I'd like to display some handguns and long guns on my den wall. Surface areas are not big, being small trapezoids and triangles. I have a gun safe that the bulk of the collection lives in. This is a relatively small town in MT, low crime rate, armed citizenry. The room is to be locked tight when not in use, so security issues are minimal. Any thoughts on how you would display a rotating collection? Thanks.
How Do You Display Your Guns?
- Thread starter DeadCalm
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Pardon me Sir, but you are asking for trouble when you decide to display
firearms~!
Nowdays, the criminal element has an advantage in
todays society; cuz while they are incarcerated, all they have too do
is discuss what kind'a crime they are going to committ once they are
released. And Oh YES, they will be released at some point in time. All
too often these crimes involve house burglary's. Maybe in Montana its
not quite as bad as other places; but here in Alabama it would be very
unwise to display anything of value, and certainly firearms.
FWIW, most burglars are looking for cash money, dope, guns, and
jewelry. And most of the time, the burglars have what is known in
LEO circles as a "fence"; or someone that will take the goods off
their hands. Unless your valuables have an ID number hidden from
these criminal types, chances are that you will never recover stolen
goods. So, I don't display anything; muchless firearms~!
firearms~!
Nowdays, the criminal element has an advantage intodays society; cuz while they are incarcerated, all they have too do
is discuss what kind'a crime they are going to committ once they are
released. And Oh YES, they will be released at some point in time. All
too often these crimes involve house burglary's. Maybe in Montana its
not quite as bad as other places; but here in Alabama it would be very
unwise to display anything of value, and certainly firearms.
FWIW, most burglars are looking for cash money, dope, guns, and
jewelry. And most of the time, the burglars have what is known in
LEO circles as a "fence"; or someone that will take the goods off
their hands. Unless your valuables have an ID number hidden from
these criminal types, chances are that you will never recover stolen
goods. So, I don't display anything; muchless firearms~!
Mastrogiacomo
Member
I second that, Ala. I have a beautiful sword I picked up years ago, I don't even display that let alone my firearms. I like to keep my guns a secret between me and my family and let who ever breaks in find out as they go along.... Displaying weapons is the same as putting gun stickers on your cars - it almost invites trouble.
Displaying weapons is the same as putting gun stickers on your cars - it almost invites trouble.MadMercS55
Member
Many years ago I used to have a wall case made by a friend for knife\gun display. For several months I kept my handguns and a couple knives in there for storage\display purposes. It had drawers on it for ammo\mags, etc. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but upon playing different "what if" scenarios around, I realized that if someone ever broke in, that they could severely arm-up in a matter of minutes. I refit the case to display models and curios after that. I think that displaying one's firearms, weapons, etc is somewhat of a bad idea.
shermacman
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
- Messages
- 1,751
I have two "display" cases. One is in the garage, bolted to the floor and the wall. Behind its double locked galvanized, fire-rated doors are a bunch of rifles, shotguns, boxes and boxes of ammo, camping gear, bayonets, etc.
Inside, I have a lock box with a Glock 23 and a S&W wheelie.
Not much to see, really!
Inside, I have a lock box with a Glock 23 and a S&W wheelie.
Not much to see, really!
joab
Member
Not being as paranoid as some others I do display a few
I bought what basically are lathed wooden dowel with long brass nails through the center with an offset cut at the base that meets the wall
They are hardly noticeable and protect the gun from direct contact with the nail
I know my description skills are minimal at best so I can take a pic later if you can't get a mental.
I also have a late 50s' or early 60's glass front cabinet for my C&Rs
I bought it from a thrift store for about $30
They aren't very popular anymore so they are very inexpensive
I also have a nice ,simple wall rack from another thrift store for $5, but I could have easily made it myself.
From your description of the spaces you want to fill the dowels would probably be better.
That way you could arrange them to fit the space in a more artistic way.
I also used horseshoe nails to hang some BP revolvers
I bought what basically are lathed wooden dowel with long brass nails through the center with an offset cut at the base that meets the wall
They are hardly noticeable and protect the gun from direct contact with the nail
I know my description skills are minimal at best so I can take a pic later if you can't get a mental.
I also have a late 50s' or early 60's glass front cabinet for my C&Rs
I bought it from a thrift store for about $30
They aren't very popular anymore so they are very inexpensive
I also have a nice ,simple wall rack from another thrift store for $5, but I could have easily made it myself.
From your description of the spaces you want to fill the dowels would probably be better.
That way you could arrange them to fit the space in a more artistic way.
I also used horseshoe nails to hang some BP revolvers
straightShot
Member
I wouldn't do it unless it was a definate wall-hanger only type gun. In my case, usable firearms are hidden away from view and thus are less likely to be a target of opportunity.
Winnisimmet
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2004
- Messages
- 24
M1 Garand rifles are Pegged to the walls.
Never been one to cringe in my own home worrying about "the criminal element" figuring out, or coming after what's inside. Actually, most of the time, I'm inside. Have a couple of acres here of private open land with nothing visable from the outside via a window or door. It is best not to broadcast locally what's in the house which here numbers about nine rifles, shotguns and a couple of handguns.
In my study and also down in the den area there are a couple of M1 rifles hanging up as decor items. Also have an old WWI Lee Enfield downstairs on the wall next to the bar. Found these wooden rifle holder pegs in a sporting goods store that nail in at an angle. The things seem quite secure. With a stud finder, I located the anchor points and just tapped the things on to the wall. Thus far, the Garand rifles are still up there and it's been about three-years now. So that's that deal.
Never been one to cringe in my own home worrying about "the criminal element" figuring out, or coming after what's inside. Actually, most of the time, I'm inside. Have a couple of acres here of private open land with nothing visable from the outside via a window or door. It is best not to broadcast locally what's in the house which here numbers about nine rifles, shotguns and a couple of handguns.
In my study and also down in the den area there are a couple of M1 rifles hanging up as decor items. Also have an old WWI Lee Enfield downstairs on the wall next to the bar. Found these wooden rifle holder pegs in a sporting goods store that nail in at an angle. The things seem quite secure. With a stud finder, I located the anchor points and just tapped the things on to the wall. Thus far, the Garand rifles are still up there and it's been about three-years now. So that's that deal.
eagle45
Member
Well you can add me to the 'paranoid' group. Living out of town where a criminal could spend a little more time gaining entry if necessary, I do not display anything. The main safe downstairs holds most everything, and a smaller one upstairs holds one or two items that I use regularly.
I agree with Ala Dan's comments, but I also wonder about something else that maybe some of THR's legal experts could comment on - if a 'display' gun were stolen and used in a crime, could the owner who displayed the gun be held liable in any way since the weapon was not secured? Doesn't sound too far fetched to me.
I agree with Ala Dan's comments, but I also wonder about something else that maybe some of THR's legal experts could comment on - if a 'display' gun were stolen and used in a crime, could the owner who displayed the gun be held liable in any way since the weapon was not secured? Doesn't sound too far fetched to me.
joab
Member
From every publicized case I have seen in Fla where this has been an issue, No. Not if the gun is not stored loaded
TrapdoorBilly
Member
"How Do You Display Your Guns?"
I don't & I won't.
I don't & I won't.
longtooth
Member
Display
I don't. For me to display my carry weapon publicly would mean arrest. LEO call it brandishing. The rest of my arms are at their station of home defense or locked up in the safe. No ones bussiness what I have or where they are.
I don't. For me to display my carry weapon publicly would mean arrest.
LEO call it brandishing. The rest of my arms are at their station of home defense or locked up in the safe. No ones bussiness what I have or where they are.
XavierBreath
Member
I have several HD shotguns stored accessibly on the rubberized screw in hooks bow hunters use in their deer stands. The hooks are straight, with a brown rubberized coating and the look is discrete. Our walls are solid, so it's just a matter of screwing them in.
My wife has several old C&R rifles displayed similarly.
Serial numbers are recorded, along with digital pics. If it's worth more than $150, it's in the safe or on our person.
My wife has several old C&R rifles displayed similarly.
Serial numbers are recorded, along with digital pics. If it's worth more than $150, it's in the safe or on our person.
While we do not have any guns on display at the time, we thought it would be fun to hang one of our black powder rifles under our wedding portrait.
All of the other guns are either in the safe or in hiding becouse there is no more room in the safe.
All of the other guns are either in the safe or in hiding becouse there is no more room in the safe.
sm
member
Ala Dan's post
+1
Has nothing to do with Paranoia.
Has everything to do with Reality. The reality being, senses such as eyes and ears , of Illegal "business" persons are ever sensing an opportunity.
Just as the senses of the Law Abiding are are always prudent , aware and responsible - be it LEO, Military, or Civilian.
Workman comes to fix the dryer, not meaning anything "illegal" or "bad" , he casually mentions a gun - perhaps an inoperable wall-hanger to another co-worker, someone in Sunday School...at the coffee shop, maybe at the supper table and one of his kids hears...the mention of " putting a gun on display", "displaying Granddad's shotgun", or "I like the way that/ those guns were displayed", over at J.Q. Public's house...
Falls on illegal ears. Eventually. Always does.
The Reality is - many goods that are stolen - already have a market before they are stolen. Punks break in with "orders" for a TV, or Video Equipment. Punks break in and steal this.
Now when they go to collect - " Yeah man, the dude has guns displayed, we saw gun magazines, we saw the Coin Collector Magazines/ Coin holders in frames on the wall, the dude's wife had a note to get her fur coat out of storage, they got a Silver Service and China in the nice lighted cabinet, the wife's jewlery is in a bathroom, or the phone rang and the jeweler left a message that the diamond ring was sized, the husbands Rolex has been cleaned..."
"The Man"...well he has other illegal folks better suited to steal guns, jewlery, furs, coin collections...and if that teenage daughter is really that hot, he knows someone that really really likes young teenage daughters...
That is reality. I have stood there and seen "the third break in" in a month from a customer and this time that went for 'such and such'. Stood there and heard the Officer, Insurance Adjuster explain "how it works".
You get the replacment TV , well the BGs know you are going to collect Insurance and get another one. So they wait until replacements come - then come back to steal them. I had one employee, in a brand new sub-division, in a semi-rural area get hit 4 times in 7 months. He would get new stuff, BGs would come and get it. The last time, they sent the big boys, who took to using metal detectors and found the false room, and took all his guns from a small walk in safe he had built. His hunting gear had tipped off the BGs. Where there is hunting gear in the laundry room - there has to be guns somewhere.
What guns?
I have no gun magazines laying about. I have no fancy logo'd gun gear. I have no trophies or anything on the wall. Just a regular old boring J.Q Public - just trying to get by.
When the folks came out to do some work..."no I don't know anything about Deer Hunting, work, college keeps me busy....yeah well perhaps you are right, might not be a bad idea to learn something about guns someday...oh you can get a permit to carry concealed...?"
I can be as dumb as a brick with 2 CCW permits and two guns concealed on my person while someone I do not know is jabbering away while working up an estimate to some house repairs...
Out of sight - Out of mind.
I have one friend, with 3 walk-in safes in his business, full of guns. Very secure set -up. His are 'displayed' that way...but you gotta know him, and he you to see these. Shoots machine guns on the weekends...
told the fella doing his parking lot re-stripping " guns scare me, think they need to toss them all in the ocean"...with two 1911s concealed on his person.
What guns? This friend just likes Classical Music *ahem*
ratta-tat-tat
+1
Has nothing to do with Paranoia.
Has everything to do with Reality. The reality being, senses such as eyes and ears , of Illegal "business" persons are ever sensing an opportunity.
Just as the senses of the Law Abiding are are always prudent , aware and responsible - be it LEO, Military, or Civilian.
Workman comes to fix the dryer, not meaning anything "illegal" or "bad" , he casually mentions a gun - perhaps an inoperable wall-hanger to another co-worker, someone in Sunday School...at the coffee shop, maybe at the supper table and one of his kids hears...the mention of " putting a gun on display", "displaying Granddad's shotgun", or "I like the way that/ those guns were displayed", over at J.Q. Public's house...
Falls on illegal ears. Eventually. Always does.
The Reality is - many goods that are stolen - already have a market before they are stolen. Punks break in with "orders" for a TV, or Video Equipment. Punks break in and steal this.
Now when they go to collect - " Yeah man, the dude has guns displayed, we saw gun magazines, we saw the Coin Collector Magazines/ Coin holders in frames on the wall, the dude's wife had a note to get her fur coat out of storage, they got a Silver Service and China in the nice lighted cabinet, the wife's jewlery is in a bathroom, or the phone rang and the jeweler left a message that the diamond ring was sized, the husbands Rolex has been cleaned..."
"The Man"...well he has other illegal folks better suited to steal guns, jewlery, furs, coin collections...and if that teenage daughter is really that hot, he knows someone that really really likes young teenage daughters...
That is reality. I have stood there and seen "the third break in" in a month from a customer and this time that went for 'such and such'. Stood there and heard the Officer, Insurance Adjuster explain "how it works".
You get the replacment TV , well the BGs know you are going to collect Insurance and get another one. So they wait until replacements come - then come back to steal them. I had one employee, in a brand new sub-division, in a semi-rural area get hit 4 times in 7 months. He would get new stuff, BGs would come and get it. The last time, they sent the big boys, who took to using metal detectors and found the false room, and took all his guns from a small walk in safe he had built. His hunting gear had tipped off the BGs. Where there is hunting gear in the laundry room - there has to be guns somewhere.
What guns?
I have no gun magazines laying about. I have no fancy logo'd gun gear. I have no trophies or anything on the wall. Just a regular old boring J.Q Public - just trying to get by.
When the folks came out to do some work..."no I don't know anything about Deer Hunting, work, college keeps me busy....yeah well perhaps you are right, might not be a bad idea to learn something about guns someday...oh you can get a permit to carry concealed...?"
I can be as dumb as a brick with 2 CCW permits and two guns concealed on my person while someone I do not know is jabbering away while working up an estimate to some house repairs...
Out of sight - Out of mind.
I have one friend, with 3 walk-in safes in his business, full of guns. Very secure set -up. His are 'displayed' that way...but you gotta know him, and he you to see these. Shoots machine guns on the weekends...
told the fella doing his parking lot re-stripping " guns scare me, think they need to toss them all in the ocean"...with two 1911s concealed on his person.
What guns? This friend just likes Classical Music *ahem*
ratta-tat-tat
My modern guns are cunningly concealed.
I have 2 antique Winchesters and an ante bellum muzzleloader shotgun "on display". That means leaning against the side of my stone fireplace (my wife wouldn't let me leave them on the dining room table as a centerpiece ).
They have the right "vibe" for the room and I prefer the casual display to the formal.
The 1873 is in 44-40 so I guess you could still shoot it (no ammo here though)
The lever action shotgun won't chamber a round (modern rounds are too long).
The whole point of this kind of gun is to display it, so I will take my chances (no crime around here - yet).
G
I have 2 antique Winchesters and an ante bellum muzzleloader shotgun "on display". That means leaning against the side of my stone fireplace (my wife wouldn't let me leave them on the dining room table as a centerpiece
).They have the right "vibe" for the room and I prefer the casual display to the formal.
The 1873 is in 44-40 so I guess you could still shoot it (no ammo here though)
The lever action shotgun won't chamber a round (modern rounds are too long).
The whole point of this kind of gun is to display it, so I will take my chances (no crime around here - yet).
G
USSR
Member
DeadCalm,
I will give you credit for knowing your own personal assessment of the risk or lack thereof of displaying a few firearms in your den. A lot of the criticism that has been posted concerning what you want to do, is coming from people who cannot fathom living in a rural setting with virtually no crime. I agree with joab's suggestion of using wooden dowels, given your lack of wallspace. Good luck.
Don
I will give you credit for knowing your own personal assessment of the risk or lack thereof of displaying a few firearms in your den. A lot of the criticism that has been posted concerning what you want to do, is coming from people who cannot fathom living in a rural setting with virtually no crime. I agree with joab's suggestion of using wooden dowels, given your lack of wallspace. Good luck.
Don
keyhole
Member
Just display whatever you feel like loosing. Easily accessable, means that it can dissapear just as easily. After loosing my collection once, they stay locked away, except for a few secreted around the house, and what I carry.
Dead Calm,
I have a rotating display for my milsurp collection and a locked display cabinet for my knives. I don't have anything hanging on the walls.
If you anchored any of these properly and made sure all glass was replace with polycarbonate and secured to the frame you should have good storage options. OTOH you could just secure the room and use the "sword hangers".
http://gunracks.tylerrose.com/rifle-rack.htm
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/safes/images/16739638l.jpg
http://www.swordsdirect.com/sword_hangers.html
I have a rotating display for my milsurp collection and a locked display cabinet for my knives. I don't have anything hanging on the walls.
If you anchored any of these properly and made sure all glass was replace with polycarbonate and secured to the frame you should have good storage options. OTOH you could just secure the room and use the "sword hangers".
http://gunracks.tylerrose.com/rifle-rack.htm
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/safes/images/16739638l.jpg
http://www.swordsdirect.com/sword_hangers.html
birddog
Member
I plan on displaying my CCW muzzle first. Thankfully I've never had to do it.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I refuse to live in fear of criminals. It's they who need to live in fear of us.
TallPine
Member
My carry gun gets displayed OWB on my right hip, if anyone comes to call
But I know many people around here have rifles leaning in every corner
But I know many people around here have rifles leaning in every corner
M2 Carbine
member
Standing Wolf said:
+1
I find it sad that so many people are so frightened of criminals, even in their own home.
Like my friend said Sunday, "I flew helicopter gun ships in Vietnam when I was just 19 years old and you think you can scare me!!!"
Anyhow this is the only one I have displayed even though there are many other's hanging around.
LoneStranger
Member
Guns! Guns? What guns? I would never allow any of those evil guns that go to different places at all times of the day and shoot people in my humble abode.
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