Gun Box Project

[Guy La Pourque]

Awhile back I saw a black powder cartridge geek shooting an old Martini Henry or some such rifle and he had the coolest gun box he had made for it.

It was a wooden box with a hinged lid and served to transport the gun under lock and key. When you got to the range you could pull out a few wooden inserts and use it for a gun cradle when the bore had to be mopped.

Have any of you fellas seen anything similar? Or maybe plans for something like that? Any info is sincerely appreciated...

[country gent]

I bought a harbor frieght Stainless steel tool box with tray and hinged 1 piece lid. Was around 29.00. I took some hard maple and cut the cradles lined them with leather. They are a t shape with a block inside to space cradles out so lid opens freely. I bolted these on with 5 10-32 nuts and flat head bolts. The inverted Ts long legs make for a more stable base for it. It carries all my accesories for te BPCR rifles. I have the cradles tall enough the lid can be opened with the rifle in it. The tray has basic tools, decapper, blow tube, cleaning jags and brushes, pliers, a small interchangable screw driver set, and a few odds and ends. Underneathe is patches a dead blow hammer ( for driving the spikes on cross sticks into the ground) some bottles of my brass cleaning / soaking soulution. I do have to use a rife case for the rifle.

[Whiterabbit]

Yep. And it's ALWAYS a guy shooting: (take your pick) 38-55, 45-90, 45-1xx, 50-XXx. always. and the box is always as gorgeous as the firearm and the ammo.

[Artful]

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/78304
http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictures/projects/364452-438x.jpg
http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictures/projects/364457-438x.jpg
http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictures/projects/364455-438x.jpg

So the two removable blocks are stored under the tray and when upright the blocks are held in by the tray.

I don't see why you could incorporate the idea into a case like this...
http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/cp/cp_bx_riflecase_l.jpg
to make it work like
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6rJ3dV4Qq8/UfjLQABfrrI/AAAAAAAAB50/79x6qga_hNU/s1600/1082505_10200369906592522_2113350401_o.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=759SHhEqYgY

[reed1911]

The gun box I have from my years shooting comp. also have an arm to mount a spotting scope on. I still use it to this day and it is most helpful.

[xs11jack]

Artful, that box is a thing of beauty! Maybe the undercarrige of a rolling suitcase to have a handle and wheels to move it from car to shooting bench.
Ole Jack

[Artful]

The gun box I have from my years shooting comp. also have an arm to mount a spotting scope on. I still use it to this day and it is most helpful.
Are you talking about one like this?
http://www.kk5im.com/gunimages/pboxopen.jpg
http://www.guntalk-online.com/images/hbgunboxview.jpg
http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t348-gunbox-plans

I gave up my two hard box cases for soft sided ones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYCYn_iHehA

[Artful]

Artful, that box is a thing of beauty! Maybe the undercarrige of a rolling suitcase to have a handle and wheels to move it from car to shooting bench.
Ole Jack

Not a bad idea - wonder if roller blade wheels would work well?
Here's some really fancy cases

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3mW0BgZbI

[GARD72977]

I used a pistol box like that for years. I finally got a little ragged. It was made by Pachmayr.

[reed1911]

That is it exactly, use it at Camp Perry in 1999, USMC :)

[RED333]

Not as fancy as what yall show, but it was cheap from the pawn shop, guitar case.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac165/redintn/firearms/casecover.jpg (http://s896.photobucket.com/user/redintn/media/firearms/casecover.jpg.html)
With my Saiga 12
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac165/redintn/firearms/DSCN2276.jpg (http://s896.photobucket.com/user/redintn/media/firearms/DSCN2276.jpg.html)

[W.R.Buchanan]

After seeing the well done AK 74 box above it got me to thinking that I have several guns that I would like to outfit with boxes for transporting, that would be dedicated to those particular guns.

Among them are my Springfield Rifle and my NEW, coming in two weeks, Springfield M2. These are both Military style rifles and would be right at home in a wooden footlocker style box. Also there would be plenty of room for accessories and tools etc. that need to be kept with the gun. I also see a bump in resale value when it is time to sell these treasures.

All of my higher end guns have dedicated cases, so why not these?

I would lean towards the style of box where the gun is loaded vertically into the box and then the lid closes on top capturing the stock and muzzle so it can't flop around, thus the gun is always sitting vertically supported on the butt stock, fore end and muzzle. These were known as "Motor Cases," and were designed to fit into the compartment behind the seat of a 1930's style roadster. The compartment was sized to hold your golf clubs.

The box is around 4-5" wide by 9" high and as long as need be to accommodate the gun of choice.

I'm thinking a nice OD Green color with the silver zinc plated hardware for the exterior and possibly a felt lining of some type, or not. Open wood would still be cool.

Now all I have to do is find someone to build them that is actually good with wood?

Duke Nukem comes to mind?


Randy

[Artful]

We want pictures of the project Randy!

is this what your talking about?
http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/bproof01.jpg
http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2013/04/13/1450433_01_1944_lee_enfield_no4_mki_t_sni_640.jpg
http://www.snipercentral.com/images/reviews/l42a1-2.jpg

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes Art: similar to the ones the upper Enfield's are in. AS opposed to the flat box the L42 is in. You'll note how the gun is carried in the upright position and as long as the case is kept upright the guns sights are protected.

I'd do a two gun case but the thing would weigh 30 lbs with two 10 lb guns and their accessories, and the box.

I think a box for the new M2 and one for the ongoing 03A3 project would be a smarter way to go.

But that is the general idea.

I'm not a cabinet maker and my woodworking skills are somewhat limited so I would look for someone with the skills necessary to pull this off to do the wood work and then I'd do the finish work like installing the hinges, and latches.

Somewhere I have a catalog of appropriate hardware like the guy in the video used on his AK 74 box. It is an outfit in LA that makes and sells the stuff.

Randy

[Artful]

Actually Randy, if you make the lid with a spacer attached it will lock the rifle in place the the sights won't be in danger no matter what the attitude of the box.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes Art and I agree and this would be done.

The guy in the video did such a nice job on the AK74 box but he made it so when carrying the box by the handle, the gun was resting on the sights.

If you look at the case with the Hawken style rifle in it, the gun sits upright when the box is closed just like it should. In that case if the gun was upside down it would goon the scope and probably destroy the zero everytime you put the gun away.

Randy

[Artful]

you know in both those cases I think a couple of strategic blocks and velcro straps would solve the problem. Lots of people don't think it all the way through

[Guy La Pourque]

Yes, Art!

The box I saw was home made but dimensionally similar to the photo second from the top. I think the way it worked was that two inserts were removed, inverted and set in slots to form a gun cradle for tinkering and cleaning. When the shooting was over, those inserts were flipped again and served to secure the gun in the box when the lid was closed and kept it from bouncing around too much...

[Artful]

So this is the one of choice
http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2013/04/13/1450433_01_1944_lee_enfield_no4_mki_t_sni_640.jpg
here's some research for you Guy
http://www.snipersparadise.com/bits-o-wisdom/product-reviews/93-gun-cases-for-durable-transport-what-they-dont-tell-you-about-building-custom-rifles
http://www.milsurps.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11687&d=1270119768
http://www.milsurps.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11681&d=1270119768
http://www.milsurps.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11682&d=1270119768
http://www.milsurps.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11683&d=1270119768

[Artful]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/Alan_de_Enfield/No4T001.jpg
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64787&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64785&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64796&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64793&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64899&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737
http://surplusrifleforum.com/download/file.php?id=64898&t=1&sid=3a397c03a719399a0d32a1acb4fe3737

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes Art: the one picture with the SMLE is the general idea.

I probably will take some liberties with the final design.

I guess the actual moniker for boxes like these is "Rifle Chest."

You do much better research than I do. Could you see what you can drum up for "Springfield M2 Cal .22 Rifle."

I found one good article by a guy named "Ed Timerson" from "rifleshootermag.com" and it has a fairly large amount of detail, however it is the only meaningful article I can find so far.

This gun I got is in superb condition and I paid a lot less than it's really worth, but boxing it and coming up with the documentation will double it's current value. Especially when I shoot it for another ten years, and then sell it!

Is the box on the floor your's?

What was in it? Was it one of these?

Randy

[Guy La Pourque]

That's the beast, Art.

Only the guy I saw had made his own. Time to sit down at the drawing board...thanks for all your help!

[W.R.Buchanan]

I knew it! I figure anyone who has a .45acp SMLE would also have a British Sniper Rifle stashed somewhere.

I was amazed at the prices they are asking for complete drag boxes like yours. Anywhere from $5K to one I saw that was $11K! I guess having all the accessories makes all the difference.

The L42A1's were bringing big money too.

Pretty neat stuff.

Randy

[Artful]

:lol: No Randy - not mine - although I'm liking the idea for these just wouldn't have the room to store them. But I'm thinking of making a couple of these "Transit Cases" as they are listed I figure I'll measure up some of my Military rifle and go either either with longest measure
or make a long and a short - but have changeable/removable center boards set up for each rifle I intend to put in. And I figure if done correctly then can be flipped and used as a rifle holder as well.

[Artful]

You do much better research than I do. Could you see what you can drum up for "Springfield M2 Cal .22 Rifle."

I found one good article by a guy named "Ed Timerson" from "rifleshootermag.com" and it has a fairly large amount of detail, however it is the only meaningful article I can find so far.

This gun I got is in superb condition and I paid a lot less than it's really worth, but boxing it and coming up with the documentation will double it's current value. Especially when I shoot it for another ten years, and then sell it!

Randy

Found your thread
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?221028-Scored-big-Springfield-M2&p=2495023#post2495023
and put in somethings

[Just Duke]

Not a bad idea - wonder if roller blade wheels would work well?
Here's some really fancy cases

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3mW0BgZbI

This is kinda close


I was contacted to review and evaluate structural longevity of of this said build by a couple members here.
As they describe in the video they have loose panels top and bottom. Which is correct. However the panel needs a relief to look correct and to keep the top edge from contacting the when expansion and contraction sets in due to variances of humidity.
The latches are plainly brief case latches from Ohio Trunk and Bag and are lacking secure integrity and are not to scale considering the massive size and weight of the Walnut case.

Also note that mitered corners are not conducive to structural integrity either.
One hard bump on any corners and the glues joint will surely be compromised on all the other corners.
Now I have done several mitered corner boxes for wifeys Silver, but even then I have a jig for the table saw that cuts spline slots in the corners while the box is at a 45 degree angle to the saw.
The Silver box sits on top of the China buffet and not a considered to be a transportable item as the gun case is.

From the net.
88857

As one can see in the pic I found on the net, splines are glued into the spline cuts to maintain integrity of the joint.

[Just Duke]

The correct way to build a box is with finger joints or through dovetails. Notice I said through dovetails and not blind or half blind dovetail.
A finger joint jig is very easy to make for your table saw.

[Just Duke]

This fella is within the parameters of correct construction until 3 minutes and 45 seconds into the video.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=759SHhEqYgY#t=228
What will happen when you nail solid wood onto the top of the box like he's doing, the wood now has nowhere to expand and the worst part is when it contracts.
When the wood contracts and it is fasten down tight the wood will literally tear itself apart. So the top and bottom of the box will split.
He would have been better off making the top and bottom loose panel or just used a piece of plywood.
Also note the hardware used comes with some very small screws. Yellow Pine is and never has been conducive to retaining fasteners.
Longer screws should be added to the mortised in butt hinges and glue in. The latches because of the tension forced on them need to be bolted and washered on. Rivets washered from the back side is the best way to go.

[Just Duke]

Anyone wants to give me a jingle I'm around.

[Artful]

Thanks for the critique - any idea's about the OP's original idea for parts that can be set up in the box to hold a rifle up for cleaning etc while the box is open?

[T-Man]

I built one similar to this for my Sharps out of oak pallets. I hunted around and collected a good sized stack of pallets until I was able to sort them out and get the finer pieces of wood off them. You can find some really nice Tiger Striped oak on those used pallets...

[Just Duke]

You can find some really nice Tiger Striped oak on those used pallets...

Probably annular rays from quarter sawing.

[kevindtimm]

Anyone wants to give me a jingle I'm around.

I would like to build a case for an O/U shotgun, do you have recommendations about where I should go for plans/etc?

Just a small amount of info, I want it to be wood (of course) and would like it to fit snugly into the case with some sort of soft cloth (felt like) for a lining. Also, room enough for chokes and their wrenches, but I don't care about ammunition.

[Just Duke]

By request

[Frank46]

I'm really amazed at the skills you guys show. This coming from a guy that has to use one of those aluminum guides to make a straight cut. thanks for sharing. Frank