The Best AR-15 Cases

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.

The Best AR-15 Cases

1. Savior American

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. Lancer

The Lancer is designed to carry as much gear as possible. Not only is it sized for two rifles, but there’s a padded pistol pocket and two additional, large pockets for carrying ammo and extra magazines. Both rifles are held in place with internal restraining straps, and the pistol pocket has its own strap so your pistol will stay pointed in the right direction.

The internal divider is removable, and can be unfolded for use as a shooting mat. The backpack-style carrying straps make it convenient to carry your AR-15 in the field, although you’ll want to be careful with the zippers – despite the overall durability of this case, they’re a bit flimsy. That said, this case is a great bargain at a reasonable price.

Pros

• Backpack-style carrying straps
• Space for 2 rifles
• Padded pocket for a pistol
• Plenty of storage space
• Built-in shooting mat
• Affordable

Cons

• Flimsy zippers

Why It’s Recommended

The Lancer is an affordable AR-15 case with lots of extra space for ammunition and more.

3. Boyt Harness

The Boyt H36SG is a TSA approved travel case, meaning it’s legal to use for flying with your AR-15. The polypropylene body is tough enough to stand up to any abuse, up to and including airline baggage handlers.

The egg crate foam padding allows you to fit your AR inside regardless of configuration, although it offers less protection than denser foam. This case has a rubber seal, and is water resistant. It’s also heavy, weighing in at just over 12 pounds.

Pros

• Durable polypropylene body
• Versatile egg crate foam padding
• TSA approved
• Water resistant

Cons

• Padding offers limited protection
• Heavy

Why It’s Recommended

The Boyt H36SG is a tough, durable case that’s great for protecting your gear from the rigors of travel.

4. Plano Gun Guard

The Plano Gun Guard is a water resistant plastic hard case. The latches are spring loaded and easy to open, but can be padlocked for storage. This case is not TSA approved, so it’s for home use or automobile transport only. It has dense interior foam that’s pre-perforated to cut for a variety of guns.

This case only has 11 inches of usable width, so you may have trouble with it if your AR has a large scope. It’s inexpensive compared to most other hard cases, while still being durable enough to deal with bumps and drops. Plano offers a lifetime warranty for all defects.

Pros

• Spring loaded latches
• Can be padlocked
• Durable interior foam
• Water resistant
• Lifetime warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• Only 11 inches of usable width
• Not TSA approved

Why It’s Recommended

The Plano Gun Guard is an affordable hard case that will protect your rifle from the elements.

5. Flambeau Outdoors

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.

6. Pelican 1700

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.

7. SKB iSeries

The SKB iSeries is designed to carry scoped hunting rifles, so it’s a bit narrow for most scoped AR-15s. That said, if you don’t have a scope, this case is a beast. It has a slim profile, and is lightweight for easy carrying. The egg crate padding is dense enough to hold your rifle in place, and the four locking clasps keep it closed securely.

This case is TSA approved for air travel. It has steel grommets for your padlocks, making it hard to break into. The watertight seal keeps your gun dry under all conditions, and the body is tough enough for use in the military. The iSeries is very expensive, but it’s well worth the money if you need top-tier protection.

Pros

• Slim and lightweight
• Military grade body
• Dense egg crate padding
• Four locking clasps
• Steel padlock grommets
• Watertight
• TSA approved

Cons

• Not big enough for a scoped AR
• Expensive

Why It’s Recommended

The SKB iSeries Single Rifle Case is durable enough for military use, and light enough to carry easily.

8. Boyt H44

The Boyt H44 has a tough polypropylene shell that’s tough enough to stand up to a sledgehammer. It’s water resistant, and has openings for using a padlock. The foam padding is very dense, and can be cut to fit virtually any AR.

This case is TSA approved for air travel, but it’s not ideal for use in the field; it weighs almost 20 pounds, which is probably more than you want to carry. It’s also on the pricier side, but not as steep as most TSA approved gun cases.

Pros

• Durable polypropylene body
• Water resistant
• TSA approved
• Padlock compatible
• Dense foam padding

Cons

• Very heavy
• Pricey

Why It’s Recommended

The Boyt H44 is a heavyweight hard case for taking your AR on the road – or into the air.

9. Case Club

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.

10. VooDoo Tactical

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.

11. Condor

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.

12. BLACKHAWK!

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.

13. NcSTAR NC Star

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.

14. Bulldog Cases

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.

15. VooDoo Tactical

The VooDoo Tactical is a soft case that’s designed to carry two rifles. Both rifles are held in place with internal restraining straps, and separated by a padded divider. The stitching on this case is high quality, and will stand up to plenty of use.

The only drawback is the absence of backpack straps, so you’ll need to carry it using the shoulder strap. There are three large external pockets for carrying ammo, magazines, or accessories.

Pros

• Holds 2 rifles
• Good quality stitching
• Plenty of extra storage

Cons

• No backpack straps

Why It’s Recommended

The VooDoo Tactical is a well-designed soft case that will carry your AR along with your other favorite gun.

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.