Nanuk 909 Pistol Case: Built To Last and Protect

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I travel with handguns frequently, so having a reliable locking pistol case is a necessity. During the past decade I’ve used multiple cases, but the Nanuk 909 ($87) has become my favorite. Its durable design stands up to abuse, yet it’s not as heavy or burdensome as competing cases.

The Nanuk cases have an NK-7 resin outer shell. NK-7 is a polypropylene with special additives that was designed specifically for Nanuk cases, and it provides extreme durability with minimal mass. It’s also resistant to shifts in temperature, which makes the Nanuk 909 suitable for work in cold environments.

The 909 case features multi-level polyurethane foam, and it’s customizable so you can make the most of the interior space and get a perfect fit for your handgun, even if it wears an optic or a light.

Many cases simply “sandwich” the gun between two layers of foam and rely on friction to hold it in position, but case manufacturers who expose their products to serious abuse like long drops onto hard surfaces have told me that friction simply isn’t enough. My 909 has clearly taken a beating at the hands of baggage handlers, but the guns never shifted.

Security

Latches are another important feature. Nanuk uses PowerClaw latches that seal the case to ensure moisture won’t seep in. These oversize nylon “claws” bite forcefully on both halves of the case, and the integrated slide lock ensures the case will not open if dropped. Pressing the latch buttons releases the slide locks.

Each Nanuk 909 is equipped with an automatic pressure release system. Pressure changes create a vacuum that seals watertight gun cases closed, but the Nanuk’s valve allows the case to be opened when pressures would have sealed other waterproof cases.

Nanuk’s pressure release system is designed so air can travel through the system but water cannot. The design is so effective that Nanuk cases are often used as dive cases by photographers. Most gun owners don’t need a case that remains waterproof while diving, but it’s safe to say your guns won’t get wet if they’re locked in a Nanuk 909. It’s even buoyant to 12.9 pounds.

Locking tabs are critically important, too, and minor differences in manufacturing can have a major impact. On cheap locking tabs you can often twist the lock with enough force to damage or even break the locking points. The Nanuk 909 has a minimum of a quarter-inch of NK-7 resin shell surrounding the locking tab, so try as you might—and I have—you cannot damage the lock tabs.

Durability

The tabs are also beveled. When locks are twisted and rotated during transit, the force of the lock against the locking tab can damage the tab. The Nanuk’s beveled tabs are immune to such abuse.

Gun case handles should be comfortable and durable, and the Nanuk’s handle is both. The soft-touch grip surface makes the case comfortable to carry, and it also folds flat against the body of the case. That’s key because handles take a real beating if they don’t fold flat against the case.

The handle of the Nanuk 909 is very dense and durable. At its narrowest point it measures just under an inch wide, pretty sturdy for a case that only weighs just over two pounds empty.

The exterior of the Nanuk 909 measures 12.6x9x4.4 inches. The interior measures 11.4x7 inches, providing 4.8 liters of space for storing a full-size pistol and at least one magazine. With a bit of geometric wizardry you can store a couple magazines and even a box of ammunition in many instances.

Customization

I customized my Nanuk 909 to fit my Glock G43. The interior foam is quite dense and not as easy to customize as cheaper pick-and-pluck interiors. I found it was easiest to outline the gun and use a knife to carefully cut around the exterior dimensions. I also cut out spaces for the magazine and ammo box. The entire customization process took less than 20 minutes.

The Nanuk has an IPX7 waterproof rating, and to test it I left it in the water for 15 minutes, and not only was the interior dry but the case floated. Since there’s no exterior metal on the Nanuk, I simply wiped it down and went on to the next test. For that I dropped the case on gravel from three feet, and aside from a few minor scratches, everything inside was good.

I like that the case has no hard corners to catch, only rounded edges. The hinges are durable, and the handle is easy to grasp and tucks neatly out of place. The PowerClaw latches lock up firmly, and despite traveling with this case on multiple occasions, the padlock tabs are still holding up well.

Guns are big investments, and you want a case that will protect them when you travel. That’s why after a couple years of use I thought the Nanuk would be the ideal firearm accessory to evaluate in this column. Hopefully I’ll never find my gun case floating along a river, but if I do at least my firearm will be dry. The Nanuk 909 isn’t cheap, but it’s money well spent if you travel with your handguns.

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