Started working on a case for my AR **FINISHED**

[jiannichan]

I want something a little more discreet when I want to bring my rifle out of my home to take into the car. I just moved into an apt so, I don't want to carry out a tactical bag where the neighbors can see.

So, this case started out as a Roadrunner Express bag for an electric guitar.

It isn't finished yet but I will post the finished results. If I remember to take pictures during the process I will post those as well.
It required about 3 cans of the Great Stuff for windows and doors. I just started it Saturday and had to pick up another can yesterday and fill in the spots where the foam sunk and didn't cure in time. Not positive on the reason but I think it is because not enough airflow was getting to it. I might need a 4th can though. I was hoping it would only take me 2 days to complete but it looks like it might take me this whole week or maybe I will finish it by Wednesday. I have some 3M adhesive spray that I will use to lay some felt cloth over the foam after it is carved out for my rifle, mags and maybe if I have the room, a pistol and a couple mags. I have not decided on the color of the felt yet. Hopefully everything will come out nice in the end.

This is a stock photo of the bag.


Here is how it sits at the moment waiting to cure. I will have to see if I need to add some more foam to it when I get home. The photo was taken when I went home for lunch.

[WildBill]

I want something a little more discreet when I want to bring my rifle out of my home to take into the car. I just moved into an apt so, I don't want to carry out a tactical bag where the neighbors can see.

Interesting project. I don't know much about the Great Stuff urethane, but a quick Google shows that it is prone to settling. It sounds like you will work out your issues. I suggest that you let the plastic cure for several weeks with the case open so you can be assured of a complete cure. Outgassing will occur and you want to make sure the vapors don't damage the finish on your gun.

My question for you is "Do you play the guitar?" It might arouse suspicion from your neighbors if they see you carry this case and find out that do don't play or even own a guitar.

[RJGold]

I'm not sure where I was but I saw a guitar shaped case made for carrying tactical weapons (I know I saw it sometime in the last month or so, dang old timers disease got me on the location though).

I never would have thought about doing this DIY. Pretty cool project.

I am looking forward to the photos of the finished product.

About the settling (and / or lack of cure), if you did this in a cold location, that could have retarded (or even stopped) the curing process. I used to pour manequins for taxidermists and we couldn't pour them below about 55 degrees or so.

Thanks for sharing the project.

[WildBill]

About the settling (and / or lack of cure), if you did this in a cold location, that could have retarded (or even stopped) the curing process. I used to pour manequins for taxidermists and we couldn't pour them below about 55 degrees or so.

It has been mighty cold the last couple of weeks.

[roughneck266]

I'm not sure where I was but I saw a guitar shaped case made for carrying tactical weapons (I know I saw it sometime in the last month or so, dang old timers disease got me on the location though).

I never would have thought about doing this DIY. Pretty cool project.

I am looking forward to the photos of the finished product.

About the settling (and / or lack of cure), if you did this in a cold location, that could have retarded (or even stopped) the curing process. I used to pour manequins for taxidermists and we couldn't pour them below about 55 degrees or so.

Thanks for sharing the project.

Here tis: http://hazard4.com/products/bags/battleaxe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WildBill]

I'm not sure where I was but I saw a guitar shaped case made for carrying tactical weapons (I know I saw it sometime in the last month or so, dang old timers disease got me on the location though).

I never would have thought about doing this DIY. Pretty cool project.

I am looking forward to the photos of the finished product.

About the settling (and / or lack of cure), if you did this in a cold location, that could have retarded (or even stopped) the curing process. I used to pour manequins for taxidermists and we couldn't pour them below about 55 degrees or so.

Thanks for sharing the project.

Here tis: http://hazard4.com/products/bags/battleaxe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice! The black color would look less tactical than the coyote.

[RJGold]

Found this link showing some other models too...

I still can't remember where I saw the one I am remembering.

I didn't watch the two movie clips at the bottom of the page I shared the link to so view at your own risk...

http://www.guns.com/2013/01/25/guitar-g ... 11-photos/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[troglodyte]

While I admire your resourcefulness I can't help but think a Covert Bag from 5.11 or similar would be more functional, easier, lighter, and not open you to requests to play a few chords.

Here's the smaller version of the Covert 5.11
http://www.511tactical.com/covrt-m4-shorty.html

I do want to see how yours turns out. I have found that the foam, without airflow as you mentioned, doesn't set up very well.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm not sure where I was but I saw a guitar shaped case made for carrying tactical weapons (I know I saw it sometime in the last month or so, dang old timers disease got me on the location though).

I never would have thought about doing this DIY. Pretty cool project.

I am looking forward to the photos of the finished product.

About the settling (and / or lack of cure), if you did this in a cold location, that could have retarded (or even stopped) the curing process. I used to pour manequins for taxidermists and we couldn't pour them below about 55 degrees or so.

Thanks for sharing the project.

Here you go.....

http://hazard4.com/products/bags/battleaxe



As you can see, it's not padded with foam. It's also $200......

[jiannichan]

I want something a little more discreet when I want to bring my rifle out of my home to take into the car. I just moved into an apt so, I don't want to carry out a tactical bag where the neighbors can see.

My question for you is "Do you play the guitar?" It might arouse suspicion from your neighbors if they see you carry this case and find out that do don't play or even own a guitar.

Yes, I can play by not as good as I want. I also have the guitar that was in the case but I will take it to church and leave it there to play during Sunday school.

[jiannichan]

Everything dried so I started carving...some of the parts are pretty darn hard.


This fitting the rifle. I have to carve more out to get down to the very bottom so the rifle will fit better. I was testing to see how it fits with the shape and I like it so far.


Even if I don't like it in the end, I can always just fill it back up again and start over. The only thing I am unsure about is if I want to keep that same optics or not. I was thinking I might go with flip up sights. Maybe I can find some foam blocks to fill up spots. I am hoping to be finished tomorrow.

[The Annoyed Man]

Even if I don't like it in the end, I can always just fill it back up again and start over. The only thing I am unsure about is if I want to keep that same optics or not. I was thinking I might go with flip up sights. Maybe I can find some foam blocks to fill up spots. I am hoping to be finished tomorrow.

You should mount some BUIS anyway, not as an afterthought. If your optic ever goes down (think "battery", "broken lense", etc.), you'll still have the ability to aim your carbine. Even though I've got an ACOG that requires no batteries, I still have BUIS.........just in case. Without them, all you can do is "point" your weapon. You cannot AIM it.

[jiannichan]

Even if I don't like it in the end, I can always just fill it back up again and start over. The only thing I am unsure about is if I want to keep that same optics or not. I was thinking I might go with flip up sights. Maybe I can find some foam blocks to fill up spots. I am hoping to be finished tomorrow.

You should mount some BUIS anyway, not as an afterthought. If your optic ever goes down (think "battery", "broken lense", etc.), you'll still have the ability to aim your carbine. Even though I've got an ACOG that requires no batteries, I still have BUIS.........just in case. Without them, all you can do is "point" your weapon. You cannot AIM it.

For sure I do plan on putting some BUIS on there. I would like some flip up ones. It used to have an A2 FSB on there that I had to shave into a low profile gas block so I can fit the rail on. Do you have any good recommendations for a set? I had Magpul on my previous AR pistol but I did not like them much. I've always had the Magpul rear sights along with the A2 FSB and scopes or red dots for all my previous ARs. I don't know how much of a difference the quality of iron sights between the brands are or if one works better than the other...Troy, Midwest Industries, UTG, Yankee Hill etc. Would a set of $50 flip up BUIS work just as well as one that cost $150+?

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[UpTheIrons]

I've been to the range more than once when a guy came in with a guitar bag slung over his shoulder.

One even had a whammy bar in the outer mesh zipper pocket, but I don't know how you'd mount that on the AR he was shooting...