Storing/Securing Rifles

[kfranklin]

So...I'll be moving to an apartment within the month and I need some way to secure my rifles. The apartment is in a good area with no major crime concerns, but this is the Northern VA, DC region so it's always possible. Any thoughts?

A safe long enough for my 1795 would be too heavy for a second floor apartment. My current thought is to anchor two D rings to two studs in the wall, and run a wire cable lock through the trigger guards of the rifles.

 

[rob63]

Will your lease allow you to make such a modification to an apartment?

Your best defense is likely to be to make sure nobody else knows what you have. A wire cable would slow a thief down, but only for a short time. Simply having them out of sight might be just as effective. Good luck!

I know a guy who installed an expensive security system in his house. He commented to me that he first bought a gun to protect himself, but ended up buying a security system to protect his guns!

 

[kfranklin]

Will your lease allow you to make such a modification to an apartment?

Your best defense is likely to be to make sure nobody else knows what you have. A wire cable would slow a thief down, but only for a short time. Simply having them out of sight might be just as effective. Good luck!

I know a guy who installed an expensive security system in his house. He commented to me that he first bought a gun to protect himself, but ended up buying a security system to protect his guns!

Well most leases allow hanging of pictures. I'm only hanging several drywall screws in to studs

 

[Southron]

Well, you could stamp your Social Security number in the butt stock or have it engraved in the butt-plate, so IF your guns were ever stolen and recovered by the police, they could track you down through your SS number and return them to you.

 

[kfranklin]

Well, you could stamp your Social Security number in the butt stock or have it engraved in the butt-plate, so IF your guns were ever stolen and recovered by the police, they could track you down through your SS number and return them to you.

Oh now that is a good idea! (Going to start doing that on my repros) But then again, I wonder if the cops would ever think to check there...

 

[ole]

Oh now that is a good idea! (Going to start doing that on my repros) But then again, I wonder if the cops would ever think to check there...

It would take a really stupid cop to not know an SSN. Put them on an outside wall. All it takes is to make accessibility difficult, but a nice nipper would render the cable null.

 

[kfranklin]

It would take a really stupid cop to not know an SSN. Put them on an outside wall. All it takes is to make accessibility difficult, but a nice nipper would render the cable null.

Well I mean what cop will take off a buttplate?

Also why an outside wall? My current thought it to have one in the living room on hangers but the others in a rack in my walk-in closet. Any other thoughts on how to store them? (A safe is not an option)

 

[Michael t]

You could always modify your bed-frame, if you have a full, queen or king size mattress you could replace the box spring with a 2x6 or 2x8 and plywood boxed frame, plywood on bottom secured and the plywood on top removable so you can get to your guns.

 

[Bob Owen]

In my experience, the SSN is recognized by thieves as such and they attempt to remove them. In doing so, the gun is basically ruined. Anyway if you sell the gun, the new owner might not appreciate the added numbers. It lessens the value and in a lot of cases, causes a no sale! I would pick a closet and install a deadbolt lock with a steel reinforcement strip for the lock bolt to rest in on the door frame.

 

[kfranklin]

You could always modify your bed-frame, if you have a full, queen or king size mattress you could replace the box spring with a 2x6 or 2x8 and plywood boxed frame, plywood on bottom secured and the plywood on top removable so you can get to your guns.

Heh... being euro born I love the ikea style slat beds. But you might be on to something...

 

[kfranklin]

In my experience, the SSN is recognized by thieves as such and they attempt to remove them. In doing so, the gun is basically ruined. Anyway if you sell the gun, the new owner might not appreciate the added numbers. It lessens the value and in a lot of cases, causes a no sale! I would pick a closet and install a deadbolt lock with a steel reinforcement strip for the lock bolt to rest in on the door frame.

The deadbolt isn't a bad idea.

 

[Bob Owen]

A law enforcement officer doesn't have time to trace numbers. They just take down the information from the victim. The case is assigned to a detective and if his time permits he will look into running numbers. Serial numbers on both stolen and recovered firearms are run through NCIC and a match is made that way. The detectives are usually busy with murders, rapes, assaults, etc. A burglary doesn't rise very high up on the priority list.

 

[rhp6033]

D-chains secured by drywall screws isn't going to stop anybody with a crowbar.

A friend of my daughter's had installed a gun safe in the closet of his apartment. They ripped out the safe so they could make sure there was nothing "illegal" in it. It took him a while to get his guns back.

 

[kfranklin]

A law enforcement officer doesn't have time to trace numbers. They just take down the information from the victim. The case is assigned to a detective and if his time permits he will look into running numbers. Serial numbers on both stolen and recovered firearms are run through NCIC and a match is made that way. The detectives are usually busy with murders, rapes, assaults, etc. A burglary doesn't rise very high up on the priority list.

Thanks kind of what I figured...

 

[Bob Owen]

The deadbolt isn't a bad idea.

I have several closets and rooms set up that way. I figured all the deadbolts to one key that matches the front door. My gun room door is steel reinforced and the frame is also steel. This room is a virtual vault.

 

[kfranklin]

D-chains secured by drywall screws isn't going to stop anybody with a crowbar.

A friend of my daughter's had installed a gun safe in the closet of his apartment. They ripped out the safe so they could make sure there was nothing "illegal" in it. It took him a while to get his guns back.

Heh I know...I'm just trying to come up with some sort of idea.

 

[kfranklin]

I have several closets and rooms set up that way. I figured all the deadbolts to one key that matches the front door. My gun room door is steel reinforced and the frame is also steel. This room is a virtual vault.

That's personally my dream setup. That and 6" centers between the studs.

 

[Bob Owen]

Keep a record of all your firearms and make a copy to keep at your parents' house or with a good friend.

 

[kfranklin]

Keep a record of all your firearms and make a copy to keep at your parents' house or with a good friend.

Actually, working recording marks and detailed pictures to be uploaded to my private web-server. The real issue is I'm not sure how much I'll get for my working manyard 1855 repro from my insurance. Either way some of them would just be a pain to replace...

 

[Bob Owen]

I try and keep detail photos of my antique firearms as they tend to show recognizable marks like finger prints.