I have a small collection of firearms including pistols and long guns, and I wanted to hang them on a wall to display them, but I'm just not sure as to the best way to go about it. Is there anybody else that has done this, and what hardware did you use to hang them? The room is not in view from outside windows, so that is not a concern of mine. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
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best way to display firearms.
- Thread starter prodigalson
- Start date
Ya these days i wouldnt be openly displaying things of value especially guns where a robber could easily make off with them.
I hate having my ammo and reloading components not in a safe but i really can't afford another safe for them.
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I hate having my ammo and reloading components not in a safe but i really can't afford another safe for them.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Nice white pegboard with an outline of each gun would be best. That way it will look really cool when you post pics up on the Hide on your "Guns Stolen" thread. Almost everyone I have ever known that kept their guns "displayed" in anything besides a walk in vault, have had them stolen.
Here is another tip. "Showing off" your guns when someone comes over to visit, or "listing" your guns on the internet is an exceedingly bad idea.
Here is another tip. "Showing off" your guns when someone comes over to visit, or "listing" your guns on the internet is an exceedingly bad idea.
You really don't need to. If a burglar just happens to pick your house it would be a jackpot when he finds guns just hanging on the wall.
I see where you are coming from but i also just worry about that due to living out in the country. Crooks could spend all day in a house out here and no one would know.
Id lock everything in my safe if i could but then they'd find a way to get that too lol.
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I see where you are coming from but i also just worry about that due to living out in the country. Crooks could spend all day in a house out here and no one would know.
Id lock everything in my safe if i could but then they'd find a way to get that too lol.
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Gee, I guess I should lock my ALL my electronics, my couches, and my pets in a safe, for fear of someone stealing something of value. Thanks for the help guys.
Go ahead and hang them on a wall, at least the crooks won't have to waste time destroying your gun safe to get them. Seriously a safe will keep the smash and grab crooks from getting your goodies, but a determined crook will come prepared. A safe makes all the bad guys to take there time at robbing you, not what they want.
It's pretty sad that one cannot enjoy the beauty of their firearms by displaying them. You will have to decide if it is worth the risk. I have a set of wood stocked rifles that I keep in a finished gun cabinet and each are insured by a rider on my policy. All my other weapons are in lockup. I do take the bolts out of them and put them in the safe. I'd like to see the bastards try to explain why a high end weapon has no bolt. Good luck with your decision.
Sorry....I'm on the bandwagon here. Keep them in a safe. I didn't get a safe until this year and originally had them in my reloading room...the reason being is the firearms and accessories I have are now irreplaceable and invaluable to EVERYONE. Besides, add the dollars you have invested in your guns......a safe is a very small price to pay for piece of mind when you aren't home.
A safe won't stop someone who has unlimited time...but it will stop the local smash-and-grab assholes in the neighborhood.
I have considered making a "safe" room in my basement by laying block and putting a steel door. Only problem was securing the ceiling so that you couldn't cut in from the 1st floor of the house. One day it will be done and it will have the look and feel of the spy movies. Just walk in and pick your toy off the wall.
A safe won't stop someone who has unlimited time...but it will stop the local smash-and-grab assholes in the neighborhood.
I have considered making a "safe" room in my basement by laying block and putting a steel door. Only problem was securing the ceiling so that you couldn't cut in from the 1st floor of the house. One day it will be done and it will have the look and feel of the spy movies. Just walk in and pick your toy off the wall.
A burglary will change your mind. Most thieves are opportunists looking to feed a drug habit. Cash, guns, cameras, expensive electronics, in that order is what they are after.
A concealed locking metal gun cabinet or better, a safe is the way to go.
Fear has nothing to do with the equation. Shooters train because it prepares them for the shot. Sooner or later everyone gets robbed.
For those who say no safe is protection for a robbery, get real.
No one is trying to be a dick here, merely mentioning something you may not have thought of. It is your shit so do what you want, but your electronics and couches probably won't be used to potentially murder someone... So leave that on your conscience too.
I think the consensus here is the best way to display firearms, is not to display them.
If you have antique weapons that don't work and are insured that i could see.
If you are not going to take advice and criticism well and instead lay on thick sarcasm, then don't ask people to contribute to your negligence that could get any one of us shot with one of your guns because you wanted to be a show off with a pretty display.
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I will have to say, you hit the nail on the head. Better safe then sorry when it comes to firearms.
I'm the exact same way. I don't even have any gun stickers on my cars.
But to be fair to the OP, you could hang 'em up when you're home, and then throw them in the safe when you leave.
My sour attempt at sarcasm was only fired back at those that suggested I "hang them near a window" or "draw an outline of them on the wall" LoL. So I apologize to those that had sincere recommendations for me. And I do understand the importance of a safe. Maybe I will look into blocking in a small room on one of my walks that is block already and selecting a heavy gauge steel door. It will be kinda like the best of both worlds.
I have actually done this for a few people.. No pic's for obvious reasons.
what I did was I built a false wall. I did it on a wall with no windows where it would not be noticeable that the wall was an extra 6" deeper. I used a locking mechanism that basically used 2 straightened paperclips to release the lock and than the panel would pop out. unless you knew it was there you would never spot it. I feel that this type of application can be better than a safe. as long as you can keep your mouth shut about it and fight the urge to show all your friends your new set up. Pop the panels out and you can display to your hearts content.
I have done 2 set ups where the bottom 2 steps on the stair case were pull out drawers with a special magnetic lock. One of those was done for a guy who basically uses his safe as a decoy. his words. nothing of real importance in there its all in the hidden drawers. SOME TIMES there are better things than a safe.
I never take pictures of that type of work.
what I did was I built a false wall. I did it on a wall with no windows where it would not be noticeable that the wall was an extra 6" deeper. I used a locking mechanism that basically used 2 straightened paperclips to release the lock and than the panel would pop out. unless you knew it was there you would never spot it. I feel that this type of application can be better than a safe. as long as you can keep your mouth shut about it and fight the urge to show all your friends your new set up. Pop the panels out and you can display to your hearts content.
I have done 2 set ups where the bottom 2 steps on the stair case were pull out drawers with a special magnetic lock. One of those was done for a guy who basically uses his safe as a decoy. his words. nothing of real importance in there its all in the hidden drawers. SOME TIMES there are better things than a safe.
I never take pictures of that type of work.
I tend to put a few of them out in my yard or on the driveway from time to time and then hide in a bush that happens to correspond with the current zero on my rifle
I welcome anyone to come try and steal my guns. I may finally get a chance to use them. What's the use of having safe queens if you can't show them off? Mine are in a 2 ton safe guarded by 2 dobermans. I don't worry about thieves. The ghetto is far far away from here too, and if you appear that you are from the ghetto, you get pulled over immediately. The trash knows this too and doesn't come anywhere near our town.
We used to have them in our family room in a gun cabinet next to the fireplace when I was a kid but that was a different time.
If you want to display them in your man cave or something like that and have the $$, look into one of those gun cabinets/display safes.
It is best to keep a low profile but I totally understand wanting to display your toys in your study or family room.
Good luck.
If you want to display them in your man cave or something like that and have the $$, look into one of those gun cabinets/display safes.
It is best to keep a low profile but I totally understand wanting to display your toys in your study or family room.
Good luck.
that sounds nice. I've actually been wanting to do a sliding bookshelf to hide the closet i keep my ammo in. Just trying to find a good hanger that can support the weight
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I was being sincere. You immediately struck me as someone who has never been robbed, I have been and know what it feels like. My comments were intended to shock you. Shock is a very valuable teacher when dealing with such matters. I hoped that my comments would make you think. Just recently a famous rifle was stolen from a fairly famous shooter. Shankster had the balls to make a comment, that I am sure seemed crass to some around here, not me. When traveling to a shoot the crowd I shoot with will post lookout when its time for us old men to take a piss break. Those stops have become more frequent and urgent as I climb my way to 50. We do not leave the car unatended. We try to pick hotels that do not have outside access. Our every waking moment is spent guarding the weapons. We pick places to eat where we have full view at all times of our vehicle. I am sure some here, possibly you, get a little giggle from this, they/you are certainly entitled to the mirth of a fool. I have yet to have a weapon stolen from a car, so I would argue that it works, an argument aginst its effectiveness certainly have no basis.
Many of us feel safe in our home. I live in a very quiet community. A few weeks ago I was at the drive through getting supper on the way home. As I was sitting there I saw an unmarked sherriff's cruiser pull up and two officers rolled out with AR's dressed to the nines, and descended on an occupied parked car. Next thing I know they are shouting commands from defensive positions. I instictively checked all my doors to make sure they were locked and made sure I had one in the chamber myself, as I was less than 50 ft from the action and the drive tru line wasn't moving. Within seconds there were at least 2 more car full of deputies on the scene. The line started moving again and I was glad to get my food and de-ass the area. As soon as I got home I put my google-fu to work and learned that the suspects were implicated in a home invasion a few miles from the house earlier that day.
Blah,blah,blah...what the hell does that have to do with displaying firearms? In this day and age if I have to tell you what it means to you then I can't help you. It would take a damn fool to perpetrate a home invasion where I live, but I do know it can happen. No matter how sleepy the town, if you own firearms you are a target, some much harder than others. Openly displaying firearms on a wall indicates you are a bit softer target even to the smash and grab guys.
Yes a determined crook will get in your safe or simply take the whole damn thing. There has been a number of instances where they get a big truck with a HD winch on the front, they run the cable through the house and loop it round the safe and pull the whole damn thing through your house right up to the winch and take off. You can't be prepared for every contingency but the ones you can be, you should be.
I couldn't give two shits about an I-Phone, or and X-Box, or a fucking TV. That is why I have insurance, those things can be replaced EASILY. If I had to replace just ONE of my precision rifles it would take 6-9 months if my insurance wrote me a check on the spot for the full amount. Can you replace all your firearms tomorrow if they are stolen today? Did you unintentionally arm a criminal. It is your duty as a gunowner to be responsible at all times with your weapons.
Sorry if I hurt your moomoo.
Armorplate... May I suggest a top of the line Viper car alarm that has 2 way communications up to a mile away from your vehicle? You would sleep better at night and lower your blood pressure. Thieves target easy jobs because they are lazy. They see the red flashing light on your dash like Kit from Nightrider and they will move on to the next one. Trust me... Or you can just leave your 2 dobermans in the car as I do. Hell.. I leave it running so the pooches have AC.
And to the guy that said EVERYONE gets robbed? You obviously haven't lived in a decent neighborhood. I'm more worried about a piano dangling from a rope falling on my head than being robbed, although I do run the scenario through my family so that they know what to do. I must admit that one year my pumpkins were smashed 2 weeks after Halloween on my front porch. I kinda had that coming though Lol
And to the guy that said EVERYONE gets robbed? You obviously haven't lived in a decent neighborhood. I'm more worried about a piano dangling from a rope falling on my head than being robbed, although I do run the scenario through my family so that they know what to do. I must admit that one year my pumpkins were smashed 2 weeks after Halloween on my front porch. I kinda had that coming though Lol
You can drop some coin at some place like northwest shelter systems and have them build you a gun room that you can display and secure them. While it might sound like an option to display them out in the open when you are home and locking them up when you leave, this would get old quick and you would stop displaying them rather quickly.
In addition, living in an upscale neighborhood has nothing to do with being secure. I have been involved in LE for a long time and a number of thefts occur in these "better" neighborhoods because the opportunity to find more expensive items increase.
In addition, living in an upscale neighborhood has nothing to do with being secure. I have been involved in LE for a long time and a number of thefts occur in these "better" neighborhoods because the opportunity to find more expensive items increase.
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LoL, by no means did you hurt my "moomoo", ha ha, whatever that is, nor my mojo. I'm fairly thick skinned, and can take the heat. I just wanted to be clear that I didn't take it personally and nor did I intend to insult any one person's intelligence or experience. I guess its hard to get the proper tone across via keyboard. Just all in good fun. I mean, that's what guys do, bust each other's balls, right.
you may be better off hinging it with some custom made hinges. A hanger may be really obvious because you would have an exposed rail at the top that would draw attention to a skilled burglar. having nothing that draws attention to an area is the key. also having it in random obvious places . false wall in a hall bath room, dining room, kids bed room.. places like a false wall in the back of the master bed room closet could be way easier to find.
Take 1x6 board, router the edges with what ever bit for your desired look, get some dowel rods 3/8 diameter if I remember correctly, drill holes in the 1x6 at a slight downward angle, cut the rods to 4" length then tap the dowel rods into the holes with some glue. Using a propane torch slightly burn the wood primarily around the edges for a rustic look. Hang the 1x6 on the walls then place firearms on the dowel rods. Cut the 1x6 into 6" square for a single firearm, stagger in height two of them for the firearm to hang level. Cut the 1x6 longer if you want to display multiple firearms but again you will have to stagger the holes so the firearm is displayed level.
This is how my dad and brother displayed firearm collection in firearms room on walnut or mahogany paneling with some hanging lighting. It was showed to lots of known and just people who wanted to see it. Now its behind a double false wall in a different house with an alarm system. Sad but you just cannot show off a collection like this to anyone anymore. Huge pride in his authentic 1800s collection but like everyone says, just cant these days.
good luck
I understand the desire to display cool stuff like firearms, knives, swords and so on. My desire to protect what I have overrides my desire to display. Even if I had a vault room, access to it would be so restricted as to make it unnecessary, or counterproductive.
Buy some "clunkers", put them on the wall, then secure the good ones.........a long time ago, I read article about how a common water heater in the garage could be gutted and a cut out wall be made on backside.......inside was a revolving carousel, you could rack long guns butt down.......who would suspect a water heater in the garage? xray9
AR/AK Motorized Display Cabinet, 32 Guns, Remote : Furniture & Cabinets at GunBroker.com
Insanely expensive but if you want to feel like James Bond or Mr. Smith this is what you want.
Insanely expensive but if you want to feel like James Bond or Mr. Smith this is what you want.
Check out ridgeback racks. At least you can lock them to the rack and they are pretty neat. Don't own one but have had my hands on them. On display at the local sporting goods store. Made in the USA too! I'm sure they have a website you can find.
Best option if you really need to hang them that I can think of.
Best option if you really need to hang them that I can think of.
I think firearms should be locked against unintended handling as a basic tenet of responsible firearms ownership. Whether or not they are visible or intentionally displayed is a matter of choice, subject to the owners' opinions, and theirs only. Mine are enclosed; I say no more on the subject.
Greg
Greg
My family doesn't even know what kind of guns I have. It's very rare that anyone gets a peek inside my safe....and the only time a picture of one of my guns gets posted on the internet is if it's for sale.
Haha that is what every naive person in America thinks too. The "ghetto trash" as you put it don't have to match the racial profile you give.
People are more then capable of renting a vehicle, dressing nice, and kicking in your door while you are away. They make not take the guns but they can shoot your dogs and vandalize your home. Then when they note the make of the safe, they can come back when they know your routine. Do not under estimate people, they will surprise you ever time with what they are capable of.
they dont even have to come back these days depending how ballsy (or high) they are. there was a group of guys in my area that were throwing chokers on the safes and pulling right through the house destroying walls, plumbing and electrical in the process. thankfully the one guy was busted with most of the guns and stolen items stashed in a cave by his house and the home invasions ended. even though something extreme like that could potentially happen, storing your firearms in a safe is still the most responsible way to go. heres a little news blip on the guy if you think the cave thing sounds ridiculous
100+ guns, 117 pounds of pot found hidden in Northern California cave | abc7.com
Mine are mostly put away, except for the emergency firearms. They only get displayed business end first, locked and loaded, with eyes behind the sight line, and a ready finger on the trigger.
Greg, I must say I agree with what you say here 110%. I also have no choice but to agree with many points brought up above on the "responsible" thing to do.
That said, I sure do miss the days when we were fucking IRRESPONSIBLE! Back when a loaded shotgun was hanging in the back window of a pickup with 4 kids and a dog riding in the bed on our way out to the springs for some bar-b-q and fun. When any kid riding a bike with a helmet was assumed to be "special". When playgrounds had carousels and high-assed steel slides that would peel bare skin right off. Back when it was ASSUMED if you so much as crept around someone else's property your ass would get shot, and the police felt it would be justified. When we swam in ponds and drank from a garden hose. When instead of an airbag your car had a wooden steering wheel with a metal ornament in the middle. When the school principal could beat your ass with what could be only described as a club.
It is truly amazing any of us made it here alive. I know, those days are gone but I sure miss them.
...And I miss riding the public transit bus to 8th grade carrying my books, a single shot 22, and a box of .22LR's. The Nun would take and hold the bolt and the box of ammo in her desk until end of the school day, then send me off to the Boys' Club/PAL afterschool marksmanship sessions each Tuesday with a cheery "...and have a good time, boys".
Those days are gone. Forever? They are as long as we continue to swallow the codswallop that passes for official school policy in most districts these days.
FYI, it doesn't have to be that way. Was taking Sunday with a married couple, teachers in our school, who relate the open pride some schools still display in their school rifle teams to this day up here in Central NY. IMHO, opposing school rifle teams ought to be a hate crime/civil rights discrimination, right in the same breath with religious and racial discrimination. The same Bill of Rights protects all these thing, and people who can't get that shouldn't be in the educational system; they're too damn stupid to process simple black and white moral concepts.
Greg
Those days are gone. Forever? They are as long as we continue to swallow the codswallop that passes for official school policy in most districts these days.
FYI, it doesn't have to be that way. Was taking Sunday with a married couple, teachers in our school, who relate the open pride some schools still display in their school rifle teams to this day up here in Central NY. IMHO, opposing school rifle teams ought to be a hate crime/civil rights discrimination, right in the same breath with religious and racial discrimination. The same Bill of Rights protects all these thing, and people who can't get that shouldn't be in the educational system; they're too damn stupid to process simple black and white moral concepts.
Greg
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Not all states have "sipped the Kool-Aid", I'm proud of what is going on in Tennessee, my club, the Memphis Sports Shooters Ass. Supports actively supports youth shooting programs, and high school shooting teams (they train at our facility). Here is an example of just one newspaper write up:
State champions of Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program compete in nationals
The 2011 state championships for the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program took place on June 21-26 at the Tennessee Clay Target Complex in Nashville. About 1,200 middle and high school shooters competed in trap, skeet and sporting clays. Winners will go on to represent their state at the 2011 SCTP Nationals on July 12-16 at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta, Ill.
---It gets better every year. The highschool young men and women can letter in various disciplines of shooting! Toooo bad other states don't watch and learn. If we as shooters would like to leave a legacy for the country, and "guarantee" the rights of all Americans are protected-we must actively pursue youth shooting programs-it's been a huge success in TN, it could be in other states as well. Remember, all these young people will be voters! Some of the Seniors vote now. Every club should have a goal to recruit and train as many young people as possible-talking is talking-doing is doing.
State champions of Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program compete in nationals
The 2011 state championships for the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program took place on June 21-26 at the Tennessee Clay Target Complex in Nashville. About 1,200 middle and high school shooters competed in trap, skeet and sporting clays. Winners will go on to represent their state at the 2011 SCTP Nationals on July 12-16 at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta, Ill.
---It gets better every year. The highschool young men and women can letter in various disciplines of shooting! Toooo bad other states don't watch and learn. If we as shooters would like to leave a legacy for the country, and "guarantee" the rights of all Americans are protected-we must actively pursue youth shooting programs-it's been a huge success in TN, it could be in other states as well. Remember, all these young people will be voters! Some of the Seniors vote now. Every club should have a goal to recruit and train as many young people as possible-talking is talking-doing is doing.
Dude you want display your guns for for it
Look at this gun rack for $100.00 Locking Gun Racks | Gun Storage | Pistol Rack | Rifle Rack its perfect for displaying, when i go away on vacation I lock the heavys up, and leave the junk on the rack, plus i have alarm system , and sleep with laoded bushmaster at me bed side.
Look at this gun rack for $100.00 Locking Gun Racks | Gun Storage | Pistol Rack | Rifle Rack its perfect for displaying, when i go away on vacation I lock the heavys up, and leave the junk on the rack, plus i have alarm system , and sleep with laoded bushmaster at me bed side.
