Gun safe inspection

[Member-Deleted]

Hi guys. I recently purchased a firearm and still waiting for the permit to settle so I bought a 7 gun cabinet and boltes it down to my floor (concrete). However out of the 5 bolts I tried to do only 3 went all the way down, one bolt is like 95% down and one I couldn't get down past 70 percent. I live in victoria and is 3 bolts sufficient? I cannot find any specific info on this.. also my cabinet wobbles if shaken but this is just because the ground is uneven and the cabinet is slim/tall... this shouldn't be an issue with 3 secure dynabolts righT? Thanks in advance for the help guys

[ozturtle]

I'm not sure about vic's laws but I think you will find if the inspection person can "wobble" the safe they will seam it as not properly secured as some one can rock it back and forth and leaver it lose. I had this problem after bolting mine down on top of carpet. I screwed a suitable size bit of wood to the wall and then screwed the safe to that to remove all wobbles.

[North East]

I suggest if it has the "wobbles" is will not pass an inspection. You have to stabilise it. Can you secure the back to a wall?

[Member-Deleted]

Thanks for the reply guys. the wall is very hollow plasterboard but I can get an anchor and give it a shot? I'm not good with this handyman kinda stuff but I'll go bunnings later and have a shot at some hollow wall anchors... that should do the trick right? Or is hollow wall no good..

[1290]

Unless you find the nearest stud or nogging and use a couple of decent say minimum 10mm x 75mm coach screws- dont bother.

You securing the cabinet for your own interests... not just to pass inspection. ..

[Member-Deleted]

Unless you find the nearest stud or nogging and use a couple of decent say minimum 10mm x 75mm coach screws- dont bother.

You securing the cabinet for your own interests... not just to pass inspection. ..

Yes I understand this, but for now my main concern IS to pass inspection. Because even though it rocks I believe it is secure.. 3 completely secure dynabolts is pretty sturdy..

[North East]

You have to stop the rocking.

[JOY]

I'm going to check mine now hope it's not rocking might have to get someone to help me if it's rocking.

[VICHunter]

Hi Member-Deleted,

There is no required or minimum number of bolts required for securing your safe. The requirements of Victorian Firearms Act are:

SCHEDULE 4
STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
1 Longarm licences for category A and B longarms
(1) The firearm must be stored in a receptacle-
(a) which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily penetrable; and
(b) which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and
(c) which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock of sturdy construction.

...

(3) Any cartridge ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a locked container separate from the receptacle in which the firearm must be stored.

It comes down to an interpretation of "not easily removable".

As the guys have mentioned if your safe wobbles I can say with some confidence you will not pass the inspection. I can tell you from first had experience they will attempt to move the safe if it's a light one, and from conversations with them if the safe can be rocked you'll fail.

If it rocks at all, you can easily rock it back and forth forcefully and it probably wouldn't take longer than a few minutes to work it loose. Uneven floor or not, it shouldn't rock.

As for the wall, there's no point just putting a both in plasterboard either as it takes 2 seconds to pull through and offers no security. You need to install it through a stud.

[RealNick]

Because even though it rocks I believe it is secure.. 3 completely secure dynabolts is pretty sturdy..

You couldn't 'lift' it away with the bolts of course. How bad is the rocking really though?

If you were really trying, could you ram it back and forth and pull it up? That's what they'll be looking at.

Sounds like you need to give it another go IMO.

[inventurkey]

No corner of the room with an outer brick wall you can stick it in?

[Skadoo]

Why can't you get the other 2 bolts down all the way?

Surely it's just a case of deepening or straightening up the holes for them.

I'd work to fix the last 2 bolts...

[Member-Deleted]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ended up putting another 3 dynabolts into it! That's brings in total 6 very secure bolts covering all sides, plus 2 extra that didn't go all the way. It feels very secure now.. wobbles slightly if I pull it hard but I guess it's just due to how tall and skinny it is. As a precautionary my mate is gonna come with a stud finder and secure the back and even the sides if possible to a stud! Probably excessive since I'm sure it would pass inspection now with 6 dynabolts into the floor but may aswell! Thanks for the help guys

[1290]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ended up putting another 3 dynabolts into it! That's brings in total 6 very secure bolts covering all sides, plus 2 extra that didn't go all the way. It feels very secure now.. wobbles slightly if I pull it hard but I guess it's just due to how tall and skinny it is. As a precautionary my mate is gonna come with a stud finder and secure the back and even the sides if possible to a stud! Probably excessive since I'm sure it would pass inspection now with 6 dynabolts into the floor but may aswell! Thanks for the help guys

Good stuff....
To find studs, you'd be surprised how easy it is with a knuckle and a piece of chalk....you can also use an electronic thingy with flashing green and red lights

Dyna bolt can be tricky....though when you get it right theyre very good at the job... if the hole is a smidge oversize, or the material is too soft (mortar) they are a pain, you will tend to top out the thread with it sticking out leaving the bracket/ or whatever, not fully fastened.

although you sound like you've sorted you stuff out, for reference, Dyna bolt alternatives include Loxin and the newish coarse thread Ankascrew, almost foolproof.

[Member-Deleted]

Thanks man, will definitely keep these in mind for next time. Learning so much.. I've never really done anything like this before... I'm a biochemist by trade so all this handy work is completely different for me haha. Cheers mate

[VICHunter]

Ended up putting another 3 dynabolts into it! That's brings in total 6 very secure bolts covering all sides, plus 2 extra that didn't go all the way. It feels very secure now.. wobbles slightly if I pull it hard but I guess it's just due to how tall and skinny it is. As a precautionary my mate is gonna come with a stud finder and secure the back and even the sides if possible to a stud! Probably excessive since I'm sure it would pass inspection now with 6 dynabolts into the floor but may aswell!

That's sounding a lot better

"wobbles slightly" a tall, slim safe secured only at the base may have some flex you can lean it a little back and forth, you definitely don't want room on the bottom where it's lifting up and down while rocking though so it's good that's fixed.

IMO make sure you do follow through with putting the body through a stud. Don't let it fall by the wayside. I wouldn't say it's "probably excessive". There are no second chances with these things, if you fail an inspection you lose you guns and license for 5 years and get a free visit to the magistrate. A bolt in the body and you've covered all your bases.

Better safe than sorry.

[1290]

Thanks man, will definitely keep these in mind for next time. Learning so much.. I've never really done anything like this before... I'm a biochemist by trade so all this handy work is completely different for me haha. Cheers mate

Being a biochemist is no excuse I'm half physical/chemical scientist and half Engineer... well mostly engineer, but I learnt many years ago, you really need to get out of the office, out of the lab and your nose out of the books to learn how stuff works!!
Most important thing is to ask question if you dont know

[Lorgar]

I learnt many years ago, you really need to get out of the office, out of the lab and your nose out of the books to learn how stuff works!!

A colleague of mine is an engineer (worked on rigs for exxon, some big ticket stuff) but never hands on.

I'm not sure he could change a tire as it is

[trekin]

Being a biochemist is no excuse I'm half physical/chemical scientist and half Engineer... well mostly engineer, but I learnt many years ago, you really need to get out of the office, out of the lab and your nose out of the books to learn how stuff works!!
Most important thing is to ask question if you dont know

Well there's your problem right there, if you were a full engineer you'd know all the answers and wouldn't need to get out of the office, out of the lab and your nose out of the books to learn how stuff works!!

[tapper]

I'm not sure he could change a tire as it is

A workmate of mine commented she reckons a beard used to be the sign of a "man" e.g. can chop firewood, change a tire, do man stuff.

Now it's the sign of a being a hipster ****** bag

[anthillinside]

I'm not sure he could change a tire as it is

A workmate of mine commented she reckons a beard used to be the sign of a "man" e.g. can chop firewood, change a tire, do man stuff.

Now it's the sign of a being a hipster ****** bag

Almost, it's got to be a 3 day shadow, most could.nt grow a proper beard.

I've had one since my early 20's, only shaved it off once, scared the hell out of the kids.

[Gregg]

I've had one since my early 20's, only shaved it off once, scared the hell out of the kids.

Shaving the head did the same to the kids here way back when.