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A gun case is the best way to safely and securely transport a firearm. You can get a hard case for air travel, a soft case for range use, or maybe a discreet case if you’re the roaming Desperado type. There are so many options, styles, and features to choose from, so finding the best gun case can be challenging. To help you out, we packed up our guns, pretended like we wanted to travel, and found the best gun cases available today.
- Best Overall: Pelican 1745 Air Long Case
- Best Value: Savior American Classic
- Honorable Mention: Plano AW2 Gun Case
- Best Rifle Case: Pelican Vault Series
- Best Shotgun Case: Tanglefree Flight Series
- Best Pistol Case: Seahorse SE 630 4 Pistol Case
Methodology
At Task & Purpose, the majority of our review team are either current or former servicemen or hobbyists like me who work in related professions. I’m a former law enforcement officer and lifelong hunter. No matter our profession, we are serious about gear, especially when it comes to gun stuff. We recognize the importance of gun safety and ease of use. We take this approach when we talk about holsters, optics, gun safes, and now gun cases.
For this guide, I surveyed military personnel, hunters, and other law enforcement officers about the gun cases they use and why. Considering their opinions and my own experiences, I found the best gun cases based on price point, durability, and overall performance in the field — in other words, what I’d want in a gun case.
Looking for the best gun cases, I searched for the highest-rated and best-selling options by the most popular gun case manufacturers and sellers. After identifying a list of top-tier gun cases, I narrowed my search by reading performance and user reviews.
When I reviewed performance, I paid close attention to performance and price. I relied on user reviews published on ecommerce sites like Amazon, reviews on independent websites, and my personal experience with the item. If you want to learn more about our review process, check out the Task & Purpose review guidelines.
Best Overall
Pelican 1745 Air Long Case
Pros
- Rugged design and structure
- Internal storage allows two rifles and other accessories
- Pick and Pluck foam allows you to customize the perfect fit for your gun
- TSA-approved
Cons
- Heavy empty weight without weapons
- Higher price point than others
- Larger dimensions than most other cases
Product Specs
Best Value
Savior American Classic
Pros
- Internal padded sleeves for weapon protection
- Lockable external zippers
- Lightweight design
- External MOLLE webbing for extra attachments
Cons
- Lacks protection from blunt force
- Lack of external security compared to hard shell cases
- Weapon likely to shift while in travel compared to a foam insert
Product Specs
Honorable Mention
Plano AW2 Gun Case
Pros
- Rugged design and structure
- Internal storage allows one rifle and several accessories
- Pluck-To-Fit foam allows optimal customization
- Approved for air travel by the TSA
Cons
- Weak latches
- Weak hinges
Product Specs
Best Rifle Case
Pelican Vault Series
Pros
- Practically indestructible external shell
- Dust proof and purge valve to keep out moisture
- Terrific foam for shock absorption
Cons
- Foam is not as snug as some cases (cuttable foam is an additional cost)
- Heavy empty weight
Product Specs
Best Shotgun Case
Tanglefree Flight Series
Pros
- Light yet durable design
- Cell foam padding for added protection of your shotgun
- Will float in water when 12 pounds or less
Cons
- Lacks protection to hard falls and crushing to the case
- Lacks the ability to be packable (folding into a smaller size)
Product Specs
Best Pistol Case
Seahorse SE 630 4 Pistol Case
Pros
- Rugged hinges and latches (that other cases lack)
- Internal storage allows 4 handguns,12 magazines, and ammo
- Crush, water, and dust protection
Cons
- Higher price point than other pistol cases
- One foam insert for all cases
- High cost
Product Specs
What to consider when buying gun cases
There are currently several different types of gun cases on the market today. Each gun case has its own features and benefits to assist you in keeping your weapons secure and safe. Gun cases are made with a polymer, nylon, or sometimes metal exterior with an internal padding system, whether that be foam or a different type of padding to keep the weapons safe.
Types of gun cases
While gun cases are sized to fit specific firearm types like handguns or long guns, they’re organized by the materials used to make the case, the number of guns it can hold, and whether it looks like a gun case.
Hard shell case
A hard gun case offers the most protection out of all the types of gun cases. They’re constructed from either metal or a durable polymer shell, and the interior is lined with foam padding. Together, they protect the contents from environmental threats and impact. Compared to a soft case, a hard case is bulkier, but it’s a must if you plan on traveling with a firearm.
Soft shell case
A soft shell gun case is meant for quick access and flexibility, such as range or hunting trips. They’re made out of materials like nylon, polyester, and leather with some padding. Additionally, soft cases offer a range of storage options. You can find simple designs that just carry a gun and others with multiple pockets for magazines and other gear.
Multi-gun case
A multi-gun case is not limited to being a hard or soft shell, but rather a design that’s large enough to carry multiple firearms.
Discreet gun case
Gun cases that don’t look like gun cases are growing in popularity. More often than not, they’re referred to as discreet gun cases. Sometimes they’re shaped like a guitar case, violin case, tennis bag, or just a backpack.
Key features of a gun case
Materials
The type of materials used to make a gun case depends entirely on the type of case. Hard gun cases use either metal or polymer for the exterior and foam padding for the interior. Soft gun cases come in nylon, polymer, or leather with some cushion lining the interior.
TSA compliance
If you want to travel by plane with your firearm, you’ll need a case that complies with standards set by the Transportation Security Administration. According to TSA rules, your firearm needs to be packed in a locked hard-sided container. That translates as a hard-sided case that you can secure with a lock like a padlock.
Pricing for gun cases
Gun cases are priced all over the place. For less than $25, you’ll find simple designs like a handgun pouch or plastic box, and lightly padded cases for long guns.
At $25 to $100, you’ll find more storage space, better quality materials, and more features. However, you may need to sacrifice one or two characteristics for the other. Typically, you’ll be able to find a decent quality single-gun case.
If you spend $100 or more, you won’t have to make many sacrifices, or you’re paying for something highly specialized like a discreet gun case or high-end materials.
FAQs about gun cases
You’ve got questions. Task & Purpose has answers.
Q: What type of gun cases are TSA-approved?
A: If you plan to travel with a firearm, the TSA requires you use a lockable hard-sided case. They also require that you check the bag and store ammunition separately. See the TSA guidelines here.
Q: Do guns come with a case?
A: It depends on the manufacturer. Most handguns are sold inside of a case, but most rifles and shotguns are not.