W.E.G.
Member
Bolts will fall into mechanism and jam it.
Even "gun person" with combo won't be able to open it.
Even "gun person" with combo won't be able to open it.
Bolt Storage in Safe
- Thread starter Screwball
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GBExpat
Member
What "mechanism"?
W.E.G.
Member
Inside the door is where the mechanism is.
Screwball
Member
Screwball
Member
Thank you for that advise... I'm glad you can sleep soundly at night for doing so.
But I am going to ask you to either stop posting about ammo being in the safe or start your own thread on it, as that is not what I'm looking for advise on. You don't like ammo in a safe and you don't like bolts out of rifles... trust me, you made it very clear.
Whether ammo is in my safe or not, the question was if other members had solutions for bolt storage. I really do appreciate those who have actually responded with ideas.
I browsed the 3M line, but didn't see anything that jumped out at me to work.
Have an email out to Liberty regarding the door board (what it is made out of, maximum screw clearance, etc), so I might find a metal pistol rack and mount three for the bolts. Could also get some peg board and do something on a smaller scale as GBExpat's design.
I did see those magnet strips that people mount pistols or magazines on, but I'd have to mount it under a shelf as I don't trust bolts swinging with the door (then, what about when the magnet starts weakening).
Also looking at knife bags, which I think would be the best bet.
BSA1
member
Well how about putting the bolt in a clear plastic sandwich bag and hanging the bag on the barrel? You could punch a hole in the bag (or use a twist tie) and slide it down the barrel until it hits the forearm. The forearm will keep the barrel from sliding down any farther.
Heck I like this idea so well I am going to do it with my bolt guns.
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Just call me Elmer.
Screwball
Member
jerkface11
Member
Storing the bolt off the gun is asking for trouble.
Ruger Redhawk
Member
I store all but a few of my rifle bolts out of the rifles. It sure gives you more room and allot less chance of banging the guns up. I'm extremely anal when it comes to my guns. I have each bolt numbered, wiped down then sealed in plastic bags and carefully placed in the plastic water proof ammo can. In the can has a 3x5 card you see as soon as you open the can telling what number goes with the particular rifle. I also made a couple copies of the list on a CD's which are stored in the safes. I saved a copy on one of those storage gizmos you transfer it to from your computer. So chances of losing or not knowing where each bolt goes I'd say is very unlikely.
The Ruger M77 bolts have the last 3 digits of the S/N etched on the bolt. It's been so long since I removed them I think the other gun bolts have an identifying numbers on them also. If not my system is really all anybody needs to know.
I've done this for many years and never had a problem. The plastic ammo can(s) are stored inside the safe that the rifles are in and not likely to walk away or get misplaced. If I meet my demise it wouldn't take a brain surgeon to be able to figure out what bolt goes where.
The Ruger M77 bolts have the last 3 digits of the S/N etched on the bolt. It's been so long since I removed them I think the other gun bolts have an identifying numbers on them also. If not my system is really all anybody needs to know.
I've done this for many years and never had a problem. The plastic ammo can(s) are stored inside the safe that the rifles are in and not likely to walk away or get misplaced. If I meet my demise it wouldn't take a brain surgeon to be able to figure out what bolt goes where.
We have a video produced by SAAMI for firefighters stickied in THR showing how incorrect these ideas are.
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To the OP's question, as silly as it sounds wool socks make great bolt storage socks since they don't hold moisture. Thread a bit of cordage through them and hang around your firearm. If you like even hang an ID tag with them. That provides the clearance needed. I also found I could alternate barrel up and down to get greater fit.
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Screwball
Member
I took a look on Amazon for bags that would work, and found ones like this...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K63TIM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_cf8ewbKAF5ZKW
Thinking to hang them on the rifle, but considering screw hooks and placing them either in the roof or under a shelf... if I can find a spot. I may check the door if they would clear.
I do want to thank everyone that has helped. I appreciate it.
GBExpat
Member
Prior to initiating my pegboard-on-the-door project, I tested clearance using a ~18" piece of dowel (IIRC) on one of the shelves extending ~7" over the front of the shelf ... and slowly closed & latched the door ... reopening the door I measured how much of the dowel was still hanging over the front of that shelf.
With my brand/style of gunsafes, that proved to me that I had adequate clearance for what I wanted to do.
FWIW.
Screwball
Member
Prior to initiating my pegboard-on-the-door project, I tested clearance using a ~18" piece of dowel (IIRC) on one of the shelves extending ~7" over the front of the shelf ... and slowly closed & latched the door ... reopening the door I measured how much of the dowel was still hanging over the front of that shelf.
With my brand/style of gunsafes, that proved to me that I had adequate clearance for what I wanted to do.
FWIW.
Thanks, gives me a better plan than recording my iPhone when I close the door. [emoji41]
Let me make it clear: UNCONFINED ammo will burn relatively harmlessly as shown in the video. It's CONFINING the ammo / powder in a safe that's a bad idea. The opinion has been expressed that home gun safes aren't airtight enough to contain an explosion; perhaps, but I'm not going to test it.
Here's a quote from Alliant powder on how powder should be stored:
To be fair, they are talking about storing jars of powder, but the principle remains the same.
Not to mention the bad idea of putting something flammable inside the safe with the very things you're trying to protect from fire.
Ruger Redhawk
Member
I have a acquaintance that's a firefighter who shoots at the same range I do. We run into each other every once in awhile.
I remember a couple years ago mentioning using a Sentry safe that I no longer use for my guns to keep ammo in. I thought that was a pretty good idea as high as ammo prices have gotten over the years.
He wasted no time telling me do not put ammo in a safe. That was good enough for me. I figured he knows allot more about fires then I do even though I was a fire sprinkler fitter @ one time and worked for almost 18 years @ a fire truck Mfg.
I have it on one of those chrome frame wire rack shelves in open air inside of course.
I have a few handguns loaded and ready for an emergency in a safe other than that there's no ammo kept in any of the safes.
I remember a couple years ago mentioning using a Sentry safe that I no longer use for my guns to keep ammo in. I thought that was a pretty good idea as high as ammo prices have gotten over the years.
He wasted no time telling me do not put ammo in a safe. That was good enough for me. I figured he knows allot more about fires then I do even though I was a fire sprinkler fitter @ one time and worked for almost 18 years @ a fire truck Mfg.
I have it on one of those chrome frame wire rack shelves in open air inside of course.
I have a few handguns loaded and ready for an emergency in a safe other than that there's no ammo kept in any of the safes.
lightman
Member
I have replaced the liner that covers the door with a piece of peg board on both of the safes that I have owned and on a couple of friends safes. Its a simple project but it can take a few hours. You need to make sure that you have enough clearance between the shelves and the door. You also want to make sure that the screws that you use don't interfere with the linkage in the safe door. I guess another concern would be placing a flammable material in the safe, not a big deal to me. This has worked out well as a place to hang handguns and should work well for rifle bolts. Mine looks like the picture that GBExpat posted. The last one that I did I used a piece of screen mold for trim and painted it to match the safes interior color. Another idea would be to get an auto upholstery shop to sew up a pouch made of some type of heavy material.
Anyone concerned about ammo cans of ammunition in a fire see post 11 from an EOD professional re. ammunition in military ammo cans not blowing up. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=687125
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