Released in the summer of 2022, the 1755 Air Long Case with EZ-Click™ MOLLE Panel is the latest in the line of Air cases by Pelican that is up to 40% lighter than previous models of hard cases. The 1755 is specifically designed for full-sized rifles, but with the inclusion of the EZ-Click panels (sold separately) can accommodate a variety of other items within it. The Air series of cases continues to provide Pelican’s leading protective cases to consumers with its proven materials and design.
As with all Pelican cases, the 1755 Air Long Case is made from super-light proprietary HPX²™ Polymer with features taken from the Protector Case™ series to deliver a lightweight, watertight, crushproof, and dustproof case that offers a significant amount of protection.
Exterior
With an overall exterior dimension of 57.82” (L) x 8.86” (H) x 17.30” (W), the 1755’s exterior comprised of Pelican’s super-light proprietary HPX²™ Polymer for a lightweight shell that maintains maximum strength and impact resistance.
The new 1755 includes six Press and Pull™ latches made from an ABS polymer that secure the lid to the bottom. In addition, there are three heavy-duty, ergonomic and foldable handles on the side and ends to aid in picking up.
Several protective features built into the 1755 include four stainless-steel padlock protectors, and a single automatic purge valve made with hi-flow Gore-Tex seal using a 3 micron, hydrophobic non-woven material.
The 1755 has two quiet-rolling wheels with stainless-steel bearings that aid in rolling and transport of the case and its fully packed weight. On the exterior is a single, clear plastic business card colder for an identification placard. This card holder is only accessible with the lid open and thus prevents tampering.
The base of the 1755 includes eight low-profile locking cleats that coincide with reinforcement grooves along the top of the case lid, thus alloting for stability when stacking the Air case with other 1755s.
Interior
With an interior space of 55.00” (L) x 8.00” (H) x 14.00” (W), the new 1755 has an overall internal storage capacity of 3.56 ft³.
A one-piece, rubberized EPDM O-ring provides a watertight seal to the interior storage space.
The 1755 comes with four layers of open-cell, pick-and-pluck foam that is customizable to meet storage needs. The interior of the storage space is textured to improve grip of the case to the foam and prevent slippage.
Specifications:
- Foam Layer 1 (Lid)……..2.50″ (6.4 cm) – Convolute
- Foam Layer 2 (Base)……2.20″ (5.6 cm) – Pick N Pluck
- Foam Layer 3 (Base)……2.20″ (5.6 cm) – Pick N Pluck
- Foam Layer 4 (Base)……0.50″ (1.3 cm) – Pad
- Minimum Temperature…-60° F (-51 ° C)
- Maximum Temperature…160° F (71 ° C)
EZ-Click™ MOLLE Panel
Easily attaching to anchor points inside the lid of select Pelican cases, the EZ-Click™ MOLLE Panel is intended to augment other case accessories. The EZ-Click™ for the 1755 Air Long Case is a three-panel system that includes moisture reduction foam and is only available in Black (featured).
Made from the same rigid Polypropylene as Pelican’s hard cases, the EZ-Click MOLLE Panel has a spaced, grid pattern needed to mount any pouch, holster, or other accessory using the associated mounting style. The panel has the same performance specifications as a hard case and can withstand temperature variations between 0°F – 140°F.
The 12 twist-cam locking mechanisms allow for rapid and easy attachment or removal, while also allowing for easy access to the rear of the panel for accessory adjustments.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): With a MSRP of $489.95 the new 1755 Air Long Case can be backordered at third-party retail stores—but as of this publication is listed on Pelican’s website as Out of Stock. Care should be taken when ordering from non-direct vendors however as the condition and legitimacy of such products can sometimes prove dubious. As a whole, the 1755 is part of Pelican’s overall ‘Air’ product line, and made from Pelican’s proprietary HPX²™ Polymer. This new material provides for consistent strength and impact resistance as opposed to other traditional products, yet is still lighter. Comparable market alternatives would be the iSeries 6018-8 Rifle Case ($489.99) from SKB, the KR50 ($293.43) from Case Cruzer, or the 3-Gun Competition Case (Gen 2) ($298.95) from Case Club (though the latter two alternatives were still smaller in overall size and storage capacity). Given the available price point of the new 1755 Air Long Case on the market as $489, for its larger than typical size and overall materials used, it placed the Pelican case at an appropriate (or average) cost among its competitors. The EZ-Click for the new 1755 itself is actually three panels of the same EZ-Click intended for the 1500 Protector Case (which run $43.95 each). The closest comparator to this version of EZ-Click being the 10.75×15 RMP ($44.99) by Grey Man Tactical. But the EZ-Click was still cheaper, with integrated mounting hardware that made it an excellent accessory for the case. Perhaps the only limiting factor for the EZ-Click is that it is only available for so few Pelican cases at the time of this review.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, while the new 1755 is the longest case in Pelican’s lineup, the case itself was surprisingly lighter than expected. This is attributed to the Air series and its use of HPX²™ Polymer which allows the case’s shell to be up to 40% lighter than other polymer cases of similar size. The 57” overall length easily accommodated multiple rifles, accessories, handguns, and magazines—while the foldable middle handle on three of the four side made maneuvering a fully loaded case much easier than other alternative cases without a middle-handle. The three collapsible handles felt very comfortable in the hand and did not dig or pinch. The push-button latches were a notable improvement over more traditional C-type clamps, and provided an improved level of security against accidental opening (despite several attempts at trying to force it open from the bottom of the latch). One aspect of the new 1755 that is shared with the other Air and Protector series cases was the locking cleats across the lid and bottom. These cleats provided added strength and allowed for potential stacking of multiple cases if needed. The rolling wheels moved easily and quietly while rolling the case between shooting venues. Perhaps the only negative aspect from a comfort aspect was that because of its overall bulk, the 1755 was a bit unwieldy when carried, vice its rolling wheels and the latter would be the recommended transport method whenever possible. This becomes more strongly advised when the 1755 is fully loaded with equipment or items. The EZ-Click mounting hardware moved smoothly and securely, and gave no hint of inability to support the panel when fully loaded.
- Durability – Good (4/5): From a durability aspect, Pelican cases generally are thought of as the apex in hard cases. Their polymer material and design have a proven history of survivability despite extreme conditions or abuse. And the new 1755 Air case continued that reputation by basically being left unsecure in the back of a pickup truck bed, and driven around on and off road (with other items to include several steel ammo cans). Rough handling was not held back. The shock and impact resistance held up good, with nary any movement to the weapons contained inside. The EZ-Click panel itself held attached weight of accessories well, and gave no indication of sag or stretching. The pick-and-pluck foam was not customized for the weapons used during this review (instead one base layer was simply removed), however between the lid and remaining base layers they held enough retention to keep the weapons in place and protected. Despite some obvious surface marring to the exterior shell (superficial scratches, gouges, dents, etc.), neither moisture nor dust penetrated the interior at any time.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): The new 1755 is similar to other Pelican hard cases in that it was designed to be a protective box for ground and/or air transport. While the 1755 Air Long Case has an improved polymer blend and new push-button latches, the Air series as a whole had a low-profile appearance and was designed more for the avid traveler (such as trainers or instructors) in mind, not members of the military (who tend to be more abusive to cargo). Features like the two rolling wheels and the pressurization valve were essential as part of the design for long-term use or transport. The stainless-steel protectors (in conjunction with TSA-approved locks – not included) and hinge pins likewise fill an essential aspect of design as it ensured forced entry (shy of cutting) wasn’t possible. The pick-and-pluck foam was of the typical thickness and appropriately perforated to allow customization. As noted above, the new 1755 did share some rigidity aspects of the Protector series with the locking cleats that aided in added reinforcement. Since the new 1755 is intended as a long rifle or survey equipment case, the use of additional EZ-Click panels further expand the case’s functionality beyond its factory design.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing in at 25.05 lbs. (11.3 kg) with foam, the new 1755 Air Long Case has an appropriate (or average) amount of weight for a case of this size and intended to hold multiple firearms or equipment. As such, once fully loaded, the 1755 was very heavy and bulky to maneuver if carrying it from just the single side handle. Truthfully, the best method in transporting the fully loaded 1755 was rolling it around provided it was a smooth, improved surface. The rolling wheels did not easily roll over loose rock, thus necessitated the carry method. In comparison; the iSeries 6018-8 Rifle Case (28.59 pounds), the KR50 (22 pounds), and the 3-Gun Competition Case (Gen 2) (30 pounds) were all near or over the weight of the new 1755 Air Long Gun Case, or were smaller in dimension and thus weighed less. The EZ-Click Panels for the 1755 weighed in at approximately two pounds (each) adding six pounds for all three panels. The closest comparator to the 1755’s EZ-Click panel would be the 10.75×15 RMP from Grey Man Tactical at an approximate 2.0 pounds. The minor added weight to the three EZ-Click panels was directly attributed to the inclusion of mounting hardware and materials needed to make the overall MOLLE design. Thus, the overall weight of the new 1755 Air Case with EZ-Click was at approximately 30 pounds, and placed the case as appropriate (or within average) within other cases of similar size on the current market.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/long-case/air/1755
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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