In-wall long gun safe?

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

Anyone have any recommendations? Looking for something to fit between standard 16” OC studs. Won’t break the bank ($300 or less would be nice) and can accommodate at least one handgun and one long gun. Preferably something a bit heavier duty than the stack-on IWC-55 cabinet. Fire protection not necessary (but I wouldn’t mind it). Keyed entry is not a negative.

But super flimsy construction not okay.

From what I am finding my choices are a handgun safe that may actually be legitimately pry and tool resistant (I said resistant), or basically in in wall gun cabinet that a minute with a mallet and pry bar would have torn open.

Primarily looking to keep kids out and quick access, but if something exists that might resist a mildly curious robber I wouldn’t be upset by that (obviously nothing will stop a determined robber who is going to use power tools)

Wife would need to be able to open it (hence key that can go on her key ring and my key ring. Or biometric. Combo won’t work as she won’t remember it).

engineerbrian · Apr 9, 2019

Tactical Walls makes a nice unit

FrankOceanXray · Apr 9, 2019

I've never seen a safe really for in-between-the-studs, but did have a Walmart one. It was under $100. My walls weren't deep enough but trimmed it out with casing to match the doors. It looked great. The metal was thin and it was keyed. I really liked it.

It could have been covered easily with a distraction piece. The location was behind the door's in-swing, so entering the room practically his it from view.

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

Yeah it’ll probably go behind a piano hinged mirror or something like that

ironpony · Apr 9, 2019

I’ve thought of this but the store bought ones can be thin so my next thought was to make the “mirror” door secure as well over the store bought (stackon?). Metal backed and locking as well.

I am from the camp of “if they want it, they will get it”. Good luck and keep us informed.

Ammo Jon · Apr 9, 2019

This one contains the HD shotguns, vertically mounted. I also have it configured to hold a few pistols but I have a pistol safe closer to the bed that is my go to.

https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/product/hidden-gun-safe-model-47/

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

ironpony said:
I’ve thought of this but the store bought ones can be thin so my next thought was to make the “mirror” door secure as well over the store bought (stackon?). Metal backed and locking as well.

I am from the camp of “if they want it, they will get it”. Good luck and keep us informed.

That is mostly the camp I fall in to also. But I also know most break-ins are usually a quick sweep of easy to haul valuables. Now a cheap in-wall cabinet that you’d need a pry bar to open might be enough to deter. But if I COULD get something that would require cutting out the studs to remove it or an angle grinder and a couple of minutes...I wouldn’t mind paying a little more to keep the casual thief from getting in to it.

The mirror would be both to keep it a little hidden, again from a casual break-in, but also so my kids don’t know it is there and start wondering where the key might be. The later is more important to my wife than me. They know they won’t get in to my safe with its combo lock and they aren’t curious (I take the older ones shooting occasionally). But my wife has issues with guns to start with.

Squaregrouper · Apr 9, 2019

Without providing details, I use concealment with the cheapo Stack-Ons. If a burglar knows where to look, they can get into mine with a prybar and hammer in <5 minutes.
I'm banking on the small handful of friends who know about it not ripping me off. I'm guessing BCPD with a warrant would find it in 20-30 minutes. Not too worried about a "smash and grab" burglar finding it.

OP- Would this work for you?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/stack-on-in-wall-gun-cabinet?a=593357

ironpony · Apr 9, 2019

squaregrouper said:
Without providing details, I use concealment with the cheapo Stack-Ons. If a burglar knows where to look, they can get into mine with a prybar and hammer in <5 minutes.
I'm banking on the small handful of friends who know about it not ripping me off. I'm guessing BCPD with a warrant would find it in 20-30 minutes. Not too worried about a "smash and grab" burglar finding it.

OP- Would this work for you?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/stack-on-in-wall-gun-cabinet?a=593357

This would work well for me .... I screw a lot.

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

squaregrouper said:
Without providing details, I use concealment with the cheapo Stack-Ons. If a burglar knows where to look, they can get into mine with a prybar and hammer in <5 minutes.
I'm banking on the small handful of friends who know about it not ripping me off. I'm guessing BCPD with a warrant would find it in 20-30 minutes. Not too worried about a "smash and grab" burglar finding it.

OP- Would this work for you?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/stack-on-in-wall-gun-cabinet?a=593357

From what I am finding and reading here, that’s what it looks like I am leaning towards.

Thanks everyone.

Suggestions on good magnetic pistol/mag holders?

FrankOceanXray · Apr 9, 2019

The stackon is what I had at a previous home.

TexasBob · Apr 9, 2019

Tactical Walls has many different styles but are not cheap $$$, the between the studs mirror is a easy install with a utility knife and a powered screwdriver. Comes with a couple strong magnets that I duct tape to yjr backside of the wall insert, holds a Beretta 92 with Mag and a spare mag without any issues. Has a small tray to hold flashlight or other things. Got mine as a fathers day present. Looking at it you would never tell its anything but a nice hardwood wall mirror.
https://store.tacticalwalls.com/all-wall-cover-products-c33.aspx

ironpony · Apr 9, 2019

Another thought would be to attach a wooden frame to the unit close enough to the door gaps to prevent getting a good bite with a crow bar. Maybe an inch tall might do and attach the concealing mirror to it.

S&WDDS · Apr 9, 2019

This is surprisingly heavy and pretty durable construction. It does have key access, not just electronic. Much more sturdy than the "cabinet" stack-on.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stack-On-Long-Gun-Wall-Safe-with-Electronic-Lock-PWS-1555/207107091

RegularJay · Apr 9, 2019

Maybe investigate your intended install location prior to buying. Lots of stuff in walls - insulation, electric, phone, TV wiring, plumbing supply, drain & vent lines, HVAC ducts, fire/cabinet blocking, etc. etc.

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

RegularJay said:
Maybe investigate your intended install location prior to buying. Lots of stuff in walls - insulation, electric, phone, TV wiring, plumbing supply, drain & vent lines, HVAC ducts, fire/cabinet blocking, etc. etc.

Not positive what is in there right now as I am settling on the home in 3 weeks. From memory, the wall I want to put it in likely doesn’t have anything in it. I can ask the home owner though as he built the house.

Positive no plumbing, DWV or HVAC. It could have electrical, but very unlikely. If it does, I can re-feed around it. Advantage of having built half a house myself and done major remodels on a couple of others. Basically not a thing I haven’t done (okay, I haven’t done foundation work or gas lines. But that’s it. Framing, roofing, structure, HVAC (multiple types), electrical, plumbing, networking, drywall).

I also eyed the heavier duty Stack on unit. A little concerned is a lot of the Amazon reviews are about broken hinge pins. Though maybe I can find something of the proper size that is solid to replace them? Sounds like improperly casted if they are brittle enough to break.

Matlack · Apr 9, 2019

I would go with a tactical shelf instead.

buellsfurn · Apr 9, 2019

lazarus said:
Not positive what is in there right now as I am settling on the home in 3 weeks. From memory, the wall I want to put it in likely doesn’t have anything in it. I can ask the home owner though as he built the house.

Positive no plumbing, DWV or HVAC. It could have electrical, but very unlikely. If it does, I can re-feed around it. Advantage of having built half a house myself and done major remodels on a couple of others. Basically not a thing I haven’t done (okay, I haven’t done foundation work or gas lines. But that’s it. Framing, roofing, structure, HVAC (multiple types), electrical, plumbing, networking, drywall).

I also eyed the heavier duty Stack on unit. A little concerned is a lot of the Amazon reviews are about broken hinge pins. Though maybe I can find something of the proper size that is solid to replace them? Sounds like improperly casted if they are brittle enough to break.

Laz is this just a 2x4 wall

lazarus · Apr 9, 2019

buellsfurn said:
Laz is this just a 2x4 wall

Yup. His/her’s Closets that back to each other. If I were to build something from scratch I’d do 2x6 wall construction and 24” OC and find something I could custom fit to a deeper location (I could always weld a flange on the face to fit over the drywall, but stay close to smooth).

But now we are taking deeper search, lots and lots of custom work...

Really just want something that’ll hold a shotgun, an AR, a handgun and like a spare mag for each thing and a shotgun card. Two for me, one for her deal.

Needs to keep kids out as well is itinerant lazy burglars. If I could find something more pry resistant with mild fire and water resistance, awesome! But such a thing doesn’t sound too doable for the capacity I want that isn’t custom made. At least I don’t think it is?

buellsfurn · Apr 9, 2019

lazarus said:
Yup. His/her’s Closets that back to each other. If I were to build something from scratch I’d do 2x6 wall construction and 24” OC and find something I could custom fit to a deeper location (I could always weld a flange on the face to fit over the drywall, but stay close to smooth).

But now we are taking deeper search, lots and lots of custom work...

Really just want something that’ll hold a shotgun, an AR, a handgun and like a spare mag for each thing and a shotgun card. Two for me, one for her deal.

Needs to keep kids out as well is itinerant lazy burglars. If I could find something more pry resistant with mild fire and water resistance, awesome! But such a thing doesn’t sound too doable for the capacity I want that isn’t custom made. At least I don’t think it is?

Home Depot sells steel doors with frames not sure but possibly doubled bore so you could use a keyed alike pair of deadbolts metal studs 1/2 concrete board there's a few DIY options

In-wall long gun safe?

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