AR-15 pistols are popular for many reasons. Their portability and light weight make them easy to transport and carry. Protecting your AR-15 pistol is always a concern during transportation. Of course, a hard case is the best protection. However, budget, and other considerations often make a soft case a more viable choice. Finding that best case for your AR-15 pistol is the challenge.
There are several factors that any good AR-15 pistol case should offer. We have looked at many of the AR-15 pistol cases available. We have compiled this list of what we consider the best AR-15 pistol cases.
Of course, your needs and expectations may be different than ours. Your priorities in an AR-15 pistol case will affect your decision on which case you buy.
SKIP AHEAD
Our Choices for the Best Case for an AR-15 Pistol
The following are our choices for the best AR-15 cases. We have tried to identify the best AR-15 pistol case in each category. We understand that your needs and expectations may be different than ours. That is to be expected. However, you can make a more informed decision by understanding what we look for in an AR-15 case.
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#1 AR-15 PISTOL CASE
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Boyt H-Series Hard-Sided Travel Cases
The Boyt H-Series hard cases are the best protection you can give to your AR-15 pistol when traveling. Boyt cases are built to withstand an amazing amount of abuse. Boyt cases offer features usually found in hard-sided cases costing hundreds of dollars more. You can expect features such as:
- Collapsible over-molded comfort grip handles that fold down for travel or storage
- TSA Approved for airline travel
- Made in the USA
- All steel latches are powder coated for maximum life and durability
- Pressure relief valve
- Dust-proof O-ring full-length gasket
- Customizable foam interior for a form fit
Users of the Boyt H-Series hard-sided travel cases are exuberant in their praise. In general, the comments by users of these hard-sided cases fall into these categories.
- Less bulky than comparable cases from other manufacturers making the Boyt cases easy to transport and handle.
- Meets the TSA requirements for a travel case at much less cost than the other products.
- Thinner overall than the more expensive cases, which saves money on oversized luggage charges.
- Rugged and durable cases at reasonable costs take much of the worry about transporting your files and pencils.
Some users of the Boyt cases report quality control issues with the assembly of the cases. We suggest you examine your case closely when it arrives.
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#1 AR-15 PISTOL CASE
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Condor Single Rifle Case 36″
Condor Outdoor is not a well-recognized for its rifle cases as some other manufacturers, but I have found them great value. If your AR-15 pistol has a 16-inch barrel, you will need a longer rifle-style case. The Condor 36 inch tactical rifle case is a perfect solution to protect and carry your AR-15 pistol. Condor includes such features in their bags as:
- The padded primary compartment accepts rifles up to 36 inches long
- A secondary compartment 26 inches long is divided into two compartments to carry accessories
- Lockable heavy-duty zipper on both the main and secondary compartments
- A fully adjustable padded shoulder strap is included
- Three modular utility pouches on the exterior of the case for magazines and other supplies
- Available in a variety of colors and camouflage patterns
Reviewing the comments of users of these Condor bags is a clear indication of the utility and durability of these cases. Most of the comments fall into these categories.
- The Condor cases are robust in design and manufacture. They stand up well to hard use and the most extreme conditions.
- All the hardware and zippers are metal for durability
- Thick and generous padding protects your weapon from all but the most violent abuse
- Interior Velcro straps keep your firearm in place and give it even more protection
Not only do I have several Condor rifle cases, but I also carried Condor gear in my store when it was open. I can honestly say that the Condor gear was some of our best-selling equipment, and I think they have only gotten better.
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HAZARD 4 Dropshot(TM) ‘Racket’ CCW Padded Case
Carrying a tactical rifle case is often an attention-getting situation. Many of us prefer to adopt the
“Gray man” attitude and keep a low profile when possible. A discreet style case for your AR-15 pistol is the perfect way to protect your AR-15 pistol and not attract unwanted attention.
There is no bag more discreet for carrying your AR-15 pistol than the MAZARD Dropshot racket style bag. The HAZARD bag is shaped like any other racket bag. This bag is optimized on the interior to carry a smaller AR-15 style pistol or SBR. HAZARD gives you a feature-rich bag as well.
- All nylon construction
- Racket bag styling doesn’t betray what is inside the bag
- Fully padded for the most in weapon protection
- Outside compartment for carrying small accessories
- Quick open zipper orientation allows weapon deployment from the shoulder strap carry position
- Interior rifle loops keep your AR-15 pistol in place, secure and immobile
Users of the HAZARD rackety style cases find them perfect for discreet carry. The comments we found are categorized into these general areas.
- Enough space to pack an AR-15 pistol and several loaded magazines without problem
- The outside pockets are large enough to carry earplugs, shooting glasses and other small items
- The nylon material used on the exterior of the case is durable and somewhat water-resistant
- The padding extends far enough to the ends that the muzzle of the rifle is well protected
If you want to move your AR-15 pistol around without anyone having a clue what you are carrying, a HAZARD racket-style case is a perfect choice. Anyone seeing you will think nothing more than you are on your way to the courts for a brisk game of tennis.
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HUNTSEN Tactical Rifle Bag Backpack
Our alternative choice for a tactical soft side AR-15 pistol case is the Huntsen tactical rifle backpack. This bag resembles a small guitar case in shape which adds a bit of discreet carry cover for your AR-15 pistol. The Huntsen bag has several additional features that we like.
- Water-resistant polyester material provides excellent all-weather protection for your firearm.
- Heavy-duty lockable zippers for added security
- It can be configured for a backpack carry, shoulder carry, or hand carry.
- Two compartments allow carrying your firearm and up to five loaded magazines
- The gun compartment has Velcro loops to keep your AR-15 pistol secure in the compartment
- Two exterior compartments for additional accessories and supplies.
We looked at the comments from users of the HUNTSEN tactical rifle backpack and found that most users praise these bags. The general categories of the comments are:
- For its small size, you can carry an amazing amount of gear in this bag
- Comfortable to carry as a backpack or sling the bag over your shoulder with the included strap
- The shape of a small guitar case often confuses people as to the real contents of my bag.
- Well-constructed of good material.
For an AR-15 pistol, the Huntsen bag seems to be a sensible solution. It is not as discreet as some bags. It is a comfortable compromise between a full-on tactical rifle bag and a covert case.
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Condor 26” Transporter Gun Bag
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Suppose your AR-15 is on the smaller side with a shorter barrel. In that case, you might consider an even more compact method for carrying your AR-15 pistol. Many AR-15 pistol owners prefer to carry their pistol in an even smaller bag by disassembling it into its upper and lower halves. Condor makes a bag especially for this type of carrying.
The Condor 26 inch transporter bag features two internal compartments with tie-down straps to hold the upper and lower for an AR-15 pistol snuggly and securely. There are other great features that make this one of my favorite bags for my AR-15 pistol.
- Lockable padded main compartment with a removable divider for easy configuration.
- Four tie-down straps with Velcro closures to keep your rifle or pistol secure
- An exterior zipper compartment with elastic loops for magazines and other accessories
- Hideaway shoulder strap
- A discreet smooth-sided look won’t betray what you are carrying
Surveying users of the Condor Outdoor Transport bag find solid reviews and many positive comments. The comments fall into these main categories.
- This is an extremely discreet bag for its size and doesn’t get a second glance from people when carrying it.
- The interior straps keep the parts of my AR in place and secure. Nothing shifts or moves around.
- You can carry your SBR or AR pistol, 6 magazines for the AR and 4 pistol mags without any problem
- The strap allows you to shoulder carry or mount the bag like a sling bag across your back. Very comfortable and secure arrangement.
This is one of my favorite bags to carry a disassembled AR or AR-15 pistol. The quality is exceptional, and the design is perfect for my use. I highly recommend this bag.
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What Should I Look for in an AR-15 Pistol Case?
Several features are unique to find the best case for an AR1-5 pistol. You can, of course, put your AR-15 pistol in all most any rifle case. However, the characteristics of an AR-15 pistol can make a normal rifle case cumbersome and difficult to use. In general, the things you should look for in an AR-15 pistol case include:
Size – The size of your AR-15 pistol determines the best size of the case. In general, the case should not be more than 2 or 3 inches longer than the overall length of your AR-15 pistol. The case length maybe even shorter if you prefer to carry your AR-15 broken down into lower and upper halves.
Style – Typically, AR-15 cases are classed as either tactical style or discreet style. Tactical style bags are what many consider the traditional case style with numerous pockets, magazine carriers and pouches on the bag’s exterior. Tactical bags may be solid-colored or camouflage. Discreet bags are what you would expect. These bags are designed to conceal the purpose of the bag and usually have no outside magazine pouches. Some discreet bags look more like standard briefcases or backpacks.
Construction Quality and Durability – If you intend to trust the well-being of your Ar-15 pistol to a case, you should find the highest possible construction quality and materials available. The material should be durable and tear-resistant. Water-resistance is also a good idea. Zippers should be heavy-duty and sturdy to resist breaking.
Padding and Protection – You may want to look for several features that will keep your AR-15 pistol safe and secure. Lockable zippers are one recommendation. The heavier the padding on the case, the better it protects your AR-15 pistol. Heavy padding also helps disguise the outline of your AR-15 pistol from casual observation.
Which is Better? A Hard Case or a Soft Case?
There is a lot of debate about whether a hard case or a soft case is the better choice for transporting your AR-15 pistol. In our opinion, the situation and the conditions should dictate which is the best choice. Some of the considerations that can affect your choice are:
- Where you intend to carry your AR-15 pistol can influence which type of case is better. I prefer a hard case for traveling to ensure that the normal bumps and bangs that occur in the trunk or back seat of a vehicle don’t damage my AR-15 pistol.
- For short trips from home to the range, a soft case is a perfect option. Many tactical cases allow you to carry all the extra gear you need to shoot safely without needing a second range bag.
- If you intend to fly with your AR-15, the TSA will require a hard case with TSA approved locks
- If discretion is your goal, a discreet style case that disguises your AR-15 pistol is the clear option. Many discrete cases require that the AR-15 pistol be carried broken down. This allows for a much smaller overall profile. Discrete cases are available in various styles and colors, making it almost impossible to identify one of them as carrying a gun.
In the end, your needs and expectations will dictate which style of case you need for your AR-15 pistol. If you are like many of us, one case won’t fit all the needs. Having several different styles and types makes moving your AR-15 much easier depending on where you are going and what you are doing?
Finding the Right Case for Your AR-15 Pistol
Finding the right case to carry your AR-15 pistol can take some investigation and some thought. Determining your needs and expectations is one side of the coin. Protecting your AR-15 pistol and getting the best value for your dollar is the other. Hopefully, this article will give you some insight and help you make the best choice for your AR-15 pistol.
