Finished cuctomizing my gunsafe

[Knecht]

Yesterday I finished some modifications I had planned for my new gunsafe. Added more decks to the shelf (the original one had 3 insanely tall ones, so lots of space got wasted. I also added one big shelf on the top. Finally, shelves as well as walls around the rifle department have been covered with thin carpet to provide soft surface and reduce noise. All that's left now is to fill it some more!
You can see my two Rugers over there (P89 and GP100); LC9 is about to join next week.

 

[gunman42782]

Nice!

 

[contender]

I wish I had that much space left in any of my safes!
It looks like you did a good job though!

 

[Knecht]

Thanks, glad you like it.
I wish it was rather full of guns, but what can I do with the wage I get...
On the other hand, not bad for only 7 months of active gunowning, right? (that means 7 months of owning modern guns, I've had that wheellock for about 6 years already).
Besides, our law only allows me to keep 10 guns in a safe of this security level, so it won't be too overfilled, anyway. Once I have more than 10 pieces, I'll have to either get a better one, or another...but that won't be too soon.
I can fill it up with some more ammo, though If I remember right, the law allows 10 000 rounds in this safe.

 

[AkRay]

Are there issues with gun theft where you live, Knecht? Are people likely to come into your house to steal your guns?

 

[Knecht]

Not really, it's more like preventive care...

 

[M'BOGO]

Looks very well done.

Knecht, could we see some better pics of that wheel lock, and some more info.

As for seven months, I'd say you've gotten the bug.

 

[Knecht]

Sure.
Here are some older pics:
http://knecht.rajce.idnes.cz/kver/

Here it's along with some of my reenacting stuff:
http://knecht.rajce.idnes.cz/Kozaci_-_vyrobky/

Is that enough? Or are you interested in some specific part of it?
As for more info - it's a smoothbore, 18mm caliber carbine with a wheellock, based on a piece from early 1600's.
Is's a trick to shoot it reliably enough, but once you have the proper flint in it and keep the lock clean, it runs nicely. Great rifle for reenact battles, very cool for real shooting and always attracts people at the range, everyone wants to try a shot. Usually they are surprised how much that thing kicks. No compensators in the 17th century...
As it has no sights, it's not easy to aim well, more like instinctive shooting.

 

[M'BOGO]

Good stuff Knecht,

What unit, or branch do you re-enact for?

I don't read Czech, was that a tube of Cossack toothpaste?

 

[contender]

Only 10 guns in a safe? Heck, I have that many on one shelf!

I hope you understand I'm just funning with you. I know your laws are more restrictive. And to only be a 7 month gun owner,, you ARE doing quite well!

 

[Knecht]

Actualy, that was a tube of "cossack" mustard Not bad....

I reenact more than one era - mainly I do 9th century Slavic warrior, 12th century crossbowman and - where the stuff on pics is from - 1750's free cossack. Cossacks are a lot of fun to reenact, though they had little to do with our country's history (there were some small units of them here in 30 years war). All my gear is based on original pieces and a good deal of it is my handwork.

As for those 10 guns, laws and restrictions - it's not as bad as it may look like. First, this safe I have is the lowest security level approved for keeping guns. There are better ones that allow to keep 20 guns inside. For even more guns, you have to get "vault room" which is basically any room built of bricks or concrete with good safe-style door. That's what I'm about to build once I buy my own place.
Second, while we have here much more difficult access to guns (have to pass exams to get your gun license, which involves not only law and technical knowledge, but also very clear criminal records), once oyu have your license you can have many guns that are a problem in other parts of the world, including USA.
For example, there's no such thing as "short barreled rifle" here. It's a rifle (or a pistol with stock, you get the idea) and that's it. Want one? Fill this form for the police, come back in couple days to get your buy permission, get your gun, register it and enjoy.
You can ask for full-auto (for "collecting" purposes) and if you are lucky, you get it. Can't carry it, but can enjoy it at the range. As for carrying - keep it concealed and you can go wherever you want, except court buildings. Somebody doesn't like you carry a gun? Is he a cop? No? Tell him to mind his own business.
Short shotguns, luparas, sniper rifles, no magazine capacity limitations...you can enjoy nearly any gun you want. All you have to do is to keep them safe at home and concealed in public and nobody bothers you.
Saw that short vz.58 semi-auto rifle in my safe? No legal problem carrying it - just keep it concealed.

What is a little tough here is using them. Authorized range only. No plinking at your backyard. Self defence use - have to proof your life or health was really endangered. Shooting at thieves is tough, in theory you are able to defend your property by shooting the thief as well, but it's not always well judged at the court.

 

[M'BOGO]

I'm glad the Cossack thing was half right. I've not spent time learning the kingdom wars of Europe. I know enough to know there is some bad blood under the surface, going back a thousand years or more. I was kind of worried that saying Cossack was going to go wrong, "no, we fought those Cossack *&*^$%#%$%#%$ rapist scum!"

That's cool stuff, all around. Here's a weblink for one of my favorite vintage "kit" makers, Chuck Burrows, http://www.wrtcleather.com/ . His work is much more limited in scope than yours, but I suspect you'll enjoy, doubt Czech is a language option, sorry.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

What caliber is the Beretta between the Rugers? (I'm always curious what calibers other people use, especially in foreign countries....)

 

[Knecht]

M'BOGO, thanks for the link, some nice stuff there.
As for the Beretta, it's M71, which means it's .22LR model. M70 is very similar, chambered in 7,65 Browning (or .32 if you like )
Those .22 Berettas hit local market lately, being sold away by Izraelian goverment. Popular backup/assasin weapon of Mossad. Used in the famous operation "Wrath of God" to kill several terrorist leaders - see movie "Sword of Gedeon"
Great little pistol for the range, I got it a month ago. Have to adjust the rear sight a little, it shoots a lot to the right and up. Makes nice groups though, so it will be accurate enogh once the sights are better adjusted.

 

[IrvJr]

Nice safe and cool pictures! That wheellock is very cool!

 

[PECKER]

Good job. I can't help it, I'm fascinated with your laws and what not. Do you have a gun shop to hang out at, is ammo hard to get, how expensive is ammo, do you have to join a gun club or does the government provide a place to shoot? Do people freak out at the sight of a gun? Can you hunt? What those laws like?

 

[Knecht]

Thanks for more kind comments.
Czech gun laws have been discussed here before, but never mind, I'll do my best to answer:

gun shop to hang out - not sure what exactly you mean. We surely have gun shops and you can hang out there with other shooters, well - untill the shopkeeper gets bored and kicks you all out

ammo hard to get - not really, with a gun license you can buy it in a gunshop, as much as you like. Some less common calibers may not be always in stock though.

ammo prices - ammo is not cheap, but neither are the guns here, so...
Example:
50 box of basic 9mm: $13,92
50 box of basic .45: $22,27 (.40 costs about the same)
50 box of basic .22LR: $3,34
surplus 7.62x39, 250 box: $57,06

having to join a gun club - not at all, but there surely are clubs if you want to...

government providing a place to shoot - no, if you don't mean their councils - now that would be an awesome place to shoot! There are many ranges to shoot, both tunnel ones and outdoors.

people freaking out - well, guns have to be carried concealed, so people shouldn't see them at all. If you reach for a wallet in the shop and shopkeeper sees a pistol on your belt under the jacket, I don't think he would freak out. Even if he did, it's none of his business, only police can legally mess with anybodies guns.

hunting - yes, but have to get a hunting license and that usually requires joining some sort of hunting club or community, which brings some duties. As I'm not interested in hunting, I can't tell you more about that.

 

[IrvJr]

Hey Knecht,

Is bow hunting legal in the Czech Republic or is it gun only?

 

[Knecht]

AFAIK it's gun only (and no handguns). But know some licensed hunters who do use bigbore revolvers now and then, when the distance seems to be a wasted shot for rifle.

 

[americal]

Knecht--Glad your on the forum --you gave me a lot of insight into another country 8)