3 Ways to Fit the Most Guns in Your Safe - MDT Mention

Firearm storage can be a bit of a tricky thing. People want to keep their firearms safe and protected from events such as fire and theft, as well as keep them accessible and scratch-free. Traditionally, Gun Safes are the common storage solution. They offer fire and hardened protection against theft and other unwanted visitors. However, they lack the ability to accommodate a large number of modern firearms with optics, lights, lasers, and other accessories. Recently, Banana Ballistics has offered three tips for maximizing the storage potential of these dated, safe interiors. When discussing safes and their lack of room, I am talking about long guns. Pistols can be a bit easier to deal with, but long guns, especially ARs and bolt guns, can be hard to finagle in place without damage. Traditional gun safe sizing—such as 12 guns, 30 guns, etc.—revolves around shotguns and basic long guns without the extra accouterments.

METHOD 1

The first step is to unload everything from inside the safe. (This includes shelves, but leave them in the shelf brackets and gun dividers). Next, divide the long guns by size (length). Instead of mashing guns of different lengths together, divide them up so they can be stored in the most efficient way possible. An easier way to look at it is to separate all AR style and other modern semi-autos from your longer bolt-action rifles and shotguns. Next, with all your AR variants, separate the uppers and lowers unless it’s a gun you use regularly, then keep it together. (Note: this method will only work with safes with a middle divider).

Once this task is completed, place the lowers upside down on the safe’s bottom. Then, place shelf brackets above the lowers, ensuring you can still remove them when a shelf is in place. This shelf will then hold all the uppers as well as your short rifles and shotguns. Because this shelf will bear heavier weight, some reinforcements may be needed. Start with the longest of the shorter guns and continue from there. If the safe is tall enough, there should be room for an additional shelf above these guns. Make sure there is enough room to remove the guns without hitting the shelf.

Now that one side is complete, place all your other long guns (the longer ones) on the other side. If room allows, you might even be able to add a shelf above the muzzles of these guns.

A pair of ACC Chassis equipped rifles. Photo courtesy of OBI.

METHOD 2

Another option—and I find this one to be a stretch—is for those shooters who don’t own (or legally can’t because of where they live) many AR-style rifles but own several bolt-action rifles with optics. To optimize space, replace traditional rings with Quick-Detach ones. Optics, especially those often selected for precision shooting, take up quite a bit of space and can be cumbersome to store in a traditional safe. Place the guns and optics in the safe the same way as the above option, leaving plenty of shelf space for optics. Also, a numbering or color-coding system might be beneficial to keep track of which optic goes with which rifle.

AR-15 Style rifles can be separated for easier storage.

METHOD 3

And the final and least serious option—Downsize…. Please, don’t do this; get another safe! For more, check out Banana Ballistics! Check out the latest video on our YouTube channel.

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