Kinda OT - safe storage

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:00 am

Not specific to leverguns, but to guns in general. For those with safes, I imagine you store your leverguns - and other long guns - in the racks provided in such things. But how do you store your handguns? I had made a rack in my old safe that held my single-action revolvers upright, cradling the barrel in a padded "v" or "u" shape, with the barrel horizontal to the safe floor, and the handle facing out towards the door. I could store more handguns that way, and it was easy to get them in and out without scratching them against one another.

I was thinking about making one for my "new" safe, but have seen "rack system" for sale at Cabelas and Sportsman's Guide. They are coated metal racks. Anyone use these? If so, are they sturdy? Do you like them?

Thanks!

Post by **Hobie** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:22 am

I tried a bunch of things. I don't like the handguns exposed to being bunged up and it seems that if a thing can happen, it will. So, I either store the gun in the factory plastic box or get one for it. Getting all the boxes the same ensures they stack neatly. I know you like "neat", I've seen your projects. The box I use for my pistols (and I like shorter barrels) is the MTM long term storage box. They were about $10 each but the price has gone up. I'm not ashamed to admit that when I see them at the old price I snap them up... You know, just in "case"...

4t5 · Post by **4t5** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:17 pm

In my safe, I screwed to the inside of the door a carpet covered piece of plywood. Then I puchased some wooden pegs sold by HOPPES for hanging firearms,not using the brass nails they came with, but instead used long sheet rock screws slightly counter sunk into the peg., and screwed them to the door. DEPENDING ON HOW THEY BALANCE, I use one peg in the trigger guard and one peg under the barrel, however just one peg can be used and the guns just hang upside down. My safe is small and hanging them on the door is a space saver.

lever-4-life · Post by **lever-4-life** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:21 pm

I have an upper shelf so I just put mine in gun rugs and stack them on top of each other.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:59 pm

I have the top inside lined with 1/4" plexiglass. I drill and tap the plexiglass for a 1/4" X 20 and install a bolt through a piece of airline hose. The racks above the plexiglass and the door have welded in rubber coated hangers.-----------Sixgun

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:08 pm

Hobie wrote: I know you like "neat", I've seen your projects.

Am I that obvious?

I use a modification of this system right now. Bought some plastic tackle boxes that have only one large compartment. I am able to put several smaller handguns in these, separated by pieces of an old towel. I use this for handguns I don't shoot that often.

In the old safe I replaced the inner door cover with pegboard and just hung them.

I had thought about making one by using a board with adjustable coated pegs in it that would fit into the muzzles of the handguns. I just don't like the idea of guns sitting stored for any length of time with something in the barrel - no matter how unlikely it is to cause any rust. I guess I'm paranoid!

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Thu May 15, 2008 6:39 am

Yep I have the 6 gun wire rack from Cabelas. Holds my Ruger SA and 1911"s .It works as advertised, the guns are held upside down. It has a soft rubber coating that does not mar the finish. Downside a bit pricey

Post by **Hobie** » Thu May 15, 2008 6:53 am

Ysabel Kid wrote:
Hobie wrote: I know you like "neat", I've seen your projects.
Am I that obvious?

I use a modification of this system right now. Bought some plastic tackle boxes that have only one large compartment. I am able to put several smaller handguns in these, separated by pieces of an old towel. I use this for handguns I don't shoot that often.

The one thing that bothers me about plastic boxes is that they will melt around (and presumably INTO the gun if exposed to sufficient heat as in a house fire.

In the old safe I replaced the inner door cover with pegboard and just hung them.

While I can't do that with my set-up and I know many do and are happy with that, I can't bring myself to do it as I know that every time I open the door the guns will swing with rubbing on the bearing surface(s).

I had thought about making one by using a board with adjustable coated pegs in it that would fit into the muzzles of the handguns. I just don't like the idea of guns sitting stored for any length of time with something in the barrel - no matter how unlikely it is to cause any rust. I guess I'm paranoid!

I hear you, I only like to put cleaning materials in my bores and I wonder how the crown would be affected by such storage.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:00 am

Hobie -

Your strategy on buying these when you find them at the old prices is a sound one. As you probably know, all modern plastics are derived from hydrocarbons. Given that oil is at a record and showing no signs of letting off, the price of everything made from plastics will continue to increase.

I hadn't thought of the melting angle. I may just go with that coated wire rack and let everyone know how it works!

Texican · Post by **Texican** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:04 pm

You could try something like this:

To quote a lumber supply biz in Tyler, "Good wood, properly used, has never failed".

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 15, 2008 8:30 pm

Texican wrote:You could try something like this:

To quote a lumber supply biz in Tyler, "Good wood, properly used, has never failed".

Texican -

That is pretty much the exact set up I used in my old safe. Was thinking about replacing the "u" or "v" shape notches holding the barrels with a peg I could move up or down. That way I could adjust it to the exact height needed to hold the handgun, but also reconfigure the set up as needed. I just don't want to put something down the barrel for extended lengths of time.

I may still do your set-up - it worked well for me for years.