Best travel cases for vintage side x sides?

[Ben Evans]

What do you guys prefer to use for travel cases for your vintage side x sides?

Fitted cases are very nice but maybe not the best for a duck blind. Is there something better than a standard soft case for hunting purposes? I'd rather not wear the finish off of the old guns by sliding them in and out of a standard soft case but I do like to have my guns cased when not in use or traveling to hunting locations.

Thanks for your help!

Ben

[Dylan Rhodes]

It will take you 1000’s of cycles of properly putting a gun in and out of a case to wear the finish off. Standard soft padded case used PROPERLY will do. They usually unzip fully and then you are placing, not sliding, anyways.

Also important is making sure the gun is dry as best as possible after the hunt and then not letting it fester in the case “til I get around to it” for days after.

Out of the humidity controlled safe, placed into the case, hunt, wiped dry if applicable, placed back into the case, taken out and cleaned, back into the humidity controlled safe. No trouble

[Ben Evans]

Thank you Dylan. I will need to look into a fully zipped case for sure. My current soft shotgun cases are all floating models with snaps on the end so the gun can slide in and out.

Ben

[Jeff Baer]

I'm very happy with these two cases, one for storage the other for traveling to the range.

[BRDHNTR]

Vault's a good case. I have aluminum cases and use them for all air travel.

[ArtS]

Storage in a case always bothered me, even though it can be done successfully. Just remember that anything you put on any part of the gun will eventually likely end up on all parts of the gun. Choose your metal and wood treatments with a lot of conservatism. Also, I detest any case with a foam interior, especially with a texture. Every movement of the case during transport ends up micropolishing a copy of the texture on the wood and even metal. I used to think it was a simple oil pattern but I have seen, handled and purchased guns that have been moved and stored in cases with a diamond pattern foam case and the polished/dull pattern is clearly visible at a distance. It is very hard to fully get rid of. You have to live with it in an airline case, but I generally try to limit time in any case for a gun.

[Jeff Baer]

I can't see whether either of my gun cases would cause a pattern due to the foam. The both of them are high quality with the storage case having a great seal to keep out humidity. I guess over time I will find out whether the gun will stay in good condition. I've had another gun stored in my range case for over three years. The gun was brand new and when I took it out the other day it still looked brand new... which is why I'm happy with it. The storage case is one I just bought for the Parker. However I switch out the guns in the range case when I go to the range.

[Phil C]

For my every day gun case to go out on daily and weekend hunts, as well as traveling between hunting spots I like to use these leather cases.
Just my preference I like a case that is made from saddle leather lined with calf skin.
I don’t like zippers so I use a strap and buckle closure. My largest case was made to hold any shotgun I own, from an 8 gauge down to a 410.
It doesn’t hold moisture, or grit, and does not disintegrate.
More expensive than most soft cases but with an occasional leather treatment they will last several lifetimes.
I have never experienced any wear on my guns.
They are tough cases that provide excellent protection.
I have leather break down cases, soft cases as well as metal, but for my average hunt I use one of these.

[Ben Evans]

I know what you mean about the foam diamond pattern, I've seen that before too.

Those are very nice cases Phil! Can you remember where you found those from? Were they a custom made item?

Ben

[Phil C]

Ben I had them made locally by a saddle shop. Unfortunately 2 of the 3 saddle makers have passed and the other is retired. Fortunately I am able to get him to do a few jobs occasionally.
Your best bet if you wanted something like this is to find a local old fashion saddle/ leather working shop.