Gun safe alternate(s)

[Lmo]

We live on a quiet cul-de-sac, and I seldom see folks that I don't recognize. For almost 20 year there have been no issues with prowlers, or burglaries in our neighbor. That ended last Thursday night when the neighbors house two door down was cleaned out without anyone even suspecting it was being done.

I have one shotgun, a CZ75 Compact, and a 1936 Luger (numbers all match including magazines). Currently they are "hidden" in the back of of a walk-in closet in the master bedroom.

I need to properly secure these weapons, but a full-on "gun safe" isn't in the budget at the moment, and I don't expect to have anymore than these guns.

Would something like an in-wall Stack On security cabinet be up to the job? I've seen them camouflaged behind a full length mirror, etc.

Ideas? Comments?

Yeah, I know... ya get what you pay for.

[Cokebottle]

Anything under $1500-$2000 is not much better than a locked file cabinet.
Lacking a quality safe, your best defense is stealth and OpSec.
Keep them hidden, no gun related stickers on your car or windows, load your car for a range trip when it's in the garage.

[plumbworker]

check these guys out. http://www.tacticalwalls.com

[Trriemferent]

I have one of these in the master closet ...
it mounts between the wall studs and covered by clothing so it pretty discrete

https://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-IWC-55-Full-Length-In-Wall-Cabinet/dp/B002TOKR6W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1529886637&sr=8-3&keywords=stackon+inwall

[billped]

Don't advertise that you have valuables, use your door/window locks, have a dog, and know your neighbors well.

All that stuff is free'ish, pets obviously cost money.

Hiding firearms in secretive storage containers is also good.

[200Apples]

Ideas? Comments?

If you live in CA (we have calgunners that do live elsewhere), whatever locking security container/cabinet/etc you might purchase should be CA DOJ Approved if only to help your case should you be involved in legal proceedings.

I read your disclaimer re your neighborhood, but should you be burglarized and your guns are not stored at least with a lock through each action or trigger, you may be held liable for criminal storage of a firearm.

I strongly urge you to *invest* by whatever means necessary a CA DOJ firearms locking container. Try looking at a ca.gov website to see if they've posted a list of such containers?

[Bigtwin]

You say a safe is not within your budget, and you don't plan to own any more firearms and you currently own, well things change. More importantly get a good fireproof safe not only for your guns but other legal documents and things you wish to not lose, it's worth it

[Cokebottle]

I read your disclaimer re your neighborhood, but should you be burglarized and your guns are not stored at least with a lock through each action or trigger, you may be held liable for criminal storage of a firearm.

Not true.

Under current law, "criminal storage of a firearm" applies only if a minor has reasonable access to the firearms, AND obtains them, AND causes injury or property damage.

The law is intended to prevent children and the children of visitors from gaining access.

You would be under NO violation of the law as a result of burglary.

[Bigtwin]

ETA, I should have said fire-resistant nothing is fireproof.

[-hanko]

If you live in CA (we have calgunners that do live elsewhere), whatever locking security container/cabinet/etc you might purchase should be CA DOJ Approved if only to help your case should you be involved in legal proceedings.

I read your disclaimer re your neighborhood, but should you be burglarized and your guns are not stored at least with a lock through each action or trigger, you may be held liable for criminal storage of a firearm.

So, why don't you explain how that's even possible.

[WalterJones]

Hey, OP, I'm a renter and move around alot. A safe is not in the equation for a bit. I use a stack-on cabinet and bolt it to the studs and floor in a closet. Butted up to a corner so its bolted on two walls. Also reinforced with additional hasps and pad locks so it can't just be popped open with a crowbar. Then on top of it all, changed out the door knob for a keyed entry one.

I know all it will do is slow down a determined thief, but that's the best I can do right now, stall while the alarm people do their thing and the cops do theirs.

[Nachito13]

I live in an apartment (I know you don’t) but I have a Fort Knox Controlled Acces Box that I store 4 handguns in. It also has room for an AR if you separate the upper and lower. I have it bolted to a small wood drawer chest. The whole thing weights about 150lbs. It is in closet and concealed by hanging clothes. I know it can be picked up and moved but it would take two people to do it and due to its large size would take more than a few minutes. If you don’t want a full size safe (which would be my first choice) this might be a good alternative. I purchased the 28 inch size (the largest they offer) for under $350 delivered.

http://www.nashvillesafehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FK-CABs-Closed-.jpg

[stormtrooperx]

Whether you get a security cabinet or steel safe, be sure to bolt it down. You'd be amazed how much weight a thief (or two) can move. If possible, get an alarm (and use it), because that will put them on a timer. Motion activated lights on the exterior are a good deterrent, most thieves will move on to an easier target. As others have said, I wouldn't advertise that you might have guns inside. Trying to obscure / hide your guns usually doesn't work, as thieves are really good at finding stuff (unless maybe you put it in the attic or crawl space).

For the handguns, I really like the FAS1 safe (7 ga steel, and you secure it to something solid). When I drilled mine for mounting holes, I was surprised how long it took (about 20 min per hole using a carbide tip and cutting oil). Wish I had a recommendation for your shotgun, a bigger safe is all that comes to mind.

[Mr. Beretta]

[QUOTE=Lmo;218 ....but a full-on "gun safe" isn't in the budget at the moment[/QUOTE]

Hi OP

A quality "gun safe" does allot more than secure guns.

You can store your laptops, notebooks, etc. when your not home as well as jewelry, important papers & legal documents (original birth certificates, passports), check books, will/ trust, precious metals, prescription meds, irreplaceable photographs, family heirlooms and other non replaceable items that the tweeter who breaks into your home could care less about but mean the world to you & your family.

What price do you place on "peace of mind"? For a approximately $2,500 & up, you can purchase a good safe (60"x 32"x 24", several brands to to chose from) that will give you peace of mind. You can leave home knowing that 99.9% of the time , your guns & valuables, will be there when you return.

Having your guns stolen is one thing. Having your stolen guns used a crime where a person is shot or killed is another. In this litigious climate we live in, it can get real expensive real quick.

Is $2,500 allot money. Yup, it is. But please give serious consideration to spending that amount for a good safe. Charging it and taking a year to pay it off, is money well spent IMHO.

The alternative of buying a cheap safe/ cabinet to store guns and irreplaceable family valuables and the possibility of exposing my family and I to litigation & liability, is simply a risk I chose years ago not to take.

A quality "gun safe" does allot more than secure guns. It secures your future.

Good Luck.

[4GLOCK30]

Even a budget safe bolted to floor/wall is WAY better than nothing. Those are a few hundred $

Home burglary is grab and go typically and even though they will see/find any type of locked safe/cabinet you have...if they can't break it open with pry bar or carry it off they leave it.