My pistol safe and hopefully some community advice

[drail]

I know it would be a hassle to remove the safe but if you can bolt or screw some pieces of 2X4 or 2X6 inside the wall opening it would be easier to mount it securely and at least a little harder for someone else to rip it out. Definitely get some closed cell foam (like a sleeping bag pad) and line the inside. Don't leave anything in the safe that will absorb moisture from the air(that includes the holster) or you will have problems with corrosion. Try to come up with something to camouflage the safe so a thief taking a quick look in there will move on. A piece of white poster board taped to the wall will make it almost invisible without good lighting. Good luck to and your family. I hope you never need to use it.

 

[oneounceload]

you might also try some pool-table felt, or some other short-nap fabric as opposed to foam - that will also work well

 

[Johnc]

Nogoer, FWIW, here is a picture of the inside of one of my safes. On this one I used empty (wood) spools from sewing thread as holders for the guns. You can put felt around them if you like. They work well.

 

[ghosst]

I'd put a small pistol rack in there, and not worry about the felt, or foam.

Like This

 

[Jmacinnis1]

Nogoer, FWIW, here is a picture of the inside of one of my safes. On this one I used empty (wood) spools from sewing thread as holders for the guns. You can put felt around them if you like. They work well.

Now that's a great idea... never thought about that...

Also, taking the "blending" step a little further, what about adding white paint to the safe so it blends in the closet better? Any thoughts on this?

 

[Jmacinnis1]

after looking at the walls again, I guess it'd be an off white color

I guess I should have said "paint the safe the same color as the walls..."

 

[nogoer]

Johnc - thats definately a great idea, even plastic spools would work. How did you affix them to the back though? The metal of my safe looks too hard to use ordinary metal screws on. My thought of using felt covered pegboard would allow repositioning as well.

Jmacinnis1 - when im done the safe will actually be recessed and possibly covered by something. That might make it hard for quick access though.

A bunch of you guys are suggesting shimming or adding extra 2x4 so i can span two studs. Is there a less damaging way to do this without demoing the whole wall and having to resheetrock it? My closet looks to actually be built after the wall was made which means i cant easily pull the paneling off.

My thought was to make a hole big enough to get wood in but small enough so the safe would cover the opening. Obviously this would mean the safe was now a permanant fixture where its mounted.

 

[Johnc]

Nogoer, you can attach the spools by putting a screw into the center hole of the spool. Just lay everything out and put a scribe or pencil in the hole of the spool. Drill a small pilot hole and use a self tapping screw. If you go to Ace Hardware or some Home Depot/Lowes they sell plastic decorative screw covers that will cover the head of the screw. This not only looks trick, but it will protect your gun against scratches. They cost about ten cents each.

As far as attaching beams to your beam, you just need the beam(s) to be about the same height as the safe. If you need clarification on this feel free to PM me and I will help.

John

 

[Jmacinnis1]

noger, is the safe wide than 16"? If it's not, you could cut out the drywall, add 2x4 framing on the top and bottom (matching the safe dimensions), and install the safe within that cavity mounting the safe to the 2x4's on all sides. This would keep anyone from prying it out of the wall. You could also lower the location as someone else suggested, to better conceal it behind the cloths...

Just a few ideas. Let us know what you decide to do. I'm curious to see how you make it work. I think it's a great idea. That spool idea, that's a great one too.