1918 BAR carry case

[68coupe]

I have the OOW 1918A3 with their nice, custom pelican-style carry case. It barely fits in the back seat of my car, and is big, heavy and extremely awkward. Is there a padded canvas case out there that will fit it? I saw a one on GB, pictured with a 1903 case. The photo array, however, didn't include one of the BAR in the case. I'm not bothered by the copies available on Amazon, but I don't want to buy something that won't work. The case for my Garand is too short and won't zip shut, even with the flash hider off.

Thanks in advance, Karl, 68coupe

Edited April 12, 2024 by 68coupe
incorrect spelling

[Bridgeport28A1]

You could go old school. Not padded but original WW2.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295708418751?chn=ps

 

 

 

[68coupe]

6 minutes ago, Bridgeport28A1 said:

You could go old school. Not padded but original WW2.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295708418751?chn=ps

 

 

 

Man, don't I wish. I know, it's beautiful, but that's a bit pricey. I can almost hear "but you paid 6k for the gun"...I'm saying it to myself...I can dream though...

Karl, 68coupe

[jim c 351]

68coupe,

The leather case pictured above won't work  with the bipod .

You need a 1950's padded jump case. Should be perfect. do a search.

Jim C

Edited April 13, 2024 by jim c 351

[Bridgeport28A1]

Jim, the padded jump case is an excellent suggestion. Better solution then the leather BAR scabbard.

[Dogman217.]

My $.02-

I have an OOWA3. I was also looking for what you were looking for about a year ago and this is what I ended up with.

I have one of the USGI jump bags in my pile of stuff. The problem with that one is, you have to insert the BAR in the jump bag butt first for the bipod to fit, and then the flashhider is still too long by ~1/2" - 1". If you got a "neutered" flash hider it would probably fit. The BAR will go in muzzle first with flash hider on, but the bipod won't fit. The jump bag is "loose" on the open end, and "tight" on the closed end. The closed end has some padding down in there which I guess is to protect the muzzle. This blocks the ability to fully insert the BAR when you stick the buttstock in first.

I ended up with the 50" drag bag that MidwayUSA sells. I would have preferred something USGI but this works.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/939171584?pid=316276

FYI- I cut the drag bag cover off on the muzzle end of the case.

This works - with or with out the bipod and/or carry handle. It is a little "loose" but the velcro straps hold everything in place.

 

Edited April 15, 2024 by Dogman217.
added 50"

[68coupe]

Jim, What kind of buttstock is that? I've never seen one before. Paratrooper? It's very cool. Probably shaves several pounds. I haven't even tried to remove mine. From what I've read (mostly right here), they can be "challenging", if not impossible, straight out'a the box from OOW.

Karl

[nate129]

On 4/13/2024 at 6:55 AM, jim c 351 said:

68coupe,

The leather case pictured above won't work  with the bipod .

You need a 1950's padded jump case. Should be perfect. do a search.

Jim C

Jim, is that the British stock made during WW2 to replace damaged original wood stocks on the lend lease guns often used by the Home Guard? I recall seeing a photo of the stock in Rock in a Hard Place, this is my first time seeing one outside of that book.

[1gewehr]

The Midway bag looks perfect!  It's on backorder, but I put my name on the list for one.

[jim c 351]

Dogman,

I had previously put my OOW 1918A3 rifle W/flash hider , in the M1950 padded jump case, so I knew it would work that way.

I don't use the bipod so it never occured, and very surprised, me that the case wouldn't work with bipod installed.

In 1950 the BAR was a important part of the rifle squad , so why make such a case.

Nate,

You are correct. The steel, skelitan butstock is one of the British jobs made to replace a broken wood stock.

It is pictured with a Winchester M1918 Automatic Machine Rifle with British lend/lease stamps.

I had Dan Block make a wood stock, which is currently on the rifle.

Thanks for your interest.

Jim C

[Dogman217.]

Just to set the record straight.... Jim C, you are correct - it fits! All of it - bipod, carry handle, and sling. I turned the bipod to the side and kept at it until it went in.

This was bugging me, so I tried again. I kept thinking about what you stated and I thought it has to fit.

It was a real PITA and took alot of pushing and pulling and stretching and cussing....but I got it in.

 

Edited April 22, 2024 by Dogman217.
typo

[jim c 351]

Dogman,

Thanks,- glad you got to the bottom of the case issue.

Jim c

[68coupe]

On 4/22/2024 at 4:45 PM, Dogman217. said:

Just to set the record straight.... Jim C, you are correct - it fits! All of it - bipod, carry handle, and sling. I turned the bipod to the side and kept at it until it went in.

This was bugging me, so I tried again. I kept thinking about what you stated and I thought it has to fit.

It was a real PITA and took alot of pushing and pulling and stretching and cussing....but I got it in.

 

I have ordered a M1958 drop bag. I hope my rifle will fit as well as yours did. I'm also going to get the bag for the 1903, as I have one of them too. I can store them in the hard cases to prevent damage. I'll let y'all know how it goes. I just need something that isn't as bulky and awkward to get my guns to the range.

V/R Karl, 68coupe

[68coupe]

Confirmed! My 1918A3 fits in the M1950 drop bag, complete with bipod and stock flash hider, although it's a tight fit. The cool-guy castellated flash hider for the Monitor won't go. It's an inch or more too long.

It is also an extremely tight fit in the 1918 rifle case, meant for the Springfield '03, without nothing mounted. I'll be sharing this with the "Full auto" page as well. Just chalk it up to "good-to-know" info.

I love the case I bought with it, but it's unwieldly, and HEAVY. The canvas cases are only as heavy as the rifle within.

YMMV, Karl, 68coupe

[jim c 351]

68coupe,

Your "1918 rifle case meant for the Springfield '03" might actually be for the M1918 BAR. Lets see a photo.

I don't think the US ever had a 03 SPFD case, only an action cover.

Jim C

 

[inertord]

On 5/20/2024 at 8:04 AM, jim c 351 said:

68coupe,

Your "1918 rifle case meant for the Springfield '03" might actually be for the M1918 BAR. Lets see a photo.

I don't think the US ever had a 03 SPFD case, only an action cover.

Jim C

 

There were definitely two cases manufactured specifically for the 1903 Springfield Rifle. The “Cover, Rifle Model 1916” was a canvas case with leather flap and the “Cover, Rifle Model 1918” was similar configuration, however eliminated the leather flap being all canvas. The “Model 1918 Cover” was also issue with the Model 1917 Rifle. Both Springfield cover/case models pre-date and are not associated with the BAR. 

Edited May 21, 2024 by inertord
Add photo

[68coupe]

10 hours ago, jim c 351 said:

Your "1918 rifle case meant for the Springfield '03" might actually be for the M1918 BAR. Lets see a photo.

 

This is a link for the case that I bought. I understand about fake canvass items, but it does what I need it to do. I would never represent it as an original, should I sell it with a gun.

https://www.amazon.com/World-War-Supply-Padded-Springfield/dp/B0BZWYWR62/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2H4UVQHKE9GCC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5IToPjnSBUCKOb-Ekoy4My5EhZC1rs538bV8r9ZU9hYKtyF528jIPAnL-s6VX8IkeMZZTybX1sfeP7zaMenSrjg4WY4iYZ086afIJy6hwj_iXB1P5EAf7v0NQfUXRM-6e0oxlvQ0b__NWTrn-M_3AVofnhHdV7_fFgeo1hqlRWkWMSsFXG9VooUWP_NS1vuf7rlx094tuX11WXex9yrbL0M6sm9joe8Xbl9K7h5WRLHjUs75MHvPIkZI6udfkKU1xflH0P-u08zHTlFHEEh9KQmjP8CCw4lZdH-bl374BSU.5nca-iWkmFo1kkcLWwqTteU_yO2W1_5TSfJe7onrQUc&dib_tag=se&keywords=rifle+case+for+1903+springfield&qid=1716244444&sprefix=rifle+case+for+1903+sprinfield%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2

I haven't yet figured out how to post my own photos. My attempts have all resulted in complete failure.

Karl, 68coupe

[RoscoeTurner]

3 hours ago, inertord said:

There were definitely two cases manufactured specifically for the 1903 Springfield Rifle. The “Cover, Rifle Model 1916” was a canvas case with leather flap and the “Cover, Rifle Model 1918” was similar configuration, however eliminated the leather flap being all canvas. The “Model 1918 Cover” was also issue with the Model 1917 Rifle. Both Springfield cover/case models pre-date and are not associated with the BAR. 

On a whim a number of years ago I was able to fit a BAR into a 1918 dated rifle case however the bipod had to be removed.  Naturally the bipod would not have figured in until much later.

My normal method of carrying my BAR to the range has been to simply roll it up in a moving pad.  Not so much to protect the BAR as it is to protect the interior of my vehicle from getting beat up by the BAR.

I once asked one of the case vendor's at Knob Creek if they could custom make a longer case to fit a BAR and they said they could but I never bothered to have one made.  

 

[RoscoeTurner]

Based on the USmilitaria Forum link Jim C 351 posted in another thread I may have to dig that case I mentioned above out, it may very well be a BAR case.

[cessnapilot89]

Sorry to be a bother and bump an old thread,  but where does one find one of these cases?

[RoscoeTurner]

7 hours ago, cessnapilot89 said:

Sorry to be a bother and bump an old thread,  but where does one find one of these cases?

Which case?  There were several different ones mentioned in the thread.

[Chris Baker]

On 4/13/2024 at 12:04 AM, 68coupe said:

I have the OOW 1918A3 with their nice, custom pelican-style carry case. It barely fits in the back seat of my car, and is big, heavy and extremely awkward. Is there a padded canvas case out there that will fit it? I saw a one on GB, pictured with a 1903 case. The photo array, however, didn't include one of the BAR in the case. I'm not bothered by the copies available on Amazon, but I don't want to buy something that won't work. The case for my Garand is too short and won't zip shut, even with the flash hider off.

Thanks in advance, Karl, 68coupe

That's a common issue with the BAR; it's a long and heavy rifle. A standard M1 Garand case is indeed too short, as the BAR is over 47 inches long even without the flash hider.

You might have luck searching for a "M1903 Springfield rifle case," as those were made for a similarly long firearm. The case you saw on GunBroker paired with a 1903 is likely the right style. Another good search term would be "M1A / M14 padded case," as many of those are long enough to accommodate a BAR.

Alternatively, several modern companies like Savior Equipment and Blackhawk make long-range rifle bags in 50-inch or longer sizes. These would offer more padding than a vintage-style case and are designed for easy transport.

[minimike]

I just purchased one of the Amazon replica rifle cases.  My OOW A1918 (M1918 replica) fit right in. For the price, I think it’s quite nice. Much nicer than I was expecting. Would definitely buy again if I get a 1903. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BZWYWR62?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[68coupe]

12 minutes ago, minimike said:

I just purchased one of the Amazon replica rifle cases.  My OOW A1918 (M1918 replica) fit right in. For the price, I think it’s quite nice. Much nicer than I was expecting. Would definitely buy again if I get a 1903. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BZWYWR62?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I clicked on your link & that's the same case I have. My 1918A3 fits, without the bipod or Flash hider. My 03A3 Springfield is in it right now. The BAR lives in the hard case it came in. I also bought a M1950 drop bag, which holds it with the bipod installed. The case from Amazon cost a lot less and is easier to carry. Decisions, decisions...