View Full Version : Those who use a shotgun for home defense...
thenewguy
11-06-2006, 02:34
How do those of you who live in an apartment or other dwelling without the benefit of a proper gunsafe (Browning, Liberty, etc.) secure your shotgun while you're away? Lock it in a Pelican case? Hang it in the closet?
I'm uncertain how to secure my 870 in my apartment. I have a case to lock it in, but that's easily defeated with a hacksaw or prybar (even Pelican cases can be broken.) What to do?
martinglock
11-06-2006, 02:52
You do not have to buy an 800 pound safe for your shotgun to be secure. Go to Wal-Mart and buy one of those double-door metal safes. I think that will be enough. Good luck.
jeb_ingram
11-06-2006, 03:13
I have a StackOn brand 8 gun cabinet and it works great for me. I mounted to the wall and the floor with the supplied hardware and it would take some prying to get it loose. It was a gift so I'm not sure the exact cost but I'll bet it was around $100.
Here's a link: http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_security/gc-908-5.html
thenewguy
11-06-2006, 03:34
Originally posted by jeb_ingram
I have a StackOn brand 8 gun cabinet and it works great for me. I mounted to the wall and the floor with the supplied hardware and it would take some prying to get it loose. It was a gift so I'm not sure the exact cost but I'll bet it was around $100.
Here's a link: http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_security/gc-908-5.html
Very nice. Sports Authority has them for $92.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2033187
Currently I don't do anything. Will probably get a cheap safe like mentioned above for Christmas.
Originally posted by martinglock
You do not have to buy an 800 pound safe for your shotgun to be secure. Go to Wal-Mart and buy one of those double-door metal safes. I think that will be enough. Good luck.
We have had two customers at our range who owned the over glorified filing cabinet safes broken into and emptied with a simple crowbar. The metal is just to thin to accomplish anything but slowing the thief down. Stack ON makes an economy safe with a tumbler and door pins that is much more secure than the filing cabinet types. The 8/10 gun version is only about $240.
The $1000 safes might be more secure but they are way out of my budget, but I don't feel comfortable with the double door filing cabinet types either.
MrMurphy
11-08-2006, 10:14
GunVault makes a bedvault version, mounts to the bedframe and slides out as a drawer. With a bedskirt/sheets etc covering it, you don't know it's there, even if you do, they're hard to spot (fairly thin), and then you literally have to disassemble the bed to get the sucker off I think. Not overly expensive and quick to access if you know how to use it.
Mossberg makes a device that you can mount in your closet to protect your shotgun yet leave it accessable, and it is priced pretty well too.
Try this link http://www.mossberg.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=97
why would you leave your SG behind? take it with you,.
thenewguy
11-09-2006, 00:17
Originally posted by Carver
why would you leave your SG behind? take it with you,.
That's really not helpful but thanks, anyway.
don't know if this helps but look at your local used office furniture places (if you have one) I got a beat up but functional fire rated two drawer file cab. for $25 and keep all of my ammo and a couple of handguns and shorter long guns (if that makes any sense) in it and it is one solid mofo (probably 250-300lbs). Spray painted it with "hammered" finish paint and it looks like new, and almost matches my safe.
They had two laterals that would hold long guns for $120 if I remember correctly, all fire rated to 1200 for 45 min and you are not breaking into them with a crowbar.
Also, Sams Club has a pretty decent Winchester 12/24 gun 1200deg/45min safe for $580 right now, I know that sounds like a lot but it's a steal.
fredj338
11-11-2006, 00:27
I use the Mossberg clamp. Screwed to the wall studs w/ 3" wood screws in my closet. I doubt anyone gets that puppy off the wall. Everything else gets stored in a FortKnox safe. Best accesory any gun owner can have is a good safe.:thumbsup:
mpholic,
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. Some "gentleman" broke into my apartment a few years ago and tried to pry open my Homak safe and was unsuccessful. The Homak has two locks on it, one on the bottom and one on the top. He left a little chip the in paint on my safe. He tried to open my gunvault too.
Originally posted by BLau
mpholic,
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. Some "gentleman" broke into my apartment a few years ago and tried to pry open my Homak safe and was unsuccessful. The Homak has two locks on it, one on the bottom and one on the top. He left a little chip the in paint on my safe. He tried to open my gunvault too.
Probably a kid who didn't know what he was doing or he was scared off by some noise outside.
Proof that something is better than nothing in some cases. i am definitelt happy for you. That is less guns in a criminals hands.
Originally posted by jeb_ingram
I have a StackOn brand 8 gun cabinet and it works great for me. I mounted to the wall and the floor with the supplied hardware and it would take some prying to get it loose. It was a gift so I'm not sure the exact cost but I'll bet it was around $100.
Here's a link: http://www.stack-on.com/securityplu...y/gc-908-5.html
Originally posted by thenewguy
Very nice. Sports Authority has them for $92.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2033187
I got mine at Gander Mountain for 67 and some change....
works great, bolted to concrete slab @ bottom and into studs @ rear....
good luck.
Alaskapopo
11-24-2006, 08:49
Originally posted by BLau
mpholic,
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. Some "gentleman" broke into my apartment a few years ago and tried to pry open my Homak safe and was unsuccessful. The Homak has two locks on it, one on the bottom and one on the top. He left a little chip the in paint on my safe. He tried to open my gunvault too.
I commend you for having a safe. Way too many gun owners are irresponsible with securing their firearms when their away from home. A safe of some kind should be mandatory. I know of a woman who came home to find a burglar in her home pointing her husbands .357 magnum at her.
Moral of the story is if your firearm is not on your person it should be secured.
Pat
M1Garand
12-02-2006, 14:05
I got my Sentry gun locker for $285 from Walmart. Small foot print, safe quality, and well priced. Works just as well as Canon and other more expensive brands.
Originally posted by dru22
Originally posted by jeb_ingram
I have a StackOn brand 8 gun cabinet and it works great for me. I mounted to the wall and the floor with the supplied hardware and it would take some prying to get it loose. It was a gift so I'm not sure the exact cost but I'll bet it was around $100.
Here's a link: http://www.stack-on.com/securityplu...y/gc-908-5.html
I got mine at Gander Mountain for 67 and some change....
works great, bolted to concrete slab @ bottom and into studs @ rear....
good luck.
These gun lockers are better than nothing. If you get one, toss the included hardware (4 short lags) and get some longer lag bolts from the hardware store. Use more than 4... 8 or more(you'll need to drill extra holes in the locker) and place the locker where its more difficult to pry off the wall. The weak spots are the gaps around the door.
Even the more expensive safes can be defeated.
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