Best Rifle Cases

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Whether you’ve purchased your first or fifteenth Tactical Rifle or AR15, it’s time you get the best rifle case made for your rifles. If you already have a case, it may be time to upgrade to the best tactical rifle case.

Let us preface this and tell you upfront Lynx Defense makes the best tactical rifle cases on the market. They are 100% U.S. made and renowned for their build quality and design. But don’t just take our word for it, take it from our customers.

Reviews of our Tactical Rifle Case

Rifle Case Overview

36" Tactical Rifle Case in Tan / FDE

Your rifle case should have plenty of features, there’s no question about that But don’t buy a rifle case that has unnecessary features that you don’t need. This adds weight and other failure points that could lead you to regret your purchase later down the line.

What Size Rifle Case?

We have written an in-depth article on choosing what size rifle case to get in a previous article, but we will sum it up again here.

For the bag length, make sure you measure the overall length, often referred to as OAL, of your rifle in the configuration you plan to carry it. Make sure your buttstock is in the position you intend to carry it in your tactical rifle case before taking your OAL measurement.

We offer both a 42″ Tactical Rifle Case. This size covers most of the modern sporting rifle configurations, including 16″ barrels and 18″-20″ barrel rifles.

Must Have Rifle Case Features

Features can be a decision-maker or breaker when buying a rifle case. So focusing on the right features is key. We have broken down the most important features to consider when shopping for your case.

The Right Size

We discussed case length above, but the overall size (height x width x depth) is also an important factor to keep in mind while shopping.

For example, we would never push someone toward a 36″ Tactical Rifle Case if they were carrying an 18″ – 20″ rifle. It just wouldn’t make sense, and at the end of the day, the customer wouldn’t be happy.

Personally, I would consider the depth of the case an equally important consideration if you have lots of rail-mounted attachments. You won’t want to have your expensive accessories poking through the side of the case.

So consider how tall and wide your gun is equipped with all its flashlights, optics, and accessories, and make sure you are buying the size rifle case you need.

Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)

To be tactical in 2020, you have to have MOLLE on your gear! You’ve seen it everywhere from plate carriers to rifle cases. You know the old adage, you can’t leave home without it!

MOLLE allows you to easily and quickly customize your rifle case. On both ends of our tactical rifle cases, we feature MOLLE webbing that allows you to add medical kits or other “snatch n’ go” style attachments.

You can add magazine carriers or virtually anything your heart desires. The possibilities for MOLLE attachments are endless.

That is why MOLLE is such an essential feature for a tactical rifle case.

Storage Pockets & Pouches

Having the necessary storage is vital to any bag purchase, not just your rifle case. But when it comes to buying a rifle case, the right kind of storage is what you should consider.

Inside Rifle Case

Pistol Pockets

Our rifle cases include four interior storage compartments; the two on the back have a velcro closure system and are the perfect spot to put pistols or other items that need extra padded storage.

For as long as I can remember, I have always pitched these lay-flat pockets as pistol pockets but they are for whatever your heart desires. The lay-flat pockets are padded on the front and back and provide the most padding/protection than any other pocket on the case, other than the main rifle compartment.

Magazine Holders

Carrying more than one or two magazines in your rifle case is a no-brainer. So why do I bother to bring it up?

Because that’s exactly why the front pockets were developed. Adjustable to fit 20 and 30 round magazines, the front pockets are the perfect spot for your magazine storage.

All three front pockets include a bungee cord-lock closure system, which allows you to tighten down the pockets from the center of the pocket. The adjustable top flaps ensure you have a snug fit vertically.

The pocket lid and cord lock bungee system really let you lock down the hatches on your magazines, so they don’t go anywhere!

Ammo Storage

Storing ammo isn’t always easy when it comes to a tactical rifle case. But it’s necessary for any range day that is going to last more than a few hours.

An ammo can may be your best option but the front pockets are a good alternative for small 20-round boxes of 5.56/.223 or even 300 blackout ammo.

Padded Divider

36" Tactical Rifle Case with divider mat Removed

Both Tactical Rifle Case bags that we offer come with a divider that transforms the bag into a two-gun bag. The padded divider sits between the two sides of the rifle case.

The divider is used to separate your rifles so that they don’t bang into each other when you are going to and from the range.

One of the nice functions of our divider is that it is a removable range mat and can be taken out with just a quick tug. You can then use the mat to shoot prone or just use it to lay your guns on the outside of the range bag.

Tactical Rifle Case range mat full extended

Not to mention, if you didn’t want the insert for whatever reason you could remove it completely and leave it out of the bag.

Buttsock & Barrel Holders

F6FBC92F 82DC 4C84 8464 977A6D858343

The buttstock and barrel retention in our tactical rifle cases is something almost no one else in the gun case industry does. Because we enjoy overbuilding our bags and making them high quality, you’ll notice our crisscross design provides secure storage and transport of your rifle.

You’ll never have to worry about your barrel wearing down the bag and poking through the bag even after years of use.

“One of my favorite things about my Lynx Defense Tactical Rifle case is the fact it securely holds my two rifles with plenty of extra storage space”

Big Johnson Guns and Gear, YouTube

If your firearm is long enough, the crisscross buttstock and muzzle catch provide enough support so you don’t even have to use the retention straps, but the retention straps are still recommended for maximum security.

With that being said, let’s talk retention straps.

Rifle Case Retention Straps

Best Tactical Rifle Case Retention Straps with AR

The Tactical Rifle Case retention straps were something I put a lot of time and thought into during the design process. When the tactical rifle case was first developed most cases featured just two straps and those two straps were sewn into the back of the bag making them fixed and not always in the right spot depending on your rifle setup.

So I set out to create a bag that gives the user the ability to choose which straps worked best for them. Keep in mind this was before we had the option to do full loop backing like we now do in The Bureau.

So we put four evenly spaced hook and loop straps that were totally removable. Most retention straps on the market at that time just allowed you to wrap the existing sewn-in strap around the gun arbitrability and not mold it to the gun, or even under the gun, to maximize the security of the gun in the bag.

It’s safe to say we make the most secure soft rifle case on the market.

Backpack Straps and Carry Handles

Backpack Straps of the Best Rifle Case

What is the point of having a tactical rifle case if you aren’t going to carry it? We created the backpack strap system with you in mind.

The vision was that you already have enough to carry, so if you can sling your rifles on your shoulders and carry your ammo cans with your free hands, you can make fewer trips to and from the car!

The backpack straps do feature a sternum strap in case you plan to carry this rifle case long distances.

We also over-padded our carry handle, because if you’re like me, you’ll never backpack carry your rifles. Don’t know why, I guess I’m just stubborn like that!

Color

Last but most certainly not least: Color.

Let’s talk about rifle case color a little bit. We all have our favorites and you might already have your mind made up but hear me out.

What are your plans for your rifle case? Do you need it to blend in or do you just want it to be your favorite color? Tan has been a hot seller for the better part of the 2000s which could mostly be because of the Global War on Terror and the abundance of Tan and FDE used by the military.

Black is a timeless favorite because it’s easy to keep clean and matches the color of carbon…. ahhh the smell of carbon on a crisp fall day just brightens my day!

With the ever-increasing urban sprawl, gray has become a fan favorite and not just any gray but wolf gray. Wolf Gray seems to be that happy medium gray that’s not too dark and not too light.

ODG GANG where you at?! Olive Drab Green has made a huge comeback in recent years and has ushered in a new fan club, ODG Gang as they like to be called. We offer ranger green for all of our tactical rifle cases and it is the hottest selling color in Q4 2020. This is a favorite for people who live in rural areas worldwide.

So while you still may already have your mind made up, be sure to give it some thought. No matter what you decide, you’ll get quality with a Lynx Defense Tactical Rifle Case.

Our selection of soft rifle cases is not the largest but it is the best. Soft rifle cases are lighter, easier to carry, and less bulky than hard cases. We are a premium manufacturer of range bags. Our cases have more features and are a higher quality construction than any other soft case on the market and offer a lifetime manufacturer warranty, but you won’t need it.

If you are shopping around be sure to look at the in-depth breakdown of our tactical rifle bags. We have also put together a comprehensive overview on how to pick the right size rifle bag for your needs. We work extremely hard to make the best rifle bags and cases in the industry.

Overall we make the best soft rifle case on the market today. If you are looking for covert rifle cases we have you covered.

Looking for the best soft rifle case?

You’re in the right place. We make 42″ tactical rifle cases right here in the United States.

Our soft rifle cases offer a built-in rifle mat, that can serve a dual purpose as a firearm cleaning mat or a shooting mat. We strive to make the highest quality hand-made rifle cases in the industry.

Our rifle cases don’t skimp on any detail. They hold two rifles with plenty of room for range gear, pistols, ammo, and rifle magazines.

Soft gun cases remain the most popular case among shooters due to their great ergonomics of carrying, firearm protection, and ease of use.

Like most soft gun cases our cases come with accessory pockets for ammunition, magazines, firearm cleaning supplies, and the rest of your range gear. Soft gun cases make great range bags for nearly any firearm, not just AR-15-style rifles. Using our case ensures you have secure storage while transporting your firearm to and from the range.

We are here to help you with your soft gun case purchase in any way that we can. We want your case to be the perfect fit for you, even if it’s not our case. But no matter what you decide a soft gun case will provide durable protection for your firearms.

Features

We don’t hold anything back with our rifle case. This case includes a removable shooting/cleaning mat that is the width of the bag and unfolds in the middle to double in size. When not being used as a shooting mat, it is attached by a hook & loop in the center of the bag, which keeps your rifles from banging against each other.

Select your favorite length rifle case and see what other features our tactical line has to offer.

Durable Construction

Don’t let the fact these are soft rifle cases fool you. We’ve been accused of “overbuilding” our rifle cases, but that doesn’t offend us. If you want a rifle case that’s going to stand the test of time as well as the wear and tear of carrying your gear, we’ve got you covered.

With double stitching throughout the bag, you don’t have to worry about if your bag will hold up. We know it will.

Quality Check (QC)

Our quality check is extremely extensive. We spend an average of 15-25 minutes checking each and every bag, not once but twice. The quality check is done by two different people because four eyes are better than two, or so we’ve heard.

Customer service and top-of-the-line products are what Lynx Defense is all about. Our tactical rifle case line has been in production since 2016.

Not sure what rifle case you need? We have put together a few articles that can help you decide what size rifle case you need as well as help you figure out if you need a hard or soft rifle case.

If you still need help after checking those articles feel free to drop us a line.

In-Depth Look at the Lynx Defense Tactical Rifle Case

Most people don’t put a lot of time or thought into the AR-15 rifle bag they put their rifles in. Some don’t care and think any ol’ case will do, while others focus only on the price.

We believe choosing a quality rifle case to travel with or take to the range is just as important as having a high-quality rifle. One of my friends summed it up best, “Why would you put your $1,000+ rifle into a $50 case? Protect your investment.”

Keep reading to learn why our rifle cases are so highly regarded.

Rifle Case Front

riflebag ends 1

The most photographed and easily identifiable side of the case is the front.

We wanted a tactical look, but we also wanted it to be useful. That’s why it’s covered with features and pockets.

We noticed in other cases that pockets were too small and features weren’t user-friendly. We opted out of those features because they didn’t provide any value to the customer.

After researching all of the other products on the market, we decided on two configurations for the case ends molle and hook.

Molle

The molle attachment system is a popular and widely-used system considering existing accessories. So it was an easy choice and a natural fit when designing our rifle cases.

The molle configuration is extremely popular with our law enforcement and military customers. The molle system allows you to add IFAK kits as well as other molle attachments.

When attached directly to the end of a soft rifle case it keeps it within arms reach and easy to access.

Consider which molle attachments you plan on using before deciding which size case meets your needs.

36″ cases have fewer molle loops, but most attachments work well on either length rifle cases’ molle system.

Hook & Loop

This attachment is just the hook part of the hook and loop setup. You might not want to attach anything extra to your case, but you want a lot of space for morale patches. This setup is designed for you. No other case out there gives you this amount of space to express yourself and your interests.

We equipped the entire end of the 42″ cases with the hook side of Velcro so patches can be attached.

After listening to customer feedback, while this configuration was popular, we decided to go strictly to the molle-style soft rifle case.

Outside Back

On the back of the soft rifle case, we focused on making it a backpack-style carry. But we wanted it to be the most comfortable backpack rifle case you’ve ever used.

We designed ultra-cushioned straps for a secure, comfortable fit that you won’t mind carrying for a long time. And if you decide you want to ditch the straps, you can remove them easily.

Outside Pockets

The outside pockets were crafted with a few things in mind. One was quick and easy access to your rifle magazines so that if needed, you could access them fast. Depending on how you insert your magazine, you could fit anywhere from 3-to-5 per pocket.

The second pocket was for small boxes of .223/5.56mm ammunition. The center pocket is perfect for a few extra boxes of ammo for the range.

Interior Pocket

Soft Rifle Case Interior Pocket

People constantly say they love the addition of four interior sealing pockets. This feature allows you to store anything from range gear to more guns.

The two padded Velcro pockets are great for pistols and magazines – which is how I use my interior pockets.

The two zipper pockets were created to store your hearing protection, slings, and other gear that doesn’t require a lot of padding.

It’s even easy to zip up items in the compartment that don’t fit into one of the four pockets; just be careful when you unzip it!

Inside the Tactical Rifle Case

The interior of the rifle case is the most important part of the case. The part that holds your precious hunk of metal aka your rifle. We pulled out all the stops for the inside of the case. But first, let’s start with the two sides and rifle retention.

With every rifle case I’ve previously owned, there was always very little in the way of being able to mold the case to my gun.

I thought this would be an obstacle when I started Lynx Defense, but in 2016, we knew it could be done.

We created a four-strap system that allows you to use as many or as few of the straps as you need. It also gives you options so that if the strap falls on a weird spot on your rifle, you can always use the next strap down.

This feature is significant because if you ever needed to run with your rifle while carrying it, the jarring wouldn’t move the rifle around in the case.

The retention methods don’t stop there.

Our criss-cross barrel and buttstock retention system allows you to place your barrel and buttstock into the case safely and securely, no matter the orientation. This keeps the firearm pointed in a safe direction and abides by the golden rules of firearm safety.

And last but most definitely not least, important: the removable gun mat. Just when everyone thought the inside flap of your rifle case was only good for stopping your guns from banging together, we had a light bulb moment.

We decided to double the inside flap’s size, attach it to itself, and make it removable from the case’s seam. This provides a gun/shooting mat that you can easily remove and reattach.

Made in the USA

Our products have always been and will always be made right here in the USA. Our expert sewers craft each of our cases in our shop in Selma, North Carolina, from the highest quality materials we can find.

It might cost more to produce our cases in America. Still, we believe in supporting our nation’s workforce and economy (and we know you’ll receive a superior product because of that).


If you need more information about gun bags, our blog is an excellent source of information. If you want a more direct way to research bags check out our Ultimate Range Bag Guide.

Conclusion of the Best Rifle Case

When you are analyzing the features of your next rifle case purchase you should consider all of the following:

  • Size
  • MOLLE Functionality
  • Storage Pockets
  • Rifle Retention
  • Carry straps and handles
  • Color

If you consider all these things, you’ll definitely select the right tactical rifle case for you. So now go pick up your 42″ rifle case made in the land of the free by Lynx Defense!

Are 42-inch bags good for an AR-15?

Yes, 42-inch AR bags are perfect for AR-15s. They are long enough to accommodate almost all AR-15 rifles.

Do You Need A Case For Your AR-15?

It’s not a requirement but it makes carrying your AR-15 a much easier and more pleasurable experience. Some ranges require you to have it in a case so be sure to check all your local range rules.

Hard Gun Cases vs. Soft Gun Cases

Both have their purposes. It’s a little complicated so we created an entire guide on hard gun cases vs soft gun cases.

Michael Savage
Michael Savage

Michael is the President of Lynx Defense and an avid gun owner and outdoors man. He's passionate about helping find the best bang for your buck and helping others learn about firearms and the industry as a whole.

Articles: 260

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4 Comments

  1. The weight is very important to me because it handling is one of the most important things to have
    Especially if you’re in tight quarters

  2. Hard to find right case

    Sometimes I think I’m ordering (because of the Covid crud) the perfect case and what arrives, despite the item write up and specs, turns out to be far too small or too big.

  3. Just received my Lynx Defence 36” tan tactical gun case/bag and it is everything and more than I expected. Super strong, spacious, comfortable backpack straps, and easy to use zippers and Velcro closures. Love it !! Now I need to add other cases and accessories to my collection. If you want the best, here you go. Lynx Defense MADE IN AMERICA.

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