Pelican Weapons Case
Pelican claims their cases are waterproof, crushproof and dustproof. I have no reason to believe otherwise. I’ve dropped my 1750 weapons case countless times, driven in the rain with it in the back of my truck, and generally beaten it up. The inside always stays completely dry and it shows little sign of wear.
I mostly go duck hunting in Louisiana, so my heavy outdoor use is mostly seasonal, but even indoors you want something you can trust. When you spend a lot of money on a gun (like the Browning shotgun I own), you want it to last. In the past I've used soft cases, but I have friends who have always hailed Pelicans as the highest quality gun cases they owned.
After six months, I am completely convinced this polypropylene hard case is the last case I will ever need. Just holding it in your hand you can feel how durable it is, yet still light weight enough to be
manageable (about 26 lbs w/the foam). It also comes with a foam interior liner that is customizable so everything fits snug. In terms of safety, the 1750's padlock holes are protected with stainless steel panels. The case even comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee, though Pelican's construction and quality seemingly deem it unnecessary.
Since purchasing this case, I’ve picked up a Pelican Micro Case, which works equally as well. Perfect for keeping a cell phone, wallet and keys dry.
-- Steven Domingue
While equipping a cryonics response team that has to carry all kinds of fragile equipment as checked airline baggage, I sampled four or five different brands of containers. We concluded without any doubt that the Pelicans were the best, and they also tend to be the cheapest, so long as you aren't tempted to buy them with the overpriced foam inserts. It's much more economical and more satisfying to buy polyurethane foam separately (e.g. from upholstery stores) and cut it to fit the objects which you want to protect. A bread knife with fine serrations is good for cutting foam; a utility knife is not good; a band saw with a thin blade is the best of all.
I've lugged Pelicans through all kinds of punishing conditions, and have never seen one experience any damage. They are heavier than aluminum equipment cases, but they don't dent, crack, bend, or break.
-- Charles Platt
Favorite (15)
Peter
poor ducks, what did they do to you?
Chris W
We use a lot of Pelican cases in the TV news business for transporting valuable gear. The only problem is that thieves have learned to look for Pelican cases!
Daffy Duck
Agreed. Pelican cases are completely bombproof, and the look-alike alternatives often are far from bombproof.
But I'd also point out that it's not duck season. It's rabbit season!
Bryant
I've Pelican cases for my Glock and my stereo microscope. The box apes at Delta Airlines have not been able to damage anything...yet.
Doug Faunt
I found a local foam shop that was knowledgeable about making custom inserts and did a fine job for me, no hassle., and significantly cheaper than the pluckable foam inserts.
Eric
I use a pair of Pelican 1550 cases (the same model many EMTs use) as luggage on my motorcycle, mounted on sidecase racks. Last september I crashed at ~70mph. The bike slid down the highway on the left side case, then off the road and stopped when it hit a signpost. Both cases popped off the racks and continued tumbling, ending up 100-150 feet beyond the bike. The bike was totaled. The case that was under the bike looks like someone attacked it with a grinder, but is still watertight and I use it now on my new bike. The computer I'm typing this on was in that case, and was undamaged. Any other motorcycle luggage would have shattered or been crushed. (I was wearing full protective gear and got away with only some nasty bruises.)
Ash
Eric, could you post more details on how you mounted the cases? That sounds like a great tip!
Simon
I don't like the pluck foam since it tends to fall apart with repeated use. It's fine ofr long term storage or occasional shipping though. To cut your own foam, nothing works better (short of a hot wire) than an old electric carving knife.
Pelican stuff is the best and is fully returnable with no hassles. They will send you free parts (the snaps) if you ask.
Simon
Nick
@Ash, one mounting option I've seen that has lots of positive reviews is the Caribou Case system, the 35L cases are Pelican 1550 cases. www.cariboucases.com
I expect when I get a larger bike I'll be going with Caribou for luggage.
Cheswollen
I wish somebody would come up with a decent case for 3 to 5 long swords, a jacket and a coupla fencing masks. Everybody uses golf bags or ginormously heavy homemade chests, there's a vast untapped market out there pelican.
Eric
@Ash, I have the Caribou cases Nick mentioned, but attached them to Givi sidecase racks with Happy Trails mounting hardware (http://tr.im/hAyW), for a cheaper solution than the full Caribou system. I also like that the Givi racks allow me to easily attach a tool tube inboard from the left case.
Here's a photo of the ground-down but still completely functional case: http://tr.im/hAyS
Dave
All of my Trimble GNSS equipment comes in Pelican cases, and after over five years of daily (ab)use including:
Being checked as airline luggage
Frequent UPS / FedEx shipping
Used as stools, stepladders
Thrown around the back of my truck
Dragging through swamps
Rappelled down cliffs
only one of my 8 cases has any non-cosmetic damage whatsoever, and that is simply a loose hinge pin. They are all still structurally sound and watertight.
Nate
At my former employer we managed to beat up some pelican cases pretty badly (holes in one from dragging on asphalt - boss apparently hadn't mastered use of the wheel and some broken latches and handles, due I'm sure to loading with 100+ pounds). Pelican customer service was easy to deal with, and the warranty was quickly and painlessly honored. We also had good luck with Hardigg's Storm line, and they were close enough that we could go to the factory for their seconds (cosmetic blemishes when changing between color runs).
Steven
@cheswollen How long are your long swords. Pelican has a new 1770 case with an interior length of 54 inches. http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1770
I've got a 1750 myself, and it is rock solid. I really believe it could be dropped from 5 floors with minimal scuffing only.