Pelican case foam

[beachhair234]

I've seen the monster case thread and really liked some of the setups. I was thinking of picking up a Pelican 1700 for my McRees folder, but would need 4 foam layers to make it work. I will be cutting 2 of the layers to make it fit. I contacted Pelican and they said that the 1700 ships with 3 layers of foam. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Target In Sight]

Re: Pelican case foam

Yes, Pelican 1700 ships with 3 layers of foam, but it sounds like you want to put your rifle in the case folded, which is why you think you need 4 layers of foams. If so, why 1700? if you don't mind me ask.

I cut the foam when I first got the case, but now I just take the middle foam out and the foam on both top and bottom will hold the rifle just fine. But most of the time I put my rifle in the Eagle HSRC bag/mat, and put the whole thing in the case without any foam (if I need the case).

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Pelican case foam

I was drooling all over the cut case setups as well. My gunsmith and buddies busted my nuts pretty hard about it though. With their benchrest guns they dont cut the foam at all. Actually, they dont for any of their guns. They put whatever gun they are using that day in the pelican, and stand on the lid to get it to close. and never have a problem. They said a tight fit is what you really want. Its also nice to be able to use my pelican for every gun I have. if it was cut i would only use it for the gun it was cut for....kind of annoying. If youre doing it for looks only, go for it. Just dont think that you have to in order to get the gun more secure. Hope that makes sense.

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Pelican case foam

The 1700 would fit nicely in the back of my wagon. Currently, my monster 52" case needs to go diagonally, so it takes up nearly the entire cargo area. Dimensionally, if I go with the 1720 I'd have the same problem as I have now, but it just won't be as bad.

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Pelican case foam

I see what you're saying Jig. I can see that working if you don't store your rifle in your case long term. Long term storage like that will compress the foam.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Pelican case foam

but compression of the foam is what you want. at least thats my understanding. Storing long term in a pelican is not recommended i believe, because certain foams used can hold moisture. Other more expensive foams, the harder foams, do not. I went back and forth on to cut or not to cut for months. I just never got around to it, and now im kind of glad I didnt. The safe is best for long term storage

 

[Target In Sight]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jig Stick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but compression of the foam is what you want. at least thats my understanding. Storing long term in a pelican is not recommended i believe, because certain foams used can hold moisture. Other more expensive foams, the harder foams, do not. I went back and forth on to cut or not to cut for months. I just never got around to it, and now im kind of glad I didnt. The safe is best for long term storage </div></div>

+1 on moisture problem. If you want to cut it, cut it for the cool look, but don't store your rifle in a pelican case for a long time.

 

[Searcher]

Re: Pelican case foam

Dont mean to hijack the thread, but I would like to refoam a few of my pelican cases. Is there a good place to order replacement foam? That egg carton patterned foam would be nice.

 

[Quickdraw40]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Searcher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dont mean to hijack the thread, but I would like to refoam a few of my pelican cases. Is there a good place to order replacement foam? That egg carton patterned foam would be nice. </div></div>

Continuing the hijack, the pelicans ship with the regular foam where I have seen AIs in the more dense foam. Is there a wholesale place to get the higher density foam? TIA

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pelican case foam

Searcher (and Quickdraw) here's where I buy mine from:

http://www.closedcellfoams.com/polyethylene.html

The Polyethylene closed-cell foam is excellent. Cuts nicely, great shock absorption, no moisture retention, looks great. They sell just about any kind of foam you could want though.

 

[Helidriver]

Re: Pelican case foam

Here's where I get mine.

http://www.foambymail.com/CharcoalFoam.html

 

[Quickdraw40]

Re: Pelican case foam

Thanks!

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Pelican case foam

You could try CaseCad.
http://casecad.com/cms/

 

[blakheaven]

Re: Pelican case foam

I have a 1700 I just got, and I don't understand why it cant be used for long term storage. When I say long term storage I mean shoot my rifle and clean it and leave it in the case. But in the advertisement isn't the case water proof and moisture proof?

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Pelican case foam

I think it has to do with trapping moisture in as well as keeping it out. If you put a dessicant in it I wouldn't have any problem with long term storage. I have my Windrunner in the EDM pelican.

 

[sakoluvr]

Re: Pelican case foam

Good info here guys. I just bought a Pelican for my TRG and have not cut the foam yet. Now I may not. Thanks.

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blakheaven</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 1700 I just got, and I don't understand why it cant be used for long term storage. When I say long term storage I mean shoot my rifle and clean it and leave it in the case. But in the advertisement isn't the case water proof and moisture proof? </div></div>

When I said that I didn't think you could store a rifle long term in a Pelican case I meant one that hasn't had the foam cut. By not cutting the foam and storing a rifle long term you are keeping the foam in compression. Over time this will compact the foam and, possibly, lead to replacement sooner. I'm not sure if this is the same kind of foam but I have my McRees setup currently in a regular Plano case and even after a week of being in the case the foam is definitely compressed in several areas. It has compressed enough that if I were to drop the case from about 3 ft to concrete or asphalt I'm sure it would be enough to jar the rifle.

 

[brand692]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscgbeachbum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've seen the monster case thread and really liked some of the setups. I was thinking of picking up a Pelican 1700 for my McRees folder, but would need 4 foam layers to make it work. I will be cutting 2 of the layers to make it fit. I contacted Pelican and they said that the 1700 ships with 3 layers of foam. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks. </div></div>

I use a SKB for my folder. There is a layer of foam on the bottom, follwed by a layer of egg crate foam, then the rifle area, then another layer of egg crate foam and another layer of standard flat foam on the top.

I don't have any pics of how it is cut, but it is lighter and the perfect size for a folder. I want to say it is about 40x16x6 and FAA approved.

I have veered away from the big pelicans as they are just too damn big. The 1750 with foam weighs damn near 26 pounds. Add a rifle, some ammo a couple mags, a cleaning rod, bore guide, maybe binos, or whatever else, and you are over the 50 pound airline wieght limit and traveling with a rifle gets expensive.

The SKB works great. I tried to navigate their site to link you to the actual case, but it's a nightmare. They have thousands of cases and I couldn't find it. I'll try to get you some pics tonight.


ETA: I believe its this one: http://www.skbcases.com/industrial/products/prod-detail.php?d=&id=363&s=p

And it only weighs 14 pounds.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Pelican case foam

Hi, i just bought a Storm IM3300 this week for my bolt rifle. I really only intend to use the Storm for flighs a few times a year and for the odd car journey. If I don't cut the foam, cam I just lay the rifle and magazines and they will hold still / safe without the need to cut ? I presume in time the compression will create a mould of my rifle and it will still hold tight ?

 

[beachhair234]

Re: Pelican case foam

Damn you, Brand! Now there are other options to consider. LOL. This one will also work, but doesn't include foam. I like the fact that you can get it without the TSA locking latches. FYI...ALWAYS use regular padlocks for locking your gun case when flying. The only time TSA needs to open it is when you declare it at the special screening checkpoint and its right in front of you. After that it gets locked up and only you have the key.

TJ, I wouldn't store a rifle in it long term without cutting the foam. I just did a test on my cheapo Plano case that has had my McRees folder in it for only a week or two. At normal standing height I dropped it and the whole rifle slid to the bottom of the case. For me, that's not adequate protection.

 

[brand692]

Re: Pelican case foam

I'll get you pics tonight when I get home. I've only had it on a handful of flights, maybe 8, and it's all banged up, but like the pelican, it has held together and my pea shooter hasn't sustained any damage.

And you are right, TSA locks, <span style="font-style: italic">according to my understanding</span>, are not actually approved for a declared firearm. I use a set of massive padlocks and I also lock the integral locks on the case latches itself. I am always present when its screened. And as of late, they haven't even opened it. The last time I flew with it, I went through OMA, PHX and SFO. When screened at PHX and SFO last week and two weeks ago they swabbed it with that goofy round patch and put the patch in the machine for analysis. They also sent the case, locked, through the x-ray machine. They never opened it once.

At OMA, they didn't even swab it. Just ran it through the x-ray machine.

The only time I've opened it recently at the airport was to put the weapons declaration ticket in it.

 

[308Guy]

Re: Pelican case foam

I cut the foam in my Pelican but after reading this I wish that I hadn't.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Pelican case foam

I took the foam out of my 1720 and just have my soft case/drag bag in it, seems to work pretty well. I have the foam stashed in my room if anyone's interested.

 

[brand692]

Re: Pelican case foam

Battery was dead. Pics of the SKB setup uploading now.

 

[brand692]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoExpert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I took the foam out of my 1720 and just have my soft case/drag bag in it, seems to work pretty well. I have the foam stashed in my room if anyone's interested. </div></div>

I do the same thing. I use the Pelican 1750 with the 5.11 50 inch case as well. Perfect fit. Of course the Hardigg cases have the option to buy an internal soft case.

 

[Northland]

Re: Pelican case foam

I cut the foam in mine and kinda wish I didn't.
If you cut the it's only good for that rifle, if you don't cut the foam any rifle will fit.

 

[Northland]

Re: Pelican case foam

Forgot to add...

Don't mess it up either, have you seen the prices of the replacement foam?

 

[brand692]

Re: Pelican case foam

And here is the SKB case with cheapo folder in it. You can see how I gut it out and it works perfectly.

Here it looks like the stock hangs over, but the camera makes it look that way. It is actually all the way in the case.

Same here.

This angle shows it fits just about perfectly.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: Pelican case foam

TAG

 

[TANGO2072]

Re: Pelican case foam

Didnt see it posted, not sure if it was intentional, but....
An old ARFCOM thread goes into great detail on making a nice foam cutting system:
AR15 Thread

 

[ARsR4ME]

Re: Pelican case foam

mine had one piece on the top and two on the bottom. I cut the first layer with a electric filet knife.

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pelican case foam

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Northland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cut the foam in mine and kinda wish I didn't.
If you cut the it's only good for that rifle, if you don't cut the foam any rifle will fit. </div></div>

True, but you can also cut several sets of foam for different rifles/loadouts and swap them out as you need them...saves on buying an individual case for every rifle.