Garand-to-go

[jr_roosa]

So, I just spent that last 3 hours with a my mancraft skills, a very sharp knife, a sharpie, and my highpower shooting setup. Look what I made! I almost forgot to make room for clips...they aren't in the first photo.

I can fly to out-of-town matches now and the airline will have a lot of trouble trashing my gear. This and a big duffel with my coat, stool, and shooting mat, and other soft goods is all I need. TSA, here I come!

The rifle is my new CMP service grade that I'm taking to Arizona tomorrow to have some work done. I probably should have put in my good-looking Garand.

It's a Pelican 1750, and it fits the rifle, 66mm Kowa, cleaning rod, 100 rounds of .30-06 (had to cut into the bottom foam to make room), and a Freeland bipod with 3 pole sections. Weighs in at 45lbs with a full ammo load with the as-issued rifle. Might get close to 50lbs with a match rifle.

The case is pretty sweet. You can carry suitcase style, or there are some burly looking wheels at one end to roll it around. It takes padlocks too, to add to the burly factor.

The next project is to make a new bullseye pistol case that is flyable. I'm thinking that a Pelican 1550 would do the trick, but I'd have to do some modifications to incorporate a scope mount and a brass catcher.

-J.


Untitled by jr_roosa, on Flickr


Untitled by jr_roosa, on Flickr


Untitled by jr_roosa, on Flickr


Untitled by jr_roosa, on Flickr

 

[Jeff H]

That is pretty cool.

I don't recognize the item at the bottom left of the case. What is that?

 

[I6turbo]

Looks good! How much foam thickness is there under the items? Enough to keep them from impacting the case wall if the case impacts another solid object? I'd like to do that to my cases, but I only have a couple of double gun cases that I currently have to share among all my long guns...

 

[jr_roosa]

I don't recognize the item at the bottom left of the case.

The base to a Freeland bipod. Not the kind that you shoot from, it holds up the scope. The stainless poles go together and it lets you set the scope at ground level for prone, about 2 ft up for sitting, and at about 5 feet up for shooting offhand.

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Freeland_RSB-12_Regal_Bipod.html

How much foam thickness is there under the items?

Full thickness above and below. The case comes with three sheets of dense foam about 2" thick, and you cut out from the middle piece in the sandwich. This foam nothing like the eggshell in a usual gun case. It is very thick and firm. There is no way you could just set your gun inside and close the case. Anything more than about 2 inches thick of will prevent the lid from closing. I had to cut under the ammo boxes, but what i did was cut out a rectangle, cut it in half like slicing bread, and then put back in the 1" section so that the lid would close. Ammo is pretty durable in a box, so I probably could have gone all the way to the plastic. The scope, op rod handle, ECI, and the various knobs on the scope stand compress the foam pretty deeply, but didn't need a cutout. The scope is around 3.5" wide so it compresses the foam about an inch on both sides. I thought that compressed foam would be better protection for the scope than 1" uncompressed, and the lid goes down fairly easily. I suspect that leaving the gear in the case will somewhat permanently compress the foam and make for less work closing the lid, but it seems like pretty high quality stuff so maybe not.

-J.

 

[jr_roosa]

I don't recognize the item at the bottom left of the case.

By the way, I do not know how High Road this is, but the cutout piece of foam for the scope stand base has a...uhh...interesting shape. My wife and I have been laughing our heads off about it.

J.

 

[chris in va]

One airline I flew on stated the ammo had to be separate from the firearm in a different case. Might want to check that first.

 

[jr_roosa]

I only have a couple of double gun cases that I currently have to share among all my long guns.

I didn't mess with the top or bottom foam sheets, so I can get a replacement set for about $60, which lets me have three more tries for different setups (one piece is a little short to make room for the wheels, so maybe only 2 tries).

Also, if you have similar guns, you can make the cutout for one, then lay another on top and trace it out and just cut out the bits that are a little bigger for the other rifle. Won't quite be as pretty, but it should work fine. For example, I plan on using this for an M1A with a little bit of trimming for the different front sight/flash hider.

-J.

 

[jr_roosa]

One airline I flew on stated the ammo had to be separate from the firearm in a different case. Might want to check that first.

TSA says it's OK, but good idea to check...Thanks!

Southwest says this:

-Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.

-The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

-When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.

-J.

 

[TxBobS]

One airline I flew on stated the ammo had to be separate from the firearm in a different case. Might want to check that first.

Right. The TSA says they can be in the same container but each airline can have their own policy.

Also you'll need those TSA approved "burly" padlocks.

Very nice job on the case though. I like it for even if you're not flying.

 

[627PCFan]

I went closed Cell foam for my case-



Everyone thinks Im hauling a Ma duece when I show up to the gun range

 

[jr_roosa]

Also you'll need those TSA approved "burly" padlocks.

I think that TSA padlocks are not allowed for firearms. They don't want anybody but the traveler to have the key/combo. I do have a set of 4 locks with the same key, in case somebody gets excited and chops the locks. Once they do that, you need to re-lock them to get the case on the plane.

I've used non-TSA locks exclusively in the past for firearms. They basically take the case (or the suitcase carrying the case) to a secondary screening area, run it through their gadgets right in front of you, and ask for the key if there is a problem with the scans. They kept me there the whole time until the bag cleared in case there was a problem.

The TSA locks are for regular baggage that might need secondary screening.

I went closed Cell foam for my case-

Nice! The closed cell is really rigid, right? I'm impressed with how solid the Pelican open cell foam is.

-J.