The author didn’t think snow would have much effect on Pelican’s 1720 Weapons Case, so he waited until the forecast called for freezing rain to set it outside. Despite the temperature rising above freezing the last day of the 48-hour test, no moisture worked its way into the case.
As the luggage belt ground to a halt in the empty terminal, it echoed my worst fears. I was alone, in disbelief, hoping my rifle case would mysteriously materialize on the motionless mechanism. “Are you looking for a rifle case?” a straggler asked. “There’s an old ratty one in the corner, that’s where I found mine.”
“My case is brand new, but thank you.” I checked anyway. The only way I could tell my rifle was inside was by the name tag clinging for its life. The wheels, one latch, a padlock and two handles were missing, although the airline was kind enough to replace them with skid marks, a circular one-inch hole and a scarred surface.
When it comes to rough-and-rugged cases, Pelican is one of the first names that come to mind. For years some of the most critical gear I used in search and rescue was stored in one of the company’s cases—it never leaked, succumbed to southern Arizona’s heat or gave me any trouble. In fact, when a trauma kit in one of Pelican’s cases was inadvertently ejected from a helicopter as it lifted off from the headwaters of a flash flood, it survived. Eight people weren’t as lucky.
All Pelican cases are constructed from an engineering-grade polymer. The walls are formed with an open-cell core with solid-wall construction. That fact, coupled with my hard-earned confidence in the company’s products, is precisely why I now travel with the company’s 1720 Weapons Case. Most of Pelican’s large cases, like the 1720, have slightly raised reinforcing ribs that add to the structural strength—this particular case has four pair encircling it.
The 1720 measures 44.37x16x6.12 inches externally, with 42x13.5x5.25 inches of interior storage space. It weighs just a little less than 19 pounds, but removing the padding drops that figure to 16 3/4. With foam the MSRP is $312.95.
Big enough to hold all your gear is important, but one of the most annoying aspects of toting a gun case around an airport or range is the sheer weight. Some companies address the problem as an afterthought by attaching flimsy dime-store wheels, although Pelican went the other way. Stainless steel ball bearings keep things rolling on the 1720 Weapons Case, and a nylon hub reduces the heat transmission—improving longevity. The tires are interesting too. I once overheard a flight attendant explain she installed rollerblade tires on her luggage because they don’t come to a screeching halt at every pebble. The polyurethane tires on the 1720 may be a lot wider than rollerblade versions, and they don’t come in those gaudy colors, but I couldn’t get them to lock up, even on a gravel driveway.
The 1720 is watertight and dustproof, thanks to the replaceable O-ring gasket and tongue-in-groove construction. Three easy-opening double-throw latches, which have been tested and survived 400 pounds of pressure, secure the contents. A pair of slots for padlocks are reinforced by stainless steel to deter hacksaw-wielding thieves. The handles fold down, and there are three in all.
It’s watertight and has an automatic pressure-equalization valve to adjust for altitude or temperature changes without compromising the seal. With anything less than 161 pounds of gear it floats, so stiffing your guide doesn’t mean you’ll lose your rifle in some remote Alaskan lake.
When a freezing rain was forecast, I left it outside with the equalization valve skyward. That gave ice ample opportunity to sneak past the valve and O-ring. Temperatures rose well above freezing the next day, so I was pleased there wasn’t a single drop of moisture inside after 48 hours.
What about its airline survivability? Well, I don’t need to say much more than, it’s a Pelican. For more information call (800) 473-5422 or visit www.pelican.com.
—Guy J. Sagi