DIY Wood Pistol Rack - Finish?

1-UP · April 2, 2012, 02:36 PM

Made the decision to pull my pistols out of the egg-crate foam they've been stored in and finally get around to building a pistol rack. I've noticed that most commercial racks use felt or a similar material for resting the pistol on - is there a reason for this? It seems unlikely that bare wood would affect the finish at all.

While on the topic of finishes, do I need to be careful about using stain or poly or anything of the sort? Doesn't seem like it'd be something that would react to gun metal, baring some uncured poly or something like that.

Advice, suggestions or maybe some pre-made plans floating around out there?

Bill DeShivs · April 2, 2012, 08:10 PM

I make mine out of a 2 X 4. Mark your spaces and cut holes with a Forstner bit, then bandsaw from the edge to the holes. Stand on the 2" side, and place your guns in it. Simple, cheap, and the bare wood won't hurt the finish.

jstgsn · April 7, 2012, 11:02 PM

can you post a picture? thanks

Bill DeShivs · April 8, 2012, 12:42 AM

Not a very good picture, but I didn't want to take all the guns out.

redneck · April 10, 2012, 07:15 PM

I would avoid using felt or anything like that. My dad built me an oak display case for a couple rifles and lined the barrel hooks with felt. I don't know if it was the type of glue or just moisture wrapped in the felt, but the barrel on a shotgun started to rust where it was touching the felt.
It cleaned up ok, and after treating the felt with some gunstock wax its been fine ever since but it would have been bad if it had gone un-noticed long term.

**4V50 Gary** · April 11, 2012, 07:44 AM

What redneck said. Felt retains moisture and that promotes rust. Leave the wood bare like Bill did.

jstgsn · April 11, 2012, 09:37 AM

ok, thanks for the pic, good idea.

Yung.gunr · April 12, 2012, 09:54 PM

After reading this thread I got inspired and made my own pistol racks. Used some scrap 2x4s and plywood. Notched the 2x4s five times in a foot span and screwed em to the plywood to keep em on their side.
Looks like crap but works great. It made it so I can use less shelves in the safe and they are not banging into each other.

April 2, 2012, 02:36 PM	#1
1-UP Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Southern MI Posts: 250	DIY Wood Pistol Rack - Finish? Made the decision to pull my pistols out of the egg-crate foam they've been stored in and finally get around to building a pistol rack. I've noticed that most commercial racks use felt or a similar material for resting the pistol on - is there a reason for this? It seems unlikely that bare wood would affect the finish at all. While on the topic of finishes, do I need to be careful about using stain or poly or anything of the sort? Doesn't seem like it'd be something that would react to gun metal, baring some uncured poly or something like that. Advice, suggestions or maybe some pre-made plans floating around out there?

April 2, 2012, 08:10 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	I make mine out of a 2 X 4. Mark your spaces and cut holes with a Forstner bit, then bandsaw from the edge to the holes. Stand on the 2" side, and place your guns in it. Simple, cheap, and the bare wood won't hurt the finish. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 7, 2012, 11:02 PM	#3
jstgsn Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Milford, DE Posts: 29	Bill DeShivs..... can you post a picture? thanks

April 10, 2012, 07:15 PM	#5
redneck Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 364	I would avoid using felt or anything like that. My dad built me an oak display case for a couple rifles and lined the barrel hooks with felt. I don't know if it was the type of glue or just moisture wrapped in the felt, but the barrel on a shotgun started to rust where it was touching the felt. It cleaned up ok, and after treating the felt with some gunstock wax its been fine ever since but it would have been bad if it had gone un-noticed long term. __________________ Fix it right the first time... Use Baling Wire !

April 11, 2012, 07:44 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	What redneck said. Felt retains moisture and that promotes rust. Leave the wood bare like Bill did. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 11, 2012, 09:37 AM	#7
jstgsn Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Milford, DE Posts: 29	picture ok, thanks for the pic, good idea.

April 12, 2012, 09:54 PM	#8
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	After reading this thread I got inspired and made my own pistol racks. Used some scrap 2x4s and plywood. Notched the 2x4s five times in a foot span and screwed em to the plywood to keep em on their side. Looks like crap but works great. It made it so I can use less shelves in the safe and they are not banging into each other.