Dadgummit... (Securing a Shotgun Question)

[Guyon]

The little one is getting more mobile every day, so I recently bought a couple of items to secure firearms yet leave them reasonably accessible. One was a GunVault pistol safe. The other was a Mossberg Lock-Box for my 870. http://www.mossberg.com/locbox.htm

My silly ass never even contemplated the fact that the side saddle makes the shotgun too wide for the Loc-Box. Just didn't dawn on me until I got the item. I'm going to claim overwork and exhaustion as an excuse for this giant brain fart.

Thought for a second I might be able to grind off part of the door, but that won't work either. I'd have to grind too far into the welded locking mechanism.

So, after some lost shipping fees and the hassle of a return, I'll be back to square one. Anybody need a Loc-Box at a good price? More importantly, any good ideas for securing an HD shotgun for ready access?

 

[scout26]

I use a cable lock with a combination, not a key.

http://www.padlocks4less.com/ go to the "Other Locks and Padlocks" page then the second one down CA12 cable lock. Three digit combo, so you can't lose the "key" or have the youngun accidently find it. Cable threads through the action, so that little ones can not close the action. I use them for all my guns.

Or you could just remove the side saddle ??? :banghead:

 

[Nnobby45]

Scout's a genious. Remove the side-saddle.

 

[Guyon]

Man, I must really be tired. Removing the side saddle never even occurred to me.

I figured that a cable lock was one option. I like that the linked cable lock is plastic coated all over.

If I were better at steel fabrication, I'd just make my own "fat" lock box that could handle a side saddle. Should have paid more attention in shop class.

 

[Guyon]

Hmmm, the more I think about it...

My uncle is a decent welder. I could get him to split this sucker down both sides with a cutting torch and then splice a piece of stock metal onto each side--effectively widening the Loc-Box to the right dimension. Basically just four welds, two per side.

Or I could just take off the side saddle.

 

[1911 guy]

My shotgun and my toddler

This may be an option for you, maybe not if the wife doesn't like how it affects the feng shui of the boudior. I keep my shotty in a rack about six feet above floor level. You know the kind, bolt into the wall, have 4 or 5 brackets and a picture of bambi on the front. My wife and I can reach it, little hands can't. The others are locked up, but what good is a HD gun if you can't get it in use quickly to D your H?

 

[Cyanide_357]

maybe this will be a better solution for you.

Knoxx cornerlock gun safe

 

[Coronach]

Able 2, Progard and others make a lock that secures the shotgun in a vehicle by latching around the bbl and mag tube just IFO the receiver. In theory, this is used in conjunction with the vehicle's electrical system and a remote button, with a key override.

Of course, it also works quite nicely bolted to a wall stud with a metal bracket and some 4" wood screws. The wires can be left unattached and the "keyed backup" can be your primary means of unlocking it. Can BGs pry it loose from the wall? Maybe...but children cannot, and if BGs do, they still cannot use the gun until they cut off the lock.

Mike

http://store.yahoo.com/swps/progshotgunl.html

 

[VG]

I've never seen a report or case study where a home defensive shotgun fired more than four rounds.

But if this has ever happened, I'd like to know the circumstances.

Otherwise you could lose the sidesaddle.

 

[rustymaggot]

to 1911guy.....

can your kid knock the gun down with a broom? would be a shame if your kid figured out how to knock it down and get at it. never underestimate how clever your kids can be.

 

[1911 guy]

The broomstick

Right now my son is only a year old, ut that is good point. I'll have to rethink my storage when he gets broom wielding age.

 

[scout26]

1911guy,


As the father of a somewhat ....ummmm..... "energetic" four year old, you have about 37 hours to figure it out.

Mrs Scout26: "What did I ever do to deserve this ??? Where does he get the staminia and endurance ???"

He not a bad or mean kid, just very, very, very "busy".

 

[Zach S]

My uncle is a decent welder. I could get him to split this sucker down both sides with a cutting torch and then splice a piece of stock metal onto each side--effectively widening the Loc-Box to the right dimension. Basically just four welds, two per side.

I suggest a cut-off wheel rather than a torch.

I've never seen a report or case study where a home defensive shotgun fired more than four rounds.

Neither have I. But I still keep eight rounds in my Mossberg, along with six in the side-saddle.

 

[VG]

Why only 8+6? Why not, say, 25? You could get some load bearing equipment.

It's an affectation, and one that makes the firearm heavy and awkward. It's a two foot spoiler on the back of a Honda Civic.

 

[Zach S]

It's an affectation, and one that makes the firearm heavy and awkward.

No where near as heavy and akward as a semi-auto thompson. I own two.