Equipment Storage

[Sean the Nailer]

For the vast array of equipment owned here by a vast array of people, in such a vast array of facilities and manners of doing such.... what is YOUR best/preferred way to store/rack your firearms?

Same thing above, but also applying to shooting equipment. And reloading equipment.

Some here have been given a 'clean slate' to start over with a bigger/badder/better storage room (facility) to do pretty much whatever is wanted. (within costs and reason, of course) But the options are near endless, and where to start?

Wall hanging rifles around the perimeter of the room, with work bench island in the middle?
Rifles (longarms) standing vertically, or hanging horizontally, or angular?
Perimeter cabinetry with floor standing vertical racks in the center of the room?
And where (and how) to hang assorted handguns?

Then there's all the different reloading presses and accoutrements. Single-stages, turret presses, even an inline. Then there's the shot-gun press (turret) as well.

Then there's the brass stations, vibratory and ultrasonic cleaning (and soon to be st.st tumbling)

Over the years I know I've had a number of different 'hanging' and storage versions. I also know I've seen a LOT more than what I've played with. Some very 'fancy' stuff seen on tv shows as well as certain museum 'back rooms', and such. So I'm honestly asking ya'll,,,, from many different backgrounds.... what do you think works best for these questions.

Cause I know the guy doing this, basically has "one chance" at doing this now, and wants it to be as 'right as possible' because he's going to be stuck with it in the end.

 

[goatboy]

First, you need to start with a list of things you want to store/ tasks you want to undertake. And their priorities.

Second, you need to list limits- eg how big is room, how big is budget.

From there it is maximizing the use of the second to achieve the greatest number of firsts.

Right now I'm working on a design for a 51"x 96" large closet as a small gun room.

Figure out the space you have and what you need to do there. Be honest about scale and the designs emerge.

 

[DuneShoot]

We have a room used as an office. It has the safe in it and a good sized L shaped desk.
Wanted to keep it looking clean.
I have single stage and a dillon 550 mounted on a small roll around bench. It can be wheeled into a closet when not in use. In the desk which has a tall wall like unit sitting on it, I keep the quick change kits for the dillon and cleaning supplies in a drawer.

The closet in the room has a garage type tool box stuffed in there which holds tons of stuff, spare parts, magazines, etc. Other side of the closet holds ammo cans on the floor and reloading supplies on the shelves.
One other small cabinet in the room also holds reloading supplies.
Brass tumblers are kept in the garage.

Close the closet doors and put the press cabinet away and the room would look like any other room in the house.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Just to be more concise, here are a few examples of pictures I've found around here:
Vertical racking:

Wall Racking, horizontal:

Wall Racking, vertical:

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Another wall racking, vertical and horizontal, with hanguns and cupboards too.

With this being a secure storing, working, and reloading room. IIRC, his room is 12' x 12' x 8'. I'll check with him later.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Nobody has any input to add of "if I had it to do over again, I'd have gone "this" way".... or I'll never set it up 'that' way again.... or anything?

I'm looking to hear what works, and what works best. Learn vicariously and make as many mistakes as possible on paper, first.

 

[uffduh]

Oh, if I had it to do over again, I’d be leaning very heavily toward that last pic you posted. I see some cans that would fit my requirements nicely.

 

[_Windrider_]

Oh, if I had it to do over again, I’d be leaning very heavily toward that last pic you posted. I see some cans that would fit my requirements nicely.

Some cans????. I just saw Casey yesterday. Was at ready gunner. Chick is cool as shit and so is her husband Neal.

 

[_Windrider_]

Nobody has any input to add of "if I had it to do over again, I'd have gone "this" way".... or I'll never set it up 'that' way again.... or anything?

I'm looking to hear what works, and what works best. Learn vicariously and make as many mistakes as possible on paper, first.

Gallo’s tech has a great system. I really like the secure-it lockers as well for ammo and soft good storage. My stuff is a mess right now. Someday I’ll get my shit together.

 

[uffduh]

Agree on Gallow Tech. They did a cool mock-up for me when I couldn’t figure out which panels I needed. From there it was like playing with an erector set.

 

[missed]

I have the under stairs portion in the shop that is going to be converted to a safe, I'm glad i came across this thread and the Gallowtech gear. I was planning on horizontal racking as I'm limited on room width, and figured that would keep things closer to the wall.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Well, I checked out the Gallowtech website, and there's definitely some good ideas there. Just the process of trying to figure out the best layout of the room (and doing it right, once) is actually a more challenging task than originally thought.

Over the years here, and at other places, I've seen a lot of you put up pics of your reloading rooms, gunsmithing shops, and there's even been a few different "gun walls". But the vast majority of folks have 'safes' which limits layout to their structure design.

Now this 'secure room' opportunity and laying out all the infrastructure with the multitude of reloading components is interesting. Who wants to keep 'taking out' and 'putting away' stuff used often? Now how to do that and not be 'all cluttered' at the same time?

Much to think about. If there are other views, suggestions, experiences and 'hard lessons' then let's hear them.

 

[uffduh]

Sean, email [email protected], they’ll get you squared away. I sent a message with dimensions for the space and what I was trying to accomplish. They sent back a dry fit image and some suggestions for other stuff. After that, I just had to ask ‘okay, so which parts do I need to get that on the wall’. All told, the process took like four emails and 48 hours for responses...a lot better than the four weeks I’d spend clicking through the website, making lists of what I thought I’d need (would have been way more elaborate, overbuilt and expensive).

 

[Sean the Nailer]

I've sent them an email, so we'll see how that works out. Interesting way to start off, and I'm expecting it to be quite pricey. But it's a start. Thanks.

3/4's of my problem is I'm not sure what I'm forgetting or not thinking about to begin with. Hence why I'm asking others opinions and input. I'm not interested in installing a tv or a sound system at all. Electrical outlets are a must, though.

 

[_Windrider_]

I've sent them an email, so we'll see how that works out. Interesting way to start off, and I'm expecting it to be quite pricey. But it's a start. Thanks.

3/4's of my problem is I'm not sure what I'm forgetting or not thinking about to begin with. Hence why I'm asking others opinions and input. I'm not interested in installing a tv or a sound system at all. Electrical outlets are a must, though.

Look on Pinterest. Search gun rooms and all sorts of shit will come up

 

[Geno C.]

If you’re going to do racking, I’d suggest vertical. You can get more in the same space vs horizontal.

 

[MarinePMI]

@Sean the Nailer

I've found some simple vertical rifle racks can be made cheaply and stained (if desired) to help keep rifles somewhat orderly. (Sorry for the old, grainy picture.)

For those rifles that get used regularly, then metal shelving mounts, screwed into the studs (18" apart here in the States IIRC), with shelving mounts that have clear vinyl, split tubing about the arms (to protect from scratches), makes for a convenient way to put some on the wall, utilizing the space above the vertical wall racks. I think everything in this picture cost me less than $200 and a weekend with a tablesaw, drill press, brad nailer and cordless drill.

 

[pmclaine]

Not a fan of storing rifles on their butt.

Rather have the oil run out of the barrel rather than into trigger/wood stocks.

I store all barrel down in my safe.

Most have some sort of muzzle protection on them as that is the other concern when storing on muzzle.

 

[atomic41]

I'm hoping to get ideas from this as well. I built a new house this year and have a clean slate room set aside to build a gun room. (hidden room) I haven't started yet but my ideas currently range from way over the top and ridiculous, to doing bare minimum to get started. My room will be my hang-out/reload/gun work/man-cave room.

-I'm thinking I'm going to leave one wall to hang guns horizontal.
-One wall with a full length bench for reloading.
-Some sort of storage for rifle cases, bags, gear, etc. Maybe a gear closet?
-I have a big stainless steel table that I'm going to put on castors for the middle of the room to work on.
-Maybe a small couch for comfort when the boys are over and we are in a shit talking session. Oh, and a small beer fridge.

 

[uffduh]

I approach beer fridges like I do smokers...figure out what I think I need and then get at least the next size up. It’s also a convenient place to wet age a packer brisket or two.

 

[mercracing]

I love the gun walls but I personally would prefer a safe. It’s a little hassle getting in and out if your grabbing a seldom used gun, but I have tremendous peace of mind knowing they are probably safe from fire and theft. That being said, why not look at the biggest Liberty safe and store the guns in there? It will take up less space then a wall leaving you more room for reloading and hanging out.

 

[MarinePMI]

Liberty also sells vault doors...

 

[missed]

Liberty also sells vault doors...

That is what I'm planning on using for my under stairs vault. Couple layers of 5/8 fire x sheetrock and 1/4" plate! And the liberty door

 

[houndog]

Great thread. I'm in the process of building a house and will have a small "gun room". I'm probably going to go with some kind of vertical rack(s) just because I think they are the most efficient use of space. There are a couple of people who sell vertical stands at fairly reasonable prices for those that don't want to make their own.

Haven't looked at gallowrech yet, but I'm on a very tight budget, so I suspect they're going to be out of my price range. I basically envision a vertical rack on one wall, a workbench of some kind (probably from home depot) on another wall and a set of heavy duty shelves for storage of ammo, parts, etc. on the third wall.

But I'm also thinking about resale down the road, so very little built in stuff - the idea being that if/when I sell the house this room can be kept as a gun room or turned into a wine cellar, extra storage, etc.

 

[houndog]

Oh and Sean the Nailer, really nice "rack" in your second pic.

 

[MarinePMI]

http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/plans-rifle-racks.html

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Everyone, some excellent comments/points/additions made.

@MarinePMI , some even excellent'er stuff there. Thanks. This discussion is really helping, and My Lady has been following this thread too. Believe it or not, but this whole project has been due to her prodding and "make it happen" and whatnot. I'm Blessed.

So you can see how I want to do the absolute best that I can, with what we have. And we've come up with a few ideas of our own. And yes, this all started off with a fantastic deal on a vault door/jamb combo. Ya'll'd be jealous, believe me.

Do you have ANY idea what it takes to construct armoured, reinforced, and insulated walls? Especially when taking into account that "overkill is under-rated"? Believe me when I say, it's a bigger job than you'd think. The door was the cheap and easy part.

 

[pmclaine]

This place may have a ready solution for any handgun storage needs.....

https://manaboutracks.com/

I got two of his racks in my safe.

 

[Nik H]

Another wall racking, vertical and horizontal, with hanguns and cupboards too.
View attachment 6960868

With this being a secure storing, working, and reloading room. IIRC, his room is 12' x 12' x 8'. I'll check with him later.

DAMN!!!!!!!!

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

disregard previous

 

[Marinevet1]

Another wall racking, vertical and horizontal, with hanguns and cupboards too.
View attachment 6960868

With this being a secure storing, working, and reloading room. IIRC, his room is 12' x 12' x 8'. I'll check with him later.

Some really nice accessories for your gun room.................

 

[Marinevet1]

VCI bags, clean them, oil them.........stick them in a good VCI bag, good for 5 years........I remove the wood stocks from my revolvers, but store long guns with wood attached...........never a problem............

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Ghog's, et al, thanks. Thing is though, as stated in the OP (maybe not clearly enough) but the room IS a vault. Safe-door and everything, sort of thing. Bit of a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity and project going on, hence why all the researching. If you're going to do something, then do it well, right?

 

[CJS-6.5]

Those little plastic bolt bins are nice for organizing different lots of brass, ect...

 

[pmclaine]

 

[Quarter Horse]

Trying to figure this out without knowing the numbers and types of firearms a guy has is pretty much impossible. The vertical racks with older military firearms are fine but will not work well with firearms with optics. If a guy collects 98-99% firearms he needs more room between each. If they are SxS or O/U shotguns they need to be stored muzzle down. If he buys NIB the storage of the boxes is critical. If there is enough vertical room, vertical rack on top of vertical rack is the most efficient. A third set of floor level racks on casters that runs the length of the wall mounted racks adds serious additional storage (additional rack in sections).

The reloading bench is a completely different problem. Mine is two and a half feet by five feet with a two inch laminated oak top. The problem is the room isn't big enough to have it in the center of the room, therefore I can't mount things on the other side. If I had room It would be longer, narrower, on casters with locking feet and with a three inch laminated oak top. On the bench keep in maind you need a clear area to use for doing stock finishing, barrel cleaning, etc.

The floor should be a hard surface so you can easily roll things around. They're uncomfortable to stand on for extended periods so use throw rugs.

Don't build in a basement. Ideally, store powder, solvents. etc in a different structure. You need fresh air circulation that you can control (as in a bathroom), temp. control and a dehumidifier. If he has any number of firearms, optics, etc. his homeowners isn't going to get close to covering the value. Check with the NRA for insurance.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

@Quarter Horse , that is definitely one of the best posts so far. You're bringing up a number of points for consideration.

Security in itself prevents the disclosure of volume and description. The topic though, lends itself to the discussion for practically ALL prudent and diligent owners.

As I myself have said so many times before, I know what I don't know. That's to say, what am I forgetting, and what am I not considering to begin with? To go further, what NEW concepts and abilities exist that I (or others) are not even aware of?

Bench height being one consideration. Should the plan be for sitting or standing? If sitting, should it be in a 'chair' or on a 'bar-stool' type thing?
Bench portability being another consideration. Should it mount permanently along the wall, or as an island, OR on rollers/castors to move around?
Stand/rack having the same question and/or option?

Fresh Air intake AND exhaust has already been 'incorporated'.
De-humidification has already been incorporated as well as external drain.

Lighting is a topic in itself, as ceiling mounted fluorescents are in there now, but some have said that they are the enemy of certain electronic scales. Not interested in Halogen or incandescents, but are LED's any better? They too need a transformer, so what's gooder? Goodest?

The dilemma of powder and primer storage is a conundrum in itself. Store them INSIDE the room for both fire prevention AS WELL AS 'unauthorized' access prevention? Or store them OUTSIDE the room in case (God Forbid) one day the whole place is engulfed in flames, and they absolutely decimate everything inside that room to begin with. What about the fact that they are now confined in a somewhat "sealed container" (the room itself) so is that making a hazard to any and all around?

What about the fact that the location is literally across the street from a Fire Hall? Overthinking the situation, or Prudent?

As for firearm storage in itself, it's looking like mounting all on horizontal racks with a roughly 10 degree down angle (down bubble? ) on the muzzle is the overall best way that covers the gamut. No?

 

[Geno C.]

They make led replacement tube lights that go right on the old fixtures, just bypass the ballast. The one over my scale is done that way and causes no problems