Tell me about Pelican cases

Shmackey

Shmackey

Joined
May 5, 2000
Messages
1,478
I'm sure that some of you have used these cases for knives and other goodies. I'm looking into one primarily for my target pistols (a .22, a .45, and a spare) and the 1450 looks about right. Of course, it can also serve double-duty for knives.

Who's used them, how'd you like them, and where are the best prices? Thanks.
 
I use and have used Pelican cases for quite a while. The best test was storing a camera and accessories in the trunk of my "work" vehicle for extended periods of time, thru climate changes and through bumps in the road. They are expensive, but well worth the money. They have a valve system that although the concept of a complete vacumn seal is, well a concept, the Pelican cases worked great to keep the stuff inside at a constant. So when you needed to open them in humid weather when the outside of the case was damp, the inside was pristine. You can buy a hard plastic case for 20 bucks and a real Pelican for 80 bucks. I found the pelican to be worth every penny. The best test was having a Pelican gun case, a small one to hold one large semi-auto I always HAD to keep in my trunk; was found sitting in a pond in the left rear wheel well of a Ford that sprung a leak. The entire case was sunmerged for at least three weeks (Yup, I should have been more diligent). I removed the case from VERY cold water, slowly opened the Pelican up with a 'whoosh" of air and the firearm was absolutely dry, ready to go and everything Pelican said was ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
Schmakey, I can't help ya on best prices. Streicher's was the distributor I relied on, but as to their price being the best, I do not know. They have a web site you can look on. This is of course, MY OPINION ONLY!!!!!
wolf;)
 
We have a large one that we keep a tower case computer in for our church. Me meet in an elementary school and all of our stuff gets loaded and unloaded every Sunday and packed into trailers. That case has taken a beating but the computer has never had a problem. Well worth it for the level of protection!
 
Shmackey,
I have been using a PELICAN case for over a year now for my BERETTA DT10 Over and Under. I shoot Sportingclays competitively and travel around the country quite a bit. Alot of the other shooters buy aluminium cases from companies like AMERICASE, which do a good job of protecting firearms from bagage handlers, but after a couple of trips, the look like hell. The often need to be sent back to the company for refitting. They also cost roughly twice what a PELICAN cases costs.

My PELICAN case looks like the day I got it, and it is now the veteran of 20 or more road trips[car] and 4 commercial flights. I was getting ready to leave for New Zealand for the World Championships this month, but they cancled the shoot due to the terrorist activities[ the European teams have to travel through the middle east to get to that part of the world]:mad: . Knowing how durable the PELICAN case is sure makes me feel more confident when planning to travel to a major event on the other side of the world. Get one, its money well spent.

Also, I got my PELICAN case from Spark @ 1sks.com . Very competitive pricing, and you help support the forums!
 
I've been using Pelican cases for whitewater paddling and never had a problem with them, got one case about 10-15 years old. Most all the commercial rafting companies use them for video/camera equipment and they take alot of abuse.
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
I got my first Pelican case about a dozen years ago when my wife bought me a new rifle for my birthday. One heck of an expensive case, when compared to the much cheaper Dockosil type cases. But as in most everything, you get what you pay for. It has been one truly awesome case... has kept my rifle and scope well protected on many, many hunting trips where others' cases have failed.

I like mine so much I've purchased additional ones for other weapons, cameras, etc. There's nothing on the market quite like them, or quite as good (IMHO... YMMV).

AJ
 
Great cases. I use one to transport a full size one for a scoped rifle. It is a very solid, secure case. I love it.
Great idea using it for knives.

Best place to get some? www.botachtactical.com The one order they did get right with me. They have a sale once in a while on them. Wait em out.
 
Pelicans are the standard for carrying cameras etc in canoes or kayaks. They're not cheap. The only problem i recall was once a few years ago one of my friends had a new one that was pretty stiff and loud on opening. We were trying to sneak up on a couple of walrus sunning themselves on an ice floe so we could get some photos. When my friend opened his case, it sounded like a gunshot and these walruses took off. A few hours later a big, angry red eyed walrus took a run at one of our kayaks. Maybe it was one of those guys on the floe who was still pissed.
 
They're good for short-term carrying around, especially in situations where stuff might get wet. But, I'd be very cautious about them for long-term use. As much as they keep water out, they can also trap moisture in.

The answer to that is often to throw some of those desicant packs in. Be careful. A couple of years ago, a forum member who was going on an extended trip packed all of his high-dollar knives into ammo boxes, tossed in some of those desicant pack, sealed up, and put 'em in storage. When he got back, his entire collection was hopelessly rusted. The conclusion was that the cause was... the desicant packs. They attract and store water. Under the right conditions, especially if temperature drops, they can release that water. To use them properly, you must first bake them for sixteen hours to remove all water from them and then put them quickly into the container you want to protect. But, be carefull here too since they can dry out wood, ivory, and other such materials.

Pelican cases are durable and water-tight. Great for carrying around, but not for long-term storage.
 
I've used Pelican cases exclusively for transporting all my competition/duty firearms. They take a beating and aren't fazed a bit.

The only down side is that they are a bit heavy. I still won't use anything else though.
 
I have used them for the better part of 20 years for photographic gear transport, including by air. The O rings last a long time, the exteriors can take a real pounding and they are as good inside as any padded case. Their real advantage of course is that when the O ring is intact they are quite waterproof and unbreakable as well. They are heavy, and you tend to load them up.
 
Which model would you guys suggest for a knife collection. It's pretty small at the moment, but I expect it to grow. :D I was planning on bringing some pieces down to Atlanta for Blade next year, so I was hoping to find a case that would survive the airline's "handle with care" policy.
 
You can extend the life of the o-rings by treating them with just a little silicone grease (available at automotive supply stores) every now and then.

As for using a pelican case as checked baggage, you might want to think twice. These cases just scream "valuables inside." What you might want to do is put the pelican inside of some sort of duffel bag or something with some cloths or something to pad it out.
 
I really like the Pelican cases got 2 of 'em but if you don't need waterproof features you might check out the cases made by a whitewater paddling bud of mine at http://www.avs-duracase.com They make custom cases for audio/video equipment but he does have experience with building specialized cases to almost any spec. He made me up a killer briefcase at about 1/3 of what those aluminum jobs go for.
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
Hey Chris (See2),

The 1450 is just about right for an ever expansive knife collection. This case has room for plenty of blades yet it's not too cumbersome for comfortable carry to blade shows.

I've got Pelican cases for my knives, for my Steyr SSG, for my pair of Steyr AUGs, for my Benelli Super90 Tactical, for my handguns,....You just can't find a finer case for your fave weapons to travel in.

Now, what kind of padlock to get for it. Hmmmmm.... :)
 
They really are as good as it get! I've used 'em for year!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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