Standard Gun Rack Plans (with Drawings)
Each person is different when it comes to choosing the storage option that is best for them. Gun racks come in a variety of different styles and capacity levels. Use this as a guide to determine which gun rack you believe best suits your needs as a gun owner.
Gun racks come in a variety of styles, so there is no standard size. However, the most popular gun rack is the horizontal gun rack, typically seen mounted on the wall. A 15-gun horizontal rack has an overall length of 47.62 inches, a width of 11 inches, and a height of 38 inches.
Types of Gun Racks
When you have firearms in your home, it is important to keep them stored safely. There are several different options when choosing a gun rack. Use this as a guide to choose the appropriate rack for your firearms.
Rotary Gun Rack
Rotary gun racks come in two options, magnetic or retention band. A magnetic rotary gun rack uses high-powered magnets to secure the gun in the barrel rest. The magnets are below the surface of the wood, and the rests are covered in felt.
A retention band rotary gun rack uses bungee-type cords in a circular form to hold the guns secure in the rests. Synthetic felt also covers the barrel rests for these.
A 12 gun rotary gun rack runs about $300. The 1½ inch thick wooden base has a 22-inch diameter. Retention bands hold guns, and wide spacing fits most guns, making it easy to rotate.
30-inch pedestals are standard for rotary gun racks, and 36-inch pedestals are available for longer scopes. Pocket openings in the base are 5 ½ inches in length by 2 inches wide.
Portable Gun Rack
A portable gun rack is excellent for extra gun storage, and the carrying handle makes transportation easy. This design makes it easy to fold up when not in use and store away until you’re ready to use it.
The Folding 10-Gun Rack from Rush Creek features a non-slip rubber base for gun stocks. It also has deep channel grooves for gun barrels. Assembled, the rack is 20.37 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 28.5 inches high.
Pistol Gun Rack
A pistol gun rack cradles handguns for display and gun safety. The 6-gun pistol rack features synthetic felt in the barrel rest and vertical grip surface to keep your guns safe. The overall dimensions of the rack are 15.75 inches long, 7.5 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. The gun barrel rests are spaced apart 2.5 inches and 1.25 inches wide.
Horizontal Gun Rack
The horizontal gun rack is the most common type and what you would usually associate with standard gun racks.
A horizontal gun rack is usually a wall mount for rifles and typically fits scopes, as well. The 15-gun capacity rack often features a ¾ inch maple veneer with a plywood core. Synthetic felt covers the gun surface.
The rack has an overall length of 47.62 inches, a width of 11 inches, and a height of 38 inches.
Vertical Gun Rack
A vertical gun rack is commonly known as a floor stand. These stands usually come with a 9-gun capacity and can be used with the floor stand or mounted on the wall. Guns are turned 45 degrees in this rack to allow for scope clearance and bolt action.
Most vertical gun racks feature a lockable cable for security. High-powered magnets within the barrel rests keep the guns secure. The pocket openings in the base of the rack are 5 ½ inches long by 2 inches wide.
Corner Rifle Gun Rack
Corner rifle gun racks allow you to save space while also displaying your guns. This rack is also a good option if you prefer to store your guns in a closet. It can be tucked away in the corner out of sight.
A 6-gun corner rack typically has a height of 36 ¾ inches and a depth of 17 ½ inches. There is a 2 ½ inch bore for the barrels, and the bottom inset is 1 ⅞ inches wide by 5 ¾ inches long.
This rack can easily fit narrow guns and can accommodate more double-barrel shotguns. Similar to the rotary gun rack, there are 30-inch and 36-inch pedestals. 30-inch pedestals are standard, and 36-inch pedestals are available for longer scopes.
Other Types of Firearm Storage
Choosing the right gun storage system will depend on your personal needs. Take into consideration the type of guns you own, your living situation, and the storage needed to store the guns.
In addition to gun racks, there are also other types of storage devices.
Trigger Locks
A trigger lock is a simple and affordable option that prevents a gun from being loaded or fired. Some are provided by the manufacturer, but most guns now come with a trigger lock in the box.
Trigger locks can take on different forms, like shoe clamps around the trigger or trigger housing. Trigger housing prevents the trigger from being manipulated.
Gun Case
You can find gun cases at most sporting goods stores in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and material options. They range in price from $10 to $150. The purpose of a gun case is to carry a firearm and protect it from any physical damage.
There are soft cases and hard-side cases which can be locked when transporting to and from shooting sites.
Steel Gun Cabinet
A steel gun cabinet can provide an increased level of storage. These cabinets are typically $150 to $450. These are ideal for apartment buildings or second-floor rooms because they can be moved up and down by two people.
A good example of a steel gun cabinet is the Model GCB-18-C from Stack On. It can hold up to 18 54-inch long guns or nine long guns and four storage shelves. It has a three-point security system and fastening hardware that attaches the cabinet to the wall.
Gun Safe Considerations
Gun safes are the most secure gun storage options available to the average firearm owner. The weight, heavy-gauge steel, and complex locking system make this an ideal storage situation for gun owners. Gun safes can also provide additional protection against flooding, fires, and other natural disasters.
Purchasing a gun safe is a significant financial commitment, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,500. Before buying a gun safe, here are some things to consider.
Safe Size
The larger a gun safe is, the higher the price tag. The best way to save money when purchasing a gun safe is to know precisely how much interior space you need. However, it’s not uncommon for a first-time safe buyer to underestimate the amount of space he needs.
A rule of thumb is to calculate what will be going into the safe. This includes the types of guns you have, gun accessories, and then other valuables you may store in the safe. Once you’ve calculated the minimum storage requirement, find a safe that meets those needs, then buy one size larger.
Steel Thickness
The overall toughness of a safe is typically quantified by the thickness of the steel used to construct it. The thicker the material, the more the gun safe will cost.
Steel is gauged using a reverse scale. This means that 10-gauge steel is thicker than a 12 or 14-gauge. Be aware of the steel in the shell and the door because they may be different sizes.
Fire Rating
House fires are more common than we would like, which is why some gun safes feature a fire rating. People determine the rating is by measuring the internal temperatures maintained within the insulated gun safe. Then they expose the gun to a range of elevated temperatures over a measured period of time.
Because there is no federal or industry standard for fire rating, it’s up to the buyer to choose what they feel comfortable with.
For example, the average house can burn in about 60 minutes without emergency personnel intervening. Firefighters can usually arrive within 10 to 15 minutes. This means that the fire will likely cool or be extinguished within 60 minutes.
If the temperature of a burning house is 1,300 degrees, the contents of a safe can survive an hour. This is considered a solid rating.
Related Questions
How often should I clean my gun?
Ideally, you should clean a gun after every shooting session. Not cleaning your gun can cause build-up in the barrel and affect your precision as well as the gun’s reliability. You don’t have to deep clean it, but a light and thorough cleaning is sufficient to remove any caked-on debris.After cleaning the gun, you should apply a small amount of light lubricant or gun oil to parts that rub together. Some of these parts include the rails between the frame and slide of a semi-automatic. Also, apply oil between a revolver’s cylinder and frame.
What is the average cost of a gun?
Typical gun costs will depend entirely on the type of gun you’re purchasing as well as the features you want. A 20-gauge shotgun can cost as low as $150, and a 9-millimeter gun can cost as low as $250. On average, most popular guns range from $300 to $1,000. However, there can be some more expensive ones, costing up to $10,000. Non-revolver handguns range from $250 to $2,500 and revolvers range from $200 to $1,500. Shotguns range from $400 to $2,000 and rifles range from $500 to $10,000.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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