Storing long guns in a way that doesn't scream "gun"

[PercyShelley]

I've been thinking about takedown/folding rifles after seeing a friend's excellent factory takedown Mannlicher-Schoenauer (I committed the sin of coveting things that are my neighbor's, I'm afraid).

It occurred to me that it's very easy to store a pistol in some manner that's inconspicuous; in a box, with a fox, on your person, or in a purse if you insist. That's the point of pistols to no small degree.

Rifles and shotguns are a bit trickier. There are few methods of hauling them around that doesn't make it terribly obvious that you're hauling around a rifle or a shotgun. There just aren't too many other tools that get put in protective cases that are very long and skinny.

After seeing this takedown M-S, however, it occurred to me that this need not necessarily be the case. AR-15s separate nearly in half, and AUGs separate almost exactly in half. Thompsons fit neatly in violin cases. There are, therefore, a decent number of long arms that can be put in briefcases, duffel bags or other generic storage units. In addition to being less conspicuous, this is also more convenient, since it's often easier to move generic, boxy type storage units in vehicles or elevators or what have you than awkward, long rifle cases.

That does leave a question of convenience though. One has to re-assemble the unit to use it. For plenty of uses, like moving long arms into a hotel room without spreading panic among and knots of journalism majors who happen to see you, this is fine. For other uses, like avoiding getting eaten by bears, this is less acceptable.

Would there be a market for something like the FMG-9 or Sub-2000, only somehow in a rifle caliber?

 

[19-3Ben]

Also think of guns with folding stocks. AKs, some Remington 870 stocks, M1 carbine paratrooper, etc... Those would also be easier to hide in an inconspicuous case but would be readily useable should the need arise.

 

[Sam1911]

I think the AR-15 is already the perfect answer to that question, if that's a need you have.

As Ben said, any of the folding-stock rifles would do very well in that role as well.

The nice thing about stuff is that we mostly expect that the kinds of threats that come upon us suddenly in urban environments (where our long guns would attract too much attention) are those which can be very adequately handled with a handgun.

And if we're in situations where we might be eaten by a bear, we most probably could have our long-gun assembled and slung without attracting much attention.

It is not easy to imagine a scenario where we do not have time to assemble an AR from its halves, or deploy an AK-74S's folding stock before engaging a threat with a rifle.

Even (hooo boy, here it comes), even in an "Active Shooter" situation (so overblown) you're either in close-range immediate danger -- grab your sidearm! -- or you're looking to engage from a distance -- duck behind a potted plant and take the 10 seconds to assemble your rifle.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Guitar case, tennis racket bag, golf club bag, on your shoulder with a sling.