Hi, I've got a little gun safe which holds less than half of our long guns and none of our pistols (somehow the number of guns my sons and I own keep on growing). So I was thinking of turning one of our closets downstairs into a gun safe. I know it won't be fireproof, but if I can find some of the carpeted long gun safe inserts, I'll put the shelves in, install a heavy door with some good locks and be in business. The guns we currently have are:

CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery
LH Win M70 Classic in 416 Rem
Rem XCR II in 375 Weatherby
Weatherby Mark V 270 Weatherby
RH BDL in 270
LH BDL in 270
Browning semi-auto 22
Ruger 10/22
Ithaca single shot 22
Rem 1100 Skeet in 20 gauge

Springfield V16 Longside in 45 Super
Glock G36 (45 ACP)
S&W Tactical MMP 9mm
Ruger Mk III (22 LR)

The only gun safe I've seen so far that will hold the long guns without them knocking into each other is a Pendelton ($5000). So I'm thinking closet gun safe.

So any help in finding long gun inserts would be appreciated, or if this is a really really stupid idea, let me know too.

Thanks!

Chuck I would not list the guns that I own. Just saying.

There are some options here, and fireproofing may actually be easier than you think. Insulation layered to resist heat could allow the house to burn down around it. Securing a door in a wood structure is the challenge in my opinion.

You may just put a bug in a local safe dealers ear or locksmith that you'd be interested in a trade in or second hand safe. Have the combo changed and have it painted or powdercoated if it really bothers you and it can be a real safe for less money.

Once the closet is turned into a safe, turning it back into a closet would be a pain.

You can get a 2 hour fire rating with 2 layers of 5/8 type X drywall on both sides of the wall. You can also get "Safe" room doors that are pretty secure as well.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Chuck I would not list the guns that I own. Just saying.

You're right, thanks

quote:

Originally posted by BigNate:
There are some options here, and fireproofing may actually be easier than you think. Insulation layered to resist heat could allow the house to burn down around it. Securing a door in a wood structure is the challenge in my opinion.

You may just put a bug in a local safe dealers ear or locksmith that you'd be interested in a trade in or second hand safe. Have the combo changed and have it painted or powdercoated if it really bothers you and it can be a real safe for less money.

Once the closet is turned into a safe, turning it back into a closet would be a pain.

You're right maybe I'll just spring for the Pendelton. Eventually the boys will move out and take most of the guns with them though ...

I just bought another Lincoln Series safe from Liberty. It will sit in the room.

It is a pretty hard remodel...I am not that handy. I put a space in my shop I used cement block and steel rods and closed it in. I looked at doing it in my house but the expense was too much. I will tell you--You can buy 3 BIG Liberty safes for what turning a closet into a gun safe will cost.

Ed

Multible smaller safes is the way I would go. Why do you need them all together? Buy one here and there when you get a deal. Don't need to put all your eggs in one basket.
Don

I've done a couple of "secure" rooms as a contractor over the years. The most expensive was a concrete and steel job that was poured in the basement, $20K!!!!

It depends on your security needs. If you live in town and have an alarm system you are probably looking at punks with a 15 to 30 min break in period, get what they can carry easily. Out in the boonies, probably want a safe that can withstand a reasonable attack over an hour or more, even with an alarm system given response times for sheriffs patrols.

A re-enforced door, solid wood with a sheet of 16 gauge steel glued and screwed on the back. Four drill proof dead bolts two each side about 18 inches down and up. Pull off the drywall covering the king stud and trimmer and glue and screw long Simpson tie brackets over the areas where the dead bolts go through. You will not bust that door open period. If it is in a hall where you can't swing a ram, even better, probably not do-able without a saws-all. They will have to cut through the wall, that requires time, planning and probably a knowledge of what's in the room to make it worth it.

Fire, your walls are probably 1/2" rock, another 5/8" will do. You could put up sheet metal, 20 gauge even, then rock over that. $$$ but would probably stop or seriously discourage even a couple of guys with a saws-all.

Did something very similar to what I've suggested for a antique dealer, looks pretty normal except for the four locks. It was a walk in closet in a bed room converted to an office. Under $1K as I recall, no paint or finish on the interior and re-used the existing door.

don't forget a alarm. I recommend a minimum of 135DB right by the room . Preferably unable to easily turn off. I know from my experience of installing alarm systems. You can't even hear yourself think when it goes off.
Also one outside.

Thanks all!

I'm with Rusty. For around $2k you can buy a decent size Liberty and be secure. What's your stuff worth?

Hard to argue

And don't forget this.

In the sequential mode, it is a b-tch!

http://burglarbomb.com/Repulsar-IV.aspx

Multiple smaller safes also give you a greater number of options....including should you ever move.

Just don't put any in your garage.....some insurance companies exclude the contents of your garage from your homeowner's policy....

Cheers,

Dan

Just looked at the Libery Fatboy and Fatboy Jr. they look like they will both work. Really appreciate it guys!

If you get a chance check out www.sturdysafe.com
nice safe and good price.

BigB

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
And don't forget this.

In the sequential mode, it is a b-tch!

http://burglarbomb.com/Repulsar-IV.aspx

Good job, Larry Root. A POS from a genuine POS. Keep up the good work!

Zanotti

http://www.zanottiarmor.com/safes.htm

Depending on how handy you are and how cheaply you can find materials you can make a big closet pretty secure for less than $5K. A little welding and masonry can make it very difficult on thieves and provide a reasonable amount of fire protection.

You can mount a steel security door into masonry interior wall with the frame of the door very soildly anchored in concrete inside the normal closet door with no evidence it is extra se secure frm outside the closet. It wouldn't be hard to have a good deadbolt and a protected padlock on that door. A little expanded metal mesh and dryesll ceiling wouldn't be very costly to install.

Naturally all these are easier and cheaper if you make it part of original construction instead of an addition where you essentially have to build a strongroom inside an existing room.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
And don't forget this.

In the sequential mode, it is a b-tch!

http://burglarbomb.com/Repulsar-IV.aspx

Good job, Larry Root. A POS from a genuine POS. Keep up the good work!

A typical "troll post" from a coward too afraid to reveal his identity or location. Hope you snakes actually have "The Big Pinedale Campfire" this year as I'll be happy to show y'all how well this item works !

For the adults, it is an excellent device and can be linked with their other products to really give theives (or threatening trolls) a bad day.