The 8 Best AR-15 Hard Cases in 2024

Flambeau Outdoors 6500AR AR Tactical Gun Case

This Flambeau hard case is made from strong and durable polypropylene and filled with egg-crate foam. The interior dimensions are 40 inches long x 12 inches wide x 4 inches high. It is available in black only. It has velcro straps inside and it is molded to accept the optional plastic dividers. This hard case is very customizable for a case using egg crate foam.

There are multiple pre-cut openings in the foam for the velcro straps and plastic dividers that go through the foam and attach to the plastic outer shell. The foam is thick enough that it will keep a box of ammo from sliding around in the closed case. The lid will not protrude even if the case is full.

There are plastic dividers with a corrosion inhibitor called Zerust molded into them. Zerust works well in preventing rust. This hard case is tough enough to protect against impacts although it doesn’t have the thickest walls on the market. The fastenings are made from molded plastic which might be a potential failure point. On the other hand, plastic latches keep the weight down. The case is quite large but that also means it has a lot of space for your devices.

Plano AW2 All Weather Tactical Gun Case

This hard case is made from a thick polymer. It has egg crate foam on the top and bottom with a perforated foam middle section. The outer dimensions are 42 inches long x 16 inches wide x 7 inches high. It is available in black and includes a waterproof O-ring and pressure relief valve. There are other case sizes available as well. The 42 inche version will be the best if you have an AR-15 with a 20-inch barrel or a fixed stock.

The Plano All Weather Tactical Gun Case is not the same quality as some of the more expensive choices in this review. However, it has a lot more features than you would expect for its price.

This case has a waterproof and airtight seal around the entire case, hence the name All Weather. Due to the seal, there is a difference in pressures between the inside and outside of the case, so there is a pressure relief valve to deal with that.

Inside the case, there is egg carton foam on the top and the bottom. In the middle, there is a medium-quality foam piece. It has perforations so you can easily cut out pieces of foam to get specific sizes according to your needs.

All-weather cases are great for protecting your firearms from water and other elements that cause damage. The AW2 line has an upgraded look and improved functionality. This hard case is great for airline travel thanks to its heavy-duty, dual-stage lockable latches and a built-in pressure release valve.

Plano All Weather Rifle/Shotgun Cases

The Plano All-Weather is a great AR-15 hard rifle case. Although it is not quite as good as the Pelican reviewed below, Plano cases are the way to go if you are looking for:

• A hard gun case with Premium features and
• A reasonable price

This hard case is completely weatherproof. Your firearm is 100% protected from water and dust inside this hard case. It is made out of thick, sturdy plastic. It does not bend even if you press it down. It’s not Pelican-tough, but sturdy enough for most uses.

You can lock this hard case with 5 latches, 3 latches are in the front and 2 are on the sides. The two latches in the front have locks with keys included. It takes minimal effort to release and close the latches.

This case is airtight. That is why it includes a pressure release valve to even out the pressure inside the case. It is also airline-approved so you can travel with your AR-15. Just remember that for air travel, you’ll need to get yourself TSA-Approved Padlocks. The internal locking system of the case is not good enough to pass airport security.

This Plano case is made in the USA as are all their cases. If you are a patriot you might appreciate that. If not, seek help.

The pluck foam inside the case is fully customizable. You can either pick & pluck the foam or use a knife to cut out a more precise fit. Customizable foam provides for a perfect fit for your gun and any accessories you want to add (e.g., a handgun, extra mags, etc.). That way nothing moves around inside the case while you’re carrying it.

The only downsides are the hinges on the back as they can be destroyed by a thief with tools. Also, the integrated lock on the front can easily be destroyed.

Pelican 1750 Rifle Case With Foam

This hard case is made from durable copolymer polypropylene with three pieces of dense closed-cell foam that improves durability and reduces weight. It is available in multiple colors including black, olive drab green, and flat dark earth. Its interior dimensions are 50.50 inches long x 13.50 inches wide x 5.25 inches high. Although it is expensive it will last for a long time and might even outlast you.

This hard case is waterproof, crash-proof, and dust-proof. The gasket is so effective that an automatic pressure relief valve is necessary. It evens out the air inside and outside the case for easy opening, without allowing moisture to get in. Pelican cases are kept watertight due to the tongue and groove fit and incorporated polymer o-ring. The easy-to-use latches are of a double-throw style. The great thing about this case is the fact that it has wheels for easy manipulation. So even if you have a heavy AR-15 and a lot of magazines, you won’t suffer when pulling it around.

The high-quality foam keeps your gun and any accessories protected. One downside is the fact that there are no perforations for cutting out the foam. The easiest way is to outline the potential cutouts in chalk before you start cutting to not make a mistake. Pelican also offers engraved nameplates in case you want some personalization.

Plano Single Scoped or Double Non-Scoped Rifle Case

This Plano case is built from sturdy plastic with a molded-in handle and thick-walled construction and includes a decent amount of padding in the form of egg-crate foam. It is quite durable and will protect your rifle well from dust, crashes, and some water. However, it is not waterproof or airtight.

It has three secure points for locks: one in the handle and one on each of the corners. If you plan to use the case for air travel then you need all three points locked to check-in your firearms. That means you will need three locks to take with you, at least one of which needs to be non-TSA approved, since legally you need to be the only one with access to the key at all times and TSA can open any TSA-approved lock. The best idea is to use three cable locks designed for securing firearm cases.

A couple of improvements are possible. The case does not include any velcro straps to keep the guns in place, however, it would be very useful since there is space for multiple rifles and you do not want them to knock against each other. Also, the latches could be made better, sometimes they don’t line up properly.

Pelican 1720 Rifle Case

As mentioned above, Pelican is the staple of quality when it comes to gun cases. Usually, this
is the case that all other hard cases are compared to. If you want to have the best hard case on the market for your AR-15, then choose Pelican.

Pelican cases are made to military specifications. They are waterproof, dust-proof, and crash-proof. There is an automatic pressure equalization valve to even out the pressure outside and inside. The case is TSA-approved for air transport. It has durable stainless-steel latches and it is extremely tough and secure to protect your firearm. You can try it out by standing on it, it won’t break. You would need an industrial saw or a blow-torch to destroy it.

Interior Dimensions are 42 inches long x 13.5 inches wide x 5.25 inches high. The interior volume is 1.72 Cubic ft so you will have a lot of room for your AR-15 as well as for extra handguns, mags, scopes, etc.

The case is well padded and you will have to use a knife as this foam is not pluck and pick. The downside is that the large size makes this hard case heavy to walk around with. The second downside is the price, but you will be getting a case that even your grandkids can use.

Vault by Pelican – V800 Double Rifle Case

This hard case was built for hard use, high impact, and supreme weather resistance. It is one of the most rugged cases in its class. It is made from sturdy high-impact polymer with ergonomic heavy-duty handles that will withstand tough conditions.

This hard case comes with a decent foam that needs to be cut out. There is no pick and pluck option, so it is recommended to use chalk to measure out the size before cutting the foam. Interior dimensions are 53 inches long x 16 inches wide x 6 inches high. The case is quite heavy, 24.95 lbs. It has wheels for easier movement.

Although this case is Pelican, it does not offer the same high-quality and sturdiness as the Pelican 1750. It is less rugged. It is a cheaper version because the quality is also lower. However, if you want a large hard case that will hold multiple rifles and accessories, has decent latches and foam, and protects your rifles, then this is your choice.

Eylar 44 Inch Protective Roller Tactical Rifle Hard Case

The Eylar hard case is a sturdy product molded from reinforced high-pressure polypropylene plastic. This Tactical Rifle Case is suitable for extreme temperatures with a working temperature range of -20° F (-29° C) to 140° F (60° C). It is waterproof and can be submerged fully into 1 meter of water and the rubber gasket lining will protect the contents inside. It is also crush-proof and dust-proof.

The inner dimensions are 42 inches long x 13.5 inches wide x 5.25 inches high. It can fit two rifles or a single rifle with optics and other gear. That means it provides you with a space for customization when it comes to storage.

This hard case comes with three layers of foam. 2 layers are fully customizable pull and pluck foam. One layer is egg-crate foam padding. The advantage is that you can easily exchange and arrange these layers depending on the accessories or the content of your hard case.

This case meets TSA requirements so you can take your AR-15 on a flight with this case. It has 2 padlocks for securing the contents easily. There is also a pressure equalization valve for easy opening. This hard case is resistant to mold, fungus, and corrosion, so it will last for a long time and your AR-15 inside will remain safe as well.