Remodeling gunsafe interior?

Buttersdad

Buttersdad

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Feb 28, 2017
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Houston Tx
#1
So the interior of my gunsafe is getting pretty old and torn up, time to do some upgrading. I’m planning on keeping the interior design as it is but replacing all the shelving and paneling with laminate floor planks to make it look nicer. Just wondering if anybody else has done interior upgrades to their safe and how it came out. Here’s a before picture, and a testing the waters picture of some leftover floor plankes put together on the walls of the safe.

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#6
My safe was set up somewhat similar to yours.

Looking at your safe I found the left side (rifles in formation) to be useless. You cant possibly fit the number of rifles in there that the slots would suggest.

To compound problems I like to kepp my rifles in the safe butt stock up so I compound my space issues.

Im guessing that on the right side of your safe if you remove the shelving the top is a "U" that has slots cut for rifles.

That "U" formation I found to be best for me to store rifles "butt up, bore down" so I built a new top shelf with two "U" storage options instead of that rifles in a "Formation of Ranks" option.

When I cut the slots in my "U" I staggered them so the rifles were not opposite each other but staggered.

When I set them in the box one rifle goes in on the left, the next is on the right, etc.

A local upholsterer used some fabric to cover my new cut plywood storage design.

Its worked better. You dont have bulky action next to bulky action so the rifle arent really banging each other, still though, you find out quick not many rifles will fit in the safe and the guys that write the capacity in sales brochures are bald face liars.

Many will recommend safe rods. They would probably allow you to maximize space but they wont work with my "bore down, oil leaks away from the action" desire.
 
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#7
acudaowner said:
more guns and more ammo hard to have too many of either , maybe move the safe out and install wall mounting systems floor to ceiling guns and ammo and pictures of American flags.
Click to expand...


Wish I could do this.

That was the America I grew up in.

Remember when the oak gun cabinet was the pride of the house and the glass front displayed the guns within?

You would think with all that death just waiting to animate itself behind those glass doors we would have all been killed back then.
 
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#11
pmclaine said:
Wish I could do this.

That was the America I grew up in.

Remember when the oak gun cabinet was the pride of the house and the glass front displayed the guns within?

You would think with all that death just waiting to animate itself behind those glass doors we would have all been killed back then.
Click to expand...

And if you have a fireplace, there should be a rifle mounted on the wall above it...Preferably a majestic falling block or sidehammer big game gun :)...though modern, non wood-stocked bolt actions and AR's will do just as fine.
 
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#14
Thanks for the insight guys, this safe will be just for guns when Im done with it, I store bulk cases of ammo in an accessory closet I have so im good on ammo, I just have a few boxes of pistol ammo in my safe that I've been too lazy to clean out. Seems everyones opinion is more guns which I'm all for but have found myself selling off more and more of my collection that doesn't get any attention to focus on better quality firearms than quantity, but rest assured it will fill back up! I like the idea of the spray on adhesive and speaker carpet or other similar fabrics to make the shelves look better and want to see some pics of other peoples modification to there interior if they have any. I decided on some tiger wood planks to line all the walls with but am undecided how I want to do the shelves, I'll be posting more pics as I go and will do before and after pics of the progress so if anyone has an interest in similar mods they'll have a good idea of how it can come out. This is purely a project for aesthetics and since I don't have the room to make a full blown gun room Im gunna make the inside of this safe look pretty sharp.
 
#16
pmclaine said:
My safe was set up somewhat similar to yours.

Looking at your safe I found the left side (rifles in formation) to be useless. You cant possibly fit the number of rifles in there that the slots would suggest.

To compound problems I like to kepp my rifles in the safe butt stock up so I compound my space issues.

Im guessing that on the right side of your safe if you remove the shelving the top is a "U" that has slots cut for rifles.

That "U" formation I found to be best for me to store rifles "butt up, bore down" so I built a new top shelf with two "U" storage options instead of that rifles in a "Formation of Ranks" option.

When I cut the slots in my "U" I staggered them so the rifles were not opposite each other but staggered.

When I set them in the box one rifle goes in on the left, the next is on the right, etc.

A local upholsterer used some fabric to cover my new cut plywood storage design.

Its worked better. You dont have bulky action next to bulky action so the rifle arent really banging each other, still though, you find out quick not many rifles will fit in the safe and the guys that write the capacity in sales brochures are bald face liars.

Many will recommend safe rods. They would probably allow you to maximize space but they wont work with my "bore down, oil leaks away from the action" desire.
Click to expand...

Yup, I've got a cannon patriot 64 gun safe and there's no way in hell I could fit that many guns in there, especially scoped long guns, I already have a hard time fitting my 28' and 30' Benelli shotguns in there on the left and have to line them up with a opening in the upper shelve that makes in a big pain in the ass to take them in and out. They way your describing your set up seems pretty efficient, could you post a pic of what it looks like? Really interested in how the bolt guns sit next to each other.
 
#17
arios2 said:
Yup, I've got a cannon patriot 64 gun safe and there's no way in hell I could fit that many guns in there, especially scoped long guns, I already have a hard time fitting my 28' and 30' Benelli shotguns in there on the left and have to line them up with a opening in the upper shelve that makes in a big pain in the ass to take them in and out. They way your describing your set up seems pretty efficient, could you post a pic of what it looks like? Really interested in how the bolt guns sit next to each other.
Click to expand...

Ill try to remember to do so this afternoon.

If I forget remind me.
 
#21
101stinfantry said:
Hmmm, I don't think I would use cedar like the pic above. Cedar increases flammability!
Click to expand...

If it gets hot enough in your safe to catch the cedar on fire, everything is pretty much fucked anyway. The fire ratings on these gun safes are a joke compared to the temps and time one would expect in a house fire.
 
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#22
eddie102870 said:
how do you like your Super Sport. shot mine for the first time a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...

Love mine, I got into skeet shooting 2 years ago and my super sport has pretty much paid its self off from all the bets I’ve won at my gun club in skeet shooting competitions. I’m petty much the only one who uses a semi and I’ve yet to find a over/under I can shoot better. Same goes for my SBE2, when I pull the trigger birds die lol.
 
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#23
supercorndogs said:
If it gets hot enough in your safe to catch the cedar on fire, everything is pretty much fucked anyway. The fire ratings on these gun safes are a joke compared to the temps and time one would expect in a house fire.
Click to expand...

Correct! If there’s a fire and it gets into the safe it’s prettymuch an insurance claim from there, so fire rating isn’t something I’m worried about, and I’m not using real wood, I’m using laminate flooring, far less flammable than most materials
 
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#25
arios2 said:
Correct! If there’s a fire and it gets into the safe it’s prettymuch an insurance claim from there, so fire rating isn’t something I’m worried about, and I’m not using real wood, I’m using laminate flooring, far less flammable than most materials
Click to expand...

If you want a fire rating use 5/8" sheetrock. Laminate flooring is basically a paper/ wood product with a epoxy adhesive. Lightweight rock does not have a fire rating, and the imported stuff is questionable, USG brand is the standard. All corners should be taped and mudded as well as screws. One coat should do.
 
#29
deersniper said:
I have a safe that is bare metal inside.

I like the spray adhesive and speaker carpet idea. But what about flamibility / melting points like someone mentioned?
Click to expand...
If it’s a quality fireproof safe, there shouldn’t be an issue. How do you think they get the carpeting to stick to the rock-layers anyway? I’m sure it would take a few minutes searching to find the right products for the job. If it’s not a fireproof safe, why have it?
 
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#30
arios2 said:
this is the look im kinda going for, just not so sure about those shelves and definitely want a better way to rest scoped long guns

View attachment 7019076
Click to expand...

That looks like the browning axis shelving system. I have it and it works great. The shelves are sturdy and very adjustable. I removed the barrel holders and just added the Velcro to the bottom of the shelf and use the rifle rods.
 
#31
I got tired of high dollar safes not having enough room and banging guns/scopes together going in and out. I took out my dividers and now put each gun in a Bore Store (fairly thick silicone impregnated gun sock) with a white duct tape label on the side and just stack them in the safe, some muzzle up, some muzzle down, with shelving for handguns (in labeled Bore Stores) and scopes (in Larue scope cases) above. No safe rash,ever. There is some shuffling required when looking for a particular gun, but worth it to me. Ammo is stored separately.
 
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#32
If you have alot of guns, this is the best way I've found to store them. I was initially skeptical, and didn't like the idea of sticking a rod down the barrel. But, the rod is plastic and doesn't hurt the barrel and it allows you to put guns closer together. It actually works and the guns get far less banged up than with the tipping and cramming of slotted wood boards.


https://www.storemoreguns.com/colle...oducts/products/rifle-rod-kit-gun-rack-system

Organize and condense long guns into a smaller space in your gun safe and access them easier than ever with Rifle Rods. Rifle Rods are a patented hook and loop based system that individually stabilizes each long gun in the upright position (leaning, as required in a standard gun rack, wastes valuable storage space).

The Rifle Rods gun rack system allows you to stack your long guns as many as four rows deep, freeing up as much as 50% additional space in your gun safe. The included Shelf Liner works in gun safes, gun closets, gun cabinets, or anywhere there is a shelf to store your guns. Injection molded plastic Rifle Rods will not damage your barrel, and they work equally well for scoped rifles, shotguns or modern sporting rifles. Don't buy another safe, retrofit your gun safe today!


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#34
arios2 said:
Very nice, I see what you mean by the U design now, I’m definitely going to use the U design vs the zigzag rows.
Click to expand...

Wish I had of used actual wood, or even better Azek plastic so their is no moisture retention, when I cut mine.

I used 3/4 plywood and you can see where I used the hole saw to cut the rifle slots there is not much wood left.

Not a big deal now that its in the safe but I had to be careful getting it to the upholsterer, as well the upholsterer need to be careful doing his work, lest the part break.

All fine now that its in the safe and mounted.

I think I used a 2.5 inch hole saw to precut my slots than cut everything out with a jig saw.

I would have been better to have used a 3 inch hole saw because the stock pack rifles and SOPMODs could use more room.
 
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#35
So here's an update on my progress which will go kinda slow, I'm shooting to finished with this in about 2 weeks. So I started off by cleaning out all my equipment, removed the shelving, removed all the upholstered sheet rock, removed the power outlet terminal, and then cleaned and wiped it down head to toe. I forget how dark they are without internal lighting. From here Im gunna start measuring and cutting the laminate and figure out the best way to mount it to the second layer of sheet rock that is lining all the metal panels. * A great tip I learned after scratching the hell out of the floors at my old house is get a buddy or two and lift the ends of the safe so you can slide a towel or soft cloth under the safe so you can move and slide it easier* If you look closely you can see the towel I used under the safe to move it.

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#39
If it a real fire, in the same room - in contact with the box, there are not many residential containers that will survive anyway.

The atmosphere itself will become so corrosive stuff will be a mess.

You pay dearly for true fire ratings and it absolutely consumes the interior storage area.

True fire protection containers are HUGE Squared,,,,,,,,,Huge in cost and huge in size if you plan on putting a reasonable amount of gear inside.

Think Yeti cooler. Big outside dimension - fits one 6 pack.
 
#40
Exactly, if I keep the second layer of Sheetrock on and add any additional layer of material I’ll reduce the inner dimensions of the safe and have less room, and as small of a loss of space that might be I’m not willing to lose any usable real estate. So hopefully I can get some more input here on creative ideas for shelves and ways to arrange long guns, and less concern about fire safety. Let’s see some more gun safe pics!!!
 
#44
Good stuff, just got off the phone with the guys at gunracks.com and basically I just need to give them the dimensions my safe can hold and they will make a rotary stand to my specs at no extra charge. There quality seems to be the look I’m going for as well.
 
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#46
And I know the first thing someone is going to ask is why did I mount all the plankes horizontally and not staggered, simply because it was easier to cut and lay them that way as well as it saved me from buying another pack of laminate
 
#47
thinks the safe would be better for ammo storage and the room like this
https://www.google.com/search?q=cus...kKHX8XA_sQ9QEwB3oECAEQEg#imgrc=QRCvBW6xXdrcfM: gives the guns a better viewing location as well as more air for breathing ... while most gun safe doors are strong a safe with its sides exposed is a tin can waiting for a can opener . and in case of a fire you could grab what's most important and run with it faster , or fire prof the room .
 
#49
Think of attaching some rifle holders on the sides.

I'm thinking that rotary rack will leave you with space in the corners and possibly along the sides to store a rifle or four.

Please keep us updated.

Despite my modifications you can see my capacity has been strained and I have another rifle on the way.

How many rifles will your rotary support?

Wonder if they could do something for me to support muzzle down storage.......each rifle would require a bungy or some means to secure it in to the rack.
 
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#50
pmclaine said:
Think of attaching some rifle holders on the sides.

I'm thinking that rotary rack will leave you with space in the corners and possibly along the sides to store a rifle or four.

Please keep us updated.

Despite my modifications you can see my capacity has been strained and I have another rifle on the way.

How many rifles will your rotary support?

Wonder if they could do something for me to support muzzle down storage.......each rifle would require a bungy or some means to secure it in to the rack.
Click to expand...

So.... after doing more measuring and seeing how far in the safe door goes in I’m left with about 18 inches of usable depth. The safe door has a 3 inch lip that protrudes into the safe so it seems the rotary rack may not be able to fit as I wanted. The problem is if I get the 18’ or even if I have them make a 17’ rotary rack I’m only going to be able to fit about 5-7 guns on the rack, the problem is scoped bolt guns add a lot of width, and the rotary rack buttscock spacers would need to be spaced properly to accommodate the guns sitting next to each other. If it was just shotguns or rifles with iron sights it wouldn’t be a problem to fit 8 rifles on it. But you are correct that even if I did get a rotary rack I would still have ample room on the sides and corners to mount several more rifles. I’ve got 3 more high end bolt guns in the making and am thinking about having just the scoped rifles on a rotary rack and then my shotguns and other rifles on the sides.
 
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