About a case..

[Profiler]

So… I will be picking up the Beretta on Tuesday. I hate the case that has the handle mold in (like the pelican,).

I shooting instructor has recommended a soft case, but many of them don't permit locking. Although I live alone, there could come a time when I want to travel and would want to lock the case to travel.

So fire away! What case do you recommend and why? I only have one firearm, (though that could change…

[jaytothekizzay]

All my guns come out of the case the day I buy them and rarely go back in... use soft case/ sleeves and a nice range bag.

[Cheapshooter]

there could come a time when I want to travel and would want to lock the case to travel.

Do you live, or travel somewhere that requires a locked case?
I do keep the plastic cases some of my guns came in for transportation, but they are stored in a safe when not in use. On the rare occasion I absolutely have to leave a gun in my vehicle unattended it is in a locked box, bolted to the floor of my truck. Or at least in a lock box secured by a cable to the seat frame of my Wife's Jeep Patriot.

[marine6680]

You can get small safe for your home. Many have a quick unlock feature and are designed to be bolted to a dresser or other large piece of furniture, to make theft harder, but still be close and easy to get to for bump in the night situations.


A true pelican case is very good for travel. They are tough and lock tight, and they are airline approved. In addition most have foam inside that is perforated in small squares to customize the fit by pulling out the shape you want. They come in many sizes... Keep a reusable desiccant pack inside it for gun storage.

Soft cases are for general protection from bumps... They will not prevent someone from getting to the gun very well.


It may be a little off the topic, but since this hasn't been brought up yet...

I suggest getting a small flashlight in the 100-150 lumen range. You need a light to identify an intruder before you fire in a home defense situation. You don't want to go brighter, as the light reflecting off of the walls will blind yourself... after spending a few hours sleeping in the dark that reflected light will hurt. So resist the urge to get the 1000 lumen wonder light some salesman may offer.

I recommend something around 6 inches long, light weight and has a tail cap switch. Also you want it to be a simple on/off affair, or if it does have multiple modes, that it does not cycle through them every time you click the switch. Needing a procedure like pressing and holding the switch to dim is fine, it can make the light useful for other things besides defense use. More than that is not needed, as the real world usefulness of things like strobe, are limited.

There are some simple techniques you can learn to use a handheld light and pistol at the same time.


Some may recommend a weapon mounted light, but I am not a fan of them. They may be a little easier and convenient, but the main focus of the light is were the pistol is pointing, and I find the idea of needing to point the pistol at what I want to see well, not a good idea.


One of my favorite brands is streamlight, but surefire and others will work well too.

[Nathan]

Pelican or Hardigg....I prefer Hardigg, but forgot why...

[James K]

For travel on a commercial aircraft, soft or thin plastic cases may not meet the requirements. If you mean travel by car, and someone gets into your car, no locked case will be any good; they will simply take the case, gun and all. A box bolted to the floor may be better, but may not be practical or may just call attention to the presence of something worth stealing.

Jim

[jmhyer]

Any cheap soft case for day-to-day carrying around is fine.

I have one of these for air travel and for briefly leaving it in my car.
http://www.gunvault.com/nano-vault-100.html
The included cable secures it to my luggage frame for air travel and around the seat post when in my car. I find this to be a reasonably effective deterrent but nothing will stop a determined thief with sufficient time.

[Nathan]

IME, good plastic travel cases are heavy!

You will want a soft case for travel to the range and back. So, I would buy that first.

Safe keeping in the home is best done in a safe or lock box.

[Skans]

I use soft cases for guns I shoot often, but leave my safe queens in their original plastic cases. Paper boxes get wrapped in plastic and then tossed in the attic.

[Worc]

I like the factory case if you are only going to the range with just one gun. I seldom do that though. What I used to do is put each factory case in a canvas bag when I went to the range. The side pockets would hold glasses, muffs, and extra magazines, etc. I could only take four guns this way which was fine at times.

For a good hard case, Seahorse makes pretty good ones and the are fine for travel.

I now use this case.


It's a Case Cruzer. They start out with a SKB i series and add their interiors. They are spendy but extremely well made and durable. They make them from single gun models up to six gun models.
http://www.casecruzer.com/gun-cases/...-qd-index.html

[Metalboy]

I keep one of these in my trunk, because if I have to lock my gun, like before I go into a school parking lot. But it is heavy to carry.
Comes in bigger sizes too.

http://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-110.../dp/B0016FZL48