Shotguns and rifles are dangerous weapons, with a high risk of accidents when you carry them around. Hardshell gun cases are ideal for storing your weapons in a safe manner while you travel. In this article, we’ll be talking about five things to know before buying a gun case for clay shooting.
Table of Contents
#1 Hardshell Gun Cases or Soft Bags
First of all, deciding what kind of gun case you want is important. Gun cases can be divided into two main categories: hardshell and soft cases.
Hardshell gun cases have a robust outer shell and an inner foam liner to fully protect the weapon. These are relatively heavier, more expensive, and difficult to carry around. On the other hand, a soft case is made with durable materials, such as nylon, and the interior has a soft padding. Soft cases are lightweight and are more suitable for traveling.
#2 Lockable Hardshell Gun Cases
When using a gun case for traveling, you should opt for a lockable model. It will keep the gun fixed in one place, even when you move it around. Most lockable gun cases are hardshell cases that protect your gun in all weather conditions. Also, lockable gun cases make sure your gun isn’t accessed by kids at home, making them a safe option.
#3 Water Resistance
Most hard cases have some type of water-proofing, while soft cases usually don’t offer such features. Water-resistance is an important feature as carrying the gun case in rainy weather would affect your weapon, and a wet firearm will decrease its utility and might even render it useless. Water resistance is a feature you should definitely prioritize as you never know when it will come in handy.
#4 Customizable Foam
There are various types of foam padding inside gun cases, each serving a unique purpose. Before using a foam, you need to identify your requirements so you can get the most suitable type. Some of the main types of padding foams used for gun cases are polyurethane that suits sensitive weapons, polyethylene that is ideal for long-term storage, and EVA foam that is expensive and used for showcasing weapons.
You are able customize these at home by yourself to properly fit your shotgun and all of its accessories.
#5 Warranty
Just like any other product, a warranty gives you much more confidence when buying a gun case. You just need to thoroughly go through the terms and conditions, so you can claim the warranty accordingly when needed.
Also, before buying a gun case, you need to check whether it’s TSA-approved, so you won’t have any trouble if you want to carry it with you on an airplane.
Popular Brands
Pelican
Founded over 40 years ago and based in California, United States, Pelican is one of the leading brands in the world known for designing and developing high-performance protective case solutions, temperature-controlled packaging, and advanced portable LED lighting systems. Gun cases manufactured by Pelican are used worldwide and praised for their excellent quality.
Plano
Dating back to the 1950s, Plano was started by Warren “Pete” Henning. Their range of products consists of various types of gun cases, including both hardshell and soft gun cases. With its headquarters in Plano, Illinois, the company has its operations spread all over the United States. Over the years, Plano has become a symbol of trust for many due to the manufacturing quality, which is second to none.
Conclusion
After taking a look at the various factors you need to keep in mind before buying a gun case, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision. The key is to identify your requirements first and then match them with the specifications of the gun case to find the most suitable model. Just remember that you don’t have to go for the most expensive ones; even a moderately-priced gun case can do the job for you.
