Plano Rifle Cases

Plano is a time-tested brand when it comes to rifle cases. Plano rifle cases are known for being well built as well as reasonably priced. We are going to dive into a number of hard rifle cases that Plano currently offers. Plano makes the cut on our budget case article but they have solid upper-end cases as well so we wanted to dedicate ourselves to showing you those cases as well.

One thing we have added since first publishing this guide, after a reader asked for it, is a note on which of these cases actually work for airline travel. Whether a case is hard-sided and lockable is what separates a true "rugged" travel case from one that is really only meant for hauling a rifle across town, so we flag it for each model below.

Let us dive in!

Plano All Weather Rifle/Shotgun Cases

Plano's best-selling case is that all-weather rifle/shotgun case, a premium watertight tactical gun case.

If you want a reasonably priced case from a company that's been around since 1952, this one is a strong pick. It sits toward the affordable end of Plano's hard-case lineup while still giving you an upgraded look and function. Prices move around on these, so check the current listing below before you decide.

This case is made in the USA and has pluck-to-fit foam, so you can mold it to whatever gun you want to.

With four easy-to-use pivot-style locks and a solid folding handle, it's hard to find a better case in this price range.

Because it is hard-sided and the latches lock, this case can also work for checked airline travel as long as you secure it so it can't be pulled open. We get into the TSA specifics further down.

You may find yourself wanting to upgrade the foam in this case at some point because the pluck-to-fit foam isn't as sturdy as HDPE foam. But the pluck-to-fit foam is definitely easier to work with.

Plano Tactical Series Long Gun Case

Next up we have the Plano tactical series long gun case. This case is the basic run-of-the-mill plastic "hard case". I use quotes because it's not the toughest case on the market by any means. It is a decent case to protect your gun and carry it to and from. But it's not one that you'd want to fly with — the latches aren't set up to take a lock the way an airline expects, so we'd keep this one for local trips.

This case works and sits at Plano's budget end. It has decent padding and comes in two sizes: 36" and 42".

Featuring four durable snap-down latches, you can be sure this case stays together during transport.

If you want a truly budget option from Plano the tactical series case is the go-to option.

Plano All Weather Gun Case with Rustrictor

One of Plano's nicer rifle case options is the Plano All Weather with Rustrictor case. The Rustrictor rifle case features three different sizes: 36", 42", and a 52" wheeler option.

The interior features a vented foam lid and base as well as pre-perforated pluck foam for easy customization. The o-ring seal on this case makes it even harder for moisture to penetrate the case and get to your rifle.

The name comes from the case's rust-preventive vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI), which is infused into the resin and foam. Plano says that combination blocks rust and corrosion for up to five times longer than an untreated case.

The Plano All Weather Rustrictor case comes with two built-in locks and two keys, which also makes it a workable choice for checked airline travel — it is hard-sided and locks with a key you keep.

The price point on this case is a bit higher, but it comes packed with features. Check the current listing for the latest price.

Plano Field Locker Element Gun Case

We saved the top of the line Plano Field Locker Element rifle case for last because it truly packs a punch.

The Field Locker Element gun case has four snap locks across the front of the rifle case and four metal-reinforced holes that accept padlocks, which is exactly what you want if you plan to fly with your rifle.

Those padlock holes are a feature, not a drawback, for anyone who travels. Under TSA rules a checked firearm has to ride in a locked hard-sided case, and the more solid lock points a case gives you, the easier it is to meet that standard.

If you have two rifles that's okay, because the Field Locker Element is built to be a double rifle case.

This case comes in two sizes 44" and 54" and both pack a punch! This plastic is a more durable, longer lasting polymer than the other Plano cases mentioned.

If you want top of the line Plano rifle case you don't have to look any further than the Field Locker Element case.

Flying With a Plano Rifle Case

Since a reader asked us to spell this out, here is how these cases line up with air travel. The TSA rule itself is straightforward: a firearm has to be unloaded and locked inside a hard-sided container, and it travels as checked baggage only — never in the cabin.

You do not need a special "TSA-approved" lock the way you do on a regular suitcase. With firearms it is the opposite. Any sturdy padlock or built-in lock is fine, and you should be the only person holding the key or combination. TSA can ask you to be on hand to open the case if they need to inspect it, but they are not supposed to keep a master key to it the way they do with ordinary luggage.

You also declare the firearm to the airline at the ticket counter when you check the bag. Rules for packing ammunition vary by carrier, so confirm those with your airline before you travel.

Of the cases here, the Field Locker Element is the most travel-ready thanks to its padlock holes, with the Rustrictor and the standard All Weather close behind as hard-sided, lockable options. The Tactical Series is best kept for trips around town.

One last honest note for anyone shopping: if you just want a simple single-rifle hard case, the middle of this market has thinned out. A lot of options now live at the extremes — soft sleeves on one end and big four-gun wheeled vaults on the other — so a straightforward one-gun hard case can take some hunting. We have even seen people repurpose instrument cases to fill the gap. Plano's lineup is one of the better places to still find that middle ground.

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