FUN-SIZED GUN BAGS
It’s often said that good things come in small packages, and when it comes to guns, we’re inclined to agree. Ever since firearms first appeared on the battlefield, there has been a gradual trend toward shorter and lighter fighting weapons. The American long rifles of the Revolutionary War era often had barrels that exceeded 40 inches; standing upright, they were nearly as tall as the men who carried them. The famous Sharps rifles, used extensively by “sharpshooter” marksmen in the American Civil War, were typically equipped with 30-inch barrels. By the turn of the 20th century, the M1903 Springfield had a 24-inch barrel, a length that would carry over to the M1 Garand. Although the standard-issue M16 still has a 20-inch barrel today, carbines with 16-inch, 14.5-inch, and shorter barrels have become increasingly popular for maneuverability in confined urban areas. Thanks to dramatic improvements in barrel and ammunition manufacturing, it’s possible to achieve excellent accuracy and effective range from these compact weapons, whether they’re configured as short-barreled rifles (SBRs) or braced AR pistols.
Finding the Perfect Fit
Although the weapons we use have shrunk, it often feels like the cases we carry them in have remained the same size. If you walk into an average sporting goods store, you’re likely to see a wide array of cases designed for handguns and cases designed for rifles with 16-inch barrels, but not much in between. Sure,
