Hand gun rack

only1najeep · June 30, 2009, 10:18 PM

I saw a handgun rack today that used a rod going down the barrel to hold the pistol in place. will this damage the gun in any way, or is it safe as long as it is coated to protect the barrel

zoomie · June 30, 2009, 10:19 PM

As long as the rod's not steel, it won't hurt anything. Wood is infinitely softer than any barrel.

deadcoyote · June 30, 2009, 10:24 PM

I used a 1"x6"x 3' piece of cedar and drilled a hole every six inches with a half inch dowel mounted at an upward angle. I put the dowels through trigger guards. Wouldnt recommend doing that with loaded pistols though.

RKG · June 30, 2009, 10:47 PM

I'd be cautious about using wood dowels in a pistol barrel. Wood tends to be hydroscopic.

johnwilliamson062 · June 30, 2009, 10:53 PM

I MIGHT do it with PVC. If I put 3-4 coats of polyurethane on wood I might do it. I would much prefer the trigger guard method described above.

cavymeister · June 30, 2009, 11:26 PM

Aluminum wouuld be prefect and you could polish it up to a mirror finish.

brian4161 · July 1, 2009, 12:05 AM

Aluminum would be a very bad choice. The surface will oxidise and aluminum oxide is much harder than steel and is commonly used in grinding and sanding wheels.

Nite Ryder · July 1, 2009, 01:04 PM

I would use a steel rod and put a piece of plastic tubing over it. Here is a photo of the racks I use for my single action guns. Four racks that hold six guns per rack. I use a different system for my semi auto's.

http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/g...nt=RugerSA.jpg

armsmaster270 · July 1, 2009, 02:08 PM

They make a plastic dip thats Ideal for coating metal. dip let dry and redip to build up thicker layers of plastic.

oneounceload · July 1, 2009, 02:40 PM

as long as you coat the metal, you're fine. or you could buy the white plastic-coated metal ones that Midway, Cabela's, etc. all sell......they work great in my safe

only1najeep · July 1, 2009, 11:49 PM

thanks for the advice, I'm getting a new safe soon and want to organize it where I can get to everything easily.

Sevens · July 2, 2009, 12:07 AM

Tip I got from this forum: Wal-Mart sells a small dish rack (made for plates, I think) for like $2 or $3. It's in the aisle with plasticware, pitchers, glass, cooking dishes, etc. I think they call it a plate drying rack or something like that.

It's simple rubber coated metal wire, like any dish rack you've ever seen. Each one holds 8 "plates." If they are slim semi-auto pistols, you can line them up next to each other, but they fit close. I tend to leave an empty between handguns.

I have three of these in my safe and it's gotta be one of the best "simple, easy, cheap" solutions I've ever gotten from TFL.

In them is everything from my carry gun (fat subcompact Glock) to large frame revolvers to a T/C Contender with a 10-inch barrel and a 14" unmounted T/C barrel.

REALLY makes good use of the space in my safe. Maybe not quite as perfect as the racks marketed for use with handguns, but they check in at like half or a quarter of the price, or more. Some of the pretty wooden handgun racks I've seen (gorgeous!) go for $50-$75. These things cost less than three dollars.

Hell, for three bucks, you can buy one and try it and TOSS IT if it doesn't deliver.

oneounceload · July 2, 2009, 11:45 AM

I bought two of the white gun racks from Cabela's - each holds 6 guns, revolvers or semis.....fairly cheap, and uses a lot less space

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1

plus there's room underneath to put a spare magazine or two for each

armsmaster270 · July 2, 2009, 01:41 PM

I use small bin boxes for my safe

NYPD13 · July 2, 2009, 02:15 PM

I use those nylon holsters on the vault door. No issues with scratches, rust, etc.

MikeK · July 2, 2009, 02:22 PM

I made some with scrap wood. Basicly an 'L' and used a jig saw to cut 'U' shaped notches for the barrels. Lined the U's with scrap felt Each one holds 6 handguns and I can fit two racks on a shelf. Total cost - $0. The batteries in the camera are dead, but it's not a real complicated concept.

ZEBRARANGER · July 2, 2009, 04:20 PM

How bout some of these.

ZEBRARANGER · July 2, 2009, 04:40 PM

Or these.

Magyar · July 5, 2009, 09:01 AM

"Beware of the man with one-gun"! I don't think so......Nice photos' & handguns....

Signed: ATF

Playboypenguin · July 5, 2009, 09:06 AM

I did have to cut and modify them a bit to get them to work in my safe but it was easy. I have modified them more since these pics but this gives you the idea.

ZEBRARANGER · July 5, 2009, 04:34 PM

Playboypenguin, beautiful collection, I've seen you photos before, very nice setup and nicely organized. Its hard to stop, isn't it.

Playboypenguin · July 5, 2009, 04:44 PM

ZEBRARANGER,

Are you affiliated with that gun rack website? Do you know if they will fit inside a Sentry gunsafe?

ZEBRARANGER · July 5, 2009, 09:17 PM

Yes, I am the ManAboutRacks and they do fit in most gun safes. It really depends on how you have your safe set up though. You've done a nice job with yours.

hoytinak · July 5, 2009, 09:23 PM

I ordered two racks from ManAboutRacks a while back and I was really impressed with them. He does really good work and the service was great. When I end up upgrading the safe, I'll be getting a couple more.

Playboypenguin · July 5, 2009, 11:53 PM

My safe is going to look completely different soon since I just had to order a half dozen of those greystone seven gun racks pictured in ZEBRARANGER's post.

June 30, 2009, 10:18 PM	#1
only1najeep Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: MS Posts: 155	Hand gun rack I saw a handgun rack today that used a rod going down the barrel to hold the pistol in place. will this damage the gun in any way, or is it safe as long as it is coated to protect the barrel __________________ Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6. NRA basic rifle instructor NRA basic shotgun instructor NRA range safety officer

June 30, 2009, 10:24 PM	#3
deadcoyote Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2009 Location: northern CA Posts: 473	I made my own cheap handgun rack I used a 1"x6"x 3' piece of cedar and drilled a hole every six inches with a half inch dowel mounted at an upward angle. I put the dowels through trigger guards. Wouldnt recommend doing that with loaded pistols though.

June 30, 2009, 10:53 PM	#5
johnwilliamson062 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 6,116	I MIGHT do it with PVC. If I put 3-4 coats of polyurethane on wood I might do it. I would much prefer the trigger guard method described above. __________________ $0 of an NRA membership goes to legislative action or court battles. Not a dime. Only money contributed to the NRA-ILA or NRA-PVF. Of course, you could just donate to the Second Amendment Foundation I was feeling pretty good, then I looked around and realized I am not swimming or on fire.

July 1, 2009, 12:05 AM	#7
brian4161 Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Posts: 52	Aluminum would be a very bad choice. The surface will oxidise and aluminum oxide is much harder than steel and is commonly used in grinding and sanding wheels. Last edited by brian4161; July 1, 2009 at 12:05 AM. Reason: spelling

July 1, 2009, 01:04 PM	#8
Nite Ryder Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 79	Handgun rack I would use a steel rod and put a piece of plastic tubing over it. Here is a photo of the racks I use for my single action guns. Four racks that hold six guns per rack. I use a different system for my semi auto's. http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/g...nt=RugerSA.jpg __________________ "Except For Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism, and Communism, WAR has never solved anything"

June 30, 2009, 10:19 PM	#2
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: SEUS Posts: 1,689	As long as the rod's not steel, it won't hurt anything. Wood is infinitely softer than any barrel.

June 30, 2009, 10:47 PM	#4
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 251	I'd be cautious about using wood dowels in a pistol barrel. Wood tends to be hydroscopic.

June 30, 2009, 11:26 PM	#6
cavymeister Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Posts: 28	Aluminum wouuld be prefect and you could polish it up to a mirror finish.

July 1, 2009, 02:08 PM	#9
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,777	They make a plastic dip thats Ideal for coating metal. dip let dry and redip to build up thicker layers of plastic. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

July 1, 2009, 02:40 PM	#10
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	as long as you coat the metal, you're fine. or you could buy the white plastic-coated metal ones that Midway, Cabela's, etc. all sell......they work great in my safe

July 1, 2009, 11:49 PM	#11
only1najeep Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: MS Posts: 155	thanks for the advice, I'm getting a new safe soon and want to organize it where I can get to everything easily. __________________ Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6. NRA basic rifle instructor NRA basic shotgun instructor NRA range safety officer

July 2, 2009, 12:07 AM	#12
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,930	Tip I got from this forum: Wal-Mart sells a small dish rack (made for plates, I think) for like $2 or $3. It's in the aisle with plasticware, pitchers, glass, cooking dishes, etc. I think they call it a plate drying rack or something like that. It's simple rubber coated metal wire, like any dish rack you've ever seen. Each one holds 8 "plates." If they are slim semi-auto pistols, you can line them up next to each other, but they fit close. I tend to leave an empty between handguns. I have three of these in my safe and it's gotta be one of the best "simple, easy, cheap" solutions I've ever gotten from TFL. In them is everything from my carry gun (fat subcompact Glock) to large frame revolvers to a T/C Contender with a 10-inch barrel and a 14" unmounted T/C barrel. REALLY makes good use of the space in my safe. Maybe not quite as perfect as the racks marketed for use with handguns, but they check in at like half or a quarter of the price, or more. Some of the pretty wooden handgun racks I've seen (gorgeous!) go for $50-$75. These things cost less than three dollars. Hell, for three bucks, you can buy one and try it and TOSS IT if it doesn't deliver. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 2, 2009, 11:45 AM	#13
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I bought two of the white gun racks from Cabela's - each holds 6 guns, revolvers or semis.....fairly cheap, and uses a lot less space http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1 plus there's room underneath to put a spare magazine or two for each

July 2, 2009, 01:41 PM	#14
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,777	I use small bin boxes for my safe __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

July 2, 2009, 02:15 PM	#15
NYPD13 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2008 Posts: 339	I use those nylon holsters on the vault door. No issues with scratches, rust, etc. __________________ "THE CONSTITUTION ONLY GIVES PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE HAPPINESS, YOU HAVE TO CATCH IT YOURSELF." ~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

July 2, 2009, 02:22 PM	#16
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2000 Location: MD Posts: 566	I made some with scrap wood. Basicly an 'L' and used a jig saw to cut 'U' shaped notches for the barrels. Lined the U's with scrap felt Each one holds 6 handguns and I can fit two racks on a shelf. Total cost - $0. The batteries in the camera are dead, but it's not a real complicated concept.

July 2, 2009, 04:20 PM	#17
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 480	How bout some of these. __________________ THE ULTIMATE HANDGUN RACK http://manaboutracks.com/default.aspx

July 2, 2009, 04:40 PM	#18
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 480	Or these. __________________ THE ULTIMATE HANDGUN RACK http://manaboutracks.com/default.aspx

July 5, 2009, 09:01 AM	#19
Magyar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,581	"Beware of the man with one-gun"! I don't think so......Nice photos' & handguns.... Signed: ATF __________________ *"Gun companies and gun magazines have long had relationships beyond cozy" C.J. Chivers, author "THE GUN"*

July 5, 2009, 09:06 AM	#20
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	I use these racks I picked up at Sportsman's Warehouse for my smaller guns. I did have to cut and modify them a bit to get them to work in my safe but it was easy. I have modified them more since these pics but this gives you the idea.

July 5, 2009, 04:34 PM	#21
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 480	Playboypenguin, beautiful collection, I've seen you photos before, very nice setup and nicely organized. Its hard to stop, isn't it. __________________ THE ULTIMATE HANDGUN RACK http://manaboutracks.com/default.aspx

July 5, 2009, 04:44 PM	#22
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	ZEBRARANGER, Are you affiliated with that gun rack website? Do you know if they will fit inside a Sentry gunsafe?

July 5, 2009, 09:17 PM	#23
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 480	Yes, I am the ManAboutRacks and they do fit in most gun safes. It really depends on how you have your safe set up though. You've done a nice job with yours. __________________ THE ULTIMATE HANDGUN RACK http://manaboutracks.com/default.aspx

July 5, 2009, 09:23 PM	#24
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,708	I ordered two racks from ManAboutRacks a while back and I was really impressed with them. He does really good work and the service was great. When I end up upgrading the safe, I'll be getting a couple more. __________________ "Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

July 5, 2009, 11:53 PM	#25
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	I will have to check back in with this thread in a week or so. My safe is going to look completely different soon since I just had to order a half dozen of those greystone seven gun racks pictured in ZEBRARANGER's post.