All of the creative barrel storage solutions I've read on here over the years finally inspired me. Formerly my barrels lived in the two hard cases used to transport them, but finding the right case and trying to get them all to fit depending on which were mounted on a frame proved to be a hassle. Also, it was a very tight fit for both hard cases on the top shelf of my gun safe and caused me to mount the shelf a little lower than I would have desired otherwise.
I went out to the shop to see what I had to work with. A few scraps of oak, MDF and some plywood ......hmmm. I knew I wanted a full extension "drawer" so I wouldn't have to dig back on the shelf possibly dinging barrels along the way. With a plan starting to congeal in my head I took off for Lowe's to get some heavy duty (100# rated) full extension drawer glides for about $15 and some 3M "77" aerosol adhesive. Next stop was Hobby Lobby to get some black felt sheets.
Back at the house I set to work with the table saw and router. Several trips between the house and shop ensued to see how much room I had to work with in the safe and how I would arrange the barrels on the drawer. I moved the top shelf of the gun safe up to a better height for my long guns below and took a height measurement to the roof of the safe. My design would have to contact the top of the safe at the very back to keep the drawer from tilting when extended. I had one 14" barrel with a rifle scope on it that would have to sit transversely since it was longer in total than the safe was deep. Here's what I ended up with after the basic design was assembled:
I used my router for the slots and also to put a "bull nose" on all of the exposed corners and edges.
I put all my barrels in place to make sure I didn't goof. My two 14 inch barrels and six 10 inchers rested comfortably in the channels with room for two more barrels of either 10 inch or 14 inch length.
I then went to work with the 3M adhesive and felt squares to cover the drawer in a nice "barrel friendly" surface which also somewhat matched the original gun safe shelves and panels. I painted the drawer frame satin black to make it blend in and also hide any flaws in fit and finish.
Here is the final result installed in the gun safe. It just slides in and sits on the shelf with no need for any fasteners.
I'm glad I bought the heavy duty drawer glides. During my "measuring and fitting phase" I was very surprised at how heavy a drawer full of Contender barrels with scopes is.
I hope seeing my project inspires someone as I was by the other projects that were shared.
Curtis
