Storage Unit for Guns

[sb0]

To make a long story short, I'm in the process of moving, but I'm going down to DC for a month before I move into my new place. Bringing guns down there is a non-starter, so I'm hoping I can just find a place up here to leave them until I come back. My problem with the self storage facilities I've looked at is a. security and b. no firearms policies.

Any suggestions?

Edit - I am in Indianapolis BTW.

 

[bingley]

This is going to be a long list of "free storage" volunteers. People are going to be jumping up and down for you to use their home safe. But I offer something extra: ammo disposal! Are you tearing your hair out not knowing what to do with the 10,000 rounds of .22LR? Why, leave them to me! Trouble no more!

 

[sb0]

This is going to be a long list of "free storage" volunteers. People are going to be jumping up and down for you to use their home safe. But I offer something extra: ammo disposal! Are you tearing your hair out not knowing what to do with the 10,000 rounds of .22LR? Why, leave them to me! Trouble no more!

Well that sounds pretty tempting, but I just don't know...

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

ask your LGS

 

[BogWalker]

I'd be afraid of how well temperature controlled one of those units is.

 

[pudly]

There are indoor units that are temperature controlled, but I'd still be concerned about anti-gun policies. I know at least one U-Haul place that has that setup locally.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Storage units:

What they don't know won't hurt you.

Unless, of course, your unit burns / floods / etc then THEIR insurance won't cover anything. (honestly not sure how the unit's owner's insurance works)

But there is a possibility that YOUR renter's insurance / homeowner's insurance MAY cover your firearms against theft / disaster damage while in a storage unit. Again - not sure. Wouldn't surprise me if there wouldn't be a clause against paying a claim if you store something against the Storage Unit's permission / rules.

So - next avenue: Family? Good close friends?

-J-

 

[PGRChaplain]

You can get Firearms Insurance through NRA, it's called Arms Care. Before I stored them anywhere I would be sure their insured. I wouldn't store mine at any You Store It type facility. I'm with Tyler on checking with the LGS offer them $100.00 for the month that's cheap for peace of mind. Maybe one of them will chime in. Good Luck in D.C.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

To make a long story short, I'm in the process of moving, but I'm going down to DC for a month before I move into my new place. Bringing guns down there is a non-starter, so I'm hoping I can just find a place up here to leave them until I come back. My problem with the self storage facilities I've looked at is a. security and b. no firearms policies.

Any suggestions?

Edit - I am in Indianapolis BTW.

I've stored a couple rifles at a U-Stor Facility on Southport/Emerson Ave. in the past since I don't have a long gun safe. The units are individually alarmed and jiggling the handle sets off a very loud siren. The property managment lives on site and there is always someone there. The property manager said firearms are fine as long as they are not loaded. $40/month for a 5'x10' or they have one size smaller i believe.

 

[metaldog]

I'd be afraid of how well temperature controlled one of those units is.

OP...

Whatever you decide, I beg of you, DO NOT use a storage facility (this includes P.O.D.S.). My father moved to Florida for 3 years to help my grandmother re-establish herself after grand-dad passed. Grandmother was firm with him, NO guns in my house.
Long story short... I offered to store them for him, but he chose an indoor temp-controlled unit, anyway. When he moved back to Indy, nearly all of his firearms had rusted (some were collector items too).
We had a house fire a few years ago & were displaced for 6 months while house was rebuilt. The landlord of our rental (during construction) was against more than 3 firearms in his house. And don't get me started on how the insurance company wanted to store my weapons. I was ADAMANT with them being taken well care of. I was able to form a contract agreement with my gunsmith to store them for me (cleaning fees and storage paid by insurance company).
So, moral of the story... Strike a written agreement with someone you HIGHLY TRUST, or a gunsmith, or a gun shop. Also, the latter 2 may be able to give recommendations.

Best wishes & good luck!

 

[Drakkule]

OP...

Whatever you decide, I beg of you, DO NOT use a storage facility (this includes P.O.D.S.). My father moved to Florida for 3 years to help my grandmother re-establish herself after grand-dad passed. Grandmother was firm with him, NO guns in my house.
Long story short... I offered to store them for him, but he chose an indoor temp-controlled unit, anyway. When he moved back to Indy, nearly all of his firearms had rusted (some were collector items too).
We had a house fire a few years ago & were displaced for 6 months while house was rebuilt. The landlord of our rental (during construction) was against more than 3 firearms in his house. And don't get me started on how the insurance company wanted to store my weapons. I was ADAMANT with them being taken well care of. I was able to form a contract agreement with my gunsmith to store them for me (cleaning fees and storage paid by insurance company).
So, moral of the story... Strike a written agreement with someone you HIGHLY TRUST, or a gunsmith, or a gun shop. Also, the latter 2 may be able to give recommendations.

Best wishes & good luck!

This is a very good idea.

 

[richardraw316]

I've stored a couple rifles at a U-Stor Facility on Southport/Emerson Ave. in the past since I don't have a long gun safe. The units are individually alarmed and jiggling the handle sets off a very loud siren. The property managment lives on site and there is always someone there. The property manager said firearms are fine as long as they are not loaded. $40/month for a 5'x10' or they have one size smaller i believe.

please do not store firearms at ustor. any of them. they are not climate controlled. your guns will rust.
if your alarm went off from jiggling the handle, then it was defective.
5x10 is the smallest unit.

 

[6mm Shoot]

Guns can be oiled and stored properly and they will not rust. Guns are stored under ground and don't rust. Guns are stored in Pelican cases and shipped all over the world and don't rust. The rusting thing can be controlled. The no gun thing at the storage place is an other problem. Just a heads up on the insurance, it will cost you more than a place to store them. Last time I checked it was $10 on the hundred. That wasn't with the NRA, I have no idea what they charge.

 

[AWDIP55]

Lock them in a metal container and make sure its a franchise storage company with indoor climate controled storage. Remember you get what you pay for!!!

 

[red46239]

Not sure about the firearms policy (nothing online) but Wanamaker Self Storage has 5'x5' indoor climate controlled units for $25/month. It is a newer facilty (built in the last 5 or 6 years). Good luck with your search.

Wanamaker Self Storage, Covered RV Parking, 24 Hour Access, Self Storage, Secure, Climate Controlled

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

please do not store firearms at ustor. any of them. they are not climate controlled. your guns will rust.
if your alarm went off from jiggling the handle, then it was defective.
5x10 is the smallest unit.

Do you guys just toss your guns in the storage unit or what? I've never had a problem with rust. I properly oil my long guns for storage and keep them in cases The whole complex must be defective then.

 

[richardraw316]

Do you guys just toss your guns in the storage unit or what? I've never had a problem with rust. I properly oil my long guns for storage and keep them in cases The whole complex must be defective then.

First I was not a customer of theirs. I was the manager for two years. If you are still storing your stuff there, tell Mike I said hi. The tempature goes up and down very rapidly inside the units, which causes condensation on metal. So unless you pack the deep in Cosmo, don't store guns at this facility for longer than a month or two. They do not offer insurance. So if your stuff is destroyed it is on you.
as for the alarms they only go off when the door is opened. If yours is going off for any other reason, the door sensors maybe misaligned and need fixed. I am 100% sure the entire complex does not do this. I have ran that facility for few days while mikes wife was in the hospital. Everything worked as it should.

 

[jwh20]

To make a long story short, I'm in the process of moving, but I'm going down to DC for a month before I move into my new place. Bringing guns down there is a non-starter, so I'm hoping I can just find a place up here to leave them until I come back. My problem with the self storage facilities I've looked at is a. security and b. no firearms policies.

Any suggestions?

Edit - I am in Indianapolis BTW.

Self-storage units are INSECURE. Just look at one:

1) Sheet metal door can be cut with tin snips.
2) Cheap stamped-metal locking mechanism can be cut with a hacksaw.
3) Walls are usually just drywall so access from an adjacent unit is easy.
4) In most cases you can get into the "attic" from any unit and get to any other unit.

I would NOT store valuables in one. How about a trusted friend or responsible relative?

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

First I was not a customer of theirs. I was the manager for two years. If you are still storing your stuff there, tell Mike I said hi. The tempature goes up and down very rapidly inside the units, which causes condensation on metal. So unless you pack the deep in Cosmo, don't store guns at this facility for longer than a month or two. They do not offer insurance. So if your stuff is destroyed it is on you.
as for the alarms they only go off when the door is opened. If yours is going off for any other reason, the door sensors maybe misaligned and need fixed. I am 100% sure the entire complex does not do this. I have ran that facility for few days while mikes wife was in the hospital. Everything worked as it should.

I'll talk to the staff about the alarm in my unit then.

I acknowledge your experience at the place but as far as having a secure place to store them long term, that is my best option at the moment. Rust has never been an issue on my rifles due to them being stored there.

 

[richardraw316]

I'll talk to the staff about the alarm in my unit then.

I acknowledge your experience at the place but as far as having a secure place to store them long term, that is my best option at the moment. Rust has never been an issue on my rifles due to them being stored there.

And I hope it never happens to your rifles. I have seen lotsnofnpeople remove their item with mold and mildew all over their stuff. Rusty tools and tool boxes. Insure your storage unit with renters or home owners insurance and they should cover it. But it is a hassle. Just store in a nicenfacility and you should be ok.