GUN ROOM - pics, ideas, designs, layout... share em!!

[Sniper338]

Like the title says, post your gun room ideas, pics, designs, etc etc... im currently drawing up rough sketches of a house we are planning on building in the next year and im going to have a gun room / workshop built in. Im looking for ideas.... if anyone has the big safe entry doors which do you have, any feedback for the doors is welcome too... im not quite sure how i want to go about building this room yet... need a big reloading table set up and lots of table top work area and storage as well.

As with most of us this is a dream ive had for a long long time and am finally in the works of making it real. Id like to do it right the first time! Currently i have an 8ft reloading table and its too small i need double that easily now, and lots of storage.


Post your ideas and pics!!

 

[Sniper338]

Counter top wise do yall think granite would crack under a press?

If anyone is bigger into designing stuff like this and would like to play with it, the room is rectangular as of now 12ft wide, 18ft long...

 

[6xcshooter]

Do this.

 

[ShootDots]

I have built 2 "gun / reloading" rooms so far. I believe it is my last. But I have learned a few things.

1.) Make sure you sit in the middle of it with enough room on either side for 2 presses. I have one strictly for sizing and 1 for seating.

2.) Make sure there is enough room (usually on the end) for "bolt-down" tools like a case trimmer, bullet trimmer / pointer etc..etc..

3.) I have shelving up above>>> with storage on top. This is vital for your everyday needs like bullets, powder, load manuals etc..

4.) make sure you have cabinets on either side>>> WITH PULL OUT DRAWERS! I did not put the pull out drawers in and that was a mistake. Also the drawers should be DEEP.

5.) Make sure you have electrical outlets within reach of a cord! Too far away and you will need an extension cord.

6.) I made my top, if you will, (my "work area") of 2" plywood covered with formica... Easy to clean and strong!

6.) Get a rolling office chair with that plastic under it if you have carpet in the room.

7.) Make the entry door wide enough to move things in easily and make it a solid core with a door knob and a 2 way key deadbolt>>> The whole thing becomes a "safe" as it were!

 

[jonbearman]

If you get granite it is a pain to drill and mount anything, I would use a maple top period or some kind of plywood laminate doubled up to make it thick enough for a press or two so it doesn't flex.

 

[Sniper338]

I want more counter top, but this was a "sort of" fit for what im wanting to do...

 

[snert]

14 by 16 feet, reinforced poured concrete floor, walls and ceiling, vault door as pictured by 6xcshooter above. Metal studded and sheetrocked inside, outlets all around, squirrel cage ventilation in center of room with modified "oven overhead exhaust system, lots of lights. On your right, as facing in the door, counter top made of old bowling alley lane, unfinished cabinets from lowes hug on wall above. Same along back wall, no cabinets above. On left wall, a shorter countertop with cabinets underneath, mounted on a reinforced barn door slider imbedded in the wall, so the whole thing slides toward the door when hidden release is pulled, revealing the concrete staircase down to the "basement", which has a passage to the outbuilding. Solid steel door at the passage. In center of upper room an "island" of cabinets and drawers, used to store supplies and for gunsmithing, cleaning (hence the ventilation) etc. Gun rack for display (I like looking at the stuff I have) on the back wall. Two pleather chairs and a magazine rack, reading lamp. Outside the room, but right next to it, small framed room with double walls, offset-studs and sound-deadened, with window and bench overlooking the range.

Except for construction of concrete and wiring, etc, all the rest was leftovers and scrounged.

 

[Sniper338]

This is what im looking for! Pintrest.... what guy woulda looked there...

 

[Jason Boersma]

That room looks perfect to me

 

[jonbearman]

6xcSHOOTER, WHO'S DOOR AND FRAME DID YOU USE AND IS THE CEMENT THICK WITH LOTS OF STEEL IN IT.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I believe gun/loading room design is as varied as the games we play and the guns we use. And when you compute the room size and shape constraints, the designs are even more numerous. I will say this, if building from scratch, don't be afraid to go too large. Proper storage space comes at a premium price later. For the storage of powders and primers ATF makes plywood construction a requirement for the FFL as there are fewer large shards with this than with true wood construction and those cabinets must be lockable for the FFL. This is a good idea for the home hobbyist as well. A locked door on the room keeps the good guys out. It only delays the bad guys.
I have "pillar bedded" my through bolts for the heavier presses and such. I run 3/4 inch wood dowels through the counter tops, apply a liberal amount of glue their entire length, and let the glue set for a good time. Then I cut and/or sand them flush to the counter top, and drill them with the appropriate drill for the bolts for the press (es). Before you start ventilating the top, clamp the presses in place to find what placement suits you and your needs best.
For me to sit here and tell you what best suits your needs would be like having you test my underpants for size.

 

[Joe R]

I assume that resale value is not a consideration. Try to make the entrance so that it looks like other rooms and not attract undo attention from "visitors" like the AC/Heat repairmen, etc... If you can hide the entrance and make it look like a wall even better.

ShootDots said:
1.) Make sure you sit in the middle of it with enough room on either side for 2 presses. I have one strictly for sizing and 1 for seating.

2.) Make sure there is enough room (usually on the end) for "bolt-down" tools like a case trimmer, bullet trimmer / pointer etc..etc..

Do this, but instead of bolting it down use T-track so you can remove/change/upgrade them, in case you need to.

4.) make sure you have cabinets on either side>>> WITH PULL OUT DRAWERS! I did not put the pull out drawers in and that was a mistake. Also the drawers should be DEEP.

5.) Make sure you have electrical outlets within reach of a cord! Too far away and you will need an extension cord.

6.) I made my top, if you will, (my "work area") of 2" plywood covered with Formica... Easy to clean and strong!

The above are great ideas. But instead of carpet get some kind of laminate that is easy to mop/clean. With carpet you can lose small parts, accumulate gunpowder and create static electricity.

If you put in a toilet and sink your Armory can double up as a panic room. If you are highly cautious and vigilant personality and decide to go with a Panic room approach put you electrical panel in there as well. Don't forget a port for a shotgun.

Put the room close to the garage/cars so that on match days you don't have to carry your stuff across the whole house.

Sounds like the Lord has been very good to you, so don't forget to count your blessings and give thanks.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[Larryh128]

Probably a given, but in case, make sure that the steel door has a steel frame. Laminated wood, formica type or Corian all work good for countertops, granite wouldn't be my choice. A dark color makes screws etc very difficult to find. The island part , I have on lock out rollers so I can adjust it to the task of the day.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

I use a large project table in the middle of my reloading room (sort of like the kitchen island pictured).

I would not mount presses to granite, stick with wood.

 

[artbosco]

If you want 50+ pages of gun room pictures start here: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=211233

 

[dmoran]

One aspect I suggest, where your press' are to be, have an open bottom under the bench top, not a cabinet or drawer type, for added leg and knee room. With this part of the bench mounted to both a wall and the floor, for added rigidity and support.
So many (me as well in the past) have the press area on top of cabinet type bench, without ample leg/knee room. Going to an open bottom bench was a big plus in the right direction for me when I did it. Even more so if you plan to sit on a stool for any of your press operations.

My 2-Cents
Donovan

 

[Sniper338]

Sounds like the Lord has been very good to you, so don't forget to count your blessings and give thanks.

Kindest regards,

Joe
[/quote]




Lots of faith and lots of hard work from both myself and my fiance... weve been paying off debt like crazy, living cheap, saving money, theres always ups and always downs... our relationship as been nothing normal, "dating" has been far and few between since we met to save money... been a long long road and still not quite there yet, but its finally in the picture! Sacrifice now so you dont have to sacrifice later...

 

[SS427]

One aspect I suggest, where your press' are to be, have an open bottom under the bench top, not a cabinet or drawer type, for added leg and knee room. With this part of the bench mounted to both a wall and the floor, for added rigidity and support.
So many (me as well in the past) have the press area on top of cabinet type bench, without ample leg/knee room. Going to an open bottom bench was a big plus in the right direction for me when I did it. Even more so if you plan to sit on a stool for any of your press operations.

My 2-Cents
Donovan

I agree with this as well, unless you plan to stand the entire time.

 

[snakepit]

ShootDots, how about some pictures.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

What ever size you THINK you need, add 50% more cause you will use it.
My suggestion is lots and lots of shelves. I went with the adjustable kind. Went short on one side for bullets, tall on the other side for powders.

Only thing I regret is the length on my loading table. I defaulted to this as this was my dads he made when I was just a little boy. This bench and press is 40+ years old. Solid as a rock.

Did I mention lots of shelves?