storage of an HD shotgun w/ kids @ home?

[HSBB]

How would/do you keep a long gun handy yet safe?

Empty chamber and on a high shelf or mounted out of reach on the wall "Daniel Boone style" might work till they get old enough for gun safety education...

Other thoughts?

 

[Floppy_D]

I put hooks inside my closet, above the closet door, so it is only visible if you walk in, turn around, and look up. From outside, I can grab it quick just by reaching in and up past the top of the doorway... but it is well hidden otherwise.

I'd imagine anywhere that high would be good for a while.

How old are your kids? (mine's nearing 4)

 

[ccd]

If you have kids around PLEASE use a cable lock through an open action if you are going to keep it loaded. Keep the key around your neck, wrist, on a carabiner attached to trousers, etc.

 

[Smitty in CT]

I have a safe, but for my HD gun (930SPX), I use a Loc-Box... mag tube full, chamber open.

It's mounted to a wall stud behind a curtain...

The key is stored in a safe place.

 

[sm]

Recently the polls show:
-leaving the kids at the grandparent's
leads
-locking the kids in the trunk of the car while in the garage

...not by much, still in the lead...
Kids quit screaming and crying after a bit...they get used to it, and in the house, adults cannot hear all this.

Just some more options is all...

*kidding*

 

[bensdad]

Shotgun - top shelf, bedroom closet. Kids can't reach it. Chamber empty.

Handgun - on top of china cabinet. right by where I sleep. Chamber empty. Kids can't rack slide yet. I check every week or two. When they can, I'll re-think things.

Wife's handgun - top drawer of chest. Too high for kids to reach. Chamber empty. My 8 yr. old can probably rack that one (It's a Bersa Thunder .380).

 

[Fred Fuller]

Go read http://www.gunsandammomag.com/tactical/location_090507/index2.html for starters.

http://www.mossberg.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=97 is one option. Installed behind a curtain, behind a door or inside a closet, it might give you the needed combination of accessibility plus concealment.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=242225 is a similar concept for multiple long guns.

http://www.totalsecuritystore.com/product.jsp?sku=VL008 mounts between wall studs either in the open near your bed or concealed behind a door or in a closet.

Any relatively inexpensive steel gun cabinet installed in a closet will help keep little fingers off your HD gun. The gun has to be taken out and put away daily, a chore but part of the deal when safe storage is an issue.

hth,

lpl/nc

 

[BruceRDucer]

Lock it up

How do you keep it safe?

You lock it up, that's how.

 

[wnycollector]

ALL my guns are locked up. My shotgun is loaded, safe off, empty chamber in the gun cabinet. I bought 2 of these pistol safes http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=407954 one is in our bedroom and one living room. both hidden yet easily accessible. each contain a .357 loaded with +p .38's. I have two sons (8 and 11yo) who get into EVERYTHING...the last thing I need them to get is a loaded gun!

 

[Snarlingiron]

Everyone in my home is an adult, and there are never children here. However, a buddy of mine uses Life-Jackets. He has one for his 870, and one for his AR. Says he likes them. Keeps the shotgun under the bed with one of these on it.

 

[HSBB]

Thanks, guys. Tons of great suggestions here.

THR never disappoints!

 

[Ric in Richmond]

I've got a 14, 10 and 8 year old...all boys. SO locking them up right now is the only option. I use a mossberg locbox ..works great.

 

[inkhead]

kids cant reach it? Seriously? I remember being 5-6, and parents would put stuff out of reach like the top of the fridge or higher. Kids can and will climb anything. Especially when the realize it's not for them, they will insist on checking it out.

 

[HSBB]

Amen, ink. The more I read/think about this, the clearer I see that "up high" or "out of reach" does not equal "secured" or "safe."

I like the looks of the Loc-Box and since I'm considering a 500A, it should fit like a glove...

 

[Chuck R.]

Here's my soloution:



Benelli M1S90 in a V-Line long gun case with push button simplex lock. I have another pistol case with the same combination in my nightstand. Guns are secure and there's room for extra ammo etc.

http://www.lock-depot.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1328

Chuck

 

[MidMichBlue]

Some great posts here! I've never had ready guns around the home - always locked in a big safe - but the times they are a-changing, and it's time for me to take some measures.

Two added comments per safety:
1. Think outside your family. Kids of neighbors/relatives/friends are often in the house, and a strange house is adventureland for children.
2. Don't forget the little girls; these days, the little gals are all too anxious to keep up with their brothers, and can be just as inquisitive.

 

[Trifler]

The Loc-Box is a great product, but I found that it wouldn't fit on my shotgun with a rear Ghost-ring sight. The sight was in the way. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Smitty in CT]

The Loc-Box is a great product, but I found that it wouldn't fit on my shotgun with a rear Ghost-ring sight. The sight was in the way. Just something to keep in mind.

That's what they make die-grinders and files for..... Just cut a "notch" for it to clear the sights.

 

[distra]

870 with 5 in the mag, one in the side saddle and a LifeJacket. Sits in the corner until needed. Locked it up, but it just as important to educate the youngn's.

 

[Guyon]

The Loc-Box is a great product, but I found that it wouldn't fit on my shotgun with a rear Ghost-ring sight. The sight was in the way. Just something to keep in mind.

Won't fit with a side saddle either, of course. I have a Lok Box, but with the side saddle on my HD 870, I now need a beater 870, sans side saddle, to go in the Lok Box.

 

[ky_man]

I keep my Mossy 500 behind the bed - I have a tall headboard, and the gun is inaccessible my 4 year old. I keep shells in the side saddle, but an empty chamber with slide lock and safety on.

Also, curtains cover the shotgun. All I have to do (or my wife) is reach behind the bed and pull the gun out.

I used hooks and drywall anchors to secure the gun. The hooks are about 6" out from the wall, so the gun lays flat/at a slight angle, and about 48" off the ground. The bed is up against the hooks, so the gun cannot be removed unless the bed is moved (heavy king bed, on carpet = difficult for an adult to move). My son cannot reach behind the bed and retrieve the gun either. I measured his arm and checked the distance to the both edges of the gun.

If you are going to have a HD shotgun, I don't see the point in locking it up.

 

[The Ruckus]

Do you guys think this Mossberg "Loc Box" will fit a Mossberg 590 9shot with ghost ring sights? I was on THR about two months ago about storage of a home defense gun (two young children come over about twice a month) and this seems perfect.

 

[Virginian]

I do not know nearly enough about you, and your kids, to advise you on this critical matter. I handled mine my way, and it worked, and I sincerely wish you the same success.