Gun safe remodel

[Ray B]

The gun safe that I got is designed for long guns to sit on the butt and have the barrel lean against a notch. I've been told it is better for the guns to sit muzzle down. In looking at the upper portion of the rack, there is not sufficient space between the notch and the support in front of it (for the other guns). I'm wondering if anyone has remodeled their safe to accommodate muzzle down storage of guns?

 

[Inline6]

The gun safe that I got is designed for long guns to sit on the butt and have the barrel lean against a notch. I've been told it is better for the guns to sit muzzle down. In looking at the upper portion of the rack, there is not sufficient space between the notch and the support in front of it (for the other guns). I'm wondering if anyone has remodeled their safe to accommodate muzzle down storage of guns?

I have not done anything per se, I do stager some of mine. Alternating to save some room. Stacking all muzzle down is going to net you the same result. You can only fit so many CI in a CF.

There is a company that sells wooden dowel rods the look like velcro on one end. The idea is to stick it to the bottom of a shelf or ceiling of the safe. The dowel will slide in the barrel and that takes the place of the notches. Meaning you can customize the staggering of your rifles better. Some people might have an issue with a wood dowel going the barrel. Bullets are moving a lot fast, they are a lot, harder, and fit the barrel a lot tighter.

 

[Inline6]

 

[Inline6]

A few people that I know who have tried it have been happy thus far. It might be an option for you.

The scopes on my rifles is what kills my space.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

As far as storing them muzzle down, I don’t think I could do it to my crown, unless it had an A2 flash hider.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I just don't see the point of muzzle down. It is not as if there are gallons of oil in the barrel. What is the purpose?

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Muzzle down storage is so any oil on the barrel(s) and action will not flow/seep into stock. This is especially important with old (vintage) SxS shotguns where the head of the stock absorbs all the recoil. The oil will make the wood soft which may likely crack under recoil.

I store my double rifle muzzles down in a carpeted gunsafe, mostly because it has a soft Kick Eez recoil pad. I also store a heavy bolt action rifle with Kick Eez the same so the pad will not flatten out over time. This may be silly but it doesn't hurt anything.

I try not to over-oil my guns and store most rifles muzzle up.

 

[Vintageguy]

I firmly believe in muzzle down. I’ve restored many side by side shotguns and put many back on face. If the actions on those old guns are kept clean and oiled and the joints greased you just don’t have trouble with them. Many I have put back on face and repaired actions have served me with thousands of rounds without problems or loosening. Muzzle down and you will not see those oil streaks in the head of the stock all too common. Also, who hasn’t seen an otherwise lovely old rifle or shotgun with a mushroomed recoil pad?
It’s nice after getting caught in a soaking rain or snow to dry one off and then spray wd40 down the ribs and set it in the safe to get into those hard to reach places and then wipe it clean the next day.

 

[VertigoBE]

@Vintageguy Apart from muzzle up/down, are there any negatives associated with horizontal on a wall?

Or other issues, like materials not to use, humidity/temperature, etc.

I’ll be looking into changing a small room that currently contains just a shoe rack and vacuum cleaner, into a “walk-in” gunsafe. It’s about 1m wide and 1.2m deep.

 

[baxterb]

Hmm. I don’t have any issue storing all my rifles muzzle down. I do remove all bolts though and that seems to give a skosh more room. This of course for single barrels.

 

[Ray B]

@Vintageguy Apart from muzzle up/down, are there any negatives associated with horizontal on a wall?

If positioned with the wood up, action/barrel down that solves both the gravity issues with oil and compression of the pad. Unfortunately if more than a few long guns are stored it requires a room that can be secured, which @VertigoBE has however I don't. :<(

 

[Vintageguy]

@Vintageguy Apart from muzzle up/down, are there any negatives associated with horizontal on a wall?

Or other issues, like materials not to use, humidity/temperature, etc.

I’ll be looking into changing a small room that currently contains just a shoe rack and vacuum cleaner, into a “walk-in” gunsafe. It’s about 1m wide and 1.2m deep.

I have never stored guns horizontally myself. I also keep desiccant canisters in my safe, I get the cheap plastic ones at the dollar store and they work great. My father had a hidden gun room in his basement, concrete floor and it needed vapor barrier all around to keep the humidity down. I prefer a fire rated safe myself not just because of security but also for being easy to control humidity.

 

[Daggaboy375]

You can fit more if you alternate muzzle up/muzzle down.

DB

 

[Vinootz]

The gun safe that I got is designed for long guns to sit on the butt and have the barrel lean against a notch. I've been told it is better for the guns to sit muzzle down. In looking at the upper portion of the rack, there is not sufficient space between the notch and the support in front of it (for the other guns). I'm wondering if anyone has remodeled their safe to accommodate muzzle down storage of guns?

I think that’s done to prevent excess oil and solvent from getting into action. If a firearm is cleaned properly it shouldn’t be an issue. Occasionally take the stock off . If there is a permanent magazine well that doesn’t open or come out, clean it on a vise by mounting the rifle upside down. The less chance of damaging the muzzle crown the better.I use dental picks with a little solvent on a wad to clean my breach/action area. I avoid sprays .

 

[Ray B]

In thinking more about the issue, there are two problems: 1. oil seeping from the metal into the wood; 2. weight of the gun resting on the recoil pad, causing it to compress/deteriorate. If guns ae held muzzle up I can control the first problem by having just a microscopic layer of oil on the metal so there are no drips; For the second problem, I'm wondering about a shelf, slot, or bracket. possibly a horizontally mounted dowel on which the gun would rest, that would hold the gun an inch or so above the floor of the safe.

 

[steve white]

I have seen some mighty expensive break action shotguns with insetted wood that had not a trace of any kind of finish on it--a sponge just waiting to soak up oil

 

[Nevada Mike]

I usually store my SxS guns muzzle down. The other guns are all muzzle up.

I am just completing a refit of a large closet/storage place adjacent to my gun room... heavy, fireproof, six bolt steel door, double guns racks on one wall, lots of storage cabinets and a place to hang vests, jackets, and store my boots. Going to be way handier than safes!

 

[Ray B]

@Nevada Mike How are the muzzle down SxS guns supported?

 

[Nevada Mike]

@Nevada Mike How are the muzzle down SxS guns supported?

i simply flip them over and put them in the rack muzzle down. The lower surface is angled and padded so they don't slip out. I put them in the top rack, rifles and O/U go in either rack.