[Scott_Maryland]

When buying a case for my O/U, should I buy a case to hold the full length of the gun or is it better to store the gun broken in half in a smaller case?

 

[Dalee100]

Hi,

If you are talking about a travel case, for hunting or trips to the range, I prefer a case that holds the gun in assembled condition. And I like the soft cases. I've tried a number of hardcases and don't really like them. Too bulky and hard to store. And soft-cases will provide ample protection from all but the most extreme damage.

A break down case would be fine if it is fitted for your gun. But, they will be spendy to get a good one. Otherwise I feel there is too much chance that parts can rattle around and get dinged a little. I really don't like the fitted factory cases like you get from Remington or others. I've seen on an 11-87 my buddy had, were it wore some of the bluing off the barrel from rubbing in the case.

Dale

 

[Burnt Powder]

I've got a couple of both. I don't really like taking my shotgun appart every time I put it away and having to put it together again every time I want to use it, so guess which ones I use the most?

BP

 

[JabberN]

I too like the full length cases for my shotguns. I really do not like the short half cases, you have to break your gun down everytime. And why add extra wear on your gun if you dont have to?

I don't really like the full length hard cases though, Man those things are bulky, I just use the soft sided ones.

Take care,

Jab.

 

[mcbirch]

Wow I'm suprized that so many people don't like breakdown cases. I have a Gander Mountian break down hard case and I love it. Its nice and short and carries nice. There is enought room to put the gun broken down and my complete choke tube set and wrench. The case fit in the trunk of a small car alot nicer then a full length case and the hard case protect the gun from even harsh treatment of the case. It lock so it is idea for travel on a plane. I don't worry about the wear from disassembly/assembly I figure the thumping it takes form shooting is a lot more wear-and-tear then carefully disassembly/assembly of the gun.

Matt

 

[Otto CO]

I was wondering if the bumpy foam in the cheapie cases can cause any damage to the gun due to the chemical makeup of the foam? I bought a really cheap [$11.88] hard plastic case with the bumpy foam from Wal-Mart just to carry my gun back and forth from the range. Could it hurt to leave it in the case between trips?

 

[Ulysses]

Good question, Otto. I don't claim to have all the answers to your question because individual experiences may vary, but I used to leave my favorite O/U in a similar (but slightly more expensive) case to the one you describe and it never hurt it one bit. I would take the gun to the range, shoot the gun, do a quick clean and wiping of the gun, and then put it back in the case and take it home. Then, it stayed in the case in my basement until the next time I went to the range. That's the way I stored that gun for about 3 years and I still have it today. It looks good as new except for some ordinary wear and handling marks from having many thousands of rounds shot through it. I always tried to wait until the gun cooled off for 15 to 20 minutes before wiping it down and putting it away. I didn't want to put a hot gun in a padded case and increase the risk of condensation.

 

[Rem396]

I do not store ANY of my guns in a case whether it be takedown or not. I always store my guns in a safe with a goldenrod or even a metal gun cabinet with the moisture evaporator you re-activate in the oven is good.
I prefer takedown cases over full length for transport mainly for ease of transport. It is a pain to take the gun apart and put together every time but the package is much easier to get in a crowded SUV. The full length can give you a place to lay your gun safely when not near a rack.

 

[Burnt Powder]

I guess I should clarify my prior post. I don't store my guns in any case either. That is what I have a safe and cabinet for. As far as transporting, depending on what and where and how I am taking what where I usually prefer to take my guns assembled in my nice semi-custom padded heavy Cordura full length cases, not my hard cases. There is a guy in the NE part of the state that makes these cases and they are very nice. I have a couple 2 gun cases and several single gun cases that I normaly use. If I want to have a shorter pkg. and need hard sided protection, I have that too! Just don't use them much!

BP

 

[SamL]

Conventional wisdom says never store your gun in a case because there will always be some level of moisture, which will produce condensation, which will produce rust. I've lived in both Colorado (~5% relative humidity) and western Oregon (~100% relative humidity ) and have never seen any rust on guns I've kept in cases. But I may just be lucky - and I do maintain my guns. In any case I now store as few in cases as I can, and none are stored in soft, cloth lined cases.

The "bumpy" (open cell) foam though, being cheap, tends to deteriorate pretty quick, and I don't trust it. If one of my guns ends up in a foam-lined case for more than the trip to the range I put one of those silicone-treated gun socks on it. They inhibit rust on their own, but if nothing else they keep the foam off the surface of the gun. I've seen guns with bits of foam stuck to them, and don't want any of mine to end up that way.

-- Sam

 

[Rem396]

Burnt Powder,
I've gotcha now. I was getting lost in the translation of your word store as opposed to transport. You wont believe how many people actually store their guns in a zip case. I do know of some target shooters who do store their guns in a take down case inside their safe but I like mine to breathe.
Break 'em All!

 

[PJR]

I don't worry about the wear from disassembly/assembly I figure the thumping it takes form shooting is a lot more wear-and-tear then carefully disassembly/assembly of the gun.
Matt

Precisely. And if you are not disassembling the gun after you shoot you are not cleaning and lubing the bearing surfaces and THAT is a lot harder on the gun than taking it apart to put in a breakdown case.

 

[Scott_Maryland]

WOW, I am new to this board and I posted this topic. I am very surprised to see how much attention this posting received! I am very pleased with this forum over all!

Scott

 

[Otto CO]

Thanks for all the posts on the foam lined case transportation/storage question. I'm just using the case to transport to and from the range. I just didn't know if leaving it in the case for a day or two might cause damage over time due to the chemical makeup of the foam. Being in Colorado, I really don't see rust on anything given reasonable care. As you can tell from my equipment, I'm on a real tight budget.