My inexpensive handgun organizer

[HermanH]

I know I found the idea from someone else here but can no longer find the thread, but thank you whoever you are.

I bought my Liberty Safe a couple of years ago and I could have got the option for the rack or "pockets" to hold like dozens of handguns off the door, but I didn't have that many (two at this time) and figured I'd just put them on the shelf next to my pellet gun. Well I'm finding I need some of that shelf space so during some random search, someone showed pictures of some simple dowels for holding the handguns on the door and I never forgot it.

Like I said, only have two handguns at the moment but I anticipate 2 more ( revolver and a polymer style ) so I just decided today was the day to try out this method and I must say, for under $4, you can't beat this.

I unmounted the backer board from the safe and measure 4" down so I would miss the metal behind the board by a good margin (metal mount went down 3.5"). I drew a horizontal line and then used both my pistols to figure out placement and spacing. It turns out 3.5" center-to-center is perfect for both (from trigger to beaver tail).



I bought a 4' long piece of 3/4" dowel and a four pack of 7/8" rubber door bumpers from Home Depot. In restrospect, I think 2' long dowel would be more than enough for the anticipated 4 or 5 guns in total on the door.

I cut 4 pieces of 1.5" lengths off the dowel and sanded down the rough edges a bit but you won't see the ends anyway. Drilled using a 3/16" drill bit for the #8 screws I'll be using, and some washers - I had the screws and washers already so no cost here.






The board isn't crooked, just the angle the photo was taken at.


Total Time: about 1 hour. Total cost:

[Tortuga]

Great idea! Might have to do that myself when I find the right safe.

Jake

[CK_32]

Nice. I'd like to see more on that safe its in

[gemoose23]

nice work... I might have to use this idea for myself.

[HermanH]

One word on the rubber bumpers. They do hold the trigger very well so if this is your "go to gun" in an emergency, you can yank it off as the rubber is soft.

I did a door slam test too. Slammed it medium hard like closing your door allowing the weight to take it. I then added a little bit more push like shoving it and it slammed loud but the guns never left their posts.

However, I think for the 1911, I'll trim the rubber closest to the trigger itself as I can see it eventually tearing up the rubber a bit.
Here's a little bit more of a peek into my cave.... pay no attention to those 'green' tips down there....

[jonzer77]

I have that same exact safe and there is a Colt 6920 in it as well lol.

[unusedusername]

No offense to your project, I would not trust a trigger safety to keep a gun from going off if it were stored in that manner.

The idea of storing a DAO or DA/SA gun that way gives me the hibijibies.... I just plain don't like things going through the trigger guard so that I would not be able to open the slide to see if it is loaded safely.

I would either do it like this:


Or like this (with a bigger peg gromit):


I think picture #2 is more earthquake safe.

[tal3nt]

I would sure hope he's smart enough not to store his handguns that way chambered.. But it does look like it would be a bit difficult/slow to hang & remove the pistols from that type of mount.

[HermanH]

Speed of removal wasn't the goal. Shooting for me is more a hobby... albeit a long term hobby than most others I've pursued.

I do like the second one better but didn't want to put in a peg board.

I'm always careful to ensure the firearms are completely empty BEFORE putting them away. Been shooting for 30 years... still alive.