Custom AR-50 case

[dwebb210]

I have been looking around for a gun case suitable for an AR-50.

I saw a Kalispel at a local sporting goods store, and decided
I really liked the idea of an aluminum case over the plastic
hard cases, and especially over the soft-side cases.

In my opinion, I think it would be good to have at least 2 inches
of foam extending beyond all points of the gun, if not more. Opinions?
Since the AR-50 is almost 60" long, I want a case that is at least
64" long. Or should it be 66"???

Explore Products sells a Kalispel case that is 64" long, custom made for them.

http://www.exploreproducts.com/kalispel50caliberriflecaseGC621206.htm

But, it is only 11 inches tall.

That isn't enough, is it?

By looking at the photos on Armalite's web site, it looks like the gun
is tall enough to take up more than 11" in it's 14" tall soft case.

If I want to special order a case from Kalispel, I have to go through
a dealer. As far as I'm concerned, that sucks. I gotta pay their markup.

So I kept looking.

Cabela's sells aluminum cases, as does ICC and Beartrack.

Beartrack must make their cases out of gold or something.
They are almost twice as expensive, and I don't think they
are as nice. So I am skipping them.

I called Cabela's to inquire about their "bullet proof" aluminum
cases. They don't have any longer than 54 inches. And they
wouldn't disclose the manufacturer.

I called Kalispel to see if they made the cases for Cabela's.
Nope. But they knew who did, and weren't too happy about it.
I was told that an employee of theirs quit and became competition.
Soon after, this person joined up with, or was bought out by
another company. But Kalispel wouldn't tell me who this other
company was.

Hmmm... I'm no rocket surgeon, but a Google search only shows
a few aluminum gun case manufacturers.

So I called ICC. Sure enough, they make the cases for Cabela's.

The 45 degree corners are licensed to Cabela, so they won't make
a custom case with those corners. But they will custom make
a case for me. And they will deal directly with me, instead of
going through a dealer.

I talked to Kevin Bailey at ICC, who was very helpful.

He said they would be happy to make a case to my specifications.
....but it would cost me.

He said as a guide, expect to pay double what Cabela's charges
for the same case, if it was made custom.

So my case will be somewhere around $500.

However, he said that I should ask around and see if anyone
else wanted the same thing. If they could make more than one
of a particular design, it would bring the price down quickly.
Specifically, he said the price drops dramatically if I can
find 5 people who want the same thing. More orders drives the
price down more.

I'm thinking a case that is 64x14x6", 0.080" thick aluminum,
wheels, and the rest made to their standard specifications.

But I'm open to ideas.
What would you suggest for the ideal case?

So I'm not starting a group buy per se.

All orders would be placed directly between you and them.

But if we can agree on a particular design, we can bring
the price down for everyone.

Post your thoughts.

Thanks,

Dave

[harleystyles]

Just for the sake of arguement, would you not want the case a little bit deeper than 6"? if you want 2" of foam all the way around it the gun has to be only 2" thist to make this possible.

I was also looking at the same cases... well sizes you were. I like the plastic ones better myself.

[dwebb210]

Originally posted by harleystyles
Just for the sake of arguement, would you not want the case a little bit deeper than 6"? if you want 2" of foam all the way around it the gun has to be only 2" thist to make this possible.

I was also looking at the same cases... well sizes you were. I like the plastic ones better myself.

Good point... but how thick is the gun?

Dave

[limeyyank]

I guess your case size wil depend on your stock. My stock has a forend with of 5 " and the bottom of the stock is parallel to the forend and that is 3" (FCSA heavy class) so people like myself would need atleast 9 or 10". Just as a option for ya have you looked locally at companys that make "truck bed boxs" My case is made from Alloy dimond plate .125" thick with wood blocks covered in carpet custom fitted to the gun. Its more of a rolling safe than a gun case but the guy made it for under $200 it weighs about 20 or 30 lbs but with a 49lb rife your not going to be sling carrying it. I have been tru many airports with this and even those guys can't hurt it.

Thanks

Mark

[dwebb210]

Truck Bed Boxes....

I think that brand is made in DesMoines Iowa.

I was at Scheels All Sports in DesMoines two weeks ago
looking at some diamond plate gun cases there.

A double rifle case with wheels and three handles
was marked down from $200 to $99.

They looked pretty good, especially for the price.

Dave