How To Make a Homemade Gun Rack Quickly and Easily

November 21, 2022 5 min read

Large gun rack made of spartan mounts

Instead of spending hours searching online for the perfect lockable gun rack, or thousands of dollars on a long gun rack from a store, why not build one yourself? 

In fact, making your own DIY gun rack is quicker and easier than you think. You can use parts and tools from Spartan Mounts horizontal gun racks to build your own gun storage solution in no time — and save a few hundred dollars in the process. Part of being a responsible gun owner is to think through the best, safe storage solution for your firearm storage

Let’s check out the main tools and items you need to get started with your customized gun storage idea.

What You Will Need

Like any DIY project, you will need specific tools and materials to build a secure end product. Fortunately, with Spartan Mounts, we provide all of the necessary tools you will need to create a personalized gun rack that can fit inside of your home, garage, or tool shed. Below we created a list of the necessary tools:

  • Magazine mount: Store all of your magazines side by side, even while loaded!
  • Handgun mount: Specifically designed for most pistols.
  • Shotgun mount: Shotgun mounts allow for storage, display, or quick access
  • Rifle mount: All of our rifle mounts latch into the mag release for secure mounting on your DIY rack!

Spartan Blog: How to Build a DIY Gun Rack in a Closet

 

How To Make a Homemade Gun Rack

So how do you make your homemade gun rack? Let’s get into it below. 

Step 1. Choose your preferred display style

View gun rack ideas online and see which type and size will fit your space’s needs. Do you want to put your gun rack inside a small interior room, or do you have ample exterior space (i.e., garage or shed) to mount your guns? Homeowners must look at how they can build a cheap solution utilizing extra storage or floor space in their house! Alternatively, mounts and racks can easily be added to gun cabinets if you have a small area to fill.

Step 2. Measure the area where you want to place your gun rack

Use a tape measure to see where you can mount your gun rack. Using a level can also help ensure that the gun rack is straight on the wall. This ensures you aren’t buying 24-inch boards if you only have room for 18 inches of display. 

Step 3. Choose the firearms you want to display

You may not want to put all of your firearms in the gun rack. In some cases, it is helpful to keep a small firearm (like a pistol) in a safe and easy-to-reach location for security purposes. In this case, go through your gun collection and decide which ones you wish to mount on the rack. 

Step 4. Select the right mount for each firearm you want to display

Every firearm may need a specific mount to be stored securely and safely. View the different mounts online from Spartan Mounts and begin building your unique idea. We have over 500 different locking wall mount gun racks.

Step 5. Measure your firearms and confirm they fit the rack size

The next step is to measure your firearms to see if they fit the rack size. Take the measurements from your wall space, gun rack measurements, and your gun measurements to find the best spacing for your desired set-up.

One helpful tip is to lay everything out on your floor, marking the wall size with blue masking tape so you can get each mount location perfect for your rack.

Step 6. Draw the blueprint for the rack and how the firearms will fit

Since your rack will be customized to fit your unique gun and space needs, drawing a blueprint can help you visualize the spacing of your gun collection before putting any holes in the wall. This doesn't have to be complicated, but even jotting down a few critical dimensions can help make the installation go smoothly.

Step 7. Get the necessary materials and tools

Use our guide above to find the materials from Spartan Mounts and tools required to build the rack, like a hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, and other DIY tools. We offer a video tutorial and step-by-step tutorial to ensure you can succeed.

Step 8. Measure and cut the materials using the proper tools

After choosing the type of material you wish to use for your gun rack, use the tape measure to measure the material size. Next, use a cutting tool, which may differ depending on your chosen material.

Step 9. When using adhesives or wood glue, account for drying time

If you are using glue or adhesives, it’s important to consider the drying time, which is typically 15 minutes for acrylic adhesives or 24 hours for other adhesives to reach maximum strength. 

Step 10. Assemble the rack and place the mounts

One of the last steps is to assemble the rack, place the mounts, and follow the installation directions step-by-step. 

Step 11. Add the final touches by painting or adding finishes

Add paint, shellac, or acrylic to finish the look of your gun rack. 

Step 12. Let the rack dry

Paint typically takes 1-2 hours to dry after a coat, whereas primer takes 30 minutes to dry. 

Step 13. Display your firearms securely and proudly

Figure out the order in which you want to place your firearms and display them in your gun rack. 

Spartan Blog: DIY Vertical Rifle Rack

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to display your gun rack? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions here. 

How wide should a gun rack be?

If you are looking to build a gun rack, you need to know the dimensions. A gun rack should be at least 36 ¾ inches wide, with a depth of 17 inches for a 6-capacity gun rack build. 

What is the ideal gun rack dimension?

A standard gun rack is 36 ¾ inches wide and at least 17” deep, including a 2.5” bore for barrels and a 1 ¾” inset. 

How far apart should hooks be on a gun rack?

The hook opening should be at least 1 ¾” to fit almost any gun in your DIY gun rack. 

Are DIY gun racks better than commercial gun racks?

A DIY gun rack is customizable and personalized to a specific collection, meaning it can fit your unique needs better than commercial gun racks. Building a DIY rifle rack can help meet your requirements better than a commercial rack. 

 

Are Spartan Mounts Better than Commercial Gun Racks?

In short, yes. A gun rack made using Spartan Mount products is versatile enough to fit your unique needs. You can use Spartan Mount materials and tools to ensure you have the right setup for your firearms. We offer easy access gun wall mounts for gun enthusiasts to better organize their collection. Spartan storage systems include rifle wall mounts and pistol racks, and are a great way to organize your gun safe, or to build a unique gun display. We even offer free shipping on bulk orders!

Does this sound easier than browsing online for hours only to find an expensive and overpriced rack that may or may not fit your needs? We think so too. Check out the Spartan Mounts website when looking at where to buy gun mounts online for a fast and easy DIY solution.