Reloading/gun storage in a shed

[Amazingrandy]

I love my gun shed. 20 years now. Wish sometimes it was bigger. Classic rock when I’m in there. I sound proofed a cabinet for the tumblers and a roll around tool bench with a gun vise. Point the entrance door towards something you can plumb off of and something long range to sight to. Lay it out for reloading. I’m in western Washington, no issues. 3 safes, primers up higher in a cabinet but open

This is good to know, thank you. Would you be willing to share any pictures? Also, what size is your shed?

 

[Nealm66]

Sure. On vacation with the granddaughter at the moment but I’ll take some this week. I’m pretty sure it’s just 10x12. It’s insulated and dry walled and outdoor carpet. Very happy with the roll around tool bench in the middle for storing and working on stuff. Also really like having the tumblers sound proofed. Otherwise everything else is just basically benches, shelves and cabinets

 

[AndrewB]

This is mine. 12 by 18. Looks different now as there is a bunch more stuff in it. Faces a 430 yard range

Power on the outside. Lots of outlets on inside - I use a 10ft long power strip under my bench with holes in the bench top to drop power cords through. Lots of light on the inside so you can see what you are working on. A/C Heat combined units are reasonably priced. I mounted mine thru the wall with an outlet right by it to avoid cord hang. The rear legs on the 2 benches go through the floor and into the ground so the benches are not affected by foot steps. 2 4 by 4 windows to shoot through. Those likely could be narrower.

 

[Amazingrandy]

This is mine. 12 by 18. Looks different now as there is a bunch more stuff in it. Faces a 430 yard range

That looks great. Along the lines of what I want to build. Looking at a 10x18, and it will be insulated and climate controlled. I just won't be able to have a shooting bench in mine haha!

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I would check state and local laws regarding firearm storage. Same goes for insurance company. You may not be in compliance with either with an unattached building.

I would respectfully disagree here. Scary questions make scary answers. There’s nothing good that can come from asking questions. Especially to the people/agencies that you referenced. Seriously??

 

[M-61]

I would respectfully disagree here. Scary questions make scary answers. There’s nothing good that can come from asking questions. Especially to the people/agencies that you referenced. Seriously??

Those insurance companies don’t have those huge buildings by giving away money.
I’d ask every question I could think of first rather than be trying to answer a prosecutors questions.
That comment on a detached building is interesting.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Same boat. Waiting on house to be built and so far no issues with the shed.

 

[LuvDog]

Being in New England it gets a little tricky with temps and humidity. Insulate it well and absolutely still run a dehumidifier along with your AC and Heat. If you do that, then you'll be fine.

I'm assuming when you say shed though that you'll have a real door on it. With a good deadbolt. I wouldn't put any shed/barn doors on it. What about windows? Typical shed windows aren't nearly as nicely insulated as home windows.

 

[hogpatrol]

I would respectfully disagree here. Scary questions make scary answers. There’s nothing good that can come from asking questions. Especially to the people/agencies that you referenced. Seriously??

I live in a socialist state as are the new england states. They have requirements for firearm storage, A firearm stolen out of a shed and used in a crime, I wouldn't want to pay the attorney fees. No way on God's green earth would I store firearms in an unattached building, not even in a safe in that building. YMMV.

 

[Amazingrandy]

Being in New England it gets a little tricky with temps and humidity. Insulate it well and absolutely still run a dehumidifier along with your AC and Heat. If you do that, then you'll be fine.

I'm assuming when you say shed though that you'll have a real door on it. With a good deadbolt. I wouldn't put any shed/barn doors on it. What about windows? Typical shed windows aren't nearly as nicely insulated as home windows.

Yes. The shed will have an upgraded prehung door with lock and deadbolt. Also upgrading to dual pane replacement windows.

 

[M-61]

I live in a socialist state as are the new england states. They have requirements for firearm storage, A firearm stolen out of a shed and used in a crime, I wouldn't want to pay the attorney fees. No way on God's green earth would I store firearms in an unattached building, not even in a safe in that building. YMMV.

Yes.
That’s exactly what I meant by an unattached building being interesting.
I’d ask every possible question but as far as an unattached shed/ building: no way for me. Wouldn’t care if it was a concrete cube.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Build a breezeway and a roof over the breezeway, attach it to both the house and the reloading/ gun shed.

 

[cheek9075]

I have one of the insulted building built out of door panels. It has AC when I am out there. Powder and primers stored out there with no climate control most of the time( all the time). No issues in the last 15 years and some components have been out there and used for over 10 years. Weather is high Temps and humidity in the summer and cold and wet in the winter.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I live in a socialist state as are the new england states. They have requirements for firearm storage, A firearm stolen out of a shed and used in a crime, I wouldn't want to pay the attorney fees. No way on God's green earth would I store firearms in an unattached building, not even in a safe in that building. YMMV.

That’s horrible. I can’t relate but that happens a lot.

 

[garapan]

The shed option is only good if there are no future problems with the stolen weapons. Otherwise, I would advise building a safe room with a good vault door. In any case, humidity control is essential. Dry rod dehumidifiers, Eva-Dry, desiccants, etc. can be used for humidity control.
There is also an excellent option for protection against moisture when there is no way to supply electricity. Browning Dry-Zone

Absorbs moisture without electricity, and is rechargeable in an oven. It can be reactivated indefinitely. One 500-gram box protects up to 37 cubic feet of enclosed space, about the volume of a standard 30" wide safe.

 

[JFrank]

I live in NW Montana, damn near Canadia!!!
Anyway I have a 10x20 reload/ storage shed with no insulation.. I do use a heater when I’m out there but I sure wouldn’t leave my guns out there.

 

[cuznguido]

My Dad did the same thing when he was caring for my grandmother. Moved into her small house that didn’t have room for his guns and reloading equipment. Built a shed out back, 2x6 walls and spray foam insulation. Climate controlled. Can’t tell ya how it would have turned out because a neighbor observed him taking his goods to and fro and relieved him from everything one weekend.

If the shed is climate controlled it should be ok with regular checks but my personal opinion is they would do better in the house.

So much for the good neighbor theory. Sux to hear such a story, but pretty much getting to be the norm.

 

[PigButtons]

Simply Safe is your friend. I have my house and two out buildings, the farthest one is 50 yards from the house. The connectivity is flawless and the price is right. I posted a sign but some prefer stealth mode, as for me if the crooks can be deterred by the sign so much the better. If they are professional or just determined, it won't matter either way. JMO.

I've been reloading in a dehumidified cabin for 12years without a hitch.

 

[ckaberna]

Lots of good ideas posted only one I haven’t read is put steel bars (burglar bars) over the windows, trust me. I actually built mine out of cold roll and some flat steel