Pelican cases, whats the point?
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Boba Fett
Member
Nice Rexter!
Your car? I take it whatever was inside the trunk was in a Pelican (or similar) case and fared quite well.
What hit the car?
Your car? I take it whatever was inside the trunk was in a Pelican (or similar) case and fared quite well.
What hit the car?
Actually, I had just finished guarding a prisoner at a hospital, so there were no long guns, nor my laptop, back there at the time. I don't like leaving anything too valuable inside a unattended vehicle for too long. When I do have a carbine or rifle in the trunk, I use Pelican cases. My laptop, or more precisely, netbook, rides in a 1080. I have a 1700 for carbines.
FWIW, a 1700 is just a bit too short for a full-stock 870 with an 18" barrel, but my shotgun rides up front, anyway.
A Toyota RAV4 hit my patrol car. The driver was sober, just like three other drivers who have crunched into the backs of my various patrol cars over the years.
FWIW, a 1700 is just a bit too short for a full-stock 870 with an 18" barrel, but my shotgun rides up front, anyway.
A Toyota RAV4 hit my patrol car. The driver was sober, just like three other drivers who have crunched into the backs of my various patrol cars over the years.
Gungnir
Member
I use Peli's for the same reason others have said.
You have a $1500 rifle, and a $500 optic. What's 10% of the cost to make sure it gets to your destination safely?
All of my rifles have them, my handguns too.
Now where they really pay off is when you have a $10k rifle and a $2k optic.
What price peace of mind?
Plus if you have anything else that's shock sensitive, or suffers water damage, then they're awesome. I also use them for Laptops when traveling, after having some yahoo drop his "overnight bag" that weighed about 20,000 lbs directly on top of my previous soft sided laptop bag, bye-bye 2k laptop.
You have a $1500 rifle, and a $500 optic. What's 10% of the cost to make sure it gets to your destination safely?
All of my rifles have them, my handguns too.
Now where they really pay off is when you have a $10k rifle and a $2k optic.
What price peace of mind?
Plus if you have anything else that's shock sensitive, or suffers water damage, then they're awesome. I also use them for Laptops when traveling, after having some yahoo drop his "overnight bag" that weighed about 20,000 lbs directly on top of my previous soft sided laptop bag, bye-bye 2k laptop.
Boba Fett
Member
Dang. I'm always amazed at how often that sort of thing seems to happen and have never understood how someone manages to hit a parked car with flashing lights. Gotta be cell phones or something.
Glad you're made it through those accidents intact.
I appreciate all you guys do and being from the surrounding area, I know the scum on the streets you have to deal with and the crap the Houston bureaucracy has put you guys through. All the friends and family I have in the area support you guys and I'm sure the local THR members do too.
100 Club my friend.
Stay safe as you keep us safe.
Fellow THR members, if you're in the Houston or surrounding areas, join the 100 Club. http://www.the100club.org/home.html
Bobarino
member
it's kinda like buying an insurance policy. compared to what it covers, it's a cheap way to protect your investment. $200 is not too much to spend to protect $4,000+ worth of rifles. this one has wheels, is ATA approved, and the manufacturer (SKB) gives you a free $1500 worth of coverage for whatever is in their case.
coloradokevin
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The value of a Pelican-type case depends largely on your usage of the product, and the contents you intend to pack inside of it.
For a while I had a Pelican case to carry my work rifle in while working. Unfortunately the case was so damned big that I couldn't fit it in the trunk of our department's Crown Victorias (our trunks are also cluttered with data radios, etc).
These days I carry my work rifle (an AR-15 with a light and Eotech) in a 5.11 soft-sided case, and I've had no problems with this manner of storage for the past two years. The trunk of a ghetto patrol car is neither the most friendly or least friendly environment in which to store a gun, but my rifle has never been damaged, and it always shoots to zero.
On the other hand, if I was flying with my rifles, or planned to transport a VERY expensive precision rifle with VERY expensive optics, I might once again consider getting a Pelican case.
For what its worth to mention it, those Pelican cases are very tough. Each officer in my department is issued a fairly expensive and reasonably fragile camera at the beginning of each shift, and these cameras are kept in a Pelican case in the trunk of the patrol car. Almost naturally, since this equipment isn't owned by each individual officer, they seem to take a far more significant beating than one might subject his/her own equipment to (think of it like you would a rental car).
Anyway, I've seen these cameras tossed around in these cases, and I once saw one returned by a good citizen who saw it roll off of the back of a patrol car (oops), then get hit by the car that was following. The case had some damage to one of the latches in that instance, but the camera survived (and we still use the case sans one latch).
I also have a friend outside of work who is a professional photographer. She routinely transports about $25,000 worth of camera equipment in Pelican cases, and tells me that she doesn't worry about the equipment at all. I'd still worry with that kind of investment, but she claims that her cases have taken quite a beating without damage to the contents.
Geesh... At least the drivers of vehicles who hit our cars are usually considerate enough to be intoxicated at the time of the accident!
For a while I had a Pelican case to carry my work rifle in while working. Unfortunately the case was so damned big that I couldn't fit it in the trunk of our department's Crown Victorias (our trunks are also cluttered with data radios, etc).
These days I carry my work rifle (an AR-15 with a light and Eotech) in a 5.11 soft-sided case, and I've had no problems with this manner of storage for the past two years. The trunk of a ghetto patrol car is neither the most friendly or least friendly environment in which to store a gun, but my rifle has never been damaged, and it always shoots to zero.
On the other hand, if I was flying with my rifles, or planned to transport a VERY expensive precision rifle with VERY expensive optics, I might once again consider getting a Pelican case.
For what its worth to mention it, those Pelican cases are very tough. Each officer in my department is issued a fairly expensive and reasonably fragile camera at the beginning of each shift, and these cameras are kept in a Pelican case in the trunk of the patrol car. Almost naturally, since this equipment isn't owned by each individual officer, they seem to take a far more significant beating than one might subject his/her own equipment to (think of it like you would a rental car).
Anyway, I've seen these cameras tossed around in these cases, and I once saw one returned by a good citizen who saw it roll off of the back of a patrol car (oops), then get hit by the car that was following. The case had some damage to one of the latches in that instance, but the camera survived (and we still use the case sans one latch).
I also have a friend outside of work who is a professional photographer. She routinely transports about $25,000 worth of camera equipment in Pelican cases, and tells me that she doesn't worry about the equipment at all. I'd still worry with that kind of investment, but she claims that her cases have taken quite a beating without damage to the contents.
Rexster said:
Geesh... At least the drivers of vehicles who hit our cars are usually considerate enough to be intoxicated at the time of the accident!
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crisco
Member
Un-related to guns 
what
I used to have a Pelican 1600 case bolted to the back of my BMW motorcycle. Put 50k miles on that case, through brutal UV wear in Florida and sub freezing temps up north. It never failed, never allowed water in (and I rode through lots), it didn't even fade.
I don't use them for my guns but I don't have any guns that warrent it.
They ARE great cases.
what I used to have a Pelican 1600 case bolted to the back of my BMW motorcycle. Put 50k miles on that case, through brutal UV wear in Florida and sub freezing temps up north. It never failed, never allowed water in (and I rode through lots), it didn't even fade.
I don't use them for my guns but I don't have any guns that warrent it.
They ARE great cases.
Absolutely big and bulky and cumbersome and require more work and attention to transport. I have to drop the rear seats of my car to fit a Starlight, iM3300, 1750, Gun Guard AW Double Gun. A big hassle.
However, there is no way I'm going to transport aperture sighted Anschütz 2013 or Walther KK300 or Feinwerkbau 2700 in a soft case.
Also notes above, sometimes you find a very good deal. Found a deal on Pelican's new 1770 for under $350. That thing is huge, but I will be able to fit 3-5 rifles in it (standing up side-by-side instead of laying down).
Having used hard cases in the military, it's a relative thing. Since the AR is with you always, you keep it bare and carry optics, etc in the case until needed.
Stuff in HMMV's and M113's just doesn't stay strapped down, and neither do the occupants responding to events or drills. Making exits really bangs things up.
As the government can't justify constantly replacing NVG's, optics, etc from simple transportation or storage damage, the cases are cheap insurance. Getting one trashed in use is just part of the operating environment.
I've seen expensive electronic junk in surplus stores, but the cases never seem to get past DRMO. Units buy them up for good reason.
Stuff in HMMV's and M113's just doesn't stay strapped down, and neither do the occupants responding to events or drills. Making exits really bangs things up.
As the government can't justify constantly replacing NVG's, optics, etc from simple transportation or storage damage, the cases are cheap insurance. Getting one trashed in use is just part of the operating environment.
I've seen expensive electronic junk in surplus stores, but the cases never seem to get past DRMO. Units buy them up for good reason.
Guns and more
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After busting my knuckles on Pelican latches for years, I switched to Storm.
Mine get shipped all over the country (by truck and air) and have never missed a beat.
I used to hate getting a scuff mark on them, now they're covered with ripped off shipping stickers.
I got mine off e-bay at half the normal price.
Anything less would be destroyed.
At home I have a guitar case for my rifle. Stealth.
Mine get shipped all over the country (by truck and air) and have never missed a beat.
I used to hate getting a scuff mark on them, now they're covered with ripped off shipping stickers.
I got mine off e-bay at half the normal price.
Anything less would be destroyed.
At home I have a guitar case for my rifle. Stealth.
NMGonzo
Member
Cue the KLR rider and his/her milcrate for his pointy stick.Un-related to guns
I used to have a Pelican 1600 case bolted to the back of my BMW motorcycle. Put 50k miles on that case, through brutal UV wear in Florida and sub freezing temps up north. It never failed, never allowed water in (and I rode through lots), it didn't even fade.
I don't use them for my guns but I don't have any guns that warrent it.
They ARE great cases.
<MoA
Member
Keep 'em safe!
As a pro gunsmith over the years I have relied on a Browning/Pelican two rifle case many times when traveling by car to shows or events. But mine is one of the pre-wheeled and pre-spring-out handled versions and it IS surely a bear to lug around, esp. with two rifles inside and some arthritis in my hands. They undeniably rank as over-protection but then again, most of my rifles, like many of the other posters' firearms here, are "well worth it"! BTW, Pelican also honors their warranties and will send you free replacement parts (hinges, etc.) if you call them. Their pistol case is also very useful for cameras, etc.
I also have & sell SKBs, and for general use they are quite good. Ditto for Cabela's high-end stuff. What truly amazes me is that I see the blow-molded Dokosil (etc) cases in Kotzebue or Nome, AK airports, en-route out to the bush, with a $3000 scoped Weatherby inside!!! (Or mucho more $$$ customs...)
Yikes!
That outfit north of Spokane, WA (can't remember their name right now...) that makes those aluminum alloy hard cases also warrants a quick look-see. After all, you can only assign damage to your rifle from the air carriers' ape-man handlers if it was truly over-protected!
Good luck!
As a pro gunsmith over the years I have relied on a Browning/Pelican two rifle case many times when traveling by car to shows or events. But mine is one of the pre-wheeled and pre-spring-out handled versions and it IS surely a bear to lug around, esp. with two rifles inside and some arthritis in my hands. They undeniably rank as over-protection but then again, most of my rifles, like many of the other posters' firearms here, are "well worth it"! BTW, Pelican also honors their warranties and will send you free replacement parts (hinges, etc.) if you call them. Their pistol case is also very useful for cameras, etc.
I also have & sell SKBs, and for general use they are quite good. Ditto for Cabela's high-end stuff. What truly amazes me is that I see the blow-molded Dokosil (etc) cases in Kotzebue or Nome, AK airports, en-route out to the bush, with a $3000 scoped Weatherby inside!!! (Or mucho more $$$ customs...)
Yikes!
That outfit north of Spokane, WA (can't remember their name right now...) that makes those aluminum alloy hard cases also warrants a quick look-see. After all, you can only assign damage to your rifle from the air carriers' ape-man handlers if it was truly over-protected!
Good luck!
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
My Starlight case is too wide to fit in the back cargo section of the Element, but since the layout of the vehicle is so modular, it's not trouble at all to fold one of the rear passenger seats up and out of the way to make enough room.
Sir Aardvark
Member
I get my Peliican cases at a discount, so shelling out the money is not as painful.
I find their durability a great comfort in protecting what I put in them!
I find their durability a great comfort in protecting what I put in them!
Pileatus
Member
I love Pelican cases...two of them have housed my camera equipment for several years now, and I couldn't be happier. For transporting a .22 plinko to and from the range, I'd agree, it's overkill, but when you have something that constitutes a real investment on your part and want to make sure it's protected, Pelicans are great. They fly real well, and I wouldn't pass up using one as a carry case either (if it contained something I wanted to make sure stayed as protected as possible).
I think they still have the "it breaks, we replace it, forever" policy, as well as quite a bit of insurance protection for whatever you choose to put in there. They also are waterproof and float (major plus for me, since I use my camera stuff primarily for waterbird photography, and that means schlepping through some pretty nasty stuff in order to get to said waterbirds). Sold me on them pretty fast.
I think they still have the "it breaks, we replace it, forever" policy, as well as quite a bit of insurance protection for whatever you choose to put in there. They also are waterproof and float (major plus for me, since I use my camera stuff primarily for waterbird photography, and that means schlepping through some pretty nasty stuff in order to get to said waterbirds). Sold me on them pretty fast.
matai
Member
Well I think you guys convinced me. I'm thinking about going through case club, sending in a paper with the traced parts and having them cut it.
What do you guys think?
What do you guys think?
Just before Pelican and Hardigg (maker of the Storm) merged, Pelican revised their latches to be less knuckle busting. It is a two part latch with the T part easy to pull out before the rest unlocks the case.
Still, I also prefer the Hardigg push button system.
"I'm thinking about going through case club, sending in a paper with the traced parts and having them cut it."
I just looked at their site [http://www.caseclub.com/foam_custom.htm]. I'd be interested to hear what they quote you for a custom cut insert. The "pick 'n pluck" inserts work just fine- I've been happy with them - but a custom cut insert would look much nicer.
I just looked at their site [http://www.caseclub.com/foam_custom.htm]. I'd be interested to hear what they quote you for a custom cut insert. The "pick 'n pluck" inserts work just fine- I've been happy with them - but a custom cut insert would look much nicer.
Pileatus
Member
The foam that comes in the Pelican cases works pretty well in my experience, and I've had to put some rather interesting pieces of camera equipment in there from time to time. I would try the regular "pick and pluck" foam first, then get a custom cut out if the former doesn't work. Saves a bit of $$ that way.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
HKSW, the new style latches on the Pelican cases is one of the things that seems easier to use than on the Starlight models, it seems like a pretty clever design.
Still, I like the Starlight case a bit better due to the ability to fit more stuff in it.
Still, I like the Starlight case a bit better due to the ability to fit more stuff in it.
Many moons ago I worked as a whitewater raft guide/outfitter. Took tourists into extremely remote and rough country for as long as ten days. We kept our medical kits in Pelican products. All of our equipment got used and abused, big time. I still have my pelicases after 20 some odd years and only had to replace the rubber seals. They look beat up as all get out but just as functional as when new. Just put some dessicant in if you're going to store something for any length of time. A great product, no doubt.
Guns and more
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Yes, I know, but I'm still mad at them for past busted knuckles. I still run into the old cases when we rent electronics and curse them again.
Storm cases have the best latch and I believe equal Pelican in durability.
The downside of either case is that they are heavy empty. (I know people who use them for luggage, bad idea.)
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