Designed to transport your valuable gear, firearms, or anything that needs to be protected – the 1740 Case is part of Pelican’s Protector series that provides significant storage and maximum padding. Pelican has long-established itself as the leader in protective hard cases that come in varying dimensions to meet any mission need.
As with all Pelican cases, the Protector 1740 Long Gun Case is made from Polypropylene to deliver a watertight, crushproof, and dustproof case that provides a significant amount of external protection and stackabiliy. The 1740 itself has four locking cleats designed from lid to base to reinforce its stacking strength.
Exterior
With an overall exterior dimension of 44.16” (L) x 16.09” (H) x 14.00” (W), the 1740’s exterior is comprised of Pelican’s traditional open-cell polymer construction for maximum strength and an impact resistant shell.
The 1740 includes six C-clamp throw latches that secure the lid to the bottom. In addition, there are two double-wide, foldable handles on either end to aid in picking up and stacking.
Several protective features built into the 1740 are its stainless-steel padlock protectors, and its two automatic pressure equalization valves.
On the exterior is a 1630DC document protector placard.
The 1740 has two polyurethane wheels to aid in rolling and transport of the case and its fully packed weight.
Interior
With an interior space of 40.98” (L) x 12.92” (H) x 12.13” (W), the 1740 has an overall internal storage capacity of 3.72 ft³.
A one-piece, rubberized O-ring provides a watertight seal to the interior storage space.
The 1740 comes with six layers of open-cell pick-n-pluck foam that is customizable to meet storage needs.
Specifications:
- The Protector series comes with Pelican’s Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
The 1740 Protector Long Case comes in Black (featured), Desert Tan, and OD Green.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): At $405 the 1740 is one of the larger (and more expensive) firearm hard cases offered by Pelican, shy of its multi-gun weapon lockers. As such it is one of the larger legacy consumer cases within the Pelican line. Pelican recently acquired its closest competitor Hardigg in 2017, and as such many of its mid/larger products don’t have direct peers with the same attention to strength, reinforcing Pelican as a world leader in hard polymer cases. The 1740’s closest peer would be the 3514 R-Series case ($559.99) by SKB, or Nanuk’s 975 case ($249.99) but neither are exact comparisons in dimensions, design or features. Given the legacy of Pelican’s performance, the lifetime warranty of its Protector series, and the cost to storage volume ratio – then the 1740 is a very good quality product for its cost.
- Comfort – Average (3/5): At just over 44” in length across, the 1740 was a bit awkward to pick up, even with the two side handles extended out (adding more length). A third handle in the middle would have made picking it up from two points of contact more comfortable, but perhaps its length or “top-up” intended design prohibited that aspect. As is, once fully loaded with gear or firearms, the 1740 was much heavier than its initial 22-27 pounds and thus necessitated either being carried by two people, or being loaded up at the vehicle or wherever it was being transported. The deep locking cleats provided a secure anchoring point for stacking and gave the overall shell a good amount of added rigidity.
- Durability – Good (4/5): Made from Polyethylene a type of high-density plastic similar to high-density polyethylene, the principle material of the 1740 (and indeed almost all of Pelican’s hard cases) was amazingly durable and resistant to shock. The open-cell foam inserts provided added protection to the equipment and firearms contained inside (more so if the user takes the time to cut specific patterns into the one-piece foam for a specific item), but the foam (by design) tore somewhat easily. The case was dragged over rocks, thrown into a truckbed a number of times, and left out in inclement weather (cold/rain) with no detrimental effect to the foam, stored contents (although some surface marring was noted), or moisture penetration.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): From a functional aspect, the 1740 is like all Pelican hard cases – a protective box. Pelican has a large array of products for the consumer, military/LEOs, first responders and more to choose one that best fits their specific needs. While the 1740 was a pretty straight-forward case (it’s a box – it opens, it closes, it has foam for add padding), it really is more left to the imagination of the user for use and to expand on the functionality of the case. Features like the rolling wheels and pressurization valves were essential as part of the design for long-term use or carrying. The stainless-steel protectors and hinge pins likewise fill an essential aspect of design as it ensured forced entry (shy of cutting) wasn’t possible. Users could custom cut a pattern or design into the foam to add protection of the specific contents. The downside is then it had to be specific to that item (unless you make the cut pattern very generalized). Alternatively, users can invest in a rigid backpanel (similar to what Grey Man Tactical offers) that could go inside the lid and expand its storage capabilities in lieu of excess foam. So, while Pelican cases have a fixed level of functionality, the user’s applicability and aftermarket options are available to expand on its use.
- Weight – Average (3/5): For its size and the volume of Polypropylene material, the 1740 weighed 27 pounds with foam (or 22 pounds w/o foam). This added to its almost cumbersome length and the negative fact it only had two handles by which to pick it up. Definitely a third handle would be of benefit to moving the case as the weight of the 1740 increased dramatically when contents were added. In comparison to the market alternatives noted above, the SKB case weighed 27.20 pounds (with an interior storage volume of 5.14 ft³) and the Nanuk 975 did have a slightly larger dimension, but not a listed weight by the manufacturer (its calculated volume was 6.56 ft³). Thus, the 1740 has a slightly smaller internal storage space as other vendors for near equal weight, but their designs did not reflect the reinforcement cleats, polymer, and hardware attributed to Pelican’s longstanding Protector product line.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/long-case/protector/1740
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, 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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