The well stocked gun safe.

There is a lot of talk around about the best all around rifle or the ideal 3 or 5 rifle battery. But what about the well stocked safe? The safe it may take years to acquire, but would within the reach of the average guy with a passion for firearms. It would be a collection that give sthe owner the satisfaction he had the tools for any task at hand as well as a backup. A safe with a nod to tradition or perhaps the newest kid on the block?

In short, a safe for the hunter, target shooter, plinker, and patriot.

The only requirement is that if all fits in one safe! (A normal safe that is, not a closet or room with a vault door)

What would yours contain?



Bolt action centerfire rifles

.416 Rigby walnut/blue
.404 Jeffery walnut/blue
.375 H&H walnut/blue
.338 in SS, synthetic
300 H&H walnut/blue
.300 Wby Mag in SS, synthetic
.280 SS/synthetic lightweight mountain rifle
7mm-08 walnut/blue
22-250 SS, synthetic


‘Specialty’ rifles

470 Nitro Express DR
.50 Inline muzzle loader SS/sythentic
.223 in an AR “Space Gun†configuration for varmints
.308 tactical/long range rifle
30-30 lever action carbine
T/C Encore in caliber(s) of choice

Rimfire

Autoloading 22 LR for small game
Bolt action 22.LR for target practice and small game.
Dedicated .22 target rifle

Military rifles

M1 Garand
M1A
AR15 M4 configuration
FN/FAL
AK-47


Handgun

1911
“ hi cap†9mm
.22 autoloader
.22 revolver
Colt SAA
SA or DA .44 Mag, scoped
Pocket pistol or revolver suitable for concealed carry
.357 4†barrel revolver

Shotgun
12 gauge gas operated autoloader
12 gauge recoil operated autoloader
12 gauge pump
12 gauge O/U
12 gauge SXS
20 gauge SXS or O/U
28 gauge O/U

How is this? Not mine unfortunatly, but I wish it was.

That's a gun room, not a gun safe, and one hell of a fine one at that.

I run the gamut from .22 rimfire rifles and pistols to the heaviest I own, a .375. I figure I can take anything that walks, but I'm thinking about adding a .470, just because I'd like to have a good "stopper". And I need a bigger safe.

That dude owns some serious shit. Looks like at least an old original "Sturmgewehr," a belt-fed, and other assorted goodies.

It seems I'm always in the process of trying to slim my safe down by selling 2-3 rifles in order to buy one higher quality rifle. Thing is, something shows up at cabelas etc., and I have to have it, or a new project comes to mind, or one of you guys gives me some bright idea...

Current safe (which is close to ideal in my mind...

remington 700 semi custom 35 Whelen (my work horse)
ruger frontier 338 federal (trying to sell)
remy 673 350 remy mag (trying to sell)
vangaurd 300 weatherby (plinker)
ruger 338 win mag (trying to sell)
marlin 45/70 cowboy (keeping)
pedersoli falling block 45/70 (keeping)
470 heym (being sold)
450/400 3' heym (on it's way)
9.3x74R chapuis (being sold)
9.3x64 brenneke (in the making)
M70 375 H&H (trying to sell)
M70 458 Lott (trying to sell)
remington 416 remy (keeping)
358 norma mag (in the works)
M94 30/30 carbine (great grandad's)
m94 30/30 octagonal barrel (")

guns I use the most...
weatherby O/u 28 gauge
win M20 sxs 12 gauge (great grandad's)
win custom o/u 12 gauge
kimber stainless 45

All fit in the safe, except the 45 stays under my bed. Ideally, I'd like to get this down to about 10 guns... easier said than done.

Mine contains: (Although not complete)

Shotguns:
12 Ga. O/U Baikal IZH 39E
12 Ga. SxS Greener Empire
12 Ga. Pump 870 Express
16 Ga. Sportsman 48 Semi
20 Ga. Sportsman 58 Semi

Millitary:
.308 L1Al

Rifles:
.22 Speedmaster Semi
.22 Ruger 77/22 Bolt
.243 Ruger Varmint Bolt
.270 Ruger Express Bolt
.308 Mauser 98K FN Bolt
.300 H&H Vektor Bolt
.300 Savage #99 TD
30-30 Marlin Lever
9.3x62 Husqvarna 96 Bolt
9.3x62 MarkX Bolt
.375 H&H CZ 550 Bolt
.416 Rigby Ruger RSM
45-70 Marlin lever
450 NE Ruger #1 lever
470 NE Krieghoff Clasic DR

Pistols:
.22 Ruger MarkII
.22 Browning Buckmark
.357 Ruger GP100
.44 Ruger Super Blackhawk
.44/.41/.357 IMI Desert eagle 6",10" barrels each Cal.
9mm TZ99 (SIG copy)
9mm RAP401 (Astra A75 copy)
.40 RAP440 (Astra A75 copy)
.40 H&K USP
.40 Vektor SP2 General
.45 Griffon (1911 copy)
.45 Colt Govt.
.45 Colt Combat Elite
.45 Para Ord P13

Blackpowder:
.50 CVA Carbine
.44 1858

Still working on adding but safe is currently FULL, need bigger safe!
All guns are blue and walnut except L1A1 black pebblegrain plastic and Varmint (Ruger stainless and brown laminate)

Regards
nitro450exp

You guys in the US make me want to cry with envy

regards
S&F

Does it have to be JUST ONE safe? Heck, one is just a start!! Can't have just one!

Sorry, can't afford a gunsafe so I have 3 full steel double lock gun cabinets bolted to wall. They are all full with a couple of rifles usually laying around in various places.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
The well stocked gun safe.

There is a lot of talk around about the best all around rifle or the ideal 3 or 5 rifle battery. But what about the well stocked safe? The safe it may take years to acquire, but would within the reach of the average guy with a passion for firearms. It would be a collection that give sthe owner the satisfaction he had the tools for any task at hand as well as a backup. A safe with a nod to tradition or perhaps the newest kid on the block?

In short, a safe for the hunter, target shooter, plinker, and patriot.

The only requirement is that if all fits in one safe! (A normal safe that is, not a closet or room with a vault door)

What would yours contain?



Bolt action centerfire rifles

.416 Rigby walnut/blue
.404 Jeffery walnut/blue
.375 H&H walnut/blue
.338 in SS, synthetic
300 H&H walnut/blue
.300 Wby Mag in SS, synthetic
.280 SS/synthetic lightweight mountain rifle
7mm-08 walnut/blue
22-250 SS, synthetic


‘Specialty’ rifles

470 Nitro Express DR
.50 Inline muzzle loader SS/sythentic
.223 in an AR “Space Gun†configuration for varmints
.308 tactical/long range rifle
30-30 lever action carbine
T/C Encore in caliber(s) of choice

Rimfire

Autoloading 22 LR for small game
Bolt action 22.LR for target practice and small game.
Dedicated .22 target rifle

Military rifles

M1 Garand
M1A
AR15 M4 configuration
FN/FAL
AK-47


Handgun

1911
“ hi cap†9mm
.22 autoloader
.22 revolver
Colt SAA
SA or DA .44 Mag, scoped
Pocket pistol or revolver suitable for concealed carry
.357 4†barrel revolver

Shotgun
12 gauge gas operated autoloader
12 gauge recoil operated autoloader
12 gauge pump
12 gauge O/U
12 gauge SXS
20 gauge SXS or O/U
28 gauge O/U

You must have one hell of a BIG safe

My safe was getting real full and I thought I should sell some. I thought about what ones to sell and bought a new safe.
Bill

Mine (I'm a lefty which can make finding the right candidate tough):
Rifles:
458Lott custom on MRC
458wm Marcel Thys sidelock Double Rifle
375H&H Dakota M76 w/ Swarovski 1.1x4x30mm w/ illuminated reticle & Leupold 1x5x20mm back-up
375H&H A&S Farmars sidelock Double Rifle w/ S&B 1x4x30mm w/illuminated reticle
30-06 Dakota M76 w/ Leupold 2.5x8 Vari XIII
30-06 M700 rain gun w/ Leupold 2x7 Vari XII
308 Dakota M96 right hand Youth Rifle for son
257 Roberts custom on MRC w/ Leupold lightweight 2x7 VXII
243 T/C M83(?) break open single shot
243 Dakota M96 right hand Youth Rifle for daughter
22lr M9422
22lr Browning Lever w/ 2.5 Bushnell
EDIT: add 22lr Cricket for kids
45 Cal T/C Omega Black powder w/ 1.5x4 Bushnell

Shotguns:
10ga SxS Goose gun, Spanish
12ga 3 1/2" Mossburg M835 pump, swamp/rough use
12ga SxS Matched Pair Greener sidelocks in oak and leather two gun case, ea w/ extra barrels, for driven bird shooting
12ga SxS Arrietta w/ extra barrels, travel gun for dove shooting in SA
12ga SxS C&H Avant Tout boxlock (made for a lefty, like me)
12ga SxS Urgertachea marsh/rough use close range
12ga O/U Beretta 687 EL
12ga Mossburg M835 w/cantilever scope mount rifled barrel w/ 1x4 Leupold Vari XII, for deer in no rifle zones
20ga O/U Beretta 687, fitted for wife
20ga Mossberg M503 pump convertible from single shot to two shot repeater to three shot repeater, for son
410 Mossburg M503 pump, convertible capacity, for son

Pistols/Revolvers:
45 cal M1911 Springfield Amory, home defense gun
45 cal Ruger Old Army black powder w/ 45 Colt conversion cylinder
22lr 8 round cylinder Taurus revolver
22lr/22mag Ruger Single Six revolver w/ conversion cylinder
22 cal Smith&Wesson pellet gun
17 cal Beretta Pellet gun

Missing:
Rifles:
338wm - low priority
223 - high priority
22 Hornet - medium priority
A really good pellet rifle - high priority

Shotguns:
20ga SxS - medium priority
28ga SxS - low priority
410 SxS - low priority

Revolvers/Pistols:
45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk - medium priority
40S&W auto - medium priority
357mag S&W, Colt or Taurus - low priority
22lr Ruger Auto - low priority - sold one and it was a mistake

All guns are blue and walnut except for the T/ Omega which is SS and laminate, 1911 is SS and walnut, Old Army is SS and walnut, Taurus 22lr revolver is SS and black Hogue.

I keep mine in a reinforced gun closet not quite as nice as the one shown in the earlier post in a barred and seperately alarmed area of my house. Except my 45 auto, which lives in a touch pad safe in a nightstand adjacent to my bed.

JPK

Too small and not nearly enough guns.-Rob

quote:

Bill Cooley: My safe was getting real full and I thought I should sell some. I thought about what ones to sell and bought a new safe.

.......Jim Z ,, Thats a Ma Deuce receiver on the left on the floor isn,t it ..

Ditto Bill Cooley

how about a gun house?? filled the 1st room already - started on the 2nd.

I agree, the first list wouldn't fit in any Gun Safe that I have seen. You really do need a vault to store them all appropriately. With a safe, you start to stacking guns inbetween others or 2-3 deep, then you end up with dings on stocks. Or you lose track of a gun and go out to buy another one because you really do need a (XXX), then later on semi anual clean and oil day, you find duplicates or more.

I'm thinking that maybe I should start selling off the lower end pieces and trade up to higher quality guns.

quote:

I'm thinking that maybe I should start selling off the lower end pieces and trade up to higher quality guns.

Much easier said than done... I've been trying to do it for the last 12 months.

I've had some success with that strategy and have wimmoed out most of the clunkers or stuff I don't use much.

JPK

That is only 30 or so long guns. There are plenty of safes on the market that will contain the list.

That is NOT a list of what I currently have, but what would be a rather nice, versatile collection. I am working toward a "balanced" safe.

Ya gotta have a goal so you know when you get there.

Vaults really don't cost all that much more than a good safe, and they can be comfortably larger.

As for what I'd suggest for a well-balanced safe...

O/U or SxS shotgun -- one for passing birds, and another for quail (essentially, a 12 and a 28)

Beater pump or semi-auto for salt-marshes, waterfowl, etc. (12 or 10 ga)

Stainless and synthetic mag rifle (375 R Alaskan in my case)

Stainless and synthetic smaller/culling rifle (6.5x55/308, etc -- AR 10 can fill this role)

Stopper Rifle -- probably in 458 Lott/something else that could shoot win mag in a pinch.

Varmint rifle (good upper for an AR/Savage bolt, etc)
MBR (AR10, M1a, M1 Garand etc.)

Truck Gun (kel-tec rifle, AKs, AR15s, etc.)
Self-defense shotgun

22 Practice rifle -- best one that mimics your MBR
22 rifle to teach kids
22 conversion kits for primary carry

Pocket/back up pistol
Primary Carry pistol
Night stand pistol (bigger gun, probably, that is comfortable to carry)

And, then toys -- competition guns, pretty guns, etc...

Not as well stocked as I would like but it's longer than my wish list.
In order of descending bore size:

Shotguns 12GA
Beretta O/U
Browning Lite 12
Browning B80
Franchi O/U
Blackpowder S/S that came over the plains with my great great grandfather.

Rifles

54 Cal Rem 700ML
375 H&H Pre 64 Mod 70
8MM WWII Mauser

30 Cal
Springfield DCM M1
Rem 700 30-06
Rem 700 300RUM
Win 70 30-06
Win 54 30-06
Win 94 30WCF
Kimber 8400 Super America 308Win

223 Rem 700

22LR
Stevens single shot
Westernfield Bolt action
Winchester Mod 69A

Pistols

44 Cal Blackpowder cap and ball revolver

357
Dan Wesson 357 Supermag
S&W 686 357 Mag

9MM
S&W Mod 39

7MM
TC Contender 7TCU

22LR
Colt Oficers Model Match
Ruger MKII

Wish List:
450-400 Double
30-06 Double on same action as above
12 ga SXS on same action as above

What do you guys do for a living that you can own such weaponry and take trips to Africa?

My measly white trash collection:

Marlin 60 .22LR
Bushmaster/CMMG AR15 .223 Remy
Marlin Guide Gun 45/70

Ruger SP101 .327 Fed Mag
Ruger GP100 4" .357 Mag
TC Encore 15.5" .375 H&H Mag
Kimber Pro Carry 10mm Auto
Glock 30 45 Auto
Rock Island Armory (1911) 45 Auto

NEF Pardner 20ga single shot
Stoeger Outback 20ga 20"? O/U

Shortandfat, this ones for you.
Bushmaster XM-15E2S 5.56NATO 14.5"barrel


SA-85M (Hungarian AK-47 Clone, rebuilt after the AWB sunset w/U.S-made FCG, pistolgrip, new hand guards, and romanian sidefolding stock.


My other guns I wouldn't be without.
A reliable 45 ACP pistol (Ruger P90)
A Mossberg 500 12ga pump
Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 w/ red dot on scout mount
CZ 550 Safari mag 375 H&H
the revolver is a Ruger Vaquero in 45 colt.