The trouble with buying an AR-15 case is that, unlike most other rifles, there’s no “standard” AR-15. For example, barrel lengths can range from 16-inch home defense builds to 18-inch sporting builds to 24-inch target shooting builds. Your rifle can also have different stocks, including collapsible stocks that are set at a variety of lengths. And that’s before you add a flash suppressor or muzzle brake.
All in all, this leads to a lot of confusion in online forums as to what the ideal gun case is for an AR-15. Even people with very similar builds will be hesitant to offer a recommendation, because there are so many variables. It’s been said that you don’t own an AR-15. You own your AR-15. So you need a case that’s right for your gun.
And make no mistake, your AR-15 will most certainly need a case. Unless you live in an extremely rural area and are only using it on your own property. Otherwise, you’ll need a case for taking your gun to the range at a bare minimum. If you’re going to hunt with your AR, you’ll also need a soft case for keeping it clean and dry while you’re out in the field.
We’ve found 15 of the most popular AR-15 cases online, and put them through their paces. We’ve chosen a selection of different lengths, with both hard and soft cases, across a broad price range. Odds are, at least one of these is going to meet your needs.
Best AR-15 Cases
Amazon.com
1. Savior American
Savior American
Features
- [ULTRA DURABLE] - Constructed With Heavy Duty Industrial 600D PVC Nylon
- [ULTRA SPACIOUS] - Holds 2 Rifles & 2 Pistols w/ Additional Pocket Compartments
- [ULTRA SAFE] - Lockable Zipper Sliders On Both Firearm Compartments
- [ULTRA DELUXE] - Molle Grid, Paracord Zipper, D-Ring and Backpack Straps
- [SAVIOR WARRANTY] - Unquestioned Lifetime Warranty. Love It Or Return It.
The Savior Equipment American Classic is a soft rifle bag with protective padding on all six sides. It has a padded internal divider which allows you to carry up to two rifles, with restraining straps for both of them. There are also two padded pockets for storing pistols, as well as an un-padded pocket for magazines.
The internal straps could stand to be a bit stronger and can be a bit loose on smaller guns. The shoulder straps make this case very convenient to carry, but they’re close together and maybe uncomfortable for people with broad shoulders. Savior Equipment provides a lifetime, no questions asked warranty.
Pros
- Backpack-style carrying straps
- Padding on all sides
- Can carry 2 rifles
- 2 pockets for pistols
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Weak internal straps
- Shoulder straps are close together
Why It’s Recommended
The Savior Equipment American Classic is a convenient way to carry not just your AR-15, but your entire collection.
2. Pelican 1700
Pelican 1700
Features
- PREMIUM RIFLE HARD CASE: In use with military, law enforcement, and hunters worldwide. Watertight, crushproof, and dustproof hard case that comes with a 3 piece foam set. Serves as a single or double rifle case. Lockable and TSA approved
- FEATURES: Rolling case with strong wheels, lockable and TSA approved, easy open double throw latches, fold down handles, o-ring seal, and automatic pressure equalization valve that balances the interior pressure and keeps water out
- DIMENSIONS (LxWxH Inches): Exterior 38.12 x 16.00 x 6.12 Interior 35.75 x 13.50 x 5.25 - Weight 16.98 lbs
- MADE IN USA: Trusted protection in use by the military, divers, first responders (fire, police, EMT) since 1976
- GUARANTEE OF EXCELLENCE: Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
The Pelican 1700 is a polymer rifle case that’s used by the US military, among other professional organizations. The polymer shell is tough enough to drive a truck over it, and the steel padlock grommets make it extremely difficult to steal. It’s watertight, and has dense foam padding that can be cut to fit virtually any AR configuration.
This case is TSA approved, so you can fly with it anywhere in the US. Adding to its appeal as a travel case are the two plastic travel wheels, which are great for rolling it to and from your car. All of this comes at a steep price, but the Pelican is well worth the money.
Pros
- Durable polymer shell
- Steel padlock grommets
- Dense foam padding
- Watertight
- TSA approved
- Rolling wheels for transport
Cons
- Expensive
Why It’s Recommended
The Pelican 1700 Rifle Case is a professional-grade hard case that’s great for flying.
3. VooDoo Tactical
VooDoo Tactical
1 used from $104.99
Features
- Padded pockets also hold two pistols
- Thick padding on all six sides cradles your rifle and optics
- Three gusseted exterior pouches hold ammo, magazines and accessories
The VooDoo Tactical is a durable soft case that can hold two AR-style rifles. It has internal velcro restraining straps, and a padded divider that slips between your guns to keep them from scratching. There are three large external storage pouches, which you can use for ammo, magazines, or even a pistol or two.
This case has backpack-style carrying straps, or can be carried using an over-the-shoulder strap. It’s affordably priced. However, the interior is heat sensitive, and can melt if you put your AR back fresh after rapid-firing a few magazines. Give your gun a minute to cool off before you replace it.
Pros
- Backpack-style carrying straps
- Holds two rifles
- Three large external storage pouches
- Affordable
Cons
- Heat-sensitive interior
Why It’s Recommended
The VooDoo Tactical Padded Weapons Case is a great option for carrying your AR on your back.
4. Flambeau Outdoors
Flambeau Outdoors
Free shipping
Features
- DOUBLE GUN STORAGE: The Safe Shot Double Gun Case features a spacious design that allows you to safely and easily house two rifles or shotguns as well as their scopes.
- SECURE CLOSURES: This Flambeau Outdoors gun case is designed with four locking points. The multiple lock system includes 4 lock hasps and 4 latches that keep your firearms safe and secure, even during transport.
- RUGGED CONSTRUCTION: The hard plastic exterior of the case protects your firearms from hard impact and general wear-and tear. Convoluted foam inside provides additional support - the interior foam padding insulates the guns against shock due to falls.
- PORTABLE, EASY-TO-CARRY DESIGN: The Flambeau Outdoors Safe Shot Double Gun Case is made of lightweight materials so that it is easy to carry. The case is made with an ergonomic, textured handle for a secure grip and easy transport.
- SPECIFICATIONS: Interior dimensions are 52.375" L x 8" W x 3.45" D. Made in the U.S.A.
The Flambeau Safeshot is an inexpensive hard case with egg crate padding. This padding is versatile, since you don’t need to cut it to fit your gun. As a result, you can use it for a variety of rifles. On the other hand, it’s not as effective as denser foam padding. The plastic shell is strong enough to take a beating.
This case is very secure, with four locking points that won’t pop open under stress. It’s also very large. This means you can carry two rifles at once, but the 53-inch overall length makes it inconvenient to carry around. That said, it’s less expensive than most hard cases on the market.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- Versatile egg crate padding
- Designed to hold 2 rifles
- Four locking points
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not as protective as denser padding
- Large and bulky
Why It’s Recommended
The Flambeau Safeshot Double Hard Gun Case is a durable case that’s big enough to hold two rifles.
5. Case Club
Case Club
1 used from $174.95
Free shipping
Features
- Heavy Duty waterproof case with pre-cut foam holds AR-15 Rifle with collapsible stock (Max overall rifle length of 34.8") along with a Semi-Auto Pistol. Case also fits x2 (standard or pmag) 30rd 5.56/.223 magazines & x1 pistol magazine (+1 in the pistol magwell). Built in accessory pocket will hold loose gear such as safety equipment, tools, and ammunition. Pistol cutout also includes perforations for a flashlight or laser. Stay organized, look professional & protect your gear!
- Custom foam is closed cell polyethylene & meets Mil-Spec packaging requirements. Included is a variety of perforations to fit a wide range of optics (within 3.7" height) along with under barrel or over barrel attachments such as lasers, flashlights & foregrips. Use the included razor blade to connect the perforations so you can accommodate your unique rifle setup. If you do not need to remove a specific perforation, leave it in place and it won’t accidently tear nor will you be able to see it.
- Case comes with a small waterproof accessory box that has a designated cutout to store small items. Also included is a reusable moisture removing silica gel canister to prevent gun rust. The canister has a built in viewing window that notifies you when saturated at which point you can recharge it by baking it in the oven. Once baked the canister will be ready for use again. This recharge process can be done indefinitely. Your climate & rifle usage will dictate how often a recharge is required.
- Case is made to withstand hard impacts. Stainless steel added to padlock points for added security. Edge wheels allow the case to roll over smooth & rough terrain. Orange peel texture molded into the exterior finish minimizes scratches. Structural ribs added to the outside for increased durability. 3 folding handles with the front one extra wide to counterbalance off center weighted loads. Wide bodied snap latches can be used with gloves. Built-in lid stay so the lid will stay upright when open.
- Case is shippable & is airline approved for checked luggage. O-ring gasket in the lid keeps water & dust out. Manual pressure release valve in the front allows you to equalize the atmospheric pressure when traveling to different altitudes. Case has a lifetime guarantee & exceeds Airline Transportation Association (ATA) industry standards. Legal for rifle storage in all 50 states. Does not fit Pinned/Fixed/Full stocks, although our AR10 Case does! (Mil-Spec Packaging = (Class 1, Grad A, Type 2))
The Case Club is engineered with a tough, durable shell that will stand up to any abuse. It’s water resistant, and large enough to carry a pistol along with your AR. It accepts padlocks, and is TSA approved for air travel.
The foam insert is precut. On the one hand, this means you won’t need to do any prep work to store most AR-15s. However, you may have to make modifications for some configurations. Worse, the foam is cut so your scope will be on the bottom of the case when you’re carrying it. It’s a bit pricier than most cases, but not by much.
Pros
- Durable shell
- Padlock compatible
- Water resistant
- Also carries a pistol
- TSA approved
Cons
- Precut foam
- On the pricier side
Why It’s Recommended
The Case Club is a hard case that will carry your AR as well as your favorite pistol.
6. Condor
Features
- Padded primary compartment: - accommodates one rifle up to 42" long
- 2 hook and loop straps to secure rifle with padded sleeves for addition barrel protection (one on each end)
- Secondary Compartment: - 26 inch long with 2 internal padded pockets
- Lockable zipper on main and secondary comparment
- Padded shoulder strap can be attached at 2 locations with D-rings
The Condor is designed to hold one rifle along with a boatload of accessories. The 26-inch external pouch can carry all of your add-ons, and the three additional pouches are enough to carry several extra magazines.
This case has ¾-inch padding that will protect your rifle from most bumps and tough double stitching on the straps that won’t let go under stress. We can’t say the same for the plastic buckles, which are disappointing, but forgivable on a mid-priced case. The 12-inch width isn’t enough to accommodate a large scope, so it’s a good thing it has all that extra storage.
Pros
- Thick, ¾” padding
- Tough stitching
- One large and three smaller external pouches
- Affordable
Cons
- Not wide enough for a large scope
- Plastic buckles
Why It’s Recommended
The Condor Single Rifle Case is a slimmed-down soft case that’s ideal for taking your AR deep into the woods.
7. BLACKHAWK!
BLACKHAWK!
$27.99 in stock
Free shipping
Features
- Constructed of tight-weave, heavyweight 600 denier polyester with thick PVC Laminate for stability
- Soft internal fabric protects firearm finish
- Dual-density foam design incorporates internal open-cell foam to protect firearm and external closed cell foam for shock Absorption
- Heavy-duty tactical webbing on shoulder straps and contact points
- Closure features a loop on the case to lock the zipper pull together for a lockable case
The BLACKHAWK! is smaller than most other gun cases because it’s designed specifically as an AR-15 case. Unfortunately, it’s only designed for smaller models with collapsible stocks. Anything over 34.5 inches won’t fit.
This case is very inexpensive and has four external pockets that are designed specifically for 30-round AR magazines. There are two additional storage pouches for extra ammo, cleaning supplies, etc. Our only serious criticism is the zipper, which is flimsy, and tends to catch the internal padding every few inches when you’re closing it.
Pros
- Designed specifically for the AR-15
- Storage for four 30-round magazines
- Two additional storage pouches
- Very inexpensive
Cons
- Poorly designed zipper
- Only holds collapsible AR-15s
Why It’s Recommended
The BLACKHAWK! Tactical Carbine Case is an inexpensive, compact soft case for carrying your collapsed AR.
8. NcSTAR NC Star
NcSTAR NC Star
$72.95 in stock
Features
- Will accommodate 2 rifles
- All pockets feature heavy duty zippers
- Wrap around harry handle straps and top and bottom compression straps
The NcSTAR VISM is a soft case that holds up to two rifles. Both are held in place by internal restraining straps, and separated by a padded divider. There are three external storage pouches for carrying extra ammo and magazines. You can take it in the field using the backpack-style carrying straps.
Unfortunately, these straps have very little padding, and dig into your shoulders if you wear them for a while. The storage pouches are also poorly designed and will expand inside the case when you fill them. Basically, if you want to fill the external pouches, this is a one-gun case. That said, it’s reasonably priced.
Pros
- Backpack-style carrying straps
- Holds 2 rifles
- Plenty of extra storage
- Affordable
Cons
- Shoulder straps have thin padding
- Storage pouches interfere with internal storage
Why It’s Recommended
The NcStar VISM Double Carbine Case is a more affordable version of VooDoo Tactical’s double cases.
9. Bulldog Cases
Bulldog Cases
Features
- Smallest AR-15 case available
- Durable nylon, water-resistant outer shell with padded divider that protects gun parts and optics
- Fits firearms up to 27"
- Brushed Tricot with soft Scratch-resistant inner lining
- Exterior size 29" x 9" x 2"; interior size 27.5" x 9" x 2"
The Bulldog Cases is by far the smallest rifle case we’ve seen, at only 27 inches in length. It has no external pockets, and looks like a slim gym bag or overnight bag. It’s very inexpensive.
There are 2 internal magazine sleeves that are made specifically to fit AR magazines, but there’s not much room for extra ammo. Because it’s so small, you’ll need to remove the barrel to make your AR fit. This case has a padded divider to keep your barrel from scratching the stock and receiver, but it means you’ll have to break down and reassemble your gun every time you go shooting.
Pros
- Very compact
- Very inexpensive
- 2 internal magazine sleeves
Cons
- AR-15 needs to be disassembled to fit
- No extra storage
Why It’s Recommended
The Bulldog Cases Discreet Carry Case is ideal for anyone who wants to carry a rifle without looking that they’re carrying a rifle.
What to Look For in An AR-15 Case
If you’re new to AR-15s, you’ve probably got some questions bouncing around in your head. No worries. We love answering questions. Here are some of the most important things you need to know when you’re shopping around.
What is the Ideal Size
A general rule of thumb for any rifle is that the case should be about 1 to 2 inches longer than the rifle. This provides enough clearance for it to close properly, but doesn’t have so much play that the rifle will constantly be sliding around inside.
Where we run into trouble with the AR-15 is the fact that it’s a modular gun with tons of options. Let’s say you have a target shooting rifle with a long, 24-inch barrel and a fixed stock. It’s going to measure up to 48 inches in length, depending on the stock. Consider this the upper limit, and take it with a grain of salt because it’s an unusual build.
A home defense model, with a 16-inch barrel and collapsible stock, can measure as little as 34 inches when fully collapsed. This is a more common build, and it’s the lower limit. If you have accessories, such as a flash suppressor, on the tip of the barrel, that’s also going to affect your overall rifle length.
Bottom line, there’s no “standard” AR-15, so there’s no “standard” case length. Measure your rifle, from the back of the stock to the tip of the barrel, and look for a case that’s 1 to 2 inches longer.
Hard vs. Soft Cases
Hard and soft cases have their own features and benefits. Let’s take a look at each of them.
- Hard cases have a durable metal or polymer shell, with a foam pad on the inside that’s molded to fit your rifle. These cases can oftentimes be locked, which is a requirement for transport in some states. They’re more protective than a soft case, but they also need to be molded to your particular build. If you decide to modify your rifle later, you may need to modify the foam padding to fit the new configuration.
- Soft cases come in a variety of builds, but usually, zipper shut. They’re more lightweight than hard cases and more forgiving in terms of build. However, the inside isn’t molded, so the rifle is liable to slip around inside. These are preferred for carrying your rifle in the field since they’re lighter and easier to open when you get to your hunting location.
What Extra Features Should I Look For
Besides having a rifle case that fits, you’re also going to want some extra features. Here are some common features to look for.
- TSA compliance. If you intend on flying with your firearm, you’ll need a TSA-compliant hard case. If your hard case doesn’t say specifically that it’s TSA-compliant, it’s almost certainly not, which means you won’t be able to fly with your AR.
- Magazine storage. Most cases provide space for you to store extra magazines. Unless you only keep your rifle at home and only use it for home defense, this is practically a necessity.
- Accessory storage. If you’re taking your case out in the field, you may want to carry some extras. For example, you may want space for a cleaning kit if you’re going on a multi-day hunting trip. You might want an extra pouch to store your binoculars, or room for a set of skinning knives. Consider what you’re going to want to take in the field, and look for a case with plenty of extra pockets.
- Waterproof/floating options. This isn’t usually necessary for an AR case, but waterfowl hunters often prefer a waterproof soft case that floats. If you’re a duck hunter who’s going to use the same case for multiple guns, consider this option.
Bottom Line
There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right rifle case, and most of it depends on what you’re going to use your gun for.
For example, competitive shooters will almost always want to choose a TSA-compliant hard case. This will allow you to travel to competitions without any hassle from airport security.
On the other hand, hunters will usually want a soft case. You don’t want to be lugging a hard case around through the woods all day. If your state requires a hard case for transport, you may ultimately decide to buy two cases; one for driving to your hunting spot, and one for carrying your rifle once you’ve arrived there.
For many rifles, it’s easy enough to check the manufacturer’s website for overall length and order a case based on that. For an AR-15, it’s important to buy one that’s suited for your individual build. For that, you’ll need a measuring tape and some patience while you wait for your case to arrive in the mail.
Check out the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more detailed AR15 reviews, we’ve covered the best slings, bipods, lasers and scopes.
The Review
Best AR-15 Cases
Check out our ratings of the top 9 AR 15 Cases available.
Review Breakdown
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Savior American Classic
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Pelican Rifle Case
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VooDoo Tactical Case
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Flambeau Outdoors
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Case Club
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Condor Single
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BLACKHAWK!
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NcSTAR NC Star Carbine
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Bulldog Cases
Best AR-15 Cases DEALS
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