Where to Put House Shotgun?

[OldLincoln]

Okay, my bride saw the credit card so asked me about my purchase and just shook her head. She asked me later where I was going to keep it. If I left it here in the office I couldn't get to it from the bedroom and vice versa. I had been asking my self the same question and wasn't about to tell her we need a couple more.

So what to do? Where do I put my new Mossberg 500 Shotgun?

[georgepittenger]

Is carry an option ? :rolleyes:
Sorry , I couldn't resist .

I've also thought about it and haven't bought a shotgun yet because I haven't come up w a satisfactory resolution .

[Bawanna]

Depending on the way your bed frame is constructed you might be able to hang it either on one side or other or along the foot of the bed. Most women use bed spreads that nearly touch the floor and look nice although I could never figure out why, or the reason for 20 pillows when no one goes in ther but us. This would keep it out of sight to the casual observer.
I'd probably lean towards the bedroom location and carry a hand gun in the rest of the house to get to the shotgun.

Its important to take it out once in awhile so your use to grabbing it and also check for clean and oil. Keep it off the floor and not sealed up so it don't rust.

[jeepster09]

Some use hooks above inside, at top of closet door. You can have it ready for quick access and still out of the way.

[CJB]

I've got two Remington 870 Riot Guns, that I got as police trade-ins. One stands vertical, next to the bed, next to the AR. The other stands vertical in my office at home.

No kids present, ever, at my dwelling, so I'm in a different league perhaps.

[BuckeyeBlast]

Well, my Rem 500 is in a safe in my bedroom w/ a digi combo. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum with 2 young boys. But, I do carry in my home almost all of the time.

[TucsonMTB]

One $40 possibility (The-BackUp | The Bedside Gun Rack) (http://www.the-backup.com/). Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsV50T5uEyw

[Bawanna]

Precisely what I was thinking. I figure a master craftsman like Old Lincoln could fabricate something like that with materials around the house.

[TucsonMTB]

Precisely what I was thinking. I figure a master craftsman like Old Lincoln could fabricate something like that with materials around the house.
Yep! And, if vertical storage in a closet is preferred, here is another option with a $20 price tag (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS504-1.html).

http://cdn1.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/bgprod/GNS-504.jpg

This thread got me thinking and I will probably order one of these to replace the current shotgun case in a walk-in closet off the master bedroom.

Or . . . adding a sling would allow hanging it on the back of a door as shown in these images from PAFOA (http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/72072-behind-door-shotgun-rack-holder-page-2.html).

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n333/Nicolai1234/aaa.jpg
Out in the open.

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n333/Nicolai1234/a.jpg
Hidden, but still easily reached.

[Bawanna]

That would be a great idea. Hanging on a door with something over it like that.

[TucsonMTB]

That would be a great idea. Hanging on a door with something over it like that.
Yep! Gotta grab a swivel kit for that old Ted Williams. This appeals to my inner cheapskate and keeping the muzzle pointed down seems like a good idea.

I'm glad OldLincoln asked the question! KahrTalk.com rocks! :biggrin1:

[Ol'coot]

I have installed one of the Stack-On in the wall gun security cabinets in the wall just behind the bedroom door. It has enough room for 2 long guns to be stored. We have painted it the same color as the walls and most people do not even notice it. When you enter the bedroom it is automatically hidden behind the door. It installs between the wall studs with lag bots and is well made, it is not a safe but built well enough to keep pilfering small hands out and would not be easy for a burglar to open without spending some time working on it as it has 3 locking bars on the door and a full length piano hinge. With tools and time to work this would only delay a persistent burglar but that is true even with a full safe. We do not normally have small children in our home as all our children are grown and do not live close by. We keep the door to the bedroom closed and locked at night and the cabinet is unlocked with the door open allowing easy access to the shotguns in a matter of seconds. My wife is normally the only person at home during the day and she also leaves it open for easy access if needed. We are both happy with it and have found it to be convenient, practical and very useful, I added some padded pegboard hooks inside and we also can temporally secure 3 to 4 hand guns if needed.

Wall Secure Storage (http://www.stack-on.com/categories/security-cabinets-gun-cabinets/products/75)

[OldLincoln]

I love that "Back Up Plan" unit. My alternative is to stick it in the corner which I think is too far away given my slowness to wake and move. Bad guy kicking in your door will enter even faster than you see the cops on TV, and they'll head for the bedroom to secure us first thing. I figure we have 4 seconds max and I'll need all of it.

Seems I'm usually in my office during the day and in bed at night. I don't watch much TV so I'm not in the family room a lot. I've decided to keep it nest to my bed of course, and will try to put it in the office during the day. I'd expect most home invasions to happen at night, but not necessarily. If not that I'll be sure to carry in the house.

I'm going to get one of those bar things that fit under the door knob down to the floor to hopefully add a second or third kick and double the time. I was thinking it would help to have a sensor just inside the door that triggers a recording of a shotgun racking. They'd probably leave faster than they came in.

Another thought is to get a driveway sensor and put it on the porch so it would sound next to my bed. I have columns 10' from the door that would be perfect and hard to see.

I'm obviously concerned about what I see happening in the world and I remember they last time things went to heck home invasions spiked wildly. That was why I became armed and wear even around the house (be lax on that lately tho'). This time I'll take it to the next level with my shotgun, door brace and porch alarm. Sound like a plan?

Thanks for the help folks. It helps.

[LaP]

Where do you put the shotgun???

Directly on the chest of the badguy. Tell him to smile when he sees the flash.:D

[hdsteve69]

I like the hangin above the closet door inside the closet ,who would think to look there for anything let alone a gun heck I bet most cops wouldnt even think of looking there.

[tibbits]

right now, mine is in a closet downstairs, a long way from the bedroom. tonight I'll look for a better place. for me, an 870 is as good as it gets for defense. love my autos, but ordinance down range is the key at 3am when something goes bump. fortunately, I grew up with scatter guns so they are like riding a bike for me. I have no doubt that at 20 yards or less l am more accurate and confident with a shotgun from the hip than any handgun I have. and the classic sound of racking an 870 is almost a weapon itself.

hmmm, got the fever now...may have to reload the tube with birdshot and take a walk in the woods tonight.

[Barth]

I haven't been real clever on that.
My long guns are usually on the top shelf in the bedroom closet.
Would like a gun safe that looks like a cabinet If I had my own place...
http://s3.hubimg.com/u/1895426_f260.jpg

[OldLincoln]

I love that site Hidden Passages (http://www.hiddenpassages.com/). I was trying to recall it when O'Dell was looking for ideas.

[earle8888]

870 with Rem folding stock, sling in chest drawer, close to bed

[TucsonMTB]

I figure we have 4 seconds max and I'll need all of it.
. . .
I'm obviously concerned about what I see happening in the world and I remember they last time things went to heck home invasions spiked wildly. That was why I became armed and wear even around the house (be lax on that lately tho'). This time I'll take it to the next level with my shotgun, door brace and porch alarm. Sound like a plan?

Thanks for the help folks. It helps.
Hey OldLincoln!

You may already have done something like this, but with your layered plan to home defense, one additional layer might be an outer security door, in place of a screen door. We arranged to have Unique Home Design Security Door (http://uniquehd.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=16&meid=19) installed this summer. It is not cheap but, is very convenient and remarkably strong.

Oh, and your wife will like it because it is quite beautiful.

http://www.uniquehd.com/images/PremierL.jpg

From choosing the colors and design to actual installation was abut a month. The installer comes to your home to measure your front door at which point you can tweak the design after seeing the color samples he brings with him to your home against your wall and trim colors in daylight. It was a very satisfying experience for us. :D

[melissa5]

I was thinking about putting mine behind my bedroom door beside the AR15. Guess I really need to get creative or buy a safe.

[TucsonMTB]

I was thinking about putting mine behind my bedroom door beside the AR15. Guess I really need to get creative or buy a safe.
A safe is always a good idea for security when you are not at home. Ask O'Dell. Otherwise, behind the door sounds good to me. Did I mention that I am cheap! :D

[TheTman]

Mines behind the bedroom door in the corner there. I have hand guns within reach once I sit up. We had some fool ex husband kick in his ex-wife's door, so I know we aren't all that safe. Fortunately we live in a crime-scarce area. I would have one on the headboard if I had a headboard with shelves. If I think about it I'll wedge a chair under the doorknob for an extra second or two of time. Should get one of those metal rods that hook under the knob and extend to the floor. They are probably only good for a couple extra seconds too, but that could make the difference.

[garyb]

A shotgun is an excellent choice, but we did not like leaving it unsecured when we left home for a BG to have when he broke into our home. We don't want to come home to a scene like that. I suspect the statistics prove a greater probabililty of an intrusion when we are not home. We don't want to leave any guns out or even hidden for someone to take or use on us when we return. Ask guys that have had guns stolen...BG's find them even if they are hidden well. A bedroom or bedroom closet is the first place they will look. This means remembering to lock up the home defense shotgun everytime we depart home and unlock it when we got back home. Just doesn't happen.

Therefore, we have decided to keep the shotguns locked with the rest of the guns; keep our carry pieces available when we get home... and carry it when we depart home. My wife is doing the same and we'll have two guns bearing down on the BG if necessary; with a good, practiced (roll play) tactical plan should an intrusion occur. Everything else is locked up. It may not be as ideal as a shotgun, but we don't carry a shotgun either, so as close to ideal as it gets for us is to rely on our carry. We've decided to be confident in what we carry and lock the rest up. But we agree, the shotgun is the best home defense... but whether or not we are home our carry will do.

[OldLincoln]

It hadn't even occurred to me how to secure it when we leave the house. Gasp! Maybe I can do a locking hanger lagged into the door header over the closet. Gotta think this one through a bit. No problem on the hanger, but need a locking mechanism that's secure but relatively quick & easy to open.

How about a shotgun lock box I can drill and mount? Well, forget that! I found and priced it available at my favorite gun store for only $275. When I said I'm more interested in something under $75 she said use the lock it comes with.

Now I thinking about those bicycle locks that have the ridged elongated "U" bar. Oh well something will come to me. Or, how about you guys??

[Bawanna]

I'd not do any kind of lock that would take time to put into action. Thieves will seldom take long guns as they are hard to carry and too obvious. O'Dells thing was pretty unusual. The thieves knew what they were after and made a plan. The usual day time burg is gonna go for fast and easy and they ain't gonna waste alot of effort on a 300 dollar shotgun. Not impressive enough to the gang unless the cut the barrel off at the tube which wouldn't work on yours since the tube is long. Hang it over the closet door header, lock it up if you go on vacation for any length of time. (or not) and find something else to worry about.

The beauty of a shotgun is it dont break the bank if it does go away. It's a sad thing and no one wants to see it happen or in the hands of a dirt bag but still not the end of the world.

[OldLincoln]

Gee, and a plan was coming together too. I may still do it (or not). The idea is to keep it in "The Backup" when home and in the closet rack before leaving. I suppose I could get lazy and leave it locked in the rack. Well, I'll probably at least get one ot those vinyl coated bicycle hanger hook things for about the closet door to get it out of sight when not home.

The grandkids are supposedly gun safe but I still like to lock the guns up.

[ltxi]

In a front inside/near corner of my MBR closet a few steps from the bed. We have gun safes, but our ready to go/instant access arms are never locked down when leaving the house on a routine basis. Too hard to remember to do, to hard to remember to undo, and too big a pita. We also have both indoor dogs and an extensive alarm system, do not have children, and live in a very low risk neighborhood.

[Jeremiah/Az]

I don't like a shotgun for home defense & don't want to come home to a break in & have to face my own shotgun. My house is big with lots of nooks & crannies where a BG could hide & grab a long gun as I was lookin' for him. My shotguns are always locked up when not using them. My PM9 is always with me tho!:D

[OldLincoln]

You know I liked The Backup Plan bedside shotgun holder (http://www.the-backup.com/). It is the price that stopped me so I came up with an alternative device to do a similar thing. The idea is to attach 2 hooks to hold the shotgun at a level where the mattress and boxsprings meet. I chose to use 2 "J" hooks normally used in communication wiring inside buildings above suspended ceilings.

I will attach those to a carpet sample shaving a strip in the knap for the top rail to sit and pop rivet the top and bottom rails together through the carpet sample. Place the carpet sample between the mattress & boxspring and it's good to go. I anticipate it working but it doesn't I'm only out $1.50 for me effort.

This pic is the 2 "J" hooks with the center part removed on one.
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/P1010668.jpg

This shows the carpet sample with "J" hook placed. The knap isn't cut yet as I haven't picked up the gun and don't know exactly where to place them.
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/P1010669.jpg

If this works, next up will be hooks mounted above the closet door as an alternative spot.

[Bawanna]

I had no doubt you'd come up with a beautifully functional storage system without leaving the house and you appear to have not let me down.

[TucsonMTB]

Brilliant! The carpet shouldn't move and you could even sew the plastic straps in place to distribute the forces on the plastic.

Well done, OldLincoln! :)

[OldLincoln]

I put the carpet in place I almost couldn't pull it out without lifting the mattress. If the hooks work it surely is a go. If the hooks need to be larger/smaller, they have different sizes. We will see.

[OldLincoln]

Today was a bit different. I picked up the shotgun and my Buddy Bar Door Jammer arrived.

Yesterday I installed the porch alarm which works very well as long as I remember to turn it off when I get up. It was on when the neighbor showed up for a quick chat on the porch. I forgot about the alarm so every time either of us moved it sounded in the bedroom until my wife finally turned it off.

The DoorJammer works very well also. My wife can unlatch it using both hands and carefully move it clear of the door. We will work on that some more but we're encouraged.

The shotgun, Mossberg 500 Persuader, is fine. It has a blem on the bluing that is purly cosmetic but they gave me 10% off which paid for the cleaning kit and more ammo. Most places don't do this, but Big 5 exchanged my 00BS for #4BS. That's replacing 9 big pellets for 41 smaller ones. I didn't realize it at the time, but I ended up with 3" shells so my capacity drops from 8 to 7 which will be plenty. Can't imagine getting into a prolonged gunfight with a 12 gauge. I remember my stepdad telling me how the deputies would suddenly become hard to locate when the call came in about a BG with shotgun.

I do like the racking sound and will try to find it in an MP3 file. Should make a great ringtone for when you're stuck in a long line. :) Really would like to rig it to sound off on a decent speaker behind the front door when the porch alarm goes off the first time. That would be great to video in IR when the guys move up on the porch and hear that. If they do what I think they will (what I would do) that's probably a good deterrent and much cheaper than other stuff.

Tomorrow I get the remaining hooks and install the bed hanger and closet hanger. Then except for actually shooting the shotgun this weekend project I put off for 20 years is done.

My indoor range (http://pistolrange.com/) added a nice expansion with a large 5.11 store, classrooms for their Police Science Institute (http://psi-edu.com/). The long gun range is 35 yards and will accommodate shotguns, but hat part isn't open yet. It's nice to shoot indoors all year round as it's heated and cooled with excellent ventilation. Since it isn't ready for shotguns I have to drive way into the foothills to an outdoor range.

[JFootin]

I do like the racking sound and will try to find it in an MP3 file. Should make a great ringtone for when you're stuck in a long line. :) Really would like to rig it to sound off on a decent speaker behind the front door when the porch alarm goes off the first time. That would be great to video in IR when the guys move up on the porch and hear that. If they do what I think they will (what I would do) that's probably a good deterrent and much cheaper than other stuff.

That's a genius idea! Make sure it is not too loud and sounds realistic. :53: Are you going to have the alarm turn the porch lights on, too? (Got to have lighting for the video!)

BTW, OldLincoln, I sent you a friend request. Check your PMs.

[OldLincoln]

Of course when I googled it I got lots of "Shotgun Racking" hits and now have the MP3. I don't think I can rig anything to actually play it like I was thinking about but I can add it to my ringtones. :)

Well off to Lowes for my hangers. My wife told me they have an opening for a clerk so why don't I just work there and they can pay me in merchandise. Funny thing is she wasn't joking. Hmmmm, better lay low for awhile.

[jlottmc]

Eh, could be worse, my wife tells me that I cannot under any circumstances work for any place that sells tools, guns/sporting goods, or any combination thereof. Kinda not funny, there was a help wanted sign for part time work at the LGS a while back. It works though.

[TucsonMTB]

Hmmmm, better lay low for awhile.
The sad part is she probably won't understand unless, God forbid, your preparations really are needed some day. That's why some things are called "unimaginable".

But, if ignoring the threat that you perceive makes her feel safe, it's an argument you don't want to have, let alone win. Good job! :)

[Popeye]

Laying right on the floor in an open rifle case on my side of the bed.

[OldLincoln]

She is supporting me 100% on the house preparations. It's just my going to Lowes for a widget and coming home with all the cool stuff for the many projects I never do. It's just that my favorite part of a [project is buying the stuff for it. Of course a year or 2 later when I actually begin to work on it I can't find any of the stuff I already bought. Sigh, how on earth does she put up with me. Wait a minute, she does the same thing! What a pair.

[TucsonMTB]

They say that short term memory and project focus are the first things to go . . . :eek:

Not that I ever have that same issue, of course. :rolleyes:

[OldLincoln]

I've always been what Peters called a monomaniac when working on a project, especially developing software. When I'd get in the zone everybody would just ignore me and not do anything to break in. Now if I don't complete a project quickly it might never get completed. I always remember it as I'm doing something else. That's part of why I installed the closet hangers and the Mossy is hanging ready to go (chamber empty) 7 in the tube.

While at Lowes today, I forgot to get a pop riveter to finish the bed hanger. My old riveter I bought from Sears 22 years ago broke about 10 years ago and I've carried the receipt around with me but forget to take it in to see if they will exchange it under warranty. I only used it a few times but it came apart and something flew across the garage.

[TucsonMTB]

While at Lowes today, I forgot to get a pop riveter to finish the bed hanger. My old riveter I bought from Sears 22 years ago broke about 10 years ago and I've carried the receipt around with me but forget to take it in to see if they will exchange it under warranty. I only used it a few times but it came apart and something flew across the garage.
I'd lend you one of mine, but it's a long walk across the street to your house. ;)

If you have any heavy carpet thread and large needle, you might not need pop rivets . . .

[OldLincoln]

Well Folks, another project checked off the list. I have the hooks in the closet installed and, after a failed first try, have my version of "The Backup" in place. The hooks I first modified weren't strong enough to take the bed hanger thing. Today I got a very inexpensive (read not worth the $5 I paid for it) pop riveter at Harbor Freight and some heavy duty 3" pipe clamps at Lowes.

The pics below show the before of the pipe clamp, the clamps installed on carpet and in place; and the closet mounts.

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/P1010677.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/P1010675.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/P1010676.jpg

I think I am happy with the setup. The closet mounts work because I didn't cut the middle - strength - portion out, just hung them as is.

I still need to shoot the Mossy, but it's a forever drive to the outdoor range so I'm going to gut a bird shot shell and shoot the primer just to know it fires. If it fires I know it will be good if needed. I know it's not the ideal and I will shoot it right before too long. I was raised shooting shotguns so I know what it's like and how to shoot. It's just that there's no thrill for me doing it.

I can't go onto farmer's land without permission and with dove season opening in 10 days not much chance of that. If I shoot it after season opens I'll get in big trouble because I won't have a hunting license and nobody would believe I wasn't hunting.

[TucsonMTB]

Well Folks, another project checked off the list.
Congratulations, sir! After reading about your path to success, I must admit that I feel a little better about spending $26 (delivered) for the gadget below. It has not arrived yet, but I'm pretty sure I have the right wall anchors and can avoid a trip to Home Depot. There's a good, out of the way spot in the closet where this should work well. Not as handy as your bed mount, but a bed mount did not pass the spousal approval test.

http://cdn1.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/bgprod/GNS-504.jpg