How To Turn A Closet Into A Gun Safe
As a gun holder, it’s important to keep your firearms off the wrong people.
Long-range shooters therefore put money on quality gun safes to secure their possessions.
Today you can build your own large-scale gun safe by turning a closet into a gun safe – a very thoughtful DIY renovation that can save you pennies.
This article discusses how to turn a closet into a gun safe.
Why turn a closet into a gun safe
While firearms have become so common in our current times, safekeeping should be a noble responsibility of every serious gun owner.
But is a closet any good?
Unlike a garage, a closet provides excellent protection against damages, theft, and criminal trespass because it’s located inside the room.
It does accommodate an arsenal of guns and other items you own thereby a long-term storage solution
Some of the advantages of a closet include
- A closet safe prevents your firearms from unauthorized access – eg. children, or intrusive visitors.
- It offers a significant storage space to accommodate a lot of guns, and other large valuable items
- Easy to turn into a large-scale gun safe
- Closet safes have no space obstruction in your room
- It protects your firearms from fire accidents, pest damage, and much more.
Next read: How to change the combination on a Winchester gun safe
Factors to consider when turning your closet into a gun safe
There are certain factors to put into consideration before turning your closet into a gun safe.
Purpose of possessing the firearm
If you hold a gun for recreation or hunting purposes, you don’t require it so often.
If you possess a firearm for emergency factors, you can have a complex yet easy to access gun safe during the time of need.
Purpose of storing the firearm
First, consider keeping your firearm out of children’s reach.
You may also have an option of protecting theft of your firearms by burglars. The second option will require a safer and more complex safe.
Storing
You can choose to either store your firearm in a gun rack or a cabinet. Either of the two decisions has its importance. The option you take is due to your preference.
Consider the size of your firearm when modifying your closet.
Hard guns are shorter than rifles and shotguns. They require less space as well.
Use the filing cabinets or peg boards to hang your firearms.
Other factors to consider when turning a closet into a gun safe
- Doors
Closet doors are light. They’re easily destroyed with little effort. You can go for a robust door with locking mechanisms. Another alternative is to choose keypad locks or deadbolts.
Closets have standard door knob locking mechanisms This is easy to break into. You can add a door frame of an equally hearty material. This is a tedious process but it will ensure that your firearms are burglar-proof.
- Structural Reinforcement
Heavier doors aren’t enough for firearms safety. Adjoining walls ease breakage into the safe. The benefit of this can be reinforcing the inner walls.
Secure the rebar and add heavier layers of solid wood between the studs. There’s also a need to remove existing drywall.
Reinforcing the closet walls will prevent the bugler from bashing inwards using a crowbar. Burglars will not only fear being caught in the act but also lack quick access into your gun safe.
- Fire protection
Fire can be hazardous and could destroy your entire firearm. Modern gun vaults are fireproof. You can upgrade your gun safe to such a level.
Besides, install fire-resistant panels and flooring. Put ceramic or stone tiles on the floor.
To ensure the walls are fireproof use sealants to finish it. Make sure these sealants are non-flammable.
Apply other additional options if necessary to modify your closet to meet other needs at hand.
You can use a new secret door to access your safe or mount a traditional vault door.
Steps to follow when turning a closet into a gun safe
Turning a closet is not simple but eventually a fruitful process. Gun safes will ensure your firearm safety.
Gun safes eliminate the hustle of having to incur extra costs in case the gun is stolen or used in crimes.
Let us get started on the tips to follow in converting your closet into a gun safe.
Closet selection
Closet selection is the first and most vital step in converting a closet into a gun safe. Not all closets are customizable. You should therefore consider certain factors before selecting your closet
- Need to possess the firearm – Why do you need the firearm? If you possess a firearm for leisure, you require your firearm less urgent as compared to emergency reasons. It would be advisable to put the closet in your room since immediate access is very important.
- Size of firearms – Rifles will require more space than hard guns. The size of your closet will determine whether to put it in your room or in a separate room. The first thing you’ll have to consider is space.
Some questions to ask yourself are: Is your closet large enough to house the firearms you need to store? Are there any modifications you’ll need to put into place to turn your closet into a gun safe?
- Degree of security that you wish in the gun safe. Theft-proof safes are more complicated.
- Number of firearms you need to store in the gun safe. You should consider this to identify the weight and layout of the gun safe. Gun safes should not exceed 150kgs (about 330.69 lb.)
Update closet interior
Closets are usually standard. Closets are purposefully made for keeping clothing and confidential items. They’re not safe to keep your firearms. You’re supposed to upgrade them to secure your collection.
Remove all unwanted features such as closet rods and shelves to secure more room for your guns. You may leave one rod or two for hanging your hunting jackets in case you wish to.
Then install well-mounted or free-standing ranks to arrange your firearms. Thicken the walls to prevent any forced entry into the safe.
Install a secret closet door
Storing all your firearms together will ease the thief’s work. You’ll need to install a secret door to secure your collection, otherwise you lose it all.
You can either choose a wooden door or one made of steel. Wood is preferably better because it has efficient deadbolt and locks.
Measure the size of your door so that you don’t purchase a useless door. If your closet is in your bedroom install a mirror door.
Mirrors are naturally expected in bedrooms hence a thief may not easily identify this door.
Add lock mechanisms
Remember your aim is to secure your firearms as much as possible. Adding a lock mechanism to your closet contributes hugely to keeping your collection safe. You can either choose a digital lock or go for a manual lock.
For digital locks choose the lock with a screen or the one without the screen. Both locks are efficient and will ensure your collection is safe.
Install a motion detector
You wish to be notified in case someone got into the gun safe without your permission. You can install a motion detector in the gun safe. In case someone enters the gun safe the motion detector will automatically identify them.
Install the motion detector together with an alarm. The alarm will ring immediately when someone gets into the gun safe.
Tips on how to effectively handle firearms
The necessity to store as many firearms as possible brings about the need to turn a closet into a gun safe.
Most people purchase a gun safe to store their extra firearms because they require a reliable amount of storage space to work with.
There are some drawbacks that we often experience when storing firearms. Below is a quick guide on the dos and don’ts when storing a firearm.
- Store ammunition separately from firearms in a locked safe. This lowers the risk of unauthorized tampering. It may reduce the risk of children firing in case they come across these ammunitions. This will prevent accidents.
- Keep your finger away from the trigger unless you’re firing.
- Ensure that the muzzle points downwards whenever you are carrying your firearm. This will avoid accidental firing which would otherwise cost you your firearm.
- Don’t shoot on water, a solid surface, or even a flat surface. Beware of your target and what lies behind them before shooting.
- Always handle your firearm with a lot of care. It might be loaded without your conscience and cause unintended accidents in case it fires.
- You should store your firearms when they are unloaded in a locked location. The weapon should also be separate from your ammunition. Plus the place should be clean, dry, and free from moisture which may accumulate in them. This will damage your firearms and you will have to incur extra costs.
- Finally, store your ammunition pointing down or horizontally.
Why do guns rust in a gun safe?
Guns have some parts of them made of metal. The metal reacts with chemicals used in making the gun safes. This causes them to react.
When buying a gun safe it is wise to consider the materials used to make these safes. This will prevent loss in case your ammunition rusts.
You should ensure that your gun safe has a thin steel shell and is carpeted to protect your firearms from rusting.
Conclusion
It is paramount to protect your firearms. This is the only way of ensuring your firearms are safe and prevent landing into problems in case your firearm is used in crime.
Turning a closet into a gun safe is a straight process if you closely follow the steps given above. Its benefits cannot be underestimated.
It not only keeps your firearms safe but saves your room space, too.
