

I've been dying to get one of the Pelican 1700s.

Anyone have any luck cutting the foam?

I used a pair of sharp scissors with good results.

I got better results using a hot-wire foam cutter that you can build yourself or buy.

See this thread for more info:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=292695&page=1

[8200rpm]

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/policestuff_2074_563093

These are on sale and available in some form of dirt color. However, FDE and MOLLE straps are hardly "discreet". I walked out my house carrying one in "Deep Flat Earth", and my neighbor's eyes (female in her 20's) went straight to it. 5.11's "Deep Flat Earth" or FDE or whatever has a bit too much orange in it. It's just not a color you see in everyday attire so it catches the eye. A light tan or true khaki like a pair of casual Friday Dockers would be more "discreet" but not as "tacticool".

36" Single $59.99
http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-mp5-guncase-closeout.html

36" Double $79.99
http://www.lapolicegear.com/5ta36dorica.html

I have the 42" Double. I can stuff an (M1 Garand) OR (10/22 AND Remington 870) in one side and an AR carbine in the other. I can stuff a few mags in the outside pocket, but with 3 long guns and padding throughout, things get pretty tight.

For the price, it's a good value for hauling gear to and from the range. Much more efficient than hauling around a bunch of hard cases. The weight and sturdiness of the Pelican and Hardigg cases are serious overkill unless you're dealing with airline baggage handlers.

[BT2012]

I've been dying to get one of the Pelican 1700s.

Anyone have any luck cutting the foam?

I didn't even bother to attempt to pluck it and instead just sandwich it in. You can get use to it and it's not that hard to close. But good luck if you attempt to pluck it.

[Skang]

or you can get egg-shell type on top and bottom. i dont know how well they hold but it's an another option.

[rob_s]

I have a case I cut the foam for. Goddamn thing has never left the house. I will not make that mistake again. I would do this, or approximate it, if I needed a hard case.
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33734

[kmrtnsn]

I cut my Storm case foam with a razor knife.

[blackscot]

UPDATE: see new thread with review of choosen case here:

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=486998#post486998