5.11 Tactical 36" VTAC Gun Case Review

The good people over at 5.11 Tactical recently sent one of their 36" gun cases my way to demo. This is a single gun case and is pretty much the perfect dimensions for carrying a carbine that is equipped with optics. So far I have been pretty impressed with this case. It is constructed of 1050-denier nylon and is definitely a step above in quality over most other cases on the market. Its also way beyond most of the garbage that you are gonna find on the shelf in big-box retailers.

Externally

Externally you have a good amount of MOLLE room on the front of the bag for adding additional mag/gear pouches Its a great way to expand storage if you so desire. It also has an included padded external pouch (measures in at approximately 10 x 20 x 2) which includes even more MOLLE points and two divider panels which can be used to stuff mags/gear behind. The dividers would also work wonderfully for a MOLLE pistol holster. As is, the bag serves nicely to carry enough mags/ammo/accessories for a casual range trip or for trunk gun usage. However, its setup nicely so that there are lots of options for expansion for those of you who need it. There are also a couple of places to attach Velcro patches on the front and back of the case.

The straps, hooks, and zippers on this gun case are all very good quality and should hold up nicely to hard use. The zippers are all YKK double zippers and are quick and easy to manipulate. The zippers can also be fitted with a padlock if your local laws or personal preferences require it.

The one option that I really love about this case is its external compression straps around the main bag compartment. They have snap buckle closures and are a great feature which allows you to just loosely secure the rifle in the bag without having to fully strap it in and zip the whole thing up. It makes for a quick and secure way to move your rifle from one station to another without having to take the time to go through the full packing process.

Another important feature is the fact that this case also offers the option of a removable shoulder strap. Its thick and sturdy, and is built with heavy duty swivel clasps. My personal needs don't require a shoulder strap so I just took it off, but many people will value this option and use it often.

Internally

The inside of the case is a pretty standard design... but its definitely well executed. Internal dimensions come in at 37 1/4 x 12 x 1/2, which makes it darn near perfect for a carbine with optics, vertical grip, and even allows secure storage with the rifle's magazine inserted (remember to keep that chamber empty). The padding around the exterior is 20mm thick. It uses envelope style dividers in the inside corners and four modular Velcro straps to secure the rifle. The design locks down the rifle nice and tight and holds the firearm very securely during transport.

Overall

Overall, this is a great weapon case for just about any battle rifle (they also offer a 42" version for longer guns), and one of the best out there at this price point. Its all you are going to need for casual range trips, but it also has the capability to be expanded to carry lots more gear if needed. The construction is top notch. It offers more than enough padding and the nylon and other materials used to fabricate the rifle case make it very tough for a soft case.

*Many more pics here