New to it all, query about gun safe/ammo storage

broph13

Hi all.

Just got my license sorted there this week and picked up a very nice Beretta 686 that had been well maintained.

I was looking into getting a safe for it as it's a bit of a pain having the gun broken down in 3 pieces around the place. Could anyone recommend a safe? Also if I get a safe and it has an ammo storage box built in, can I use that? or does the ammo need to be stored separately full stop?

Cheers!

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058360282/new-to-it-all-query-about-gun-safe-ammo-storage

Ammo must be stored in a locked receptacle separate from any firearm it can be used in.

So you can store ammo in the safe's ammo storage box so long as it is lockable.

mulbot

Infac are a decent safe. Just make sure you've enough space in the seperate ammo part as shotgun ammo takes up a bit more space. I've a second smaller safe for ammo.

broph13

Cheers gents, going to head to my local gun store later and see what he has in stock.

freddieot

Keep in mind that it might not be your last gun so make sure you get a safe big enough in case the family starts to grow over the years. I've a 12 gun infac that comfortably holds about 6 guns.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122400173#Comment_122400173

Exactly, and scoped rifles take up much more space than a shotgun

broph13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122400173#Comment_122400173

Yeah was thinking that myself, I know its still early days but can see myself probably going down the rifle route at some stage. Going to speak to Sean in redmills later on and see what he has in stock!

JP22

Give a shout out to members on here, someone may have a spare safe for sale.

GaryKE.

Does the safe have to be bolted floor/wall or is one surface enough.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122558218#Comment_122558218

"securely fixed to a solid structure" is the wording in play here, so by that wording secured to any single solid structure, ie wall, floor, etc would be sufficient, rather than multiple.

Most tend to only be bolted securely to a single surface in my experience.

JP22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122558218#Comment_122558218

In addition to otmmyboy2 answer, I would just add, if gun safe door is left opening hinges (locks on right), secure the safe/cabinet in a right hand wall corner and vice versa.

It reduces the space/leverage available if someone is using a pry bar to open same.

J.R.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122560378#Comment_122560378

I run a bead of silicone around all the outer edges of the safe touching a wall…..it makes it very difficult for anyone to insert a pry bar and also makes the safe rock steady and solid.

Rosahane

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122563207#Comment_122563207

I have angle iron screw as to the wall around the safe. The angle iron would have to be pried off to allow a pry bar behind the safe. The silicone is a good idea and I’ll run a bead of that around the angle.

Everything you can do to slow down a burglar is worthwhile - they want to be in and about as fast as possible!

JP22

Forgot to add - whatever room the safe/cabinet is in, use a five lever lock (cheap to buy) on the room door, everything and anything to slow them down.

lmk123

cut a hole in the back of the wardrobe the same size as the safe and then bolt the safe to the wall behind the wardrobe, they can’t get near the edges of the safe to pry it from the wall

GaryKE.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122568927#Comment_122568927

So I am trying to do this now myself, but the bolts I have don't reach the brick behind the chalk board, seems my wall has 9cm of chalkboard before touching brick and the bolts I got with the safe are only 6cm.

lmk123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122585002#Comment_122585002

sounds like an insulated slab, maybe use concrete screws about 160-180mm long if you want, the first 90mm is basically useless with the insulated slab

GaryKE.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122585330#Comment_122585330

Screwfix after work it is so, ty.

BSA International

Be better to cut a hole in plasterboard for safe and then fix safe to block wall.

GaryKE.

Fecking drill shat itself when trying to screw in the screws, at this stage would have been cheaper to call out an installer for the €120 they were charging.

lmk123

where are you I’ll do it for €100 😂

JP22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122585002#Comment_122585002

Been there, done that Gary, the difference is the insulation depth on the wall, poorly insulated houses had thin insulation, more modern or retrofitted houses have much more insulation hense the bigger void.

You just need longer bolts/wall anchors, plenty available in any local hardware store (cheaper than B&Q etc), longer bolts are normally bigger (as in thicker) so just drill out the safe holes to accommodate them and use washers inside the safe.

Safe backs are usually solid metal but easy enough to drill through, you can drill extra holes for extra mounting points if you wish.

lmk123

cut a notch out of the insulated slab wherever you’re planning on putting in a screw, build this out from the wall with timber (2 no. 4x2’s should be close enough), so that the timber is flush with the slab and fixed to the wall, put your fixing for the safe through the timber and into the wall, it’ll be completely solid all the way and you’ll only be removing a few small bits of the insulated slab

GaryKE.

Thankfully the uncle had a few minutes spare, he came over and drove 200mm concrete screws into the wall so a good 100mm of that is anchored into the concrete, no budging it, now just get the gardai to sign off on it and we are set.

GaryKE.

Also @broph13 sorry for taking over your thread

BSA International

€120?

Same crowd that fitted the bike shelter I'd say.

Grizzly 45

Other choice is bolt it to the floor. You might have sturdier floor joists than a wall.

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