Good multiple handgun case?

MatthewVanitas · October 6, 2002, 06:05 PM

I've gotten together a small set of pistols, and want to acquire one good quality pistol case to replace my current motley collection of plastic Ruger cases, cashboxes/tackleboxes, etc.

I'm looking for a good-quality one-time purchase. I'm looking for the following features:

-Good locking/security options
-Can be secured to a heavy item of furniture or floor-bolt when at home
-Meets airline standards for checked luggage firearms
-Securely holds, say, four or five average handguns
-Case interior won't adhere to or mar finish (once had a cheapo case where the foam had disintegrated and created a huge mess all over the inside of the case)

I believe I've heard folks reccommend "Bear-Trac" (not sure on spelling) but have not been able to find it in the archives here. Thanks for your time.

slickpuppy · October 6, 2002, 06:54 PM

Zero Haliburton cases are good. Browning was marketing them through last year but discontinued their arrangement. You can still purchase them as the Series 100 camera cases, however.

They aren't cheap, but will last your lifetime and your survivors lifetime as well.

http://www.zerohalliburton.com/

biere · October 6, 2002, 07:01 PM

Someone beat me to the camera option, very nice cases since camera stuff is expensive and also far more susceptable to banging than I would think handguns would be.

My first case was simply a cheap leather briefcase from wally world, office supply, or something along those lines. You can leave the top stuff for holding papers in if you wish.

Then go buy some quality foam, I need some more as a used gun I bought came with a soso quality chinese made aluminum case. The lock in it sucks. But does work, so oh well.

A search on how to cut foam will turn up how to do it, and you can form fit your stuff any way you wish. Camera places should have foam as well. I was going to look around home depot or something tomorrow as I want some huge pieces, like the size those yellow foam mattress pads are, but I want anything not yellow.

I have no clue on your airline regulations, and your bolt down concept is up to you since most cases show you running a chain through the handle, but the handle is normally not reinforced really well in my opinion.

The aluminum cases rock, but get a really good one as I am thinking about redoing the lock on the one I got, luckily I consider it almost free so oh well.

I got the leather case since most people never give it a 2nd look.

slickpuppy · October 6, 2002, 07:19 PM

Mail order camera shops will save you a bundle compared to the online luggage joints:

http://www.adoramacamera.com/

http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/defaul...ID=F0F1DA98EE0

http://www.acecam.com/ a link to a lot of photo stuff

KSFreeman · October 6, 2002, 07:41 PM

I fly with Haliburton. Especially when covered with a suitcase, they are safe from the "throwers."

Good things cost money, but you can beat on them with a framing hammer and nothing happens.

schild · October 7, 2002, 05:18 AM

www.dillonprecision.com - Look for the aluminum cases made by Ziegel Eng., about $75.00. It's listed as a two gun case, but I have no problem fitting five guns.

Or look here www.ziegeleng.com

Christopher II · October 7, 2002, 08:13 AM

For the money, you'd be hard-pressed to beat a Pelican Case. They're nearly indestructable, have good high-quality foam inserts, fixed hasps for padlocks, pressure-release valves, and lots of different sizes/shapes. A 1550 case will hold upwards of a dozen handguns, and costs around $175.

- Chris

pogo2 · October 7, 2002, 04:03 PM

I second the vote for Pelican cases. I have 3, which I bought in camera discount stores. They are 1/4 inch thick tough plastic outside with padlock capability, and lined with foam inside. They seem indestructible to me, and come in various colors. Here is one in yellow, but mine are black and gray.

GunGeek · October 7, 2002, 10:01 PM

All in favor of Pelican cases say Aye...

AYE!

I have a model #1490 with all foam myself, fits 3 to 4 guns depending on size.

Tamara · October 8, 2002, 09:13 AM

...a line of gun cases now that are for all the world a "poor man's Pelican". A watertight, airtight, 4-gun case, built like a tank, and they retail for right around $40-$50.

yzguy · October 8, 2002, 09:43 AM

just another case site:

http://www.casestogo.com/

(might find a better price on some of the above listed cases)

mdlowry · October 8, 2002, 10:51 AM

Matthew, FYI the Bear Track cases are made by Freedom Arms.

October 6, 2002, 07:19 PM	#4
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	might help to provide some links for purchase Mail order camera shops will save you a bundle compared to the online luggage joints: http://www.adoramacamera.com/ http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/defaul...ID=F0F1DA98EE0 http://www.acecam.com/ a link to a lot of photo stuff

October 6, 2002, 07:41 PM	#5
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,418	I fly with Haliburton. Especially when covered with a suitcase, they are safe from the "throwers." Good things cost money, but you can beat on them with a framing hammer and nothing happens. __________________ "Arguments of policy must give way to a constitutional command." Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 602 (1980).

October 7, 2002, 05:18 AM	#6
schild Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 344	www.dillonprecision.com - Look for the aluminum cases made by Ziegel Eng., about $75.00. It's listed as a two gun case, but I have no problem fitting five guns. Or look here www.ziegeleng.com __________________ Schild HK's, Glocks, Colts, Walther, Sig, Benelli, Ruger, NAA, Cz, etc. Last edited by schild; October 8, 2002 at 05:57 AM.

October 7, 2002, 08:13 AM	#7
Christopher II Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 2,349	For the money, you'd be hard-pressed to beat a Pelican Case. They're nearly indestructable, have good high-quality foam inserts, fixed hasps for padlocks, pressure-release valves, and lots of different sizes/shapes. A 1550 case will hold upwards of a dozen handguns, and costs around $175. - Chris __________________ "There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." – Robert Heinlein "Contrary to popular belief, your vote does not matter, and you cannot make a difference." - Bob Murphy, "Picking Neither of Two Evils" My PGP Public Key

October 7, 2002, 10:01 PM	#9
GunGeek Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 287	All in favor of Pelican cases say Aye... AYE! I have a model #1490 with all foam myself, fits 3 to 4 guns depending on size. __________________ The Gun Geek Vero Firearm Academy

October 6, 2002, 06:05 PM	#1
MatthewVanitas Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 258	Good multiple handgun case? I've gotten together a small set of pistols, and want to acquire one good quality pistol case to replace my current motley collection of plastic Ruger cases, cashboxes/tackleboxes, etc. I'm looking for a good-quality one-time purchase. I'm looking for the following features: -Good locking/security options -Can be secured to a heavy item of furniture or floor-bolt when at home -Meets airline standards for checked luggage firearms -Securely holds, say, four or five average handguns -Case interior won't adhere to or mar finish (once had a cheapo case where the foam had disintegrated and created a huge mess all over the inside of the case) I believe I've heard folks reccommend "Bear-Trac" (not sure on spelling) but have not been able to find it in the archives here. Thanks for your time. __________________ --Capitalism isn't a program or a system like "socialism," but a description of reality like "the Pythagorean theorem." Deal with it.

October 6, 2002, 06:54 PM	#2
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Zero Haliburton cases are good. Browning was marketing them through last year but discontinued their arrangement. You can still purchase them as the Series 100 camera cases, however. They aren't cheap, but will last your lifetime and your survivors lifetime as well. http://www.zerohalliburton.com/

October 6, 2002, 07:01 PM	#3
biere Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: tn Posts: 504	Someone beat me to the camera option, very nice cases since camera stuff is expensive and also far more susceptable to banging than I would think handguns would be. My first case was simply a cheap leather briefcase from wally world, office supply, or something along those lines. You can leave the top stuff for holding papers in if you wish. Then go buy some quality foam, I need some more as a used gun I bought came with a soso quality chinese made aluminum case. The lock in it sucks. But does work, so oh well. A search on how to cut foam will turn up how to do it, and you can form fit your stuff any way you wish. Camera places should have foam as well. I was going to look around home depot or something tomorrow as I want some huge pieces, like the size those yellow foam mattress pads are, but I want anything not yellow. I have no clue on your airline regulations, and your bolt down concept is up to you since most cases show you running a chain through the handle, but the handle is normally not reinforced really well in my opinion. The aluminum cases rock, but get a really good one as I am thinking about redoing the lock on the one I got, luckily I consider it almost free so oh well. I got the leather case since most people never give it a 2nd look.

October 7, 2002, 04:03 PM	#8
pogo2 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 879	I second the vote for Pelican cases. I have 3, which I bought in camera discount stores. They are 1/4 inch thick tough plastic outside with padlock capability, and lined with foam inside. They seem indestructible to me, and come in various colors. Here is one in yellow, but mine are black and gray.

October 8, 2002, 09:13 AM	#10
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	SKB makes... ...a line of gun cases now that are for all the world a "poor man's Pelican". A watertight, airtight, 4-gun case, built like a tank, and they retail for right around $40-$50. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

October 8, 2002, 09:43 AM	#11
yzguy Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: FL Posts: 297	just another case site: http://www.casestogo.com/ (might find a better price on some of the above listed cases)

October 8, 2002, 10:51 AM	#12
mdlowry Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 417	Matthew, FYI the Bear Track cases are made by Freedom Arms. __________________ My PGP key