Inexpensive Firearm Storage?

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Styx

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Excluding a large heavy safe or anything heavy, does anyone have any ideas on both inexpensive and easily accessible ways to store a bunch of firearms?

I have 20-30 rifles I'd like to store. I'd like an organized and accessible way to store them until I get a safe. Buying a safe right now is NOT an option. I need something I can move and setup by myself.
 
Stack-on gun cabinets are OK if you have small children or want a temporary fix but it will not keep out a dedicated thief.---They claim it will hold 18 rifles but plan on half that.
I am using one of these exact cabinets. My small "collection" is not valuable enough to warrant a fireproof safe. If a thief can get to where the cabinet is, it won't matter what I store them in, they will be gone. With scopes and other accessories, yes, I can comfortably cram exactly half of 18 in mine. The lock is more than secure enough to keep my kids out of it. The customizable shelving feature is nice.
 
I would build a wood crate on wheels. Heavy plywood, several layers inside. Just a big, wood job box. Plus it’ll be handy for other stuff later.

There’s not many ready-made options for long guns besides safe-type things.

I can easily store most things in a Contico box...except non-AR rifles and shotguns.
 
Excluding a large heavy safe or anything heavy, does anyone have any ideas on both inexpensive and easily accessible ways to store a bunch of firearms?
IMO, Stack-on cabinets get a bad rap - especially on these internet message forums. I think Stack-on cabinets are exactly as Alte Shule wrote - "Stack-on gun cabinets are OK." They are reasonably secure depending on how much "security" you need, they are not large of heavy, they are "easily accessible," and they are relatively inexpensive.
Stack-on gun cabinets are OK if you have small children or want a temporary fix but it will not keep out a dedicated thief.
 
I’ve seen some deep freeze conversions that worked very well. Pretty heavy though, but movable by a man with a dolly or strong will. They check a lot of the boxes.
Somewhat fire proof
Easy to keep moisture out even outside climate control
They have a lock so you can keep children out.
Possibly discreet enough to keep a thief from bothering with the lock if they are in a hurry or trying to be quiet.
Most likely free for a broken one, but you’d have to be lucky for someone to have the key still.
 
I know a guy that likes his guns where he can see them. Has aircraft cable through the trigger guards, and some specialized clamps that lock over the barrels..... seems really secure,,,,,,covers with a drop cloth when he’s not in the room
 
This is a very simple one, but what I was thinking of. It would be pretty easy to make removable shelves for layers of guns.

Not mine, just a pic I found. Could be easily made longer, wider, narrower, etc. And probably under $100 easily total.
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I have been looking into getting out of the fire safe business myself. Not for cost, but for bulk, and access. Lots of storage cabinets exist but depends on what your budget is.

AND... like all security, on what your risk is, and how many other layers you have. For example, is this in a building that itself is moderately secure, or occupied most/all the time so there's simply not too much need for a serious safe? Think how gun stores work: they leave the guns on visible racks with a long cable lock through them all, but secure the building. Maybe a long cable lock and rack would be enough for you? (Here's a dirt cheap one 60" long)

Don't forget locks. Weak point for many cheap cabinets is the lock. If you can grind and weld a bit, you could put on a bigger hasp (that passes through the door I say) that could take one of those hockey puck locks. No one is getting into the lock side then, so they'd have to attack the actual frame of the unit which even for not much of a cabinet starts being a hell of a lot of work.
 
Anything cheaper than the stack-on safe is either going to be used or is going to be hand made. Have you tried Craigslist?

A wrapping paper plastic storage container would hold short rifles and provide some protection from water damage, but it'd be very easy for anyone to walk off with the container/guns.
 
IMO, Stack-on cabinets get a bad rap - especially on these internet message forums. I think Stack-on cabinets are exactly as Alte Shule wrote - "Stack-on gun cabinets are OK." They are reasonably secure depending on how much "security" you need, they are not large of heavy, they are "easily accessible," and they are relatively inexpensive.
My wife was tired of me using that spare bedroom closet as a parts bin. She bought the Stack On as a Christmas present a few years ago. Assembled it herself. I was impressed. It's not as secure as my high dollar Sentry safe but more than adequate for my needs.
 
Once took a deep closet and put a false back wall in that. Storage for @ 12 guns. Once the closet is full
it's an extra layer of security, but it's a bit of a hassle, when you want to get to the guns.
 
Old refrigerator (Craigslist has them for free if you just go pick them up) with a dehumidifier rod in it.

If that doesn’t sound secure enough for you bolt a padlock on it, will be about the same as anyone that wants to break into the common 1/8” wall gun safes.
 
I'm currently using one of these. It currently holds 8 long guns still in original boxes, 5 more in soft cases, and about a dozen handguns in factory boxes/cases. I got it off of Craigslist last year for $200 (included the $60 caster set) and just bought another last week for $125 (no casters). I think it is very secure as the padlocks are totally encased with only the bases visible. I'm sure they could be picked but I don't think the average burglar has that type of skill. It also makes a nice, solid work table for cleaning guns!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-48-in-x-24-in-Universal-Storage-Chest-48R-OS/300748574
 
Anything cheaper than the stack-on safe is either going to be used or is going to be hand made. Have you tried Craigslist?

A wrapping paper plastic storage container would hold short rifles and provide some protection from water damage, but it'd be very easy for anyone to walk off with the container/guns.
I searched ArmsList but didn't think about Craigslist.
 
I agree on the old refrigerator or freezer. I have heard that several times and it always sounded like a good idea. Then my wife bought me a 500 pound fire safe for Christmas last year. Damn I'm lucky.
 
IMO, Stack-on cabinets get a bad rap - especially on these internet message forums. I think Stack-on cabinets are exactly as Alte Shule wrote - "Stack-on gun cabinets are OK." They are reasonably secure depending on how much "security" you need, they are not large of heavy, they are "easily accessible," and they are relatively inexpensive.


I lost the key for my $99 Walmart Stack-On. Took me awhile to get it open. Claw hammer 3’ Crowbar

I was impressed. Ever felt they were insecure in it

No fire or water protection though
 
I'm currently using one of these. It currently holds 8 long guns still in original boxes, 5 more in soft cases, and about a dozen handguns in factory boxes/cases. I got it off of Craigslist last year for $200 (included the $60 caster set) and just bought another last week for $125 (no casters). I think it is very secure as the padlocks are totally encased with only the bases visible. I'm sure they could be picked but I don't think the average burglar has that type of skill. It also makes a nice, solid work table for cleaning guns!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-48-in-x-24-in-Universal-Storage-Chest-48R-OS/300748574

I think this is the wrought I'm going to go. Plus, I like the fact I can add wheels, and it appears to be able to hold more rifles than the 9 that the 18 gun Stack-On cabinet, I think?

The best price I can find is $250 new from HomeDepot
 
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