Reviews
Negrini Quality Model 1911 .45 Cases
By Jay Langston
My first exposure to quality gun cases was shortly after the turn of the 21st Century. I had just joined the Beretta/Benelli/Stoeger team in Accokeek, Maryland, in mid-2001, and was working hard to rebuild Stoeger Publishing. The 75-year-old publishing company began as a New York City mail order firearms company that began advertising its inventory in The Shooter’s Bible. My office was in the BenelliUSA headquarters, which was upstairs over the Beretta factory. Surrounded daily by quality firearms, it didn’t long for me to notice the equally fine injection-molded cases the new guns arrived in from the various factories in Italy. That was my first exposure to Negrini’s gun cases. In addition to Beretta and Benelli, other companies such as Perazzi, Browning, Feinwerkbau, Fausti, Zoli, Rizzini, Fabarms, Bettinsoli and many others utilize Negrini cases for their fine guns.
Quite frankly, it’s easy to take a gun case for granted. The quality of a gun case becomes more relevant when the value of a firearm begins to climb. Then, you’re protecting an investment rather than just toting around your rifle or pistol in any old poke.
When I received this assignment to review one of Negrini’s gun cases, I thought it might be a challenge to find something to say on the subject. Digging deeper into the subject, I was surprised to find that a fair amount of modern technology goes into a Negrini product. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Italian gun factories filled with computer-controlled, high-tech equipment, and Negrini is no exception. Starting with raw ABS plastics, each double-walled case starts its life on the thermoforming and injection molding line. From there they pass through numerous processes and finally get their various protective interiors.
Specifically, I got my hands on a Dedicated Luxury 1911 Handgun Case. I recently acquired a fine Republic Forge 1911 that needed a special case befitting its quality and craftsmanship. The model 2018 is offered in six color combinations, with the one I received being black with maroon leather trim. The external dimensions are 15.2 inches in length, 8.8 inches wide and 3.1 inches thick when closed. It tips the scales at 2.4 pounds empty. Steel combination locks make this case air travel compliant. Internally, the formed compartments are lined with open cell foam covered with velvet-like material. Removable padding blocks are formed to fit around the hammer area, muzzle and bottom of the grip. The muzzle area padding can be removed to accommodate a 1911 with a longer slide than a 5-inch pistol or one with muzzle compensators. The padding that lies beneath the magazine well can also be removed to allow storage of oversized magwell extensions. Two other compartments allow for storage of two spare magazines as well as other accessories. By removing the padding in the magazine storage area you can squeeze up to four spare mags into the space. A small self-contained cleaning kit is also supplied with the case.
The 2018 Deluxe model covered with full leather (2018SPL/4836) retails for about $259. Add wood inside (2018SPL-WOOD)and the retail price climbs to about $269. A standard Deluxe 2018SR/5126 case can be found online for $129, and the leather-trimmed 2018SLX/WOOD will cost you somewhere between the standard case and the full-leather model. Money spent to protect an investment or an heirloom to be passed down is never a bad move.
To learn more about Negrini cases, check out their web site at https://negrinicases.com/shop/gun-cases/handgun-cases/model-1911-handgun-case/