I have always had a problem with storing my firearms- just where to put them?
Maybe I should’ve considered getting a gun safe or trying out some of these hidden gun storage ideas, but that’s not really what I wanted.
They were all over the place and it became hard to find them.
I would often end up looking for hours and it would even get to the point where I would forget where I put one of them.
This is when I decided to build a gun rack out of wood.
It was extremely simple, took me one day, and solved all my problems with storing my guns in a way that made it so much easier for me to find what I needed.
I have a lot more space now, because the gun rack only takes up about an inch of space on each side of the wall where its mounted which means there’s room for other things in my house now which is great because I have been wanting to get more furniture.
Check out some of my favorite DIY gun rack plans below:
Homemade DIY Gun Rack Plans
#1. Sheriff’s Wooden Gun Rack
A DIY gun rack is a rack made from materials you can find at your local hardware store. It’s a really easy project to complete and with the right materials it only costs about $50.
#2. Single Horseshoe Gun Rack Wall Mount
If you’re savvy enough to build this plan- check out our DIY shooting bench plans for some target practice!
#3. 2×4 Airsoft Gun Rack
#4. Chevrolet Volt Gun Rack
A gun rack is a storage system for firearms. There are many types of racks, including those made of metal, those made of wood, and those that can be mounted on the wall.
#5. Rifle Rack From Reclaimed Pallet Wood
#6. Super Easy Redneck Knife & Gun Rack Combo Blueprint
#7. Pellet Gun Rack Made From Pallets
#8. Standing DIY Gun Rack Blueprint
#9. $20 Simple Standing DIY Rifle Rack
A DIY gun rack is a perfect choice if you want something personalized and inexpensive that fits your particular needs precisely.
#10. Reclaimed Barn Wood Gun Rack
A DIY gun rack is a DIY project that you can make from wood, metal or any other kind of material. You might need to make a few measurements, but the project only takes about an hour.
#11. Massive Freestanding DIY Gun Rack
If you’ve been looking for a way to hang your guns without drilling a hole in the wall, a DIY gun rack is an option for you.
#12. Under $15 DIY Gun Rack
#13. Rifle Rack Cabinet Plan
#14. Single Gun Rack Wall Mount
A DIY gun rack can be as simple as a few shelves with hooks to hang the rifles and shotguns from. You can also make a wall-mounted rack that swings open like a cabinet door for easy access to the firearms.
#15. Oak Gun Rack Build
#16 DIY ATV Gun Rack
(Go to 1:55 in the video)
I found that many people who hunt and ride ATVs want to carry their guns with them, but it is difficult to do so without a gun rack.
The reason I added a gun rack to my ATV is that it is currently the only storage space I have for my firearms when I go riding.
I live in rural Minnesota, and we get a lot of hunting seasons that require firearms. Naturally, I would like to keep my firearms close at hand when I’m driving through the woods or through the property checking on the livestock.
But it’s not always possible to stow firearms in a vehicle. This can be both inconvenient and dangerous, especially if we’re talking about handguns and rifles (or shotguns).
The gun rack was an easy and cheap solution to this problem. It’s also very sturdy and holds up well with all the weight of my guns on it – which is good because when you are out hunting, sometimes you can’t find anything but dirt roads or gravel on the bumpy roads.
#17. DIY Truck Gun Rack
This is a very simple and straightforward topic, so let’s get right to the point: we’ve all seen people driving around in their trucks with guns sticking out of the window and we think they’re crazy.
It’s a much better idea to install a gun rack in your truck.
We’ll start with the most obvious one: it protects your firearms from getting scratched or damaged while they’re not in use.
It can also be useful if you want to take your firearms with you on long trips and hunting expeditions. You can protect them from dust and dirt while they travel and free up room in your vehicle.
How to make a DIY Gun Rack
Gather these materials:
- Plywood
- Saw
- Hammer
- Nails
- Level
- Tape measure
- Rifle or shotgun
Steps to make a DIY vertical gun rack
1) Decide the size of the rack
The rack should be tall enough to accommodate the length of the gun, plus a couple of inches for clearance. The width of the rack should be at least as wide as the gun. It is best to make the rack a couple of inches narrower than the gun so that it is more stable.
2) Cut the plywood
Cut a piece of plywood to the desired size. Use a saw to cut a 1-inch wide vertical slot from end to end. Ensure that the cut is exactly down the center of the plywood.
3) Assemble and nail
Attach another piece of wood to the bottom edge at a right angle, using nails and a hammer. This will yield two long pieces of wood with 1-inch slots in them, plus two vertical pieces that are attached perpendicularly on either side.
4) Drill extra holes
Drill a hole in the top piece, near one end. This hole should be wide enough to accommodate a screw or nail that will attach it to a wall stud, while also being close enough to the edge of the plywood not to weaken it.
Similarly, drill a hole in the bottom piece, near one end. This hole should be wide enough to accommodate a screw or nail that will attach it to a wall stud, while also being close enough to the edge of the plywood not to weaken it.
5) Attach and tighten
Screw or nail the top and bottom pieces in place in their respective drilled holes. Ensure that the screws or nails don’t protrude through the wood, where they could injure someone.
6) Attach to a wall
Finally, attach both pieces of plywood to a stud in the wall. Use long screws with flat heads that won’t be too cumbersome for you or your guests to handle when accessing the guns.
7) Add a lock
Finally, if desired, attach a padlock to the front of the rack. This will help prevent unauthorized access to your gun collection during parties with lots of guests, etc.
8) Clean up
Use a rag and cleaning solution to wipe down both sides of the plywood as well as all pieces that have been assembled. Let the rack dry completely before use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Compact storage
Vertical gun racks take up much less space than horizontal racks. This is especially beneficial if you are tight on space in your home or garage.
Easy access
Vertical gun racks are easy to access, as guns can be pulled straight out from the rack. This is not the case with horizontal gun racks, where you typically have to pull the gun out at an angle or remove it completely to access the one behind it.
Prevents damage
Vertical storage prevents delicate rifle stocks from being marred by leaning against one another, which can lead to cracks and chips over time. This is especially beneficial if guns are handed down through generations of a family and you want to keep them in pristine condition.
Reduces wear
Vertical storage also reduces the amount of wear on your guns caused by contact with other guns. This is because the barrels of the guns are not rubbing against each other, as they would if stored horizontally.
Prevents theft
Vertical gun storage is harder for thieves to access and can make it more difficult for them to steal your guns. This is because they would have to cut through the plywood to get to the guns, rather than just grabbing them and running.
Prevents others from touching
Vertical gun racks prevent curious guests or children from easily accessing your guns, which can decrease accidental shootings and other accidents. This is because the design of vertical storage makes it difficult to take a gun off and out of the rack without removing and rearranging all the other guns first unless you leave it hanging in front of the rack.
Cons
Can be costly
Vertical gun racks tend to be more expensive than horizontal ones. This is because they are made out of thicker pieces of wood and use more nails, screws, and other materials.
Heavy
Vertical gun racks are often heavier than their horizontal counterparts, due to the extra thickness of the wood used in construction. This can make them difficult to move around, especially if they are already full of guns.
Prone to wobble
Vertical gun racks are more prone to wobble and instability than horizontal ones, as the weight of the guns is not evenly distributed. This can be dangerous, as it increases the chances of a gun accidentally falling out of the rack or falling on someone.
Can mark guns
Vertical gun racks can leave marks and dents on the stocks of rifles, which is especially an issue if you store your guns in high humidity areas or areas where there are rapid temperature changes. This is because wood swells when it is wet and shrinks when it is dry, which can cause the rack to grip the stocks too tightly.
Bulky
Vertical gun racks tend to be bulkier than horizontal ones, as they are wider and take up more wall space. This can be a problem if you are limited on space or want to keep your guns hidden from view.
Takes up more floor space:
Vertical gun racks also take up more floor space than horizontal ones, as they are typically wider. This can be a problem if you do not have much room in your home or garage.
Conclusion
Each style of gun storage has its unique pros and cons, which you should consider carefully before deciding on a solution. If you are tight on space or want to easily access your guns, vertical storage may be the best option for you.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
