Ideas for securing guns in an apartment

[Control Group]

Between pax's stolen guns thread, and all this talk of various safes, lockboxes, vaults, and so forth, I'm finally approaching paranoid enough. I only own three guns, and none of them are anything particularly special (Steyr M9, Beretta Neos, Mosin M44), but I'm in a situation where even a few hundred bucks is kind of a lot of money, so even a cheap gun is pretty valuable to me.

Problem is, I live in an apartment, so installing a real safe (even if I could afford one) is clearly out of the question, as is bolting something to the wall. Nothing in the apartment is particularly immobile (even my bedframe is pretty easily collapsible), with the exception of a support column to the balcony above our patio. I don't think chaining a mobile gun safe to a post outside is a real bright idea, though...

Anyway, anyone have any ideas? I'm not looking for security against casual handling; neither I nor any of my immediate friends have any children, and the only people who spend time in my apartment are people I would trust with one of my guns at my back if the SHTF. My only concern is theft, particularly considering I live on the first floor (albeit in a pretty upscale, low-crime area of the city).

The only thing I've come up with so far is putting them in the storage room downstairs, which has a concrete ceiling, floor, door frame, steel door (with only a doorknob lock, though), and three concrete walls. The only worrisome risk is from the neighboring storage room, which is only separated by some studs and a couple sheets of plywood. But I don't care for having my guns that far from my direct supervision (the storage room is in the underground parking area).

So any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[axmurderer]

Maybe you could get one of those "hide it in plain sight" type devices... like a hollowed out fake book, or something. They make all kinds of "fake items" with secret compartments.

Otherwise thats a tough one, since you can't bolt anything to the wall.

-good luck

 

[Gifted]

You've talked to your landlord about bolting stuff? Other than that I'd say concealment is the best thing. Keep it down that you have guns, and make sure that they aren't in a place a thief is likely to stumble across them.

 

[Graystar]

I use a Sentry V530 Security Safe in my apartment. It’s small and only weights 53 lbs, but is nearly 70 when loaded up with my guns. It can be bolted to the floor or wall. I keep it in a corner of my coat closet. I like the fact that you need a key AND combination to get into it. I bet you can make a hole in the wall there and no one will really notice once you spackle it up!

Product info:
https://www.sentrysafe.com/Products.asp?r=14&s=133

A retailer:
http://www.gunsafestore.com/V530.htm

 

[Dr.Rob]

Secure a sturdy storage box to the bedframe... its a 'hassle' to remove it and anyone hauling your headbaord out of your apartment should be easy to spot.

Other solutions:

Do you have your own hot water heater?

Concealed storage is easy there provided you take precautions for heat and moisture.

Kitchen cabinets... up underneath the lower cabinets.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Is there a panel hiding the plumbing behind your tub and/or toilet?

You could easily bolt a small safe above the door on the inside of a closet. Even if you were to leave holes when you move out, it's unlikely anyone would ever notice. For that matter, you could just hang guns from hooks above the inside of a closet door or doors.

Stash a gun behind pots and pans in the bottom drawer of your stove. Put them in plastic bags and tuck them out of sight behind a bag of ice in the freezer. Is there space behind the vegetable drawer? Next time you've got an empty laundry soap box, empty it, vacuum it out, fill it with saw dust, and use it to stash a plastic-bagged gun. Have you got a garbage container? There's plenty of space in it beneath the plastic bag.

Et cetera.

 

[scout26]

Buy an apporiately sized safe (or "RSC" what is the "correct" terminology) and lagbolt to the floor and/or wall studs in your bedroom closet.

When you move out, a can of spackle and plastic spackle knife should only run you a couple of bucks.

 

[1 old 0311]

I got one of those $99.00 Homark safes. I have it wraped in chains and the bottom loaded with ammo and weights. Sure it can be moved but will take 3 guys to do it. It can also be "pealed" but with the chains would take longer than a thief would want to spend.


Kevin

 

[MasterPiece Arms.com]

Since the home I grew up in cost $20,000 in 1970, and today it's worth $150,000, I expect to be an apartment dweller/landlord slave for life. Bush's 11%+ inflation rate combined with totally stagnating wages, combined with hordes of mexicans around here who are competing for apartments and thus keeping rent extremely high (saving 4 a home while renting used to be possible), only sets that in stone.

I have over 100 firearms in my apartment. My pistols are mostly in 4 of those two shelf Wal Mart pistol cabinets (49.95) that I have bolted together into a heavy and loaded tower taller than I am. The $78.99 long gun safes, as was mentioned earlier, are very heavy when loaded (especially if you line the floor of it with ammo). I've even bolted pistol cabinets to the top of two long gun cabinets (the ones wal mart sells come pre drilled, my "Homak" ones didn't").

As you have probably noticed, I have come to love Wal Mart. It's the cheapest place to get affordable gun cabinets, an 870, a 10/22, and bulk .22 lr (550 rds of Remington .22, which is the only cheap .22 ammo I've found that will always cycle in .22 pistols, for under 10 bucks is hard to beat).

 

[jefnvk]

Woah! You have over 100 guns, but doubt you'll ever be able to afford a house?

 

[auschip]

Source for the 11% inflation rate?

 

[silverlance]

ROFLPo

over 100 guns... can't figure out why he can't save for a house...

and *$*@Q(%&#(@& with your whining about $150k houses.... the cheapest house here (and this ain't no beverly hills) costs $667,000.....

*commits to living in a tent*

 

[GT]

Sorry for the hijack....

Inflation is at about 2.75% right now.
http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Rate/CurrentInflation.asp
Ther last time it was 11% was during those halcyon days of Jimmah Cartah.
http://www.forecasts.org/data/inflatdata.htm

Wages are stagnating SOMEWHAT versus inflation, but stuff gets cheaper and cheaper and lasts longer.

If you really want to buy a house don't be afraid to ask for help.
There are a lot of Bush programs to help people buy rather than rent:

http://www.hud.gov/buying/insured.cfm

start there.

Seriously though, it is easy to blame others for your misfortune, but if you sold your 500 guns at a low average of $150 per gun there's your 10% down on your $150,000 house.

If you really want to own a house of course (renting is much easier on the headaches).

G

 

[brickeyee]

Attach the safe to the wall using 1/4 inch lag screws. The holes can be spackled when (if) you decide to move out.

 

[MasterPiece Arms.com]

Source for the 11% inflation rate?

Inflation is at about 2.75% right now.

SURE, if you only count items that are cherrypicked to make the numbers look good.
Take a gander at things that CANNOT be insulated from inflation to make an honest calculation (the numbers from the U.S. government are manipulated to the point of being full blown lies):

1. Gasoline
2. Gold
3. Land
4. Health Care

Items made in China with pseudo slave labor are immune to the ACTUAL inflation rate. Several of you have been royally had by the bogus numbers coming out of the administration.

Anyway, I can't believe I have to say this, but buying a 100 guns over 15 years, one at a time, with NO INTEREST is just s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y different than putting tens of thousands of dollars down ALL AT ONCE, to get a home mortgage. (If the public schools still taught math, people would know that they can potentially end up paying for the original price of their home several times over, just in interest over 30 years).

**has considered tent life**

Seriously though, it is easy to blame others for your misfortune, but if you sold your 500 guns at a low average of $150 per gun there's your 10% down on your $150,000 house.

You first einstein. I would be more than happy to buy your collection for 150 apiece.

 

[Hook686]

Today, 04:55 PM #13

Today, 04:55 PM #13
GT
Senior Member



Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CT
Posts: 171 Sorry for the hijack....

Inflation is at about 2.75% right now. ....Inflation is at about 2.75% right now.

Ther last time it was 11% was during those halcyon days of Jimmah Cartah.

Wages are stagnating SOMEWHAT versus inflation, but stuff gets cheaper and cheaper and lasts longer.

yup ... cheaper and cheaper ... most of it chinese communist made .... who won the cold war ?

Hook686

 

[odysseus]

not to hijack, but....

Since the home I grew up in cost $20,000 in 1970, and today it's worth $150,000, I expect to be an apartment dweller/landlord slave for life.

That's pretty good! Your appreciation of cost for over 35 years is pretty below average for the US. Your wages should have increased from circa 1970!

In high density areas I have seen properties that sold in that time frame in @ say $50,000 selling now for $850,000. How's them apples?

...also not sure of that 11%. I think you are talking inflation and the devaluation of the US dollar. Presidents always love to charm up on the economy, but their impact during their terms and for their times in office is usually small at best. Of course this war in Iraq is costing us dearly deficit wise. More to come for that later!

 

[pax]

Moderator Note

Hey, folks, stick to the topic, please.

pax

 

[rayra]

Control Group, you shouldn't have any trouble bolting a cabinet or safe to the wall in teh end of the closet. All you need to do is apply a little spackle to the 2-4 holes when you remove it. Homak / Stack-On cabinets are sized to fit across the end of a closet. Put it lock-side near the back of the closet, and make prying the door open a little harder.

And what does your lease say about 'free entry' of apartment bldg maintenance personnel?

Lock'em up.

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

Another vote to bolt a small safe to the floor/wall of a closet. Fill resulting holes with plastic wood, spackle, and paint (as necessary) when vacating the apartment.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Moondoggie]

For the run of the mill B&E guy here's a cheap & effective solution;

run a cable through your entire 3 gun collection,AND 2 or 3 concrete blocks. Secure with the biggest padlock you can find. Don't leave any tools about that could be pressed into service to defeat your security system.

Not pretty, and won't stop a higher order of burglar, but would probably confound the average teenager or junkie and redirect them towards your CD/DVD collection & computer.

 

[Red Dragon]

Duct Tape! Lots and lots of Duct Tape!!!

Just kidding

 

[armedandsafe]

Have you ever looked in that drawer under the oven? I'll bet no burgler ever has.

Pops

 

[Moondoggie]

Forgot to mention;

Take the bolts & slides with you when you leave. Having them in a case in the trunk of your car doesn't violate any laws IMO, and renders them useless to a potential thief.

Plus, if they are stolen you would be relieved of any worries about putting a functional weapon into the hands of a criminal.

 

[Control Group]

Hey all, sorry to sort of vanish for so long, but it was a busy weekend.

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions. When I get home tonight, I'll start looking around the apartment for relatively unobtrusive corners that might support a small safe and have walls easy to repair (at least to the degree necessary for their location). I'm currently thinking about the rear corner in my closet-cum-darkroom.

This is why I love THR - ask a question, get dozens of helpful answers. Thanks again, guys!