Alternate long gun storage

[Dabster]

My state and common sense dictates that any firearm that I own is in hand or in a safe. I have a long gun safe in a less than convenient location and a smaller pistol safe in a more convenient location. I spend more time in the more convenient parts of my house -I would like a way to store a single long gun in this area.

I love my Ft Knox pistol safe and have looked at the Ft Knox Shotgun box (https://www.ftknox.com/product/shot-gun-security-box/) but this can't be secured to the floor, it would be hard to hide and it looks hard to use. I have also looked at some high-tech options like these (https://www.tacticaltraps.com/hdcompact/?gc_id=1421332029&h_ad_id=308968045606&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQtI0E5-92ek4cGjkx3qqXElJHyaKk4yXmlMpZ0XNrIUSE9CDxxrV7hoClM4QAvD_BwE) hidden shelves but I cannot see where one of these could be installed in my house where it wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb.

The only commercial option that I'm seeing is something like this: https://www3.tacticaltraps.com/products/the-guardian-max-tactical-mirror.html?gc_id=14392466377&h_ad_id=541169791333&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQqXWxGqA7RNPIaBR-sfBRVvpmk7OSOj-Zr0FPzJCrSN8nklHdL1XFRoCd_0QAvD_BwE but it is expensive and a bit of work to install. Not to mention, a mirror like that kind of sticks out.

What I'd like it a hidden compartment in a larger piece of furniture. I imagine something could be made but I would like something that can be added to an existing cabinet or whatever. I may research adding the Ft Knox box inside of something. I have a good spot for a trunk or an armoire. Ideally I could hit a super hidden button and it would gently toss me my shotgun. 

Without violating OpSec, can anyone share how they have discretely accomplished this or something like this?

Thanks!

[Raptor]

I honestly hate gun safes and safes in general. To me they almost seem like a challenge... "Go ahead try to break into me or steal me".

They focus negative attention on an area of value and effort for a thief.

I will try to be descriptive without violating my opsec.

1. I always store ammo away from fire arms. I want it to require effort and time to find both. Ammo is bulky and by storing separately it reduces the space needed for firearms.
2. I also use trigger or barrel locks on "stored" firearms. Again just to be a PITA for any thief.
3. I never, ever put a safe out in the open. It is always in a cabinet, closet or "other" space. So that any visitor will not see it.
4. When it is easy to do so I have been known to remove the bolt or firing pin of "stored firearms" and store those in a separate locked container away from the fire arm. Hint...Be sure to label them.

As to your question there are several sources for furniture that you describe. The problem is that the pictures are on the internet and the few that I have seen in person are clearly gun safes.

There are a couple of alternatives that I suggest:

1.Find a place in your house where you can secure a safe to the floor and where you could build a closet, book shelf or other storage to hide the safe. For instance you could find a bench seat like the one below and use it as a cover (with some minor carpentry) for a safe placed on the floor.

2. Use filing lateral cabinets as a storage area. They could contain a light weight safe inside the cabinet. I would also note that these can also be hollowed out (weld the drawer fronts closed, paint them to match the room decor and used as a hollow shell to cover the safe.




 

[EBuff75]

I'm in a similar situation - safe is located in a less-accessible part of the house and I would like a way to lock up long guns so that they're more easily accessed.  No legal requirement to do so where I live, but it makes sense from a security and (visitor) safety perspective (I don't have kids).

One of the options I've been considering is to install a V-Line Closet Vault.  It installs into a wall, between the studs, which allows you to add it after-the-fact by just cutting an opening to fit the safe.  I also confirmed with the company that it can be mounted upside-down if you need the hinges on the right rather than the left (although that would put the lock mechanism down lower, so the safe might need to be mounted higher up to make it easily accessible). 

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01DSWGCLM

[Raptor]

That looks like an easier way to put in a safe that is easier to hide behind a false wall. Put that at the back of a crowded closet, paint it the same color as the wall and it is likely to blend in with a quick glance.

One other other thing to consider. When a house is robbed the bedrooms are where most burglars head first; then the medicine cabinet, liquor cabinet and the office.

Also luggage is frequently grabbed to make it easier to carry off your stuff. 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/burglar-reveal-secrets-investigation-nbc-4-new-york-i-team/1330000/

Ideally these areas should not have your safe in them.

[NT2C]

A LEO friend salvaged this for me from one of their guard posts when they upgraded to more secure units:



Eventually, I'll strip the mechanics out and mount the locks and controls to a welded steel frame that will be lag mounted to the closet wall.  The current way the locks are mounted won't allow anything with a scope to be racked.

[Dabster]

Great replies everyone. Thank you very much!

NT2C -can you tell who made those lock-thingies? Do you think they would they hold a shotgun? Those may be a nice compromise if they could be attached to a steel bracket inside something that is bolted to the floor.

[NT2C]

Great replies everyone. Thank you very much!

NT2C -can you tell who made those lock-thingies? Do you think they would they hold a shotgun? Those may be a nice compromise if they could be attached to a steel bracket inside something that is bolted to the floor.

Made by Pro-Gard and I have more pics:



It's wired for 120v AC, but also works on 12v DC

Obviously homemade for them at some point.

[Zed hunter]

Now if v-lime looked like a breaker box.