“Secure your weapon!” That phrase was drilled into me throughout my Academy training. For law enforcement officers, weapon retention isn’t just important—it’s a matter of life and death.
In that context, it typically refers to keeping your duty pistol secure in its holster. But that principle applies to all firearms. Whether you’re on the job or a responsibly armed citizen, your guns should always be stored so that only you can access them.
Why a Hard Case Matters for AR-15 Owners
When it comes to securing firearms during transport, hard cases offer the highest level of protection, outside of having a custom metal safe or container. They also offer the most impact and cosmetic protection for your expensive firearms. While I use soft cases for quick trips to the range, there are situations where a hard case is essential, especially when traveling long distances, storing firearms in your vehicle, or flying commercially (where TSA requires a locked hard case for checked firearms).
If I were to leave my firearm secured in my vehicle for a prolonged amount of time, I’d do so with a hard case that is tethered to a hard point. If you want to have the maximum amount of protection for your pistol or rifle, having a hard case is the way to go.
If I need to leave a firearm in my vehicle for any extended time, it stays in a hard case that’s tethered to a solid anchor point. While no case is 100% theft-proof, a quality hard case acts as a significant deterrent. Thieves don’t like obstacles. The more effort and time it takes to steal your firearm, the less likely they are to try—or succeed.
Why I Chose SKB Cases
SKB cases are made here in the USA and have been a trusted name since 1977. Their reputation for durability and lightweight protection makes them an ideal choice for securing valuable gear. According to the company, the
“SKB iSeries Cases are molded from a proprietary blend of ultra high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin that makes them both lighter and 2.8x stronger than the competition.”
My Pick: SKB Series 3614-6 Case
The case I requested for this review is the iSeries 3614-6 case, and here are the dimensions from SKB:
- Interior Length: 36.5 in/92.71 cm
- Interior Width: 14.5 in/36.83 cm
- Interior Lid Depth: 1.5 in/3.81 cm
- Interior Base Depth: 4.5 in/11.43 cm
- Interior Depth: 6 in/15.24 cm
- Product Weight: 15.39 lb/6.98 kg
- Exterior Length: 39 in/99.06 cm
- Exterior Width: 17 in/43.18 cm
- Exterior Height: 6.75 in/17.14 cm
Exterior and Build Features
I chose this case because it’s the smallest one I could find that will hold a 16″ AR-15 platform rifle and still fit in the trunk of my smallest vehicle. I went with the OD Green, layered foam option. In my opinion, OD Green looks great on hard cases.
The exterior has three large carry handles: one on each side and one on the front. On the bottom end, it has two wheels so you can roll it instead of carrying it. Trust me — it gets heavy when fully loaded, so the wheels are a must.
There are four latches that are easy to open and close, and each one is paired with a metal-reinforced locking port for added security.
Inside, there’s foam attached to the lid. The bottom portion comes with two thick foam layers and one thinner layer. The middle thick layer and the bottom thin piece both have edge cutouts to make room for the wheels.
A gasket runs along the inner edge of the case, helping to seal it tight when closed. That seal keeps water, moisture, dirt, and dust out—exactly what you want in a hard case.
Foam Customization: DIY-Friendly
This was my first experience setting up a hard case with solid foam. I followed a DIY tutorial from the MrGunsnGear YouTube channel.
I picked up the most inexpensive electric knife I could find on Amazon — a basic Black & Decker model — and used my 5.11 Tactical Braddock DP full-sized knife for the detail work. I decided to dedicate this case to my AR-15s since that’s the platform I use most often.
To start, I laid out my AR-15 and accessories on top of the foam to get the positioning right. Then I flipped the foam over and traced the layout on the back side with a Sharpie. That way, the marker lines don’t show on the display side.
I used my Braddock DP to poke starter holes at the beginning of each cut, then let the electric knife do the rest. It cut through the foam surprisingly well — maybe not quite like a hot knife through butter, but close enough. A few minutes later, the job was done.
I left extra room in certain areas to make it easier to grab the contents and to accommodate different optics, hand stops, and accessories. I also made space for three magazines and a detachable muzzle blast shield. Keeping that shield off the rifle prevents it from pushing too close to the edge of the case.
The end result turned out well, and everything fit just fine. Not bad for being my first time doing a project like this. It’s not absolutely perfect, but I’m okay with that — it works.
There are no do-overs without getting a new piece of foam. I’m not OCD or a perfectionist, so a functional result works for me. If you want a flawless, professional look, you’ll need to pay for a custom laser-cut job. It’ll look sharp, but it will cost you extra time and money. It really comes down to how much you care about aesthetics and what you’re willing to invest.
Locking and Securing the Case
To be truly effective, this case needs to be locked. Technically, a single lock is enough to secure it, but I recommend using at least two—one on each end of the case—to help prevent anything from being removed. I picked up a set online.
To add another layer of security while storing the case in your vehicle, there are several options out there. I went with a simple and inexpensive tether lock. It’s thin but not flimsy, and flexible.
Just keep in mind—no lock or cable can offer 100% protection. A determined thief with the right tools and enough time can defeat any setup. Still, using a quality case like the SKB iSeries, along with locks and a tether, gives you a solid foundation. You’ve done your due diligence.
There are also basic habits that go a long way in reducing your risk. Always store the case in your trunk, out of plain sight. If you can’t, at least cover it with a blanket or something to keep it concealed. Lock your doors and set the alarm — simple steps we sometimes forget, but ones you can’t afford to miss when storing a firearm in your vehicle.
And don’t advertise. I’m a big supporter of the Second Amendment, but you won’t find any gun-related stickers on my vehicles. Those stickers can act like a beacon, telling would-be thieves that you probably have firearms inside your car and inside your home when your vehicle is parked in the driveway.
I use the tether to connect one of the large case handles to the child seat anchor point in my car. The anchor is strong enough to secure a child seat, so it’ll be strong enough to resist someone trying to pull the case from your trunk.
As for sizing, this model fits perfectly in the trunk of my Kia Stinger, which is a sedan with a hatchback. It might not fit in vehicles with smaller trunks, but it works great for my setup.
For my purpose — having my AR-15 secured and accessible in my trunk — this is an excellent solution. Although it fits nicely in my trunk and doesn’t take up all of the room, it does take up a significant amount of space. That’s part of the tradeoff. It also takes a bit more time to open since you have to unlock one or two locks to access your firearm. Like anything, there are pros and cons.
The key is that you now have a much more capable platform with you. Whether or not you’ll have time to get to it is entirely situation-dependent.
Having your CCW pistol on your person is still the best option for self-defense because it’s always on you. But keeping an AR-15 in a secured hard case like this is the next best thing. It’s ready to go in your vehicle, rather than sitting locked away in your safe at home.
When to Use the SKB Series Case
If I’m just heading to the range for a quick session and coming right back home, I typically don’t bring this case. That’s mainly because I usually take multiple firearms with me for testing and reviews, and I need a more flexible loadout. Time at the range is limited, so I try to get the most out of each visit
Where this case really shines is during longer trips, especially if I’m traveling a significant distance for a class and staying overnight. In that scenario, this is definitely the case I bring.
This case can be used to store and secure your AR-15 in your home using the same locks and tethers. If your bed has clearance underneath, you can slide right under your bed for quicker access, especially if your gunsafe is in another part of your home.
The SKB Tactical iSeries 3614-6 Case has worked out well for me. The build quality, materials, and durability are excellent. The latches operate smoothly — which isn’t always the case with hard-sided options — and the built-in wheels make it much easier to move between the house and the trunk of my car.
I have full confidence that my AR-15 is well protected from the elements, impacts, and theft when locked correctly. This case does it all very well.
Final Thoughts
As a Law Enforcement Officer and responsible gun owner, securing my firearms is extremely important to me. It’s not just about protecting my own gear—it’s about doing my part to prevent unauthorized access, whether by children or individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Safe storage is a fundamental responsibility, and it plays a critical role in preventing avoidable tragedies and criminal misuse.
A hard case like this one from SKB cases provides a strong, secure solution that helps ensure only you have access to your firearm when you need it. For anyone looking to secure a single rifle setup in a low-profile package, the iSeries 3614-6 is an excellent option.
If you have multiple firearms or need to store other equipment, SKB offers a wide range of sizes to fit nearly any setup. This case exceeded my expectations in terms of build quality, design, and ease of use, and I have no doubt it reflects the overall quality SKB puts into all of their products.
I definitely recommend this AR-15 case if you are looking for a low-profile hard case for a single rifle setup.
