Methods of Securing your AR-15

By Forest Platt

People often ask me how they can safely store their AR-15 rifles.  Should they use trigger locks or perhaps a safe?  The question is not an easy one, as different people have different needs.  Some want to protect their firearms from getting stolen; others are worried about preventing unauthorized use (from children or incompetent adults).  Some want to do both, but want the rifle quickly available in case they should need it to protect life and home.  We shall explore the different methods of safely storing AR-15s.

The most used device, and the WORST POSSIBLE, is the infamous Trigger Lock.  Why is the trigger lock so bad?  Well for one if you are strong enough, or the lock isn’t on tight enough, you can pull it back and ‘fire’ the rifle.  But the big reason not to use the trigger lock is the trigger guard.  The trigger guard on the AR-15 is meant to swing away for winter use with heavy mittens.  Five seconds with a paper clip and you can open the trigger guard and remove the lock.  Not at all a secure method (though it is better than nothing – and looks good if you were ever stopped by the cops on your way to the range).

Gun Cabinets were once a very popular way to ‘secure’ firearms.  Typically these are wood cabinets with glass panels used to show off the rifle.  They do a great job of display, and perhaps keep the young ones away from the firearms, but they offer no real security.  If you want to use one of these you should also either lock up the bolt (see the next paragraph), or use a Magazine Block (see below).

One of the simplest and most cost effective ways to store the rifle is to lock up the bolt and carrier.  You can lock them in a small safe or strong box.  This will render the rifle harmless, but you can get it running again fairly quickly.  Some military units do this when proper armory facilities are not available.  If you do this, be sure to lock up your spare bolt and carrier as well.  This is a good method to use if you display your rifle.

Another cost effective method to lock up the AR-15 are Cable Locks.  They can either be locks that have the built in cables, or you can use a bike locking cable and the lock of your choice (allows you to use a combination lock so you don’t have to worry about keys). To use this system the bolt is locked to the rear.  The cable is then inserted into the ejection port and through the magazine well.  The rifle now cannot be loaded nor the bolt closed.  This method also allows you to secure the rifle.  Putting an eyebolt in the wall or floor, or running the cable around a support column prevents the rifle from being taking away from the scene.  This offers a very secure method of storage that is quick to undo.  If you don’t like the idea of storing your rifle with the bolt locked back, then separate the upper from the lower and just lock up the lower (again through the magazine well).  These can be purchase from places that sell bike chains or hunting supplies, Bushmaster also carries them.

 Another device is the Magazine Block (I used to have one of these).  It looks like a USGI 20 round magazine with a key lock on the bottom.  You insert it into the magazine well just like a magazine, then turn the key and remove it.  The upper can be removed from the lower (if you want, but you cannot replace it while the lock is in place).  While the block is in place you cannot pull back the bolt carrier, nor can you load a magazine in the rifle.  The AR-15 is effectively locked up tight until you use the key to unlock the block then drop the magazine.  Its quick to lock up and very quick to remove the lock, yet secure against those that do not have the key.  This is another good method to use if you want to display your rifle.  These are no longer available (the company that made them went out of business), you could try e-bay or the various equipment forums on the net.

Perhaps the most secure (and expensive) method of locking up your rifle is with a Safe.  Safes come in all kinds of sizes and security.  The cheap $100 ones from the x-Marts offer basic protection at a low cost.  If you do use one, be sure that the safe is secured to the wall (there are holes to do this) and use another securing method in conjunction with the safe (cheap safes have poor locks and thin steel).  Better safes start in the $1000 range and costs go up.  They are usually very heavy, but still should be bolted to the floor or wall to prevent them from being taken on a dolly.  Many high-end safes also have built in fire protection for extra security.  Nice thing about safes is not only can they lock up your firearms, but your other valuables as well (i.e. expensive camera gear, jewelry, documents).

Another method of securing your rifle is to use a Lockable Rifle Case.  These cases come in hard-sided varieties (either Plastic or Aluminum) or soft-sided (Ballistic Nylon or canvas). These cases are used to securely transport your rifle from one location (your home) to another like the field/range (soft-sided) or on airlines (hard-sided).  These cases usually lock with a padlock.  Their primary purpose is to protect the firearm from rough handling and dings; the locking is only there because it’s required for airline transport.  They are insufficient for home storage since they can easily be broken into with a knife.  They also retain moisture very well (especially if they use open cell foam padding), so leaving a firearm in them for a long time is not a wise thing.  These cases often come with a new rifle and can be found anyplace that sells sporting goods.

There is another product called the Life Jacket.   It’s basically a mini hard sided case with 2 built in key locks.  This device only locks around the receivers and leaves the stock and barrel exposed.  Its purpose is to prevent unauthorized firing of the rifle while transporting the rifle (say in your truck’s rifle rack or your car’s trunk).  Do not leave the rifle in this for long periods as it has the same moisture retention problem as the hard sided cases (it too is lined with open cell foam).  This product is available from Bushmaster.

An innovative option is to use a Police Rifle Rack.  or   These racks are designed to mount in a squad car and secure the rifle.  They release the rifle either by electrical signal or by using a handcuff key.  These racks can be used to lock the rifle in your car or truck, or by mounting it on a wall (say in your closet) you can keep the rifle handy, while at the same time it’s secure.  These racks are available from Police suppliers (Galls carries 2 different racks that are specific to the AR-15).

If you, or your spouse, are really concerned you can use multiple ‘safeties’ to ensure the rifle will not be stolen and/or handled by an unauthorized individual.  For example you could put the rifle in a safe and use a magazine lock.  Or lock up the bolt carrier group and use a cable lock (be sure to lock the rifle to something secure).  For the really paranoid you can lock up the bolt carrier, put a magazine lock in the lower, then use a cable lock on the upper (after removing it from the lower), put the lower in the safe and you can rest easy at night (for those counting that is 4 safeties).  The possibilities are mind-boggling.