Advice needed: fixing gun cabinet to studs?

[Ravelian]

Hi all

Does anyone know if a gun cabinet could be securely fixed to the "structure" if I was to bolt it to wooden studs behind a plasterboard wall? For context, I live in a rented apartment (recently renovated) that's entirely covered in cavity wall and I'd like to avoid having to bolt into the brickwork behind the plasterboard because I'm no DIY expert (though I think it could be doable with extra long sleeve anchors with spacers, etc.).

I think the real issue is: when I have my FAC inspection and plod is hanging off the door to the cabinet with all his weight, would bolt fixings to the wooden studs hold secure? Would love to know if anyone has experience of this before I start drilling holes everywhere!

Nick

 

[Big Bang Theory]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf

Worth a read (although like most government documents, you rarely get a definite ‘must do this, can’t do that...’)

 

[potshotpat]

Could you not lay it flat and fix to the floor.?

 

[Ravelian]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf

Thank for that BBT. I have indeed read the advice which says "Wherever possible, it should be fixed to a wall that is built from bricks or concrete blocks or to the floor", so my read of it is that it's far from an absolute requirement to affix to the brickwork?

 

[Ravelian]

Could you not lay it flat and fix to the floor.?

Considered it but there's no space for a gun cabinet to take up that amount of footprint!

 

[Big Bang Theory]

Best bet would be to speak to your local FEO - it’ll be him that approves it (or not) come inspection time?

 

[potshotpat]

Considered it but there's no space for a gun cabinet to take up that amount of footprint!

Break down, one or two gun cabinet.

 

[Ravelian]

Break down, one or two gun cabinet.

I do like the lateral thinking lol! If only I could afford that Blaser...

 

[Ravelian]

Best bet would be to speak to your local FEO - it’ll be him that approves it (or not) come inspection time?

Fair point - will give it a go, though trying to speak to the Met FEO is like trying to find fairy dust...

 

[reloader54]

have you any loft/attic space usually bare brickwork there, also ticks another box with inspectors as cabinet not obviously on show.

 

[Jelly]

In my experience the Met firearms team is excellent. Are you having particular issues?

Fair point - will give it a go, though trying to speak to the Met FEO is like trying to find fairy dust...

 

[CarlW]

In my experience the Met firearms team is excellent. Are you having particular issues?

My London friends all say the same: outstanding service from the Met.

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Am l wrong in saying that in the instructions (Home Office guidance) the installation of a firearms cabinet should be fixed to the fabric of the building ?
Therefore if the fabric of the building is stud partition walls l would fix it to the most solid part, that being the timber stud.

 

[Swedish]

have you any loft/attic space usually bare brickwork there, also ticks another box with inspectors as cabinet not obviously on show.

FEOs don't always favour this approach as the cabinet is considered to be in a difficult to access area and could foster activities such as ; can't be arsed to put the gun away.

 

[norma 308]

Could you not lay it flat and fix to the floor.?

That’s what I do sheet of checker plate and screw to floor been passed did the same in my static home before that

 

[reloader54]

FEOs don't always favour this approach as the cabinet is considered to be in a difficult to access area and could foster activities such as ; can't be arsed to put the gun away.

I'm sure that happens wherever the cabinet is located on occasions, one fellow I know has two gun cabinets, one is hidden and contains guns and another easily found but secured to a wall, contains harmless items such as cleaning rods,brushes, and fluids. feo says power tools are easy to conceal by the would be thief of today, and the best deterrent is the fitting of the cabinet which makes it impossible or at least more difficult to cut through the sides, allegedly the preferred method. there is also the problem of damp as not all lofts are suitable for storage of firearms.

 

[Alantoo]

A Ø10mm coach screw will easily take the weight of a Policeman....providing the stud wood is not rotten. A few strategically placed and he may be able to demolish the wall if the studs themselves aren't well fixed by swinging on it, but he won't pull the screws out of the wood. The 2mm sheet steel of the cabinet is more likely to fail with a jemmy if you don't use a nice big washer...

Toolstation do some nice 200mm long stainless coach screws I have been using recently.

Alan

 

[reloader54]

just as a point of interest has anyone here or anybody known to you ever lost guns in a robbery/break-in?
a customer came to my place of work with her deceased husbands safe once and asked if anyone could open it without destroying the contents, I'm pleased to say I got the job, managed to do as she requested, and was suitably rewarded by the widow. there were things of great value within, and several sentimental items. all in a days work,eh.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

FEOs don't always favour this approach as the cabinet is considered to be in a difficult to access area and could foster activities such as ; can't be arsed to put the gun away.

It also brings in H&S if it’s not a staircase access boarded floor.

As to the original question if you use suitable fixings into studwork it is fairly strong. Drive screws (bolts with wood screw type threads) with a correctly sized pilot hole.
Also look to see if you have holes in the bottom of the safe. Mine does I have used them and fixed to the floor too.
You might also consider if your cabinet is in a corner drilling the side to catch another stud.
Security is accumulative, uPVC windows and doors are preferred over old fashioned sashes an alarm is better than no alarm. The list goes on but in reality they will cut your cabinet open with a battery grinder nowadays. Rather than rip it off the wall to break it open elsewhere.
You need to look at the whole picture and see how you would break in to steal them. Then go about creating obstacles to slow any would be thief.

 

[Littlejimmy]

Is the cabinet to be installed into a cupboard? My advice - cut a sheet of plywood to fit the desired wall space. Screw the ply into the stud. Then you can place the cabinet in the desired location anywhere on that wall screwing directly into ply. Make sure the cabinet cannot be levered so no gaps. Moved house a few times and never had an issue screwing the cabinet into stud/timber.