homemade gun safe? anyone done this?

[Goatman]

I'm looking at building something for the house to put my 6 guns and few pistols and ammo in.

I got alot of wood laying around and 3 days off work just not sure which way to go and what to do about the rifle holders, locks, and well shelving for the ammo...

 

[tun_o_matic]

An old refrigerator or freezer would work well.

 

[LACamper]

Two thoughts Goatman. Use a hole saw and drill 1 1/2" or so holes in a row, then rip so the holes are open OR mount hooks in the roof of the cabinet and hang from your sling.

 

[Cajun Camper]

You might want to include sheetrock in your plans for some degree of fire resistance.

 

[CHW2021]

Suggestion, put the ammo low, it's weight can bend wood shelving. Make a barrel support by simply drilling 2" holes in wood and sliding barrels up into the hole.
Sheetrock is not a bad idea.

 

[Jack]

Are you trying to make a safe, a cabinet, or a hidden storage area? Wood just doesn't seem like good safe material to me.

 

[LACamper]

Oh, I don't know... wood is every bit as good as thin steel. The idea is to slow down the thieves and keep the kids out. The longer the thieves are in the home, the more at risk they are. If you have an alarm system that cuts their time available to 2 to 3 minutes, which wood will hold up that long easily. The thieves will grab the loose change and jewelry box full of cheap stuff and run.

 

[dantheman]

Whatever you build , screw it and glue it . No nails .

 

[Expert684]

I have a friend in Indiana that bought a door built like a safe. Then brick and re-bar a room together. It is about the size of a walk-in closet. He calls it a "safe" room. Guns,ammo, food and water. Doubles as a storm shelter. Pretty neat.

 

[Swampman1]

Oh, I don't know... wood is every bit as good as thin steel. The idea is to slow down the thieves and keep the kids out. The longer the thieves are in the home, the more at risk they are. If you have an alarm system that cuts their time available to 2 to 3 minutes, which wood will hold up that long easily. The thieves will grab the loose change and jewelry box full of cheap stuff and run.

I think you grossly underestimate the persistence, determination and ability of a thief. Lets not forget what else a quality safe will do...protect valuables from fire. It all depends of the value of the contents. IMHO, if you have $3-4K + worth of firearms, do you want wood as security? Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[don_mac]

I would just buy a safe well worth the piece of mind when you are not home and you know your "babies" are safe and secure.

 

[Goatman]

Got a deal on a 10 gun my buddy outgrew its limits

 

[Jack]

Nice, hope you outgrow it soon too!