Is there such a thing as a "secure" wooden gun cabinet?

[idaho-ar15]

I've got a few nice firearms I'd like to show off in a wooden gun cabinent with the glass front. I will not do this unless I am sure they are secure from theft. Does anyone know a company that uses shaterproof glass or something similar in their cabinents??

thanks in advance

idaho-ar15

[AR-10]

Even with shatterproof glass, I doubt any gun case with a wood frame is going to be theft-proof. Two minutes with a crow-bar, and the hinges are no longer joining one piece to the other.

I think you would need a steel frame case with some serious shatter resistant glass. I've never seen one like that.

[idaho-ar15]

to add onto ar-10's idea maybe a heavy gauge steel safe covered with oak and shatter proof glass for a door. It would be expensive but nice!!

idaho-ar15

[Southla1]

Unless you had some kind of steel backing and steel in the glass it would not be theft resistant. Look at it this way 30 seconds with a chain saw and voila!

[C.R.Sam]

Security is relative. If you spend enough you can make one secure against most. But there will still be somebody out there who can open it like a sardine can. You can make it too expensive in risk, time and effort for all but the most dedicated thief.

Sam

[jdege]

A glass case can easily be secure enough to keep out the prying fingers of obnoxious kids and the pizza delivery guy.

As for burglars, the idea is to keep them out of the house, not to keep them out of your gun cabinet.

If you're worried about a burglar breaking into your gun cabinet, get better locks on your doors.

[Lord Grey Boots]

Lets see,

Rambling stream of consciousness thinking....

Using thick very tough plywood, like appleply, tempered glass, and shatter resistant film on the glass, you could come up with something pretty tough.

Back up the shatter resistent film with a steel grid behind the glass.

You would need to visit one of the specialty plywood suppliers, and be prepared to pay a lot per sheet. You won't find the wood you want at your local Home Depot or equivalent.

Use hidden hinges, and have the opening framed so that even some one gets a crow bar in the gap, they can't pry in a manner that stresses the hinges.

Add reinforcing strips on the inside of your panels to keep them from being flexed by someone with a prybar.

Bolt the sucker to the wall/floor with bolts you can't reach from outside.

I'd also add a local alarm.

Reinforce the opening with steel. Even better, start with a stout steel cabinent, and sheath the outside with the tough plywood.

It will cost more than you think.

[Chaingun]

If you're skilled with a welding torch or want to learn, design a steel cage in front of the glass and wood portions. Using steel bar, bend into various shapes, weld together, forming the cage. Then instead of glass, use a thick plexiglass, which can handle more impact forces than glass.

Also, with many safes you can remove the door from it's hinges. Affix nice wood planks to the safe's outside, and then build a viewing door like above.

[Southla1]

C.R. Sam has it right..............make it difficult. Time is the greatest asset to a homeowner, and deterrant to a burgler. They want to get in and out...........not fart around trying to open a safe that takes a long time to open. Add a barking dog, a screeching alarm and a $200 safe from Wally-Mart and I really think that my firearms are 98% secure.

[idaho-ar15]

Some great advice was given as usual, thanks guys!!

idaho-ar15

[David Park]

How about getting one of those locking gun racks that is bolted to the wall, and then placing a gun cabinet (with back panel removed) in front of it? Then the security of the cabinet is irrelevant. This would be easier/prettier if you built the cabinet into the wall.