I’m looking to build a foam Insert for my new rifle case that better fits my AR and some accessories and such. I have the tools and supplies to cut the foam any way i need, but I’m looking for some ideas. Work area is 35.5" x 11.5"
What do you have in your AR’s hard case?
I did this once because it seemed like the cool guy thing to do at the time. I had space for the rifle all dressed up to go to the prom, space for my typical sidearm of choice, slots for mags, both primary and secondary, utility slot for sling, cleaning kit, etc., and slot for silencers for each.
What I found out was that I almost never used it. When I would go to the range I’d always have to bring extra stuff anyway, it was heavy and bulky, and I couldn’t ever change anything on the rifle. If I cut the foam to be more adaptable my gun would flop around because of the extra space. The foam also held moisture and the gun developed some rust spots. I’ve since replaced the foam with a soft case that’s far easier to carry, holds only the minimum of what I need, and another bag for various sundry items. When flying, the soft case goes into the hard shell of the Pelican case, no foam.
That’s just been my experience, I don’t know how others stack up. I believe that there are other foam options that might perform better than the standard foam that comes in a Pelican. If you look at pictures of the M110 kit that KAC delivers to the .mil it looks like the setup would be a little better.
My experience matches JohnnyC’s. Complete waste of time. friggin’ case just takes up space in the closet now and I tote guns in soft bags and gear in a wheeled toolbox.
x3
I had a nice Storm case but end up selling it off. I use soft cases or no cases at all.
Soft case for me as well, or I just throw all the guns and other crap in the back of the vehicle.
The hard cases are great when you have to fly but the good ones are very expensive and freaking heavy.
Same here… the bed of my pickup is my Hard Shell case. It holds everything including my gongs.
I’m not a fan of the foam cutout setup, because it’s not something you can play around with and adjust from time to time. I do, however, use a soft/hard case combo. I travel a lot, and like to keep my rifles protected with the hard case, but still like the modularity of the soft case.
Right now, I use the Larue Tactical Soft/Hard Combo and with the exception of it being only big enough for my 16" carbines, I love it!
I recently came across this, the Optics Planet OPMOD case, and I might be getting rid of my Larue case to use one of these for my longer rifles and shotguns. I like the fact that it will fit in the larger, 45 inch hard cases and I can use my longer rifles in this case.
If you want the hard case for protection or security, I’d go with a hard/soft combo. The foam is just too much of a pain in the butt.
I think if you need a hard case, your best option is to have one w/o foam and just use a soft case that will fit into one if required. That way it’s not carbine specific(or folding stock bolt gun) and will more useful to you. You would also have the option of chucking in other small items as needed that you otherwise couldn’t if you had cut outs.
I made the mistake with a smaller one for pistols/mags, used it once before chucking the custom cut foam. I know have rugs/throws and take what pistols, revolvers, ammo, etc I need.
I use the $50 Midway long gun bags, hard cases aren’t practical for basic transportation, in my opinion. They have a place, but I don’t use them.
You need to order your hard case with egg crate foam on both sides. You can put whatever you want in it then.
I also don’t use a hard case except for flying. It takes up too much room and is too big and heavy for casual range and weekend trips.
Pretty much the same as everyone. I do travel quite a bit so I need my hard cases, but when at home I just use soft cases.
I do offer a hard case w / custom cut foam for custom builds. This was the last one I did and was given as a gift.
Good advice. I use my hard case when I’m going to be driving for awhile and it’s raining. I just use it like a big soft case though. You want some adaptability. Having simple egg crate lets you pack whatever you need that particular day.
“El Cheapo” unheard of soft case within the Pelican 1700, that’s all!
Now THAT is a slick,versatile setup. I like it. 
That’s exactly how mine is as well.
I’ve got a SORD USA Rifle Case in my Pelican 1700. Use the pelican to fly to hotel. Hotel to range, I roll with the SORD USA case only
https://www.sordusa.com/shop/product.php?productid=150&cat=43&page=1
No tactical wheelbarrow? :haha:
I break my SBR, detach the suppressor, and put in in an Osprey backpack.
Pistol gets concealed on my person, extra magazines and ammo will be in my car, or backpack.
Works well for me.
One issue: Put small hand towels along the bottom of the backpack to absorb shedding lubricant. I’ve learned to wipe down the carrier to prevent that, and reapply lube as needed. Messy lesson.
I just picked up one of those uber expensive ($200) Pelican/Hardigg Mobile Armory soft bags, the newer generation of the one that Chris Costa has in MAG DYN ATC vol 1, and that thing is solid…love it!! I will probably use it a few dozen times and then Ill do a review on it if any one is interested…
Back on target…I was actually speaking with a buddy of mine that has the Hardigg iM3220 hard case that two of my cases would fit in and he said +1 on all the previous comments. He doesnt fly with is Accuracy International EVER so having the hard case is a bit of an overkill and the original foam he had started to fall apart after awhile. IMHO if you HAVE to get a hard case thats a really solid brand to get…
Here is my Starlight case. It rides daily in the trunk of my car and the rifle has not lost zero or experienced any other problems such as moisture or dust entering it.
