Reddit reviews Plano Protector Four Pistol Case

So this is a Smith and Wesson Model 27, made in 1960 (per the serial number), .357 Magnum (also .38 special). I received it as a gift and it is my first gun ever! Super stoked to own it now, and I'll probably join the prolonged slide of gun ownership that I see in this sub time to time. My next purchase is likely a smaller concealed carry weapon.

The giant ammo tin is vintage, I'm guessing vietnam era, but no idea, I could be full of shit. It's stacked with hundreds of .357 FMJs. 1 box of .357 hollow points, and 2 boxes of Shotshell snake charmers.

I'm pleased as punch with this gun. I've just purchased a bunch of accessories on amazon, I'll post them below, maybe you can tell me if these are good products or not for range shooting. (No referral links or any of that bs)

Plano Protector 4 pistol case

MTM 38/357 Cal 100 Round Flip-Top Ammo Box

Remington T-72 Shooting Glasses

3M Peltor Combat Arms Earplugs

Hoppe's Universal Gun Cleaning Accessory Kit

This is my STUPID CHEAP case I got on amazon: linky

It has pluck foam in between egg crate foam. I am using it to transport 35 points and basic equipment (glue, measuring tape, extra bases, file, cards) now and it still has room for more.

I saw some reviews saying it didn't come with pluck foam anymore so I was initially nervous but figured at $12 I could provide my own if it was necessary (it wasn't). Ordered it about a month ago and could not be happier with the purchase.

edit: Here's a picture of what's currently in it to give you an idea of the size: http://imgur.com/a/iaMIA

For cheap/free accessories, here are my recommendations:

Find a local astronomy club and go to a few meetings. Astronomy clubs love new members, and they'll answer every question you have. If they have an open observing event, bring your telescope and you might even get to try a few of the accessories others have mentioned. You may get to see what Saturn looks like in your telescope with a 10mm EP and barlow before you buy.

Also, there are club members with old EPs for sale. Somebody's always upgrading their collection and looking for a new home for their old Plossls.

If you have basic woodworking skills, you can make a Denver Observing Chair for <$30. I think I made mine from these plans, but there are plans and how-to's all over the web. It beats hunching over the eyepiece for hours. Your back will thank you.

An accessory case is nice to have. Keep all your stuff in one place, and you won't accidentally forget something when you go out to observe. I use this 4-pistol case for $20 from Amazon.

If you're learning the night sky, get a planisphere and go out with it for 10 minutes once a week for some naked eye observing. Learn a new constellation each time. I think WV is in the 30-40 degree north range? Or for free you can download and print the map each month from SkyMaps.com

For getting started finding interesting stuff in the telescope, a book like Turn Left at Orion was a great help for me. Step-by-step instructions for star-hopping to the best and brightest stuff in the sky.

I'm rocking this for range trips. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000P3WPKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Holds my 1911, P320 and 3 mags for each with plenty of room to spare.

I just use a 17 dollar gun case I got on amazon. Works wonders and has tons of room. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P3WPKK/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1369601942&sr=8-5&pi=SL75

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P3WPKK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/186-2267086-8824724

I use these on the cheap. Gun carrying cases. I can normally fit about 2000 points in one case, or 9 Razorbacks, or a Stormraven and a Dreadknight with several Dreadnougts. The foam is soft and does not chip paint. Also there is no need to cut the foam if do not want to.

I'm a big fan of these:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000P3WPKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In my necron one I got a monolith 3 ghost arks, 2 annihilation barges and a triach stalker. They also fit 2 of the short slot foam GW uses.

I had been looking at cases for a while (bag style and hard case) but couldn't find anything for a reasonable price. I was about to buy a tackle box and foam and do something similar to OP's until I found this --> http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK

I bought it at acadamy for $14. It's not heavy duty, but for the price and size it is the best i found for under $30. I can post pic's of mine if anyone wants to see

You'll need to bags, one for your huge based models and one for your normal army. What I did was pick up a Plano 4 pistol gun case for $15 at Wal-Mart, and can fit my Judicator and both Vessels of Judgement(note my VoJ's are converted into hotrods so they're not very tall).

Then I put the rest of my Menoth army into a Battlefoam Go bag. Battlefoam is a bit expensive, but I've owned both Battlefoam and Army Transport bags, and Battlefoam is worth the extra money IMHO. For Battlefoam, I've had both a Go bag and a PP Warmachine Big Bag with wheels, I prefer the Go Bag as the pouch on the front of the Big Bag annoyed me to no end.

I think this is it.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK

I have 3 of these that I got at Walmart for I think $12 each. One for Imperials, one for Rebels and the third for huge ships. I cut the bubble foam to fit the ships and store all of the cards, bases, etc. in more foam in the bottom.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK
(I have also seen them at sporting goods / hunting stores)

Ships
Extras

I have a few of THESE cases and they work great. I know there also the brand Pelican which is used throughout the lampwork community as well, but they are more expensive.

No input on the dab tool holder.

Judging from this, and knowing that the strap is about 1.6 inches high (40mm for standard ski goggle straps); I would confidently wildly guesstimate that the DK2 is about 4.1 inches high.

I wonder if this, this, or this might work as cheap options? Althought they all seem to be cutting it very tight on the depth. I am assuming the DK2 would sit in the case like it would sit on a table (like the first photo above), and not facing upward like they packaged it in the DK1 case, since there are a lot less case options that would fit it that way (without being huge)...

I have one of those ebay metal cases for my photo gear. I'm guessing you would be able to fit two full DK2 kits in it. They look decent and are affordable, but I find mine to be a bit heavy (5.5 pounds empty) and a bit awkward to carry sometimes (if I load it heavy specially). Even though they look decent, there is something about the build quality that feels slightly cheap when you handle it; specially the locking hinges. Nothing terrible in particular, but it just doesn't have that awesome quality feel of expensive cases like an HPRC, a Pelican or a Seahorse would have. But it does get the job done.

We should really know the actual DK2 dimensions (plus the accessories) before choosing a case. The hardest dimensions to accommodate will be the depth, since most small cases are also shallow.

> My wife suggested a divided tea box to keep my eyepieces in; I like that idea.

It seems odd, but a four pistol case works great. It has foam you can cut to customize how you like.

i use this to transport 50+ points of Khador

For smaller stuff like marbles and pendants I got one of these at a local sporting good store, I also cut the third not eggshell section they give you to fit a mini tube, torch and accessories I use to take to friends houses. I haven't purchased cases for my bigger pieces yet, but I'm looking at the Seahorse cases they seem like a decent, cheaper alternative to Pelicans, but then again I'm not super sure this is an area I want to skimp out on.

As a ‘Merican, I can tell you the answers is guns. Plano Protector Four Pistol Case is similar in size and will keep your Quest safe.

I use a black Condor 42" double rifle bag. For my ammo I just chuck it in a four pistol hard case made by Plano.

Looking for other options for the ammo.

http://www.condoroutdoor.com/15242doubleriflecase.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P3WPKK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/182-9112695-9444943

I got this one.. if you go to more buying options, there is one from amazon for 11 now

I picked up one of these. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P3WPKK

It has another set of foam beneath this one. I just now need to purchase 3 more handguns.

I prefer the four pistol one in that series (double the size). It's 15 bucks and holds a couple full armies. I've got about 80 pts of cygnar in one of mine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000P3WPKK/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

I ended up buying Plano pistol cases for some of my figures. 15 bucks each and hard case. Yes please.

2 layers are egg crate and 1 layer is pluck foam. I don't use for WH40K but for Zombicide and Super Dungeon Explore. Each one fits something like 100 28mm minis with no problems. I had to use the left over pluck foam and spray adhesive on cardboard to make a layer for the bottom. Basically I get 2 full layers out of it at 16.25X 5.75x 11.325.

On sale for 12 bucks. That's a hell of a deal.

If you have your own foam I'm thinking you could trim it to fit and get at least 3 layers in one of these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P3WPKK/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you think you will ever take more to the range, consider getting something a bit larger than what you currently need.

As GreenTurtle mentioned, the midway bags are popular and decently priced.

I personally got a cheap travel bag from Walmart with roller wheels and a collapsible handle. I keep my handguns and mags in this case:

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK

I put that hard case inside the big travel bag's main compartment. My other assorted items are kept in the few pockets, and some in the main compartment outside the hard case. Keeping smaller cases inside 1 large container keeps it highly adaptable, and having roller wheels is good for the days when I bring a LOT of ammo.

My bigger bag is like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Luggage-Pocket-Rolling-Size/dp/B00144TVFG

http://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Luggage-Pocket-Rolling-Duffel/dp/B001TK2XCI

I use a plano 4 pistol case a little large, but I am sure my DX18 won't get damaged and it has room for other gear too.

I have seen recommended "Harbor Freight Tools" in pretty much every case-related thread around Helifreak and maybe here in reddit too. I didn't realize it was an actual brick-and-mortar store until a couple days ago. Search for it on Google Maps and you may find one near you! (obviously I have no idea where in the world you are, so maybe not)

You can also order online: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=Aluminum+Case

I'm unclear on which models have the foam insert with the removable squares. If you search around Helifreak you'll see tons of people with Harbor Freight cases but they all use the foam squares, not the crappy dividers that are pictured in all the above search results. Maybe the cases come with both foam and dividers and you pick which one to use?

In any case, I plan to stop by my local Harbor Freight first when I'm ready to make my own.

Also look for gun cases. This is another one I've seen posted a couple times in Helifreak. Though maybe only suited for micro copters.

I use several of these http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK . The egg carton style foam layers hold infantry well and the bottom layer (pluck foam if you are lucky) is easily cut for tanks and larger models. Not ideal, but cheap and portable.

At LEAST take the gpu's out and transport them in their original boxes. Personally, I transport mine in a pistol case

Couldn't find it on Wally World's website, but Amazon had them for $5 more here

If you want cheap but don’t want to build it yourself, these inexpensive gun cases are good for infantry, but the cheapest way is to get some foam from a craft store and cut your own custom trays.

Maybe this one? It might be kind of tight with the pump handle, and maybe not enough room for a barrel.

If I were to guess, this one. $25 seems to be a pretty good deal.

Depending on where you are located, I know that Walmart and "hunting" shops sell pistol cases by Plano.. they are filled with 3 layers of eggshell and pluck foam and hold a WHOLE lotta models. I currently have 7 Dedadball teams (approx 90 models) in mine.. and it is small, and has a convienient carrying handle.

Amazon also has them.. here is a link

Amazon link

Apparently I cant edit a photo post.

But the case is great for travel, event photography, and just storing. The hard case can sure take a beating and the foam inserts are completely customizable. NO TOOLS REQUIRED!

I currently have in my case:
1 x t3i body
1 x 18-55 kit lens
3 x extra batteries
1 x canon battery charger
1 x a shutter release
1 x small storage box for memory cards, cleaning cloths, and expendables

They come in different sizes if you have more items.


Here are all the Details for the case I used

These are by far the best cases to carry tanks, and those akward shaped models in.
http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Four-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPKK

Well because it is $250 retail does not mean it's worth $250 (think of when you go to a head shop and something has a price tag of $250 and you can easily haggle it down to $100). I could have just used my $50 18mm GonG bong (that is honestly nicer than the hydratubes) with the unit inverted if I really wanted the water filtration. For me the wait ended up not really being worth the hydratube. Like I said, if you have other vaping options that you are happy with and can wait the month+ (if and when they re-drop the item) go for it. I said pretty good deal, not amazing by any means. To me an amazing deal would be money off the actual unit.

Also: VapeXhale charges $125 for their TravelBuddy carrying case. You can buy the same exact thing on amazon for $12. Another example of retail vs. actual value.