Shooting Box

[ddeaton]

Anyone have any plans for a good pistol shooting box? I would like to build one with nice finger groove joints. The ones like the bullseye shooters use.

[Sprue]

Funny......... I've been searching all day for the same info. I only came up with a few pictures for reference though.

I stopped at Lowes on the way home from work this evening. If I make one I think I'm going to use 3/8 cabinet plywood. I read an article somewhere today that a guy made one from this as a proto type form himself, thinking it was only going to last a short time. He stated that he made it 18 years ago. That oughta work! (That was without dove tails, just Brads)

I did find and Adjustable Scope Mount thingy thats used on the Gun Ho boxes. They're 30 bucks shipped.

[ddeaton]

Dale53 has one he uses when we shoot. I could measure it up and take a few pics. I was hoping someone would have something a little different. I have been searching also, no luck yet.

[Sprue]

Some pics for ref:

http://www.kk5im.com/shooting2.html

http://www.geocities.com/bn289/gunbox.pdf

I don't think too much of this one according to the reviews:

http://www.luggage.com/SportLock-LLC-00015-SLK1023.html#ReviewHeader

[ddeaton]

Thanks Sprue, that old article spells it out pretty good

[Dale53]

Four gun capacity is plenty (gets hard to pick up from the floor).

NEED a GOOD scope mount - I have the Gil Hebard model and would pick it again in a New York Minute.

Here's the spotting scope mount:
http://www.champchoice.com/detail.aspx?ID=559

Here's the pistol box:
http://www.champchoice.com/prod-STRONG_CASE___DELUXE_ALUMINUM_PISTOL_BOX__4_GUN_-2517.aspx

The box is expensive. I suggest you measure mine. You can easily make one. If you make it from furniture grade plywood, you can finish it in Polyurethane and it will be gorgeous. On the other hand, you can make it from ordinary plywood and have a good, usable box for much less money. I can take pictures of mine at your direction (put the photos on a CD) and THAT together with your dimensions should be "good to go".

Here's mine:
http://www.championshooters.com/store/product.php?productid=101&cat=0&page=1

Here's another one that is less expensive:
http://www.championshooters.com/store/product.php?productid=877&cat=0&page=1

You can see these last two at Champion Shooter's Supply at New Albany, Ohio just northeast of Columbus, Ohio.

Dale53

[cheese1566]

Send me your emails...I have one or two in .pdf format.

Plans can be found on this link http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/gunboxdf.html

He has other plans for target turners here too!!

[cheese1566]

Something like this?

I have a couple of more detailed sets of plans to big to post here.

[Echo]

I agree that a 4-gun box is sufficient - my old Pachmeier is a 5-gun model, and I sometime carry 5, but even with a shoulder strap, it is a load. Mine has a back compartment where I carry my spotting scope - I believe the 4-gun models did not have that desirable feature. It has been around, and I had to add some strengtheners to keep it serviceable, but it is over 40 years old - really needs to be retired with honor.

[Sprue]

Anyone have a source for the decorative metal corners like on those factory boxes?

I've looked at both Home Depot and Lowes but they don't carry them. I don't know of any Cabinet Makers here locally.

[Dale53]

Here you go:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1101

They look a bit pricey until you realize that is for a set of four.

Dale53

[LAcaster]

also try www.rockler.com nice quality hardware

[Dale53]

I have mixed emotions about metal box corners. They are sure hard on everything around them (scratch most anything they come in contact with).

Most boxes really don't need them. My commercial pistol box has fabric covered plywood (I would guess it's plywood) and after many, many years it is still in good shape AND it hasn't screwed everything up it's come in contact with.

FWIW
Dale53

[Echo]

I agree with Dale53 - the corners will do more damage than they prevent. My PackMire is lizard-vinyl covered, and starting to look ratty, but it does the job of protecting that upon which it is sat (How's my Grammar?).

[NoDakJak]

In 1969 I took measurements from my Air Force issue, Pachmyr Pistol box and trotted down to the base hobby shop. A few days later I had a 3/8" plywood rendition that was painted Fire Engine Red. Hardware was available on the local Japanese market and was very cheap. All except for a handle. I finally hacksawed most of the lid off a thirty caliber ammo can and screwed it on for a handle. A couple years later I purchased a new condition Pachmayr Pistol box thru base salvage. Forty years my Pachmayr box is getting pretty bad condition while the home made version is still virtually pristine. Both are full and I reckon that it is about time to make another one. Neil

[ddeaton]

I just need to find the time now! anyone know where I can find some?

[opentop]

I just need to find the time now! anyone know where I can find some?

I don't know, I'm having a hard time finding time. But as Dale said today, It would be just as fast to build two as it would be to build one.....Hint Hint....................:mrgreen:

[Sprue]

I just need to find the time now! anyone know where I can find some?

Would you like to buy some? I have some DST, GMT or Zulu available... EST is on backorder, backorder OK.

[gnoahhh]

The box I use I built out of solid Mahogany 14 years ago. Styled after a scaled-down Gerstner Toolmakers chest. Hand-cut dovetail joinery throughout, including the drawers. The first time I had it out, 2 other shooters convinced me to build them each one. Since then I built 6 more. They're also popular with fly tyers. I'm just joining in the conversation (and to brag a wee bit!), not soliciting orders. (Although I might be persuaded to build another one- but they aren't cheap!)

As a pro cabinet maker, I believe in using solid wood such as Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, etc. for small projects like this. It's not much more expensive than cabinet-grade plywood these days and allows for traditional joinery techniques, making a classier looking end product that's stronger than plywood glued and nailed/screwed together.. After all, if you're going to invest time, money and labor in something why not have have a thing of beauty when done, rather than something utilitarian looking?

For anyone building something like this may I strongly suggest you avoid box joints. The only joints I ever had fail were box joints. They came about early in the Industrial age as machine made joints that made building shipping boxes quickly and cheaply. No corrugated cardboard back then. It's chief failing is the glue surfaces in a box joint (and dove tail joint for that matter) are all either cross-grain or end-to-long grain in nature. Not condusive to long life. The advantage to the dove tail joint is that it adds mechanical locking to the joint, and is very strong even without any glue. Cutting them with a dovetail jig and router is about as fast as cutting box joints on a table saw. (Cutting DT's by hand is way more satisfying though, IMO)

Sorry to be so long winded, but I'm as passionate about this stuff as I am about guns.

[cheese1566]

Try champion shooter supply:http://www.championshooters.com/store/home.php?cat=318


See details Deluxe 4 Gun Target Pistol Case
SKU: GC-SL4G

Aluminum Deluxe 4 Gun Target Pistol Box
Dimensions - 16.5" high x 10" deep x 18" wide
Inner Dimensions 16" high 9.60" deep x 17.25" wide
Airline Approved
2 Key Locks on Cases
High Density Foam Interior padding
Removable Tray holds up to 4 Handguns
Bottom...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market price: $159.00
Our price: $79.95 save 50%

[Buckshot]

The box I use I built out of solid Mahogany 14 years ago. Styled after a scaled-down Gerstner Toolmakers chest. Hand-cut dovetail joinery throughout, including the drawers.
As a pro cabinet maker, I believe in using solid wood such as Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, etc. for small projects like this. It's not much more expensive than cabinet-grade plywood these days and allows for traditional joinery techniques, making a classier looking end product that's stronger than plywood glued and nailed/screwed together..
Sorry to be so long winded, but I'm as passionate about this stuff as I am about guns.

............I like seeing fine woodwork. Takes a real craftsman with patience to turn out high quality stuff, and it's a fact that you can't use partical board for it! Speaking of joining the wife and I bought an old dresser, or dressing table made of walnut. The drawer sides have 4 rounded fingers (I guess you'd call them) on the end. Kinda look like lolli-pops for lack of a better description. These mate up or key into 4 rounded holes in the side of the drawer front. First time I've ever seen this.

..............Buckshot