February 05, 2019
By David Draper
Flying with a firearm is fraught with danger. From anti-gun gate agents to angry baggage handlers, you never know what your rifle is going to look like when you arrive. Luckily, these four cases provide no small measure of armor against abuse.
Negrini Deluxe Compact The Cadillac of cases, with a full microfiber interior that cradles fine guns with a touch of class. Hook-and-loop tape secures everything in place, and separate compartments keep the bolt and small accessories close. The impact-resistant ABS exterior is tough, but it may show wear quickly. Three combination latches are nice, but we’d like to see lock hasps added as well. MSRP: $499; negrinicases.com
Pros: Soft interior, no lost keys Cons: Limited to 24-inch barrel lengths Cabela’s Armor Extreme As far as injection-molded poly cases go, this one is as tough as they come, living up to military/LE standards. A surrounding O-ring seals out moisture and the finest of African dirt. The egg-crate foam interior doesn’t need to be cut to accommodate most long guns. Four rotating latches secure the lid closed, and two hasps accommodate long-shackle padlocks. MSRP: $120; cabelas.com
Pros: Fully weatherproof Cons: Heavy for a poly case Americase AT-5412HW Luggage handlers couldn’t crush the aluminum exterior of this single rifle case if they tried. Both hard and soft foam options come with the case, allowing you to choose to use either a compression foam or a hard layer that can be cut to fit your exact firearm. Large twist latches keep the lid closed, and two large eyelets for padlocks keep prying hands out. MSRP: $200; americase.com
Advertisement
Pros: Tough aluminum shell Cons: Heavy Pelican Vault From the oversized, injection-molded shell to the four heavy-duty latches, this case is a beast. Short of a torch and Sawzall, no one is getting to the goods inside. It even has four hasps for padlocks. Plenty of interior space for a gun and smaller accessories, leaving more capacity in your checked bag. Five layers of compression foam keep guns and gear from shifting. MSRP: $150; pelican.com
Pros: Virtually bombproof Cons: Beefy exterior dimensions
David Draper
Editor-in-Chief
An avid hunter and accomplished writer, David Draper has traveled the globe in search of good stories and good food, yet his roots remain firmly planted in the soil of his family's farm on the High Plains of Nebraska. As a young man, his dreams were fueled by daily trips to the original Cabela's retail store, which stood a short four blocks from his childhood home. The ensuing years spent chasing his passions for adventure and the outdoors have taken him from the shores of Africa's Gambia River to Alaska's Brooks Range. He has hunted birds and big-game on five of the seven continents.
A 20-year industry veteran, Draper has worked in communications, writing and editing roles for the biggest names in the industry. In addition to bylines in scores of publications, he also served as the editor for the hunting journals of Dick and Mary Cabela and contributed to several books on the outdoors. Draper is Editor-in-Chief of Petersen's Hunting magazine, where he also writes the Fare Game column covering all aspects of processing and cooking wild game.
Full Bio + |
See more articles from David Draper
