I have two of the inexpensive polymer, foam lined cases and use them just as you describe. They protect the gun from all the normal damage possibilties. Hard cases do take up more space than soft ones and this can be a factor. As warned don't leave the gun uncleaned in the case at the end of the day or rust happens. Leather cases are very nice, simular to gunstocks in my opinion. I wince when leather gets dog claw marks and Hoppes stains.