Hammer059
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Wise words, thanks again CapnMac. I like the idea of putting a safe in the closet
Anyone convert a closet into a gun closet?
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bannockburn
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cdk8
Thanks for the link to SnapSafe. Right now I'm using several Stack-On cabinets bolted together and one long gun cabinet which I have inside a closet. I like that with the SnapSafe you can move it and assemble it yourself and that it offers considerably more protection than that of the Stack-On cabinets.
Thanks for the link to SnapSafe. Right now I'm using several Stack-On cabinets bolted together and one long gun cabinet which I have inside a closet. I like that with the SnapSafe you can move it and assemble it yourself and that it offers considerably more protection than that of the Stack-On cabinets.
I can't say if this is everywhere, but from what I have seen most smash and grab attempts often start out on the bedroom, as I think many criminals assume valuables will be stored there. If storing in the bedroom, it may be worth investing in a product or design that provides meaningful resistance to an attack, or at least pricing up to see if a safe inside the closet that provides burglary & fire resistance is more economical than customizing the closet to achieve the same?
I agree with CapnMac that Sturdy is worth checking out. They use more steel than most gun safe makers, quality components, and unlike 99.5% of gun safes, it isn't going to be rapidly defeated by a hand tooled attack.
https://www.sturdysafe.com/products/model-3224
This product line may also be of interest, and the Seller is a member on this forum. As B-rate safes, they have 2-3 times the armor thickness of most gun safes. That, plus fire protection, for less money than most entry-level 12 gauge gun safes, makes for a helluva deal IMHO.
http://www.zykansafe.com/brategunsafes.html
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If down the line you go for a SnapSafe, please do post pictures and your impression. They seem like a nice intermediate between locking cabinets and a full-sized safe when space is limited or someone needs something with portability. The pricing seems really reasonable, and I like how they advertise a standard 3/16th inch door with a product that can be mounted in a way to make side attacks very difficult, forcing an attack to go through the thicker front plate.
MislMan
Member
I have converted a larger closet just for shooting gear/ammo storage. My firearms are in a large safe but the accessories are in a closet with bi-fold doors. Not worried about security for these items (just my choice). Anyway, I made a list of things I was going to store in this location and then went for a walk through Home Depot, Bed & Bath and The Container Store looking for storage shelves, containers, etc. There is some pretty innovative stuff for small storage areas out there. They help make the most of the space you have by organizing items. Plastic resealable containers hold lots of similar items such as magazines and such. If you are storing ammo, plan to store it on low shelves or the floor due to the weight (high shelves tend to bow/lean). For rifles, I would consider a simple braided steel cable passed through the trigger guards and locked together. Very difficult to handle 3-4 rifles secured to each other by this cable and I doubt smash & grab folks have the cutters for the braided steel cable (plastic covered). I use a couple of the plastic shelving units from Home Depot for stacking individual plastic tubs (tupperware style) to make good use of space.
I installed a larger sized firearm & ammo vault in a basement closet a few months ago & elected to turn the door into a tool rack for my nearby work bench. I framed the outer edges with molding so it matches with the room's paneling. A book case front would work equally well.
I used a heavy sheet of 3/4" plywood for the door so used a full-length heavy duty steel piano hinge so it will not have any future sagging issues . I used a common gate latch to secure the door & ran a tiny wire through one of the tool holders so it's well hidden.
I've made other secure gun safes from steel across the bed truck boxes that are bolted to the floor & concealed as wall benches with a padded seat. You can make these very secure by having someone welding a shielded padlock cover over a steel hasp on each end.
Lots of good ideas from others hope this helps your project along.
I used a heavy sheet of 3/4" plywood for the door so used a full-length heavy duty steel piano hinge so it will not have any future sagging issues . I used a common gate latch to secure the door & ran a tiny wire through one of the tool holders so it's well hidden.
I've made other secure gun safes from steel across the bed truck boxes that are bolted to the floor & concealed as wall benches with a padded seat. You can make these very secure by having someone welding a shielded padlock cover over a steel hasp on each end.
Lots of good ideas from others hope this helps your project along.
goodhope farmer
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just a thought..use any free space for a safe room for family..firearms can be re-placed,,family cannot..good luck
Mo_Bowhunter
Member
Here's another idea although even the smallest model will not fit in your closet. They serve three purposes 1) EF5 Rated Tornado Shelter, 2) a Vault with Security Grade Medco Deadbolt, and 3) a Panic Room where you and your family can safely escape from a home intrusion. These are intended to be mounted to concrete to meet the storm shelter requirements, but can be installed anywhere if not intended for that use. They are panelized to allow for installation anywhere in the house, basement or garage. They are contructed of 3/16" thick hot rolled steel but are not fire rated. However, you could add fire rated materials to the interior. Gun racks and shelves are available as options. The Patent Pending sliding door makes it extremely convenient to build/hide these units inside a standard household door/closet/room. Check out the website. www.esp.swisherinc.com They are also carried by major online retailers...
Tenncvol
Member
I also used a lockable closet to store my guns and I offer a small suggestion. I place my ammo storage containers on sliders that are sold to move furniture and put the containers on the closet floor. They slide out easily for access.
1911 guy
Member
I converted a closet into gun storage. A safe it ain't. But it's not obvious, somewhat secure and would take more than a few minutes to get into. The situation is unique, due to the construction of the house, but here goes:
We have two closets in the master bedroom. One is so obvious a blind man could find it. Double sliding doors, sort of a "his and hers" arrangement. Wife and I each get half. In theory. I get about 1/3. But my guns are in the closet next to this one. The door to this closet is completely hidden when you walk into the bedroom. You must go into the room and close the door behind you to see the door. It adjoins the bigger clothes closet. I drilled a 1 1/4" hole through the wall and another 1 1/4" hole through a block of hardwood. The hardwood was then mounted on the closet door handle inside the closet. A 1" dowel goes through the wall, into the block. You cannot open the door unless you A) know the closet is there and B) know to pull the dowel out from the adjoining closet wall. I'm quite sure it can be broken into. But it won't be a hit and run type. They'd have to work at it for a while, unless they had a random thought to check for a dowel passed through a wall.
We have two closets in the master bedroom. One is so obvious a blind man could find it. Double sliding doors, sort of a "his and hers" arrangement. Wife and I each get half. In theory. I get about 1/3. But my guns are in the closet next to this one. The door to this closet is completely hidden when you walk into the bedroom. You must go into the room and close the door behind you to see the door. It adjoins the bigger clothes closet. I drilled a 1 1/4" hole through the wall and another 1 1/4" hole through a block of hardwood. The hardwood was then mounted on the closet door handle inside the closet. A 1" dowel goes through the wall, into the block. You cannot open the door unless you A) know the closet is there and B) know to pull the dowel out from the adjoining closet wall. I'm quite sure it can be broken into. But it won't be a hit and run type. They'd have to work at it for a while, unless they had a random thought to check for a dowel passed through a wall.
InfoLoader
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You should consider carpeting all the walls with hi nap felt(not the low nap found in most expensive safes) or something similar. Thicker nap helps absorb humid air better and its been proven by some safe companies on the market.
I did this to a "Linen Closet" when I lived in an apartment while working a contract job away from home.
In addition to the long screws and deadbolt I replaced the door hinges with tamper proof/staked pin/interlocking hinges to secure that edge of the door.
I didn't want the "maintenance guy" in there.
Sadly, once when I was reloading in the apartment garage and had my tumbler running (door closed) the "maintenance guy" heard it and opened the garage door...busted
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