magnets used to secure guns

raceroch · January 10, 2012, 06:04 PM

Hi, I am trying to keep a magnet inside a drawer that is made of thin wood and the gun under the wood. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this or knows what magnent would be good (strong enough, but not to strong). I have heard Rare Earth Magnets are very strong, but am worried the gun will not remove easily...

Does anyone have any experience with this? I am aware of the ready mount/quick draw magnets but that will not work due to needing to keep the gun flush with the bottom of the wooden drawer.

jaguarxk120 · January 10, 2012, 07:01 PM

Use the magnets from a old defunct hard drive. They are rare earth type and will hold a large frame auto with ease.
One for the gun and one for a loaded magazine.

Vt.birdhunter · January 10, 2012, 08:25 PM

Use a piece of tape or similar over the magnet to avoid marring your finish.

berettaprofessor · January 12, 2012, 11:52 AM

I use the "old hard drive magnets" myself (cheaper), but if you don't have any, try these commercially made magnets:

http://quickdrawgunmagnets.com/

(You can purchase them at the NRA store as well, search for "Rapid Access Gun Magnet" at www.nrastore.com; $27.95 there).

musher · January 12, 2012, 12:21 PM

Yikes. 28 bucks for a magnet.

Check out http://www.kjmagnetics.com or http://www.magnet4less.com/

You can buy them with a screw hole in them for mounting if you like.

Dip the magnet in tooldip to protect the finish of the gun.

Te Anau · January 12, 2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

I use the "old hard drive magnets" myself

Never knew of these,are they obvious?

highvel · January 12, 2012, 06:03 PM

neodymium magnets are incredibly strong, check out kjmagnetics.com they have a great selection!
I use the fuzzy side of Velcro on the magnets to keep from scratching my firearms!

**JohnKSa** · January 13, 2012, 12:38 AM

Most of the internal magnets in hard drives are NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) magnets which are the most powerful permanent magnets currently available.

They aren't that easy to get at and are usually glued to metal "brackets" inside the drive. Even after you've removed the bracket/magnet assembly from the drive, using the magnets effectively generally means you'll have to remove them from the brackets. That can be tricky. The magnets are fragile so you can't usually just pry them off the brackets without breaking them.

There are a few ways I've removed them from the brackets, none of which are easy or particularly safe and all of which usually involve breaking a significant percentage of the magnets in the removal process, so I'll leave it at that.

A couple of cautions about rare earth magnets and guns.

It's not a super idea to have your gun or parts of your gun magnetized. Small bits of steel (like the normal products of metal-to-metal wear) will now stick to it. I do use magnets to hold some of my magazines to the safe door, but I try to alternate their position on the magnet each time I remove them and put them back. The idea is that they're not always lined up with the magnet's poles the same way in order to try to avoid magnetizing them.

NdFeB magnets are pretty fragile. They are sintered metal that is typically nickel plated to provide additional structural integrity and protection against corrosion. If you allow them to snap together or snap to a large piece of metal, they will often break. That causes a couple of problems.

First of all, you've ruined your magnet.

Second, a broken rare-earth magnet will often produce some very small pieces which are very tiny, very strong magnets which will stick to steel with impressive tenacity. And since each of the tiny pieces is a small magnet and the poles will be lined up in opposing fashion at the moment of breakage, tiny pieces can be propelled away from the magnet at a pretty decent velocity. Could be bad for eyes that get in their way.

Third, the nickel plating is very sharp since it's hard and very thin. It's really easy to cut yourself on a broken NdFeB magnet. And if the broken magnet is stuck to something you care about, it will be difficult to remove it without scratching what it's stuck to.

Fourth, without the nickel plating, the exposed sintered metal will oxidize fairly rapidly and gradually turn to powder.

Finally, it's worth pointing out again that these magnets are very strong. It's not hard to hurt yourself with them, particularly if you have ones that are very large or if you stack a number of the medium sized ones together. Be very careful with them, particularly if you're dealing with more than one at a time. They will snap together with surprising force if you let a couple of them get close to each other and if bits of you are caught between them when they meet it will be remarkably unpleasant.

Te Anau · January 15, 2012, 08:27 AM

^^^ Wow!
Lots to think about.

Peter M. Eick · January 15, 2012, 08:49 AM

I did a lot of research on magnets during my Masters and would like to echo that Rare Earth magnets should be treated with respect and frankly can be more trouble than they are worth. They are powerful, can easily pinch body parts in ways that will require reconstructive surgery and if broken can get in all sorts of bad places quickly with remarkable difficulty in removal.

Also trying to demagnetize a large steel gun is not easy and may cause damage due to the heating during the process.

Extreme caution is warranted.

Doc TH · January 17, 2012, 12:34 AM

Hmmm...I was not initially impressed with magnets for holding pistols due to the possibility of inducing magnetism in the firearm itself. Looks as though those suspicions were well-founded. While I was not considering disassembly of a hard drive to get the magnet, the comments above make it clear that those are not common ferrous magnets and have the potential to be very dangerous. Interesting info!

EvilE · January 26, 2016, 03:53 PM

Has anyone known these gun holders/holsters magnets to actually magnetize guns? Or is it mere speculation and theory? I've been using one to hold my glock g19-- should I not?

kilimanjaro · January 26, 2016, 04:21 PM

I remember someone saying once you could magnetize your gun and then the bullet would not leave the barrel.

Of course that's birdseed, but he was convinced of it.

wogpotter · January 26, 2016, 05:05 PM

Firstly plastic (err, sorry "polymer") isn't capable of being magnetized. Most Stainless steels don't become magnetic either, so I think you're pretty safe. The fact they're "rare earth magnets" has little to do with it, its more a question of the gun being made of materials that can become magnetized. Field strength (stick) will be higher for sure but that has no effect on any material's ability to become magnetized, just on how quickly a material capable of becoming magnetic will be.

gyvel · January 26, 2016, 05:37 PM

What about old speaker magnets?

**JohnKSa** · January 26, 2016, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Has anyone known these gun holders/holsters magnets to actually magnetize guns?

As mentioned, stainless steel isn't easily magnetized, but most non-stainless steels can be magnetized. I've never magnetized a gun because I don't want any of my guns to be magnetized. But I have magnetized other steel objects made of steels that are generally similar to non-stainless gun steels.

Quote:

What about old speaker magnets?

I haven't taken any speakers apart in years, but the last time I messed with any, they were ceramic magnets. They are also pretty fragile and will definitely scratch metal.

If I were going to use any magnet to hold a gun, I would want the magnet to be coated with something non-marring or I would want there to be something between the magnet and the gun to protect the gun (and maybe the magnet).

Clark · January 27, 2016, 02:24 AM

I have designed hundreds of magnetics, like transformers, but don't really understand magnetism, I just use a bunch of formulas.

I don't feel bad. Richard Feynman, my hero with the Cargo Cult Science lecture, and famous for a lot of other things besides making fun of vague theories, takes 7 minutes to explain why he can't explain magnetism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO0r930Sn_8

**JohnKSa** · January 27, 2016, 01:39 PM

Magnets are the closest thing to true magic most people will ever encounter.

johnwilliamson062 · January 27, 2016, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Most Stainless steels don't become magnetic either, so I think you're pretty safe.

While true of most stainless steels, this is not true of most used to manufacture slide, frame, and barrel of firearms. It has come up before and people have tested their guns. I would love for anyone to test their own and report back. I might even compile a table.

Its not magic until you break one in half on a table covered with iron filings.

January 10, 2012, 06:04 PM	#1
raceroch Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Location: RI Posts: 51	magnets used to secure guns Hi, I am trying to keep a magnet inside a drawer that is made of thin wood and the gun under the wood. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this or knows what magnent would be good (strong enough, but not to strong). I have heard Rare Earth Magnets are very strong, but am worried the gun will not remove easily... Does anyone have any experience with this? I am aware of the ready mount/quick draw magnets but that will not work due to needing to keep the gun flush with the bottom of the wooden drawer.

January 10, 2012, 08:25 PM	#3
Vt.birdhunter Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 637	Use a piece of tape or similar over the magnet to avoid marring your finish. __________________ Maintaining a constant state of cat-like readiness and a heightened state of suspicious alertness.

January 12, 2012, 06:03 PM	#7
highvel Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Powhatan VA Posts: 633	neodymium magnets are incredibly strong, check out kjmagnetics.com they have a great selection! I use the fuzzy side of Velcro on the magnets to keep from scratching my firearms! __________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.--Mark Twain "I have opinions of my own 'strong opinions' but I don't always agree with them."--George Bush

January 13, 2012, 12:38 AM	#8
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,973	Most of the internal magnets in hard drives are NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) magnets which are the most powerful permanent magnets currently available. They aren't that easy to get at and are usually glued to metal "brackets" inside the drive. Even after you've removed the bracket/magnet assembly from the drive, using the magnets effectively generally means you'll have to remove them from the brackets. That can be tricky. The magnets are fragile so you can't usually just pry them off the brackets without breaking them. There are a few ways I've removed them from the brackets, none of which are easy or particularly safe and all of which usually involve breaking a significant percentage of the magnets in the removal process, so I'll leave it at that. A couple of cautions about rare earth magnets and guns. It's not a super idea to have your gun or parts of your gun magnetized. Small bits of steel (like the normal products of metal-to-metal wear) will now stick to it. I do use magnets to hold some of my magazines to the safe door, but I try to alternate their position on the magnet each time I remove them and put them back. The idea is that they're not always lined up with the magnet's poles the same way in order to try to avoid magnetizing them. NdFeB magnets are pretty fragile. They are sintered metal that is typically nickel plated to provide additional structural integrity and protection against corrosion. If you allow them to snap together or snap to a large piece of metal, they will often break. That causes a couple of problems. First of all, you've ruined your magnet. Second, a broken rare-earth magnet will often produce some very small pieces which are very tiny, very strong magnets which will stick to steel with impressive tenacity. And since each of the tiny pieces is a small magnet and the poles will be lined up in opposing fashion at the moment of breakage, tiny pieces can be propelled away from the magnet at a pretty decent velocity. Could be bad for eyes that get in their way. Third, the nickel plating is very sharp since it's hard and very thin. It's really easy to cut yourself on a broken NdFeB magnet. And if the broken magnet is stuck to something you care about, it will be difficult to remove it without scratching what it's stuck to. Fourth, without the nickel plating, the exposed sintered metal will oxidize fairly rapidly and gradually turn to powder. Finally, it's worth pointing out again that these magnets are very strong. It's not hard to hurt yourself with them, particularly if you have ones that are very large or if you stack a number of the medium sized ones together. Be very careful with them, particularly if you're dealing with more than one at a time. They will snap together with surprising force if you let a couple of them get close to each other and if bits of you are caught between them when they meet it will be remarkably unpleasant. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 15, 2012, 08:27 AM	#9
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	^^^ Wow! Lots to think about. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

January 10, 2012, 07:01 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Use the magnets from a old defunct hard drive. They are rare earth type and will hold a large frame auto with ease. One for the gun and one for a loaded magazine.

January 12, 2012, 11:52 AM	#4
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	I use the "old hard drive magnets" myself (cheaper), but if you don't have any, try these commercially made magnets: http://quickdrawgunmagnets.com/ (You can purchase them at the NRA store as well, search for "Rapid Access Gun Magnet" at www.nrastore.com; $27.95 there).

January 12, 2012, 12:21 PM	#5
musher Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 462	Yikes. 28 bucks for a magnet. Check out http://www.kjmagnetics.com or http://www.magnet4less.com/ You can buy them with a screw hole in them for mounting if you like. Dip the magnet in tooldip to protect the finish of the gun.

January 15, 2012, 08:49 AM	#10
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I did a lot of research on magnets during my Masters and would like to echo that Rare Earth magnets should be treated with respect and frankly can be more trouble than they are worth. They are powerful, can easily pinch body parts in ways that will require reconstructive surgery and if broken can get in all sorts of bad places quickly with remarkable difficulty in removal. Also trying to demagnetize a large steel gun is not easy and may cause damage due to the heating during the process. Extreme caution is warranted. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

January 17, 2012, 12:34 AM	#11
Doc TH Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 633	Hmmm...I was not initially impressed with magnets for holding pistols due to the possibility of inducing magnetism in the firearm itself. Looks as though those suspicions were well-founded. While I was not considering disassembly of a hard drive to get the magnet, the comments above make it clear that those are not common ferrous magnets and have the potential to be very dangerous. Interesting info!

January 26, 2016, 03:53 PM	#12
EvilE Member Join Date: June 13, 2014 Location: Sonoran desert Posts: 93	Has anyone known these gun holders/holsters magnets to actually magnetize guns? Or is it mere speculation and theory? I've been using one to hold my glock g19-- should I not? __________________ CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS!

January 26, 2016, 04:21 PM	#13
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	I remember someone saying once you could magnetize your gun and then the bullet would not leave the barrel. Of course that's birdseed, but he was convinced of it.

January 26, 2016, 05:05 PM	#14
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Firstly plastic (err, sorry "polymer") isn't capable of being magnetized. Most Stainless steels don't become magnetic either, so I think you're pretty safe. The fact they're "rare earth magnets" has little to do with it, its more a question of the gun being made of materials that can become magnetized. Field strength (stick) will be higher for sure but that has no effect on any material's ability to become magnetized, just on how quickly a material capable of becoming magnetic will be. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

January 26, 2016, 05:37 PM	#15
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	What about old speaker magnets? __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

January 27, 2016, 02:24 AM	#17
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have designed hundreds of magnetics, like transformers, but don't really understand magnetism, I just use a bunch of formulas. I don't feel bad. Richard Feynman, my hero with the Cargo Cult Science lecture, and famous for a lot of other things besides making fun of vague theories, takes 7 minutes to explain why he can't explain magnetism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO0r930Sn_8 __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

January 27, 2016, 01:39 PM	#18
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,973	Magnets are the closest thing to true magic most people will ever encounter. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?