snooperman
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Where do keep your loaded home defense shotgun for easy access?
Home defense shotgun storage
- Thread starter snooperman
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oneounceload
member
In a closet in the MBR - handgun on the nightstand to get to the shotgun
jakemccoy
Member
Before I sleep, I prop up my shotgun next to my bed and place my Glock 27 in the safe. After I wake, I place the shotgun in the safe and pocket carry my Glock 27.
I believe in having only one gun out of the safe at a time, unless I'm going to the range. California makes gun owners liable for harm caused by kids using a gun owner's gun (with some exceptions).
I believe in having only one gun out of the safe at a time, unless I'm going to the range. California makes gun owners liable for harm caused by kids using a gun owner's gun (with some exceptions).
jakemccoy
Member
swampboy said:
The smallest Stack On safe for long guns is better. I don't like the idea of having guns exposed when I'm not around. I need my guns completely enclosed in a safe and hidden if possible. To come close to the set up you describe, I'd rather open the safe when I'm home and lock the safe when I'm not home.
http://stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_safes/gs-8.html
jakemccoy
Member
Yeah, the Stack-On doesn't compare to a "real" safe. I was comparing only to the link you gave. That device would be good for keeping out children. However, a burglar is going to get through that device, or they'll get pissed and take a sledge hammer to your guns. Also, I don't like the idea of my guns being hidden only by clothes when I'm not there. A Stack-On safe will be good against children and smash-and-grab thieves.
My personal philosophy about safes is that I'll go with either (1) a Stack-On safe bolted down or (2) an over-engineered monstrosity. I won't fool around with anything in between because it's a waste of money. An organized thief will get through a decent safe just like they'll get through a Stack-On safe. So, you have to over-engineer to surpass that problem.
My personal philosophy about safes is that I'll go with either (1) a Stack-On safe bolted down or (2) an over-engineered monstrosity. I won't fool around with anything in between because it's a waste of money. An organized thief will get through a decent safe just like they'll get through a Stack-On safe. So, you have to over-engineer to surpass that problem.
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I'm not a fan of the locking rifle rack. Padlocks can be picked pretty quickly. But a safe is going to require some prying with a crowbar. You can bolt down a safe in the corner/side of a closet where prying becomes more complicated for a potential thief.
As for easy access, I'm pretty sure you can get hangers that hook to the side of a bed. I think I would put it on the side of a bed that is against a wall (if possible). Something like this: http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/bedmounted_shotguns_7779.asp.
As for easy access, I'm pretty sure you can get hangers that hook to the side of a bed. I think I would put it on the side of a bed that is against a wall (if possible). Something like this: http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/bedmounted_shotguns_7779.asp.
chris in va
Member
Beeeeeecause...we don't want firearms getting into the wrong hands?
All guns need to be LOCKED UP when not in use or the potential for use is evident.
AKElroy
Member
Carry pistols are locked up loaded when I come home. The shotgun stays next to the bed, full mag, cocked & locked with an empty chamber. My kids are 8 & 11, and they are well trained to not touch without permission. I know this is controversial, but I do not lock up the drano, plug electrical outlets, or hide the lighters or car keys either. Neither did my folks.
My kids know they can handle these weapons whenever they ask, and they must recite the four rules EVERY TIME. They must also render the UNLOADED gun safe AGAIN, even though I did it in front of them before handing it to them. We make a game out of it, but we keep it serious as well. We were trained; our kids can be trained.
When they have friends over, I lock everything up.
My kids know they can handle these weapons whenever they ask, and they must recite the four rules EVERY TIME. They must also render the UNLOADED gun safe AGAIN, even though I did it in front of them before handing it to them. We make a game out of it, but we keep it serious as well. We were trained; our kids can be trained.
When they have friends over, I lock everything up.
withdrawn34
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Something like a Mossberg Loc-Box would be ideal, but I'm not sure they make them anymore. You can still buy limited stock from some places, but it's at least $40 everywhere I look.
The thing I have with those locking racks is that while convenient, they don't offer any protection on the action. While it may not be a concern if you don't have kids in the house, I'd still rather have something that can't be fired while still locked to the wall. The Loc Box has a little arm that goes in the ejection port so that the action cannot be fully closed.
With as many people who keep a shotgun in the closet but still want quick access to it, I'm surprised more people haven't come out with cheaper and more available loc-box type alternatives.
The thing I have with those locking racks is that while convenient, they don't offer any protection on the action. While it may not be a concern if you don't have kids in the house, I'd still rather have something that can't be fired while still locked to the wall. The Loc Box has a little arm that goes in the ejection port so that the action cannot be fully closed.
With as many people who keep a shotgun in the closet but still want quick access to it, I'm surprised more people haven't come out with cheaper and more available loc-box type alternatives.
jakemccoy
Member
...................................
jakemccoy
Member
http://gunracks.tylerrose.com/rifle-racks.htm#3gunriflerack
I just noticed that shotgun rack doesn't secure the action. That's a definite deal breaker for me. If you want to lock the action, you have to add a trigger lock or something similar. Realistically, I wouldn't unlock the rack and the trigger lock every time I came back inside the house, nor vice versa.
I'm almost certain I've seen a shotgun rack somewhere that does secure the action, but I can't find it. Maybe someone will come along here to post it.
I just noticed that shotgun rack doesn't secure the action. That's a definite deal breaker for me. If you want to lock the action, you have to add a trigger lock or something similar. Realistically, I wouldn't unlock the rack and the trigger lock every time I came back inside the house, nor vice versa.
I'm almost certain I've seen a shotgun rack somewhere that does secure the action, but I can't find it. Maybe someone will come along here to post it.
coloradokevin
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My defensive shotgun sits between my nightstand and bed. Can't miss it if I'm looking for it in the middle of the night!
Personally, I don't leave the gun out when I'm out-of-town overnight, but I don't usually put it away on a daily basis. Some folks are critical of this, stating that "all guns need to be locked up at all times". Of course, my gun is still locked up... It is inside of my locked house! Obviously I don't want my guns to fall into the wrong hands, but it is rare for my home to be unoccupied for more than a few hours on any given day. So, I take the risk of leaving this one gun out of the safe (btw, my safe is really a cabinet anyway), and I usually conceal it in the bedding when I leave home.
Personally, I don't leave the gun out when I'm out-of-town overnight, but I don't usually put it away on a daily basis. Some folks are critical of this, stating that "all guns need to be locked up at all times". Of course, my gun is still locked up... It is inside of my locked house! Obviously I don't want my guns to fall into the wrong hands, but it is rare for my home to be unoccupied for more than a few hours on any given day. So, I take the risk of leaving this one gun out of the safe (btw, my safe is really a cabinet anyway), and I usually conceal it in the bedding when I leave home.
Virginian
Member
I can see someone grabbing the gun and breaking the stock and having an instant pistol grip only shotgun. Really don't like that thing. I'd rather have a trigger lock.
snooperman
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Thank you for all replies
I have the same concerns as many of you have about storage of a home defense shotgun. My main concern was someone getting into my home when I was at church etc and killing me with it when I came home. But now I am retired and home a lot and I keep it unloaded next to my bed with 5 shells hidden in a fake book that has a small compartment in it for the shells, with a bible over the top of it next to the bed. It isn't perfect but it gives me some peace of mind now. I tried the safe bit but it was too much trouble. I also like many of your suggestions too, and am still looking for a better one than I presently have. Thanks, Sincerely , Snooperman
I have the same concerns as many of you have about storage of a home defense shotgun. My main concern was someone getting into my home when I was at church etc and killing me with it when I came home. But now I am retired and home a lot and I keep it unloaded next to my bed with 5 shells hidden in a fake book that has a small compartment in it for the shells, with a bible over the top of it next to the bed. It isn't perfect but it gives me some peace of mind now. I tried the safe bit but it was too much trouble. I also like many of your suggestions too, and am still looking for a better one than I presently have. Thanks, Sincerely , Snooperman
That's exactly my concern. I'm looking for something that's easily/quickly securable/UNsecurable that renders the gun available when I'm home and secure when I'm not. FWIW, no kids in the house. I'm worried about stopping BG's.
I DO have a safe, but it's in a remote part of the house & I won't realistically run put everything in there every time I go out.
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