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Building a gun storage unit….


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As the title says

i only have 3 rifles

if i came across the HW98 local pretty sure my count would increase to 4

Besides that, I’ve no real desire to buy anything else. Okay, at present my 3 rifles are stored inside 3 separate gun bags. 2 are propped up inside my wardrobe and the3rd unfortunately has to go up into the loft. Don’t want anything on show.

But I’m fed up of guns in the wardrobe getting snagged everytime I reach for clothes.

I don’t want to store in the garage for obvious reasons. I think a proper gun safe is overkill and Mrs Doormat would probably get upset.

So, I’m toying with the idea of making a freestanding box to hold 4 rifles 🫣, with a lockable door then paint it same colour as the bedroom walls and stand it up in the corner next to bedside table on ny side of the bed 
Thinking of MDF, sealed and painted with possibly a heavy concrete slab in the bottom to aid stability. 
Obviously it’s not secure, but I think my current set up would benefit  for being stored like this as opposed to gun bags wedged inside the wardrobe….forever knocking the sights then having to zero in again

anybody done anything like this?

Edited by Doormat
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36 minutes ago, Doormat said:

As the title says

i only have 3 rifles

if i came across the HW98 local pretty sure my count would increase to 4

Besides that, I’ve no real desire to buy anything else. Okay, at present my 3 rifles are stored inside 3 separate gun bags. 2 are propped up inside my wardrobe and the3rd unfortunately has to go up into the loft. Don’t want anything on show.

But I’m fed up of guns in the wardrobe getting snagged everytime I reach for clothes.

I don’t want to store in the garage for obvious reasons. I think a proper gun safe is overkill and Mrs Doormat would probably get upset.

So, I’m toying with the idea of making a freestanding box to hold 4 rifles 🫣, with a lockable door then paint it same colour as my bedroom walls and stand it up in the corner next to my bedside table. 
Thinking of MDF, sealed and painted with possibly a heavy concrete slab in the bottom to aid stability. 
Obviously it’s not secure, but I think my current set up would benefit  for being stored like this as opposed to gun bags wedged inside the wardrobe.

anybody done anything like this?

If you are only using air rifles (non FAC) of course, then any cupboard or box will suffice. 

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Just now, steve_b_wales said:

If you are only using air rifles (non FAC) of course, then any cupboard or box will suffice. 

Thanks for replying

would the guns actually benefit  from being stored in a box as opposed to a gun bag? Just wondered if the circulation of air would be beneficial (it won’t be much I know - but more than a stuffy gun bag)

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7 minutes ago, Doormat said:

Thanks for replying

would the guns actually benefit  from being stored in a box as opposed to a gun bag? Just wondered if the circulation of air would be beneficial (it won’t be much I know - but more than a stuffy gun bag)

Yes, with air circulating around them, it's better for them. Obviously, make sure that the rifles are dry before storage, and, if they've been out in the cold air, let them reach room temperature before putting them away. I use VP90 vapour sachets in all my gun cabinets, which protects all parts of the rifles. You also buy Silicone impregnated 'socks' to put over them. These also offer a little bit of protection against bumping/scratching the rifles.

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1 hour ago, Doormat said:

Thanks for replying

would the guns actually benefit  from being stored in a box as opposed to a gun bag? Just wondered if the circulation of air would be beneficial (it won’t be much I know - but more than a stuffy gun bag)

Never store guns in a gun slip, very bad practice, asking for rust if there is the slightest trace of damp. 
 

note: gun slip…..bags are what women take shopping.

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3 minutes ago, London Best said:

Never store guns in a gun slip, very bad practice, asking for rust if there is the slightest trace of damp. 
 

note: gun slip…..bags are what women take shopping.

Ah’ sorry

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I had a mate who was a shop fitter just typed into a computer what he wanted and out rolled the sheet metal a laser cut and bent it all i got 2 ammo safes and a gun box made handy if you have a pal like that 

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10 hours ago, Bigbob said:

I had a mate who was a shop fitter just typed into a computer what he wanted and out rolled the sheet metal a laser cut and bent it all i got 2 ammo safes and a gun box made handy if you have a pal like that 

I work for a engineering firm that has all the toys, so could’ve gone down that route or alternatively just bought a used one off eBay or even just bought a new one…

problem is they are ugly things and the wife’s chosen decor wouldn’t easily accept it without it looking out of place and causing a lot of arguments 

my intention was to build a covert piece of furniture that blends in, but is actually where I store my rifles. It’s a lot of work and expense on my part so need to be sure it will fit in aesthetically before I commit.

also my “to do list”  is a long one, so we’ll see. 
 

hang on, let me find a picture of a gun rack I built for my son when he was 4-5yrs old… so, that’s 12yrs ago!! Jeez time flies 😔

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1 hour ago, London Best said:

VERY impressive gun rack. 
It makes the two I have to store the airgun collection look pathetic. 
Actually, they are pathetic!

Thanks

it was sad when he out grew it, it then passed to my  nephew, then when he outgrew it it was passed on to someone else. For a kid it was brilliant I imagine.

it’s a pity they grow up, miss those years so much 😪

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Posted (edited)

Sorry for the radio silence…

Quick update.

Went to Wickes to price up MDF…OMG £30 a sheet, then the hassle of getting a 8x4 sheet home  Remembered B&Q offered a cutting service… popped down, £32 a sheet and 5 free cuts!! 😎
Fantastic, came away with most of the big pieces cut to size, my chop saw at home will cut the smaller parts. Also ordered a pair of pivot hinges as I intend to set the door inside the upright box. Hopefully I’ll make a start over the weekend. 
 

Not quite sure how it will turn out, but the goal is to have a discreet cabinet holding 3 rifles upright, with room for a fourth….👺
 

Going to try to incorporate a false base to add a removable concrete slab for stability to ensure it doesn’t topple over, she has made it perfectly clear I can’t fasten it to the wall or the floor…so it will be free standing…EEK!!

😬

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Posted (edited)

Ok

just deciding on a design that will work aesthetically as well as practically.

originally was just gonna build a rectangular box with a door, had ideas to put book ends on the door to make it look like a bookcase….that’s a lot of work (and expense)

So, instead I’ve been thinking of making it a prominent feature. I like the idea of tilting back the front with the door set inside. The door will be made up of two 18mm mdf panels (36mm) to give it a chunky look.

dimensions will be 1200mm high, 400mm wide, 300mm deep. Can’t go deeper than 300mm as it will impede the built in wardrobe door.

Toying with the idea of fluting the side panels to look like matchboard?? It will be painted in satin white to match other bedroom furniture 

The bottom section was originally going to hold heavy concrete slabs as a ballast for stability. But I’m now thinking of making it a simple drawer to hold pellets, moderators etc etc

As for security…

Really don’t want a key (too much faff everytime I want to grab a gun)  so thinking of magnetic catche instead, possibly building in a ‘secret’ push bar from the rear of the cabinet to pop the door open??

 

Anyway…. give me your views please, would really appreciate some other ideas I might have overlooked. I’ve added a sketch … as you can see, I’m no artist 😂

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Edited by Doormat
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Made a start today

Worst bit is getting tools out and starting

The garage is basically a glorified utility room these days  with washer, tumble dryer, chest freezer etc etc. so any DIY has to be done outside 😫

Typically got all tools out, cut and routed the dividers, then the sky went black and ominous…. So packed everything away

Picture added to give a idea what I’m doing 

 

 

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Posted (edited)

Day 2

screwed everything together dry to check everything was square. Routed V grooves in sides & back panel to emulate matchboard. Routed edges with a 6mm round over to soften the look. The bottom panel will be completely flat, no feet as she doesn’t want dents in her carpet!! 😳

Cut the door to fit, 1mm gap all round, still not sure how to hang this as I wanted the door recessed in 20mm, not sure if I’ll leave the front plain or V groove to match ?

Bottom was originally going to hold a ballast for stability, but I’m going to make a simple hidden drawer to slide in that will hold a dozen tins of pellets and 2 moderators. The top will have a  a decorative 18mm mdf cap overhanging  10mm  sides and rear and 20-25mm overhang at the front. Will router the edge to create a smart profile.

obviously all screws will be filled and sanded and the whole lot given 2-3 coats of white satin eggshell.

The front door is stalling me, can’t get my head around what hinges would work best ? Kitchen door hinges?? Pivot hinges?? 
 

Any ideas??

 

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23 hours ago, ph5172 said:

You can get magnetic child locks for cupboards from Amazon. 
 

they are self adhesive but they are surprisingly strong. 
they also need the key magnet to open 

Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻

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15 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

If you have enough meat left for a couple of kitchen door hinges, they would be neat and effective.

 

Really didn’t want the faff of fitting concealed cup hinges, but as you say they would probably work best….ordered a pair from screwfix, arriving tomorrow….£20 quid!!! EEK!! They don’t even come with screws, had to order them too!!

Decided to fit an internal drawer in the top right corner…what a palava!! All done now. Took it all apart, routed trenches for the drawer box, built the drawer box then glued and screwed the whole thing… that was stressful, trying to ensure everything was perfectly true and square whilst at the same time thd glue is setting fast 😂

yep, proper stressed me out. 
All done now. Just need to fill screw holes, fit hinges, build two small drawers and sand and paint… 😎

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