When did gun mounting magnets come out like what year?
- Thread starter Bubba28
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According to the official GROK ai website:
The development of magnetic gun mounts as we know them today—specifically for securely holding firearms in homes, vehicles, or other locations—doesn't have a single, well-documented origin tied to an exact date or inventor. Instead, their evolution is closely linked to advancements in magnet technology and the growing demand for practical firearm storage solutions, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Magnetic gun mounts rely heavily on strong permanent magnets, and the timeline of their development aligns with the availability of powerful rare-earth magnets like neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets, which are the backbone of most modern magnetic gun mounts due to their exceptional strength, were discovered in 1982 by Masato Sagawa of Sumitomo Special Metals and began commercial production in the mid-1980s. These magnets, made from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron, offered a significant leap in magnetic strength compared to earlier options like alnico (developed in the 1930s) or ferrite magnets (developed in the 1950s), making them ideal for compact, reliable firearm mounts.
While magnets have been used for centuries—starting with naturally occurring lodestone as early as 600 BC—the application of magnets to firearm storage likely emerged as a practical concept much later. The idea of using magnets to hold firearms securely in place seems to have gained traction in the late 20th century, particularly as concealed carry and home defense became more prevalent in the United States. However, no specific patent or historical record pinpoints the "invention" of the magnetic gun mount as a distinct product. Instead, it appears to have evolved organically as a niche application of magnetic technology.
By the early 2000s, companies began marketing magnetic gun mounts explicitly for firearms, capitalizing on the strength of neodymium magnets. These early designs were simple—often just a strong magnet encased in rubber or plastic to prevent scratching the gun, with mounting options like screws or adhesive. Over time, as consumer interest grew, manufacturers refined these products, adding features like trigger guards, higher weight capacities (some now exceed 50 lbs), and sleek designs for vehicle or home use. The rise of online marketplaces and tactical gear communities in the 2010s further accelerated their popularity, with brands like GMW, SofHold, and Vulcan emerging as notable players.
In short, while the foundational technology (neodymium magnets) was developed in the 1980s, magnetic gun mounts as a consumer product likely began appearing in the late 1990s or early 2000s, with significant refinement and widespread adoption occurring in the 2010s. Without a specific inventor or patent to point to, their "development" is best understood as a gradual adaptation of existing magnetic technology to meet firearm storage needs.
The development of magnetic gun mounts as we know them today—specifically for securely holding firearms in homes, vehicles, or other locations—doesn't have a single, well-documented origin tied to an exact date or inventor. Instead, their evolution is closely linked to advancements in magnet technology and the growing demand for practical firearm storage solutions, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Magnetic gun mounts rely heavily on strong permanent magnets, and the timeline of their development aligns with the availability of powerful rare-earth magnets like neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets, which are the backbone of most modern magnetic gun mounts due to their exceptional strength, were discovered in 1982 by Masato Sagawa of Sumitomo Special Metals and began commercial production in the mid-1980s. These magnets, made from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron, offered a significant leap in magnetic strength compared to earlier options like alnico (developed in the 1930s) or ferrite magnets (developed in the 1950s), making them ideal for compact, reliable firearm mounts.
While magnets have been used for centuries—starting with naturally occurring lodestone as early as 600 BC—the application of magnets to firearm storage likely emerged as a practical concept much later. The idea of using magnets to hold firearms securely in place seems to have gained traction in the late 20th century, particularly as concealed carry and home defense became more prevalent in the United States. However, no specific patent or historical record pinpoints the "invention" of the magnetic gun mount as a distinct product. Instead, it appears to have evolved organically as a niche application of magnetic technology.
By the early 2000s, companies began marketing magnetic gun mounts explicitly for firearms, capitalizing on the strength of neodymium magnets. These early designs were simple—often just a strong magnet encased in rubber or plastic to prevent scratching the gun, with mounting options like screws or adhesive. Over time, as consumer interest grew, manufacturers refined these products, adding features like trigger guards, higher weight capacities (some now exceed 50 lbs), and sleek designs for vehicle or home use. The rise of online marketplaces and tactical gear communities in the 2010s further accelerated their popularity, with brands like GMW, SofHold, and Vulcan emerging as notable players.
In short, while the foundational technology (neodymium magnets) was developed in the 1980s, magnetic gun mounts as a consumer product likely began appearing in the late 1990s or early 2000s, with significant refinement and widespread adoption occurring in the 2010s. Without a specific inventor or patent to point to, their "development" is best understood as a gradual adaptation of existing magnetic technology to meet firearm storage needs.
yep started in shops where some folks had access to various magnets and it was to simply cover or coat them, so as to NOT scratch the guns,,,under bars and even under desks at work,,,,where there is a will , there is a way ...some genius then figured on merchandizing the concept...heck we used simple hooks on the inside wall of a closet, then along came rubber coated bike hooks for out in the garage, worked great anywhere around the house or shop or out in the barn........
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Give me a big enough Neodymium magnet and I'll move the Earth. 
Wait a second. I heard something like that before. A school lesson, liver, leever, lever. Oh heck, more detention for meGive me a big enough Neodymium magnet and I'll move the Earth.
I haven't seen these in use or advertised for sale. I can understand the concept of using a magnet to hold a gun someplace. Kitchens use them for knives, and some of the knife magnet holders are pretty nice. I don't use one, but they make sense.
Does anyone use these gun magnets for sticking a gun someplace? Like I said I can honestly see a practical application for them, I'm sitting here in my living room imagining all the places I could stick a gun. Hmmm…
Does anyone use these gun magnets for sticking a gun someplace? Like I said I can honestly see a practical application for them, I'm sitting here in my living room imagining all the places I could stick a gun. Hmmm…
I have handguns in two places. Picked up gun magnets on Amazon. We do not have small children in house. When people come by to visit with kids I put handguns in safe. I am a total believer in the magnets. Strong magnets need a good pull, faster (for me) than a lockbox. MANY places where they would be handy.
Ahh, the things we had but didn't keep…. A relative that worked on a particle accelerator gave me a 10 lb (maybe more, never weighed it) chunk of magnet that they use at the junctions (the whole loop is a series of straight tubes) to redirect the particles down the next tube. Would be great to have now to mount a truck gun and such…
contender
Ruger Guru
There are several companies that now offer gun magnets. I have a few of them.
I strongly recommend SofHold magnets. They are good people, AND support the FoNRA. A smaller company,, but a quality product.
I strongly recommend SofHold magnets. They are good people, AND support the FoNRA. A smaller company,, but a quality product.
Contender, I really wish you would stop recommending all these companies.
I was just too curious and had to go and look them up. Now I've gone and ordered one. Which until yesterday I didn't know was a thing, or the fact that I needed one.
No, really, they are pretty cool. Even if you don't use it for a gun, a powerful magnet covered in tooled leather? Who can resist???
Thanks for making me spend some money…again
contender
Ruger Guru
Gee Kevin,, how can we support American made items from American companies if people like me don't act as enablers???
P.S. I mounted my magnets onto a small 1" thick piece of wood. It made it easier to mount where I wanted them and gave me clearance for a full grip instead of trying to pry handgun from magnet with a partial grip.Contender, I really wish you would stop recommending all these companies.
Now I've gone and ordered one. Which until yesterday I didn't know was a thing, or the fact that I needed one.
No, really, they are pretty cool. Even if you don't use it for a gun, a powerful magnet covered in tooled leather? Who can resist???
Thanks for making me spend some money…again
Dang it!
I do wonder about about Ranger's question above... "Do they eventually magnetize gun parts?"
but I bet when I go to the Sofhold site they will answer the question........
edit: well I could not find the answer on their site.... but I ordered 3 anyway... too many choices on the engraving and I ended up just choosing the non engraved ones... one thing I can't figure is the difference between the car mounts and the standard mounts... there is no explanation for this and they look exactly the same.
Also, the really disturbing part of the transaction was when I went to check out.... they or what ever site they use for this had all my information already stored in it including my credit card info..... name, address, even the CC code for the card. If Contender had not recommended them I would have bailed at this point....
I do wonder about about Ranger's question above... "Do they eventually magnetize gun parts?"
but I bet when I go to the Sofhold site they will answer the question........
edit: well I could not find the answer on their site.... but I ordered 3 anyway... too many choices on the engraving and I ended up just choosing the non engraved ones... one thing I can't figure is the difference between the car mounts and the standard mounts... there is no explanation for this and they look exactly the same.
Also, the really disturbing part of the transaction was when I went to check out.... they or what ever site they use for this had all my information already stored in it including my credit card info..... name, address, even the CC code for the card. If Contender had not recommended them I would have bailed at this point....
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Yes, I can see what you are talking about. If the magnet is flush to a wall, the gun wouldn't be off the wall enough to get a good grip on it.
OMCHamlin
Blackhawk
I just lined a cabinet with five of the plastic molded ones that form a cradle and have a modest magnet built in. That and a magnetic strip for spare mags and I'm all set.
In the video at the sofhold site they show a semi-auto attached to one by the top of the slide so that you can just reach and grab it by the grip.
I don't use them for my guns but I do use them for my magazines
The brand Sofhold are pretty nice. I ordered one on Amazon and it just came.
Interesting, the box had a sticker, "magnetic part, do not ship by air."
Very strong magnet, and a nice size too. And like @41Dude is saying, if you screw it to the wall the gun would be very close and not easily gripped to remove.
Here is a picture showing how thin it is.
Interesting, the box had a sticker, "magnetic part, do not ship by air."
Very strong magnet, and a nice size too. And like @41Dude is saying, if you screw it to the wall the gun would be very close and not easily gripped to remove.
Here is a picture showing how thin it is.
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