What Line Inside Metal Gun Cabinet

Metal gun cabinets are a popular storage solution for safely securing firearms in the home. Most metal gun cabinets have a fabric liner on the inside walls to help protect the firearms. Let’s take a closer look at what this interior liner is and why it’s an important feature.

What is the Fabric Liner in a Metal Gun Cabinet?

The fabric liner found inside most metal gun cabinets is typically a padded and quilted fabric made from materials like velvet, felt, or vinyl. This soft liner covers the interior metal walls of the cabinet to help prevent scratches, scuffs, and damage to the gun’s finish when inserting or removing them from storage.

The main purposes of this interior liner are:

• Provide a soft, non-abrasive surface for firearms. The last thing you want is the barrel or stock getting scratched up every time you take out your shotgun or rifle. The fabric liner prevents this type of cumulative damage over time.
• Keep guns from sliding around. The materials used for the liner (velvet, felt, etc) create friction that helps keep firearms firmly in place once positioned inside the cabinet. This prevents shifting, slipping, and banging together during opening/closing of the cabinet doors.
• Absorb vibration and noise. The padded fabric dampens sound and vibration that could otherwise cause a ruckus when storing firearms in a metal enclosure. This is especially important for gun owners living in close quarters or apartments.
• Protect delicate sights and scopes. Precision sights and optical scopes need to be handled with care. The liner provides a soft cushion between these sensitive components and the hard interior metal during storage.
• Provide an extra layer of protection. An interior liner gives an added barrier between the gun’s finish and the raw metal cabinet walls. This safeguards the gun’s condition and preserves its value.

So in summary, the interior fabric liner takes an abrasive metal storage environment and makes it gentle on your firearms. It’s an invaluable feature that prolongs the life of your collection.

What Fabric is Best for a Gun Cabinet Liner?

The most common materials used for lining the interior of metal gun cabinets include:

Velvet

Velvet is a plush, luxurious fabric that’s thick and soft. It provides plenty of padding between the guns and metal. The soft pile cushions while preventing slippage. Velvet is also very smooth, so guns can glide across it easily without catching. It’s an elegant fabric that makes storing firearms feel prestigious.

Felt

Felt is an affordable fabric known for being fuzzy and smooth. It cushions well and stops firearms from sliding around. Felt comes in various thicknesses, with thicker options offering more protection. It’s also gentle on gun finishes. The main downside is that felt shows dirt and debris more visibly than other fabrics.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a versatile synthetic fabric that’s easy to clean and maintain. It repels dust and oil well. Vinyl provides a balanced level of cushioning and protection from abrasion. It’s also very durable and cost-effective. The downsides are that vinyl can feel somewhat stiff compared to other fabrics and makes more noise when brushed against.

Microsuede

Microsuede has a plush, velvety feel while being durable and stain-resistant. It absorbs shock nicely and prevents marring of finishes. Microsuede is also inexpensive. The main negatives are that it can pill over time and doesn’t provide as much sound absorption as other liners.

Wool

Wool naturally repels dirt, oil, and moisture. It provides great noise dampening and shock absorption. The fibers are soft enough to prevent firearm marring. The downsides are that wool is difficult to clean, attracts moths, and is one of the more expensive liner materials.

How is the Liner Attached Inside the Cabinet?

There are a few common methods used to secure the fabric liner inside a metal gun cabinet:

• Adhesive backing – Many liners come with an adhesive layer on one side that sticks directly to the metal walls. This provides a semi-permanent hold that is easy to install but difficult to remove. Adhesive liners are common with thinner materials like felt and vinyl.
• Velcro – Pieces of Velcro are attached to the cabinet walls and liner material to hold it in place. The Velcro allows the liner to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. This method is best for thicker, plusher liners that don’t adhere well.
• Tacks – Small tacks are used around the perimeter of the liner to tack it to the interior cabinet walls. This creates a tight hold that prevents sagging or shifting. Tacking also allows the liner to be removed if needed. It provides a good option for heavyweight liners.
• Clips – Metal clips that pinch the fabric between the clip and wall can securely hold liners in position within a cabinet. The clips can be undone later for liner removal. This method works well for bulky, heavy-duty liners.
• Slots – Some cabinets have vertical or horizontal slots or channels built into the walls that allow liners to be slipped securely inside. This creates a smooth interior with no attachment hardware visible. It also permits easy liner changes. But liner insertion takes more effort.

The liner attachment method can depend on factors like the liner thickness and material, desired permanence, and cabinet construction. Each option has advantages and disadvantages regarding installation complexity, removal ability, and overall performance.

What Thickness of Liner Should You Choose?

Liner thickness is an important consideration for providing adequate protection, sound absorption, and a premium feel:

• Thin liners – Typically 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick, these minimize cost and weight but don’t cushion as effectively. Best for occasional use.
• Medium liners – Around 1/2″ thickness offers adequate padding for most needs. This is the most common liner thickness.
• Thick liners – 3/4″ and above provide maximum sound and vibration absorption. Best for frequent access and delicate firearms. Downside is increased material cost.

Thicker liners also hold their shape over time better than thinner materials that can compress with prolonged use. Take inventory of your most valuable firearms and frequency of access when selecting liner thickness.

Helpful Features to Look For

Beyond the basic liner material and thickness, there are some other helpful features to look for when choosing an interior liner:

• Modular design – Liners created in smaller sections make installing, removing, and replacing much easier compared tosingle large pieces. Modular liners are great for customization too.
• Moisture-wicking – Fabrics like microsuede and wool naturally absorb minor interior condensation to prevent corrosion issues.
• Mold/mildew resistant – Fabrics treated to resist mold or mildew growth are ideal for gun cabinet liners to prevent damage and odor issues, especially in basements or garages.
• Fire-retardant – Fire-retardant coatings add important protection in case of a fire. This can prevent cabinet hot spots that might ignite rounds.
• Extra padding – Strategically placed padded sections that cushion firearm ends, optics, and other sensitive areas are worth the small upcharge.
• Locking attachments – Zip ties, grommets, or Velcro loops that allow you to secure firearms in place through the liner offer an extra anti-theft measure.

What Are Some Good Liner Brands?

Some top manufacturers of quality liners designed specifically for gun cabinets include:

• Vism by NcStar – Offers a wide range of felt, velvet, vinyl, and microsuede liners at affordable prices. Their modular liner design allows for a custom fit.
• Barska – Known for their thick, durable felt and velvet liners that provide excellent protection for valuable firearms collections. Reasonably priced.
• Fortress – Specializes in premium ballistic nylon liners but also offers felt, velvet, and microsuede options. Their designs provide maximum sound dampening.
• Gun Casket – Produces 100% wool liners praised for their longevity and performance. Made entirely in the USA. The liners are pricey but pay for themselves long-term.
• Montei – Manufactures top-grade velvet and velour liners designed specifically for heavy use in gun shops and shooting ranges. Very plush and durable construction.
• Hallowell – Offers quality modular liners in microsuede, velvet, vinyl and other fabrics. The hook & loop fastener attachment makes them easily customizable.

Do some homework to find a liner company that offers quality materials and attractive designs at a reasonable price-point to suit your needs and budget.

Is an Interior Liner Absolutely Necessary?

While most metal gun cabinets come with a protective liner installed, some very basic models forego any interior fabric at all. Is it possible to safely store firearms in a metal cabinet without a liner?

The short answer is yes – guns can technically be stored in a bare metal cabinet without risk of imminent damage. Many inexpensive gun cabinets and job site boxes take this spartan approach.

However, the absence of a liner comes with some downsides:

• Gun finishes may get scuffed or scratched over time from the raw metal walls. This can negatively impact the firearm’s appearance and resale value.
• Metal-on-metal contact creates more noise when accessing guns compared to padded liners that mute vibrations.
• Firearms can shift around more freely without anything securing them in position once placed inside.
• The cabinet feels utilitarian and industrial rather than inviting without the plush liner.
• No protection is provided against minor moisture and dust accumulation on the interior metal that could lead to rust or tarnish issues over the long run.

While certainly not a deal breaker, a quality liner ultimately provides better protection, improved acoustics, added security, and a more premium user experience. Prioritizing a liner is recommended for gun collections that are frequently accessed or contain precision sights and scopes. But bare-bones metal cabinets without liners get the basic job done on a budget.

Maintaining and Cleaning the Liner

To keep the interior liner looking and performing its best:

• Use a soft brush or vacuum with brush attachment to regularly remove loose dirt and dust from the fabric.
• Spot clean messes as needed with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid harsh cleaners or detergents.
• Use lint rollers or a clothes brush to remove pet hair and other debris that gets attached to the liner fabric.
• Steam clean liners as needed to freshen the materials and remove odors. Allow to fully air dry before replacing in cabinet.
• To help the liner maintain its shape, periodically remove firearms and allow liner to expand back to normal position. Rotate firearms to spread out pressure points.
• Periodically hand wash removable liners according to manufacturer instructions, using mild detergent and wash cloths to gently scrub. Rinse and air dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

With proper care and cleaning, the liner can provide many years of optimum protection for your firearms collection before needing replacement. Be sure to select a liner made of durable, high-quality materials from a reputable brand.

Questions and Answers

What line inside metal gun cabinet?

Most metal gun cabinets contain an interior liner made of a soft fabric like velvet, felt, vinyl or microsuede. This liner covers the raw metal walls to prevent scratches and damage to firearms during storage. It also helps cushion firearms and reduce noise.

Why is the liner important in a metal gun cabinet?

The interior liner serves several crucial functions, including protecting gun finishes from getting scuffed or scratched, keeping firearms securely positioned to prevent shifting, absorbing noise and vibrations, and providing an extra barrier against dust and moisture. A liner transforms an abrasive metal box into a gentle storage environment.

What thickness of liner is best?

Liner thickness depends on intended use, but 1/2″ offers a good balance of protection, sound absorption and cost. Thinner liners minimize materials cost but don’t cushion as well, while thicker liners provide premium protection and noise reduction. Evaluate your firearms’ value and frequency of access when selecting thickness.

What is the benefit of modular liners?

Modular liners are divided into smaller sections that are easier to install, remove for cleaning, and replace if damages occurs. Modular design also allows for custom liner configurations to accommodate different cabinet layouts and firearm storage needs.

Can you safely store guns without any liner?

While not ideal, it is technically possible to store firearms in a metal cabinet without an interior liner. This minimizes cost but provides less protection against scuffs, scratches, rust and noise. Bare metal cabinets work in a pinch but liners are highly recommended to protect gun condition and value. Proper maintenance and cleaning is key.

What are some top brands for gun cabinet liners?

Popular brands known for quality gun cabinet liners include Barska, Vism, Fortress, Gun Casket, Montei and Hallowell. Look for durable, high-grade materials from leading manufacturers of firearm storage solutions. Do research to find the best liner at your desired price point.

Conclusion

The interior liner is a vital component that makes metal gun cabinets suitable for safe firearm storage. Quality liners prevent finish damage, absorb noise, secure guns from shifting, and provide an extra layer of protection. Velvet, felt and microsuede are common liner fabrics, with thickness ranging from thin to plush. While bare metal cabinets will suffice, liners offer vastly improved functionality and are well worth the small investment. Keep liners clean and cared for properly so they can optimally protect your gun collection. Select durable liners from top brands like Barska, Vism or Fortress to get the most value from this important inner component.

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what line inside metal gun cabinet