If you’re looking for clever DIY closet gun rack ideas, that won’t break the bank, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article we will cover three awesome ideas from mild to wild storage solutions. I’ll also include all the links to the equipment you’ll need to build your ideal gun storage solution. Keep reading for more.
If you follow this website then you know I’m a fan of secure gun storage, for several reasons. First and foremost, your firearms should be securely stored in a safe space. In fact, many states and countries have laws that mandate the type and method of gun storage, otherwise you might be criminally liable.
Please note that I’m a police officer who writes about fitness and tactical things. I don’t provide legal advice. It’s up to you to make sure your storage solution meets your needs, and any applicable laws.
The next reason you need to secure your firearms is to keep them from people that have no business with them. In this instance I’m thinking of criminals, and children. No matter your political leanings, we can all agree that no one should have access to your firearms without your approval.
In this article I’m going to cover three different DIY closet gun rack ideas. These will be separated by ease of installation, cost, and storage capacity. Here is a quick overview of these DIY closet gun rack solutions.
DIY Closet Gun Rack Ideas: Overview
- Each storage solution will be lockable and sized for a bedroom closet
- The cheapest solution will cost less than $200 in total, with minimal installation
- The mid range DIY closet gun rack will cost less than $300
- The high end solution will feature a hidden facade, and custom features costing over $1000
The cool thing about these DIY gun rack plans, is that you have so many options. You can really customize it depending on your particular needs. I also think it’s important to disclose that several of the links to the products are affiliate links. That means they pay us a referral fee if you purchase from those companies. It doesn’t cost you anything, and it helps keep the lights on here. I appreciate the support.
This brings us to our first DIY closet gun rack, which is our easiest installation. Make sure you join the email list below, so you don’t miss out on any more awesome articles.
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DIY Closet Gun Rack Idea 1: Simple and Easy
This section is going to be the easiest, and simplest solution to mount your long guns and pistols. For each of these gun rack ideas, I’m assuming you’re working with a normal sliding door closet. If you have a single door closet that actually makes securing the door much easier. You would just need to change the door knob to a locking version, like this one (Amazon Affiliate link).
If you have a sliding closet you can use a simple hasp lock like this one pictured below. This type of lock is a great way to secure your guns. Keep in mind they aren’t considered high security locks. This lock is only suitable for preventing easy access, i.e for keeping kids and nosy guests out of the closet. You could pry it right off with a decent sized screw driver.
In terms of actual gun storage, you have a lot of different options, depending on how many long guns or pistols you want to store. For long gun storage, I think this 6 gun vertical rifle rack makes a lot of sense. It has a 6 gun storage capacity, and can hold up to 150 pounds. I tend to prefer vertical storage compared to horizontal gun racks, especially if you have more than a couple of long guns. They generally don’t take up as much space.
The other nice option is that you can easily expand this system, as it’s modular. If you have more long guns, just pick up some extra sections. Be sure you’re mounting these to a wall stud in your closet, and not your drywall.
If you’re looking for a good idea for pistol storage then you should check this adjustable pistol rack out. This is perfect for a closet storage system because you can configure this rack as a vertical rack or horizontal gun rack. I would also recommend this simple led light. There’s nothing more annoying than trying to hang something up in the dark!
This LED light has some cool features that makes it a great idea our purposes. First, it’s rechargeable, which keeps you from constantly buying new batteries. It also features a motion sensor, so you don’t have to hunt for a switch in the dark. The best part is that it has an adjustable light pattern, keeping it from blinding you when you turn it on in the dark.
If we total this simple DIY closet gun rack idea, you’re looking at around $196, making it the most affordable gun rack system. All of these items come from Amazon. If you have a Prime account, you can get it shipped to your doorstep for free, in just a day or two. While these are pretty easy to install, there are some folks that don’t necessarily want to do all of this.
This systems also drastically limits your ability to use the closet to store other items as well. In the next section I’ll showcase a very simple solution that requires almost no installation. It also allows you to use the remainder of the closet for storage.
DIY Closet Gun Rack Idea 2: Secure and Simple
This option is for those that want an all in one package, with very minimal installation (basic tools only). This metal gun cabinet has everything you need, in one package. You can store 6-8 long guns, behind a digital key pad lock. There are also back up manual keys, in case the battery dies. This is an easy way to ensure quick access to your gun collection.
I highly recommend that you use the included mounting hardware, and screw it to the studs in your wall. Most people picture thieves drilling into a safe, but the reality is that the vast majority of them just load it on a dolly, and take the whole thing, allowing them to open it at their convenience. While this is listed as a gun safe, it’s really more of a cabinet, as it doesn’t weigh a ton.
This gun cabinet retails for less than $250, at the time of this writing. This is probably the best value of the three options on the list. It’s very secure, and doesn’t eat up all of the closet space. This brings us to our top of the line solution. It will be the most versatile, and adaptable system for those that need to store a lot firearms, in limited space. Let’s get to it.
DIY Closet Gun Rack Idea 3: Hidden and Fancy
This DIY closet gun rack idea is more like something you’d see in a John Wick movie. I should point out that you will have to be a very handy DIY’er, or pay a carpenter for some installation. You’ll see why in a second. Unlike the other options on this list, this version will feature a hidden Murphy door. This is the perfect solution for those looking for a hidden gun cabinet option.
This particular Murphy door is a bifold variant. It comes in several different finishes, with many different options. Most versions of this Murphy Door will run you in excess of $3000, just for the unit itself. If you’re not Bob Villa, then you’re probably going to be paying around $500 for installation.
You’ll also have the option of installing simple key locks, all the way up to biometric and electrical locks with remote access. Now you know why John Wick has all those gold coins!
Behind this awesome door, you’ll need a flexible storage and mounting solution. My favorite gun storage company is Secure It. They make everything from metals storage cabinets for guns, to large armory build outs that you’d see in a military armory or large gun room.
For this DIY gun closet build out, you’ll want to use their wall panels. These louvered panels allow you to customize the storage solution for your particular needs. Secure It makes a whole host of accessories that mount to the panels including: shelves, pistol racks, rifle mounts, storage bins, and more.
This really allows you to build your space to your particular needs. Check out this kit below, called Armory Kit #4. This wall-mounted gun rack system, is the right size for most normal sized closets. You can purchase it directly from them for about $1500. They do make several other gun walls, so feel free to look around on their website.
If you want to use these accessories with any of your builds, you don’t have to spend this much. You can do quite a lot with just a few of their panels. I have 3 large panels, 3 long gun mounts, and a few magazine holders and shelves.
Just like our other DIY gun closet builds, you’ll want some motion sensing lights. These have thousands of great reviews from Amazon, and can be controlled with a remote. The total for this setup is around $5000, depending on how crazy you want to go. Now let’s wrap this article up.
Final Thoughts
For most gun owners I think option 2, the metal gun cabinet plan is probably the best bet. It will prevent unauthorized access, and it can be moved where ever you need. It also has the benefit of maintaining some of the storage area in your closet, because it takes up very little space.
I highly encourage you to find a storage solution that works for you, according to your personal preferences. It’s much nicer to have all of your gear organized than it is to hunt through a million cases and drawers. I also encourage you to find a good locking solution for your needs.
If you have any comments or question put them in the comments section. Don’t forget to join the email list below!
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Any links to Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, or other manufacturers are affiliate links. That means that we receive a small referral fee if you purchase from them after clicking on their link. Similarly and links to Amazon are affiliate links. Using these links costs you nothing, and helps keep the lights on here. Read this for more info. Thank you for the support, it helps us to provide high quality gear reviews.
