28 Easy DIY Wood Gun Cabinet Plans: Free & Paid (With Pictures)
- Chris Dinesen Rogers
- Last updated:
A gun rack provides a convenient and permanent location for your firearms. They make it easier to store and organize rifles, handguns, and other firearms. Some cabinets can be locked for secure storage, while certain plans offer hidden gun storage options. There are gun racks that attach to the wall, freestanding units that can display your weapons, and those that keep your weapons safely out of harm’s way.
Good-quality gun cabinets can run to thousands of dollars, but if you have basic woodworking and DIY skills, why not create your own? Below, we have listed the best free gun cabinet plans that will teach you how to build a wood gun cabinet of your own as well as some paid for versions to go the extra mile.
The 23 Free DIY Wood Gun Cabinet Plans
1. DIY Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws, locks, glass panels, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This plan puts your collection in the spotlight with gorgeous red oak wood that makes it sturdy and a decorator piece. The DIYer used an Early American wood stain that made the grain pop. We think it’ll compete for attention with your guns. The takeaway from this entry is to consider other elements of the finished project other than the layout.
2. Gun Cabinet Plan From Instructables
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
The best thing about this plan is that it walks you through the process so well. It’s more for storage than display. Nevertheless, the design is attractive. The extra shelves are great additions for storage and an excellent alternative to drawers. That makes the project more accessible for less experienced DIYers. You can complete it in a weekend with the right tools.
3. Small Guns, Small Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, glass panels, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
You may not need one of the larger cabinets on our list if your collection doesn’t include shotguns or rifles. This smaller one will work like a charm. Part of its value is that it doesn’t look like it houses firearms. Yet, it’s still decorative and functional. It’s also versatile. You can work with the size and the shelf placement to fit your needs.
4. Plywood Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, edge banding, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw, jig saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
There’s nothing fancy about this plywood cabinet. It’s an affordable project and the design is minimalistic, which lends itself well to many decorating styles. The absence of glass panels makes it easier for newbie DIYers. The key to completing these projects is accurate measurements. That will ensure everything fits right.
5. Hidden in Plain Sight
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
A DIY gun cabinet keeps everything organized with the ability to lock it up. Again, the lack of glass panels makes the project more straightforward and cuts down on your material costs. Make sure to measure accurately to avoid redoing any cuts.
6. DIY Armoire aka Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Plywood, (5) 3×8 boards, 2 knobs (or locks), 6 hinges, 6 half-round moldings, wood glue, pocket-hole screws, tape measure, shelf pins |
Tools: | Drill, circular saw, miter saw, nail gun |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
Who says a gun cabinet can’t be luxurious? This DIY armoire is a great segue to this use. We like it because it’s big with plenty of room for storing your entire gun collection. You can skip or modify the shelves as needed with notches for rifles or shotguns. You can make it more decorative so that it’s a focal point, even if it serves a utilitarian purpose.
7. Versatile Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, glass panels, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
We like this plan since it can do double duty for guns and other belongings you want to display. You can customize the shelf spacing to fit what you want to store. You can leave one side open and put locks on the side holding the guns. It is an advanced project because the design is more complicated. However, therein lies its versatility.
8. Hanging Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, edge banding, wall anchors, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
Sometimes, the best place to highlight your gun collection is at eye level, particularly if you have antique firearms that would look fantastic with overhead lighting. You can build this cabinet to size with the shelves you need to showcase everything. Once you get the basics down, you can add sections as you need them.
9. Repurposed Pallets
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, glass panels, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
Whoever figured out the idea of repurposing pallets was a genius. That’s the base material for this DIY gun cabinet. The best thing about it is that it saves some cutting time. You have uniformly sized pieces. Of course, you have to clean them up, but it’s a minor issue. We like the interest from the varied wood pieces as well because it adds interest.
10. Easy Access
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
We like this plan for its usefulness and easy access. The height and size of the cabinet make it simple to store your belongings, and the tabletop gives you a workspace to maintain your firearms. Adding a lock makes it secure storage. The decorative elements aren’t fancy or difficult to add. However, the required precision of the cuts puts it closer to the advanced level.
11. Cane Door Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, cane panels, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This plan is more decorative than ones meant for security purposes. However, it still works if you have antique guns to display them in an attractive way. You have some wiggle room to customize it to your collection. We liked the bottom drawer, which adds to its functionality. It’s an excellent example of a useful object not having to look boring.
12. Built to Order
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
The great thing about this plan is its versatility. You can make it as simple or intricate as you like. It’s only a matter of mastering the basics. Then, let your imagination be in the driver’s seat. You can make this project as small or large as you want. That can also make your DIY gun cabinet something more than just a place to store your firearms.
13. DIY Pantry/Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This DIY pantry/gun cabinet reminds us that you can modify any plan to suit your needs. The placement of wood pieces on the doors adds interest but keeps the project accessible. You can also enhance the plan with the right choice of hardware. They become the focal point of the design, especially if you vary the stain’s shade on the various layers.
14. Farmhouse Look
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, handles, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
We picked this one out of the bunch of plans because we loved the farmhouse look of it. We also liked the ability to add different elements to it. You can have a taller cabinet to store your rifles and shotguns. You can complement it with a shorter one to showcase your smaller firearms. You can even add a granite countertop for a workspace to work on your guns.
15. Repurposed Kitchen Cabinets
Materials: | Hinges, screws, locks, shelf pins, glass panels, felt, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This plan works well if you have a handgun collection you want to display. The top row is your showcase to lay out your firearms. The drawers underneath provide access and extra storage. You can opt for more secure glass panels to keep everything safe. Locks on the doors restrict access. We consider it an advanced project because of the considerable modifications to the basic plan.
16. Tall Boy
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
We love this tall boy cabinet. Its sleek design adds a stylish element to firearm storage. It’s an excellent choice if you have long musket loaders that may not fit in a conventional gun locker. Its height is part of its attraction. You can choose wooden or glass doors. We like the former, especially when paired with wrought-iron hardware. It’s a winning combination.
17. Open Storage
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
Many cabinets have drawers or closed spaces on the bottom. This one breaks the rules with an open shelf. You don’t have to use it for storage. You could put some decorative pieces on it instead. You can stick with the wooden doors or go with glass panels if you want to showcase your guns. Either option works while providing secure storage with locks.
18. A Swiss Army Knife Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, shelf pins, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
The thing that stood out for us with this cabinet is optimizing the use of space. Taking it to the ceiling makes use of all the available space. Why not take advantage of the extra storage? It’s an advanced project because of all the extra work it entails. You can modify it with some glass panels if you really want to show off your guns.
19. Ammunition Box Plans From HicketyPip
Materials: | Brass screws, wood glue, rope loops, wood or pallet pieces, shellac |
Tools: | Tape measure, circular saw, drill |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
If you’re going to have guns, you need a place to store your ammo. Enter the ammunition box from HicketyPip. It’s a cool-looking piece that has a pleasing old-fashioned appeal. It can hold 560 cartridges. It would be a great project for a re-enactor. The brass hardware and rope handles complete the look. It’s not a difficult project that you could complete in a weekend.
20. Reclaimed Pallet Wood Gun Rack From Instructables
Materials: | Pallets, screws, hooks, poly spray |
Tools: | Drill, circular saw, tape measure, hammer, square, sander, wood glue |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate to advanced |
We love pallet projects like this one from Instructables. The beauty of this cabinet is the weathered look of the wood. It adds a nice rustic touch, which we liked. While you can paint it, we prefer seeing the grain with a poly spray. You can use coat rack hooks, depending on the size of the guns you want to display. Brass hardware adds a nice touch.
21. Secret Compartment Gun Case From Sawdust2Stitches
Materials: | Piano hinge, eyelet hooks, wood glue, wood filler, plywood, pegboard |
Tools: | Drill, table saw, miter saw, level, tape measure |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
The secret compartment gun case from Sawdust2Stitches puts your firearms in plain sight to hide them. It isn’t a safe, but it has a different locking mechanism to make it more secure than an open rack. The case portion requires precise cutting, putting it into a moderate skill level. The pegboard gives you flexibility in the interior layout, which you may find helpful.
22. Rifle Rack Plan From Rod’s Woodworking Shop
Materials: | Board, plywood, wood screws, Kreg screws, wood glue, sandpaper, polyurethane |
Tools: | Drill, circular saw, tape measure, level, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Rod’s Woodworking Shop’s wall-mounted rifle rack is an easy project for displaying guns and other similarly sized items to show them off in your home. Of course, it’s not a security feature unless you put trigger locks on the guns. While it isn’t hard, you must do a lot of precision cutting to put the rack together correctly. A coat of poly will make it an attractive addition to your man cave.
23. Floating Gun Shelf DIYEasyCrafts
Materials: | Shelf hinges, head torque screws, finishing nails, wall anchors, wood |
Tools: | Drill, circular saw, tape measure, level |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
The floating gun shelf plan from DIYEasyCrafts is another space-saver as a wall-mounted piece. Its added security feature is its design, which conceals the firearms. It’s not secure like a gun locker. Its purpose is merely to hide them. The plan is simple and a moderately easy DIY project. You can make it fancier with your wood selection since it doubles as a functional shelf.
The 5 Paid DIY Wood Gun Cabinet Plans
1. U Bild Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Glass clips, wood knobs, brass hinges, door locks, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This U Bild Gun Cabinet shines with its simple design that can hold up to seven guns. The plan includes the hardware to get you started. It also gives you some latitude with your choice of wood. The hinges are brass, giving it a luxurious look. The completed cabinet measures 76 inches tall but it still has a compact footprint.
2. Cherry Wood Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, lazy susan assembly, locks, glass panels, cherrywood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This gun cabinet is another riff on a compact rectangular form. The design allows anyone to view your collection of eight guns from any angle. Unlike our last entry, the hardware isn’t included in this plan. However, you can buy it from the manufacturer of the plan. It screams for decorative molding and panels. Cherry wood is the recommended type, but it’s not set in stone—you can customize it however you’d like.
3. Gun Cabinet-Curio-Bookcase
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, glass panels, molding, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
The beauty of this gun cabinet-curio-bookcase plan is its versatility. The manufacturer bills it for these uses, but you probably can find other ways to feature it. The design allows you to modify it to what you need. The bottom drawers are a welcome addition for storing your other gear. Unlike our last entry, you can only view the collection from the front.
4. Large Eight-Gun Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, glass panels, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
If you own several guns, this DIY cabinet is the one for you. It’ll hold up to eight firearms. It stylishly embraces country decor. While it’s an advanced project, it doesn’t have the fancy bells and whistles of the entries with decorative molding. That’s where it shines when you want your collection to take center stage.
5. Hanging Display Cabinet
Materials: | Hinges, screws locks, glass panels, wall anchors, choice of wood |
Tools: | Tape measure, drill, circular saw, miter saw |
Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This DIY cabinet offers an excellent way to put the spotlight on a small collection or a prized item. It has a small footprint as a wall piece. However, that doesn’t detract from its usefulness. We can see a grouping of handguns or antique firearms in this cabinet. It’s not as difficult to assemble as some other gun cabinets since it has fewer moving parts.
DIY Gun Cabinet Plans: Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed learning how to build a gun rack cabinet. Gun cabinets and gun racks enable you to keep your firearms safe, and some provide the added benefit of secure storage. Always ensure that your guns are kept safe, especially if you have kids, and enjoy taking the time to craft yourself a gun rack using one of the wooden gun cabinet plans above.
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Featured Image Credit: My Outdoor Plans
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