storing handguns safely in a condo...

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

I am a beginner and just now getting into this hobby. I am single with no kids
and live in a nice 2 bed 2 bath condo. My plan is to purchase 3 handguns over the next 3 months to be used for fun, recreational range shooting...a .22 and
.38/.357 revolver and a CZ 85B pistol.

I want be sure I can safely store these handguns. I certainly do not have
the room for a huge 6ft gun safe, and I was wondering if you guys can suggest
a nice compact gun safe that can accommodate 3 handguns and can be bolted
to the floor, or recessed into a wall in a closet??

How do you guys store your handguns who live in apartments or condos?


Thanks
 
Probably not the most secure thing in the world, but I bought one of those electronic keypad handgun safes and bolted it to the wall with really long lag screws and washers. A thief would really have to work at getting this thing off my wall.:cool:
 
AmSec and likely other companies make pistol safes, probably little larger and more expensive than what you might be looking for. 3 shelves, 15 inches wide, 22 inches high, about the same deep, bolted to the floor in my closet, more secure than the cheaper safes, but there are many less expensive and smaller choices also.

If you have a decent alarm system, a small Homak safe or a Sentry document safe would work also. They are sturdy enough to defeat someone who doesn't have alot of time to work.
 
Do you mean safe from thieves?
I live in an efficiency condo and store 1 by my bed loaded and another in a carry case in the corner.
I'm sure it's not preferable, but I can't exactly bolt things into the walls or floors.
 
Cases, bags, safes...

Hello;
There are a # of products to secure firearms in small containers cases or boxes. For details check a few of these sources: www.Cabelas.com www.Natchezss.com www.PoliceHQ.com www.UScav.com www.Sportsmansguide.com www.Galls.com .
I'd suggest you store the firearms unloaded & use a treated bag or sock(Bore Store type) to offer a layer of protection from nicks/scuffs. Some US military type gear/equipment bags can prevent rust or wear also.
If you plan to secure the firearm(s) for long periods you may want to add a thin coat of Mpro7/LPX or Eezox. ;)

ClydeFrog
 
I have a Stack-On and it works fine (I have the large double-door cabinet plus the smaller handgun cabinet). It's not a "safe" but a locking steel cabinet that can be secured to the wall with lag screws. No protection against fire and not as protective against theft as a true safe, but at around $100 (for the pistol cabinet) it's a great price and for three guns I don't know that a true safe is a worthwhile investment (make sure you're insurance covers the guns). It is not a "fast access" safe and you might want to consider one of those for your SD piece. Though with no kids in the house just keeping it on or in the nightstand should work fine (that's what I do).
 
Storing handguns

To store around three/four handguns you have a lot of options on safes, but in a condo you don't have the option of installing a safe in a concrete floor/wall.
Anything you buy/install can be ripped out and carried out by any two average sized thieves.

My suggestion is to buy two small safes:
a. Hide one (i.e. inbetween wall studs in a closet, false duct, one of the older large stereo speaker etc ...)

b. Put a couple bricks in the the other one, lock it and throw away the key (using adhesive to hold the door shut would not hurt). and leave it in a 'not too obvious location',​

Don't tell anyone about the hidden safe.

Note: The 'findable safe' needs to be small enough for a thief to carry away in order to break into at his/her leisure.
 
I would keep one in an accessible location if you ever need to use it. When you leave the house, store it with the rest. cwok mentioned something that never occured to me as well, and that could be a good idea if people around you know that you own firearms. Your best option for a safe would probably be something with a cable attached since you can not permanently mount one in a condo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top