Negrini Shotgun Case Review By: Nick Sisley

If you own a Beretta, Blaser or Perazzi over and under of fairly recent vintage, you already have a Negrini shotgun case – because the company has been supplying shotgun cases to shotgun manufacturers for decades.

More recently, Negrini decided to market gun cases on their own – the North American arm of this Italian-based company is International Case Company in Victor (NY). In addition to over and under cases, Negrini makes semi-auto shotgun, rifle, handgun and tactical-type firearms cases. A visit to their website confirms that there are many models – just of over and under cases – not including the several other types of cases mentioned. So what makes Negrini cases worthy of review? For starters, these cases are approved for airline travel – including international travel. Further, the company claims that they are the lightest airline approved shotgun cases on the market.

Double wall technology is used with new ultra-high rubber content thermoformed into multi-layer ABS plastic. Seams are welded using patented ultrasonic welding in conjunction with liquid ABS bonding methods. The double layer system is uniformly strong, absorbs maximum shock and is said to have the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any gun case available. Further, the multilayer ABS plastic is a technical polymer. Unlike wood, used as reinforcement in some gun cases, Negrini cases have no moisture content that could compromise metal (guns) inside. No matter the temperature range, these cases are also free of corrosives.

Inside the Tactia Series cases there is PixelFoam® that allows the user to configure the case to the shotgun, rifle or pistol being used. These PixelFoam pieces are used to make wedges for a tight barrel, fore-end and/or receiver/stock fit. Additional foam pieces are also available. The inner upholstery of the double wall air travel shotgun case is not only good looking – it’s functional as well. A special cotton/acrylic fabric is used that has a soft feel so it won’t mar. That fabric is laminated to high-tech poly foam for added softness and then solvent-free cement made from natural resins is used at the seams. The cases are backed by a limited lifetime warranty if purchased from International Case Company.

THREE EXAMPLES

I received three cases for evaluation, one for a single O/U, two that will hold an over and under in the bottom as well as another over and under in the top part of the case – the two guns separated by a padded semi-hard partition in between. One of these cases was for barrels longer than 34-inches so it would be suitable for the longest sporting or trap barrels.

The model 1670L/4768 is for two shotguns and is quite trim in appearance at only five-inches top to bottom. This one takes barrels up to 30-1/2 -inches. In the photograph I have this case with my MX8 Perazzi in the top and my Krieghoff model 32 in the bottom. The separator between the two guns has hook and loop fasteners to keep it securely in place. The stock/receiver can be locked down – again by hook and loop fastenings.

Depending upon the Negrini model selected, outside coloring and inside fabric color will change. This particular two-gun case has a black exterior and blue interior. All cases come with three combination locks – select three different numbers as your personal combination. Case closure feels secure when the locks are snapped into place. Empty weight is 8 pounds 14 ounces on my digital postal scale.

The brown case sent for evaluation that has room for one gun has a black interior and takes barrels up to 36-inches – so it could be used for a single barrel trap gun or sporting or skeet over and under of any barrel length. Use the PixelFoam pieces to keep the barrel tightly in place. There are four back hinges on these cases (i.e. not full-length hinges). This case is photographed with a Caesar Guerini Summit Sporting inside (32-inch barrels). Empty weight is 7 pounds 7.5 ounces.

The third case reviewed is also in black and with a dark blue interior – designated as 1646L-2F/4756 – and capable of holding two guns. It’s an inch wider top to bottom than the first case described and takes barrels up to 345/8 inches. This one could accommodate a trap combo – or any two over and under shotguns. It’s pictured with a Krieghoff 32 in both the top and bottom. Empty it weighs 10 pounds 1 ounce.