So you’ve spent hours researching the best gun for you. You’ve saved your hard earned cash, done all the paperwork, and you’ve got your new AR-15. After exhaustive searching online, you’ve picked out the coolest optic you can find.
Your rifle is decked out with a tactical sling, extra magazines, and every accessory your quad rails can carry. You’re all ready for a fun day at the range, but what are you going to carry all this around in? While not as glamorous as the rest, a rifle case to carry all this kit around in is a necessity.
Any search for an AR-15 Case or gun bag is going to give you thousands of choices. In this article we’re going to look at and recommend some of the best gun bags for transporting your firearms.
When considering which type will work best for you, think about your particular needs. Are you to Alaska for a big-game hunt, or are you driving to and from the range? Are you just transporting one basic rifle, do you have multiple guns, or an assortment of accessories as well?
Hard vs. Soft Sided Cases
Hard-sided cases are usually made of plastic, polymer, or aluminum with a foam-lined interior. These cases give your gun the most protection, but they’re large, occasionally heavy, and they’re a bit clumsier to carry than a soft case. Most hard cases are TSA-approved, meaning you can fly with them. If you plan on any kind of air travel, you will need a locking hard case.
Soft cases are typically made of nylon with neoprene, ripstop fabric, or leather. While soft cases won’t give your gun the same drop protection as a hard case, they’ll generally protect against dents, dings, and scuffs while you travel (soft cases are not TSA-approved). They’re easier to carry, they can be slung over your shoulder — especially if you invest in a gun backpack — and they’re lighter. They also take up less space for storage.
Size and Storage Capacity
Gun bags and cases come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll want one that fits your pistol, shotgun or rifle, plus a little extra room for accessories. But it’s important to buy a carrying case that’s not too bulky, lest you wind up with one that’s too heavy and difficult to carry. If, like most gun owners, you own a single AR-15 that goes to and from the range with you, a simple soft case with pouches for magazines is all you’ll need.
If you’re a competitive 3-gun shooter, you’re probably going to need a travel case that can fit scoped rifles and handguns, with plenty of accessory compartments. Or, maybe you own a high-end antique rifle that needs extra protection. You’ll want a hard case with foam inserts that ensure it won’t move around during transport.
Ease of Carry
If you’re trudging through the woods on a long hunt, you’re going to want a soft case that you can sling over your shoulder, allowing you to un-sling it and access your rifle quickly. If you’re traveling or flying, you’ll want a hard case with wheels so you’re not lugging a heavy, handled case. For a long day of range practice with handguns, a gun backpack or a duffel gun bag is probably best.
Price
You don’t need to spend $400 (or more) on a Pelican case just to transport and store your guns. Unless you’re an operator traveling overseas to a combat zone, most commercially available hard-sided or soft cases will provide plenty of protection and capacity. With that in mind, we’ve selected some hard and soft gun cases that provide everything you need without busting up your wallet.
Our Gun Cases Top Picks:
This popular hard case is made of injection-molded polymer, like those expensive Pelicans. It’s certainly more affordable, too. It’s wide enough to host two AR-type rifles, so it’s ideal for the shooter who wants the most protection for a scoped setup. Or, use it to host a single rifle with plenty of space for ammo and accessories. It comes with pre-scored foam filling, so you can customize the innards to fit your gear without anything shifting around. The case is waterproof, with an airtight pressure-relief valve, so you can have some peace of mind if you’re working in wet weather or maritime environments.
Measuring 43”L x 13”W x 5”H, the AW2 is one of the largest hard cases you can buy. It trades a compact profile for loads of capacity, but you’ll have to deal with some extra weight if you stuff it full of rifles and kit.
Boyt Hard-Sided H-Series Travel Case
This one-gun hard case measures 36.5”L x 13.5”W x 4.5”H, making it perfect for the typical 5.56/.223-caliber AR-type rifle. It’s just wide enough to accommodate 30-round magazines and an optic. The foam lining is egg crate (not pre-scored), but it provides plenty of “grab” and prevents your gear from shifting around even still.
This case also utilizes a waterproof pressure valve and it locks, so it’s TSA-approved. The injection-molded polymer shell on the Boyt is even tougher than the Plano. This writer would, in fact, directly compare it to a Pelican rifle case — which costs much more. If you’re looking for portable rifle storage that can take some serious abuse, the Boyt H-Series is the case to consider.
NcStar 36” Double Carbine Soft Case
This soft gun bag provides plenty of capacity, with large compartments and pouches made to carry loads of accessories and ammo. Unlike most hard and soft storage options, the NcSTAR Carbine Case sports a shoulder strap carry system with wide, padded straps and adjustable buckles.
It’s perfect for carrying your gear on a long hike to the hunting blind. Made from ballistic nylon, the NcSTAR can’t hold up to the same type of abuse as a hard case. But this ripstop fabric provides plenty of protection, and the padded and strapped interior of this case will prevent damage to your rifles — as long as you’re not chucking this case through the air. PALS webbing allows for attaching extra MOLLE pouches, and a carry handle is included.
Our Top Gun Bag Recommendations
This range bag is for the serious pistol shooter who wants to fit all their gear into one carry solution. The bag sports a semi-rigid internal frame that helps to keep all the weight from collapsing the compartments.
Inside, you’ll find a high-density, removable foam gun shelf that holds and protects up to four full-size handguns. The backpack can also hold about 300 rounds of ammo inside its main top compartment, which is plenty for attending a training course or spending a few hours at the range.
There’s plenty of room for your eyes, ears, cleaning equipment, and all other shooting equipment in labeled and organized compartments. It also sports heavily padded shoulder straps for hands-free carry. The Handgunner is a well-balanced bag that caters to the casual or serious shooter alike.
Lyman Range Kit Pistol Starter Set
Most of the bags and cases we’ve covered provide lots of features and capacity for experienced shooters carrying a bunch of gear. But what if you’re a new shooter who’s getting started? What if you just want a small, affordable gun bag to carry your pistol and some basic kit?
The Lyman Range Kit is a great choice to consider: It includes a duffel gun bag that can hold a pistol or two, some ammo, and magazines. But most importantly, it comes with some quality ballistic hearing protection, ballistic eye pro, and a QwickDraw Boresnake for easily cleaning your gun barrels after each shooting session.
The bag is made from 600D Cordura, so it’s resistant to abrasions and tears. Plus, it’s at least partially waterproof for those drizzly days at the outdoor public range. The provided ear pro provides 25 decibels of noise reduction, ensuring your day of shooting is comfortable and safe. The Lyman bag measures 15.7” by 8.9” by 10.25”, affording plenty of space for all your equipment in one simple, hand-carry solution.