These days, gun display cases for your rifle, pistol, and breakdown shotgun are being manufactured all over the world. Increasingly, fewer and fewer are manufactured here in the US. What makes for a better display case? What are the differences?

I have seen cases made in China, Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, Britain, Spain... heck just about anywhere you'll find somebody trying to make a presentation case for you to buy. Well here are a few things for you to consider before adding to the credit card bill with a brand new display case.

Does it appear as though the presentation case is manufactured with your rifle, pistol or shotgun's best interests in mind? Does it look as though the manufacturer understands guns? Will that precious gun of yours rest safely in its case? Could the gun case actually hurt your gun?

Some raw materials can cause damage. For example, some leathers are tanned with chemicals that could actually be corrosive to the gunmetal finish. Chrome tanned leathers, I am told, might interact. Leather is a subject for an article all to its own, but a few more thoughts... I have seen cases where the leather is painted over. I guess that is not inherently bad and using that certainly helps hit a lower price point since the manufacturer can use whatever leather is lying around. Painted leather certainly is not the hallmark of a quality raw material. If you are considering a quality, full leather shotgun case, there should be some natural imperfections in the leather.

Another thing that might actually hurt your gun are those nice looking stock straps with buckles in some display cases. Is the metal somehow covered to protect and not scratch the stock?

An important consideration is the basic component of the case; traditionally a wooden box is what everything else is built around. My experience says hardwoods are the best material for frame. I like Baltic Birch and Mahogany ply woods. Normally on the low-end cases, you are likely to find pressed board and composites of wood and other materials. On some of the gun cases I've seen, I can't figure out what the material is or what exotic tree it came from. Changes in humidity levels can really have an impact on the wood frames and any glue (and there are a bunch of glues used in these cases) could be susceptible to the climate in your area.

Airlines are brutal on gun cases so to expect a wood box to hold up like aluminum is not reasonable. (I on't recommend shipping any manufacturers presentation case via the airlines.) But then again, the display case should be able to withstand Brutus (your hunting buddy's Chesapeake) jumping up and down on it in anticipation of the first shot.

Firearms (ie. shotguns, rifles and handguns) can truly be works of art and are certainly prized possessions. Protecting them with a high quality gun case is important. The best advice is to understand what quality level you are buying and know if that quality is commensurate with your uses and expectations. Be comfortable with whom you buy the display case from and ask questions. They should know what quality level they are selling.

About the Author
Rick Bingman is President of Brooks & Thomas Gun Cases and has enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and shooting. Starting at an early age working in his father's manufacturing company, Rick has combined his 30 years experience of manufacturing leather products with his passion for the outdoors. His company at BrooksAndThomas.net creates fine quality gun cases for top gun manufacturers, conservation groups as well as for the individual sophisticated shooter.