STORAGE SOLUTIONS: VERSATILE AND AFFORDABLE

Created on 14th May 2009

The FastRak is designed to make gun storage easier. Mark Camoccio tries it out

Home storage of guns can be a contentious issue, especially in light of events in the news regarding access to unattended airguns. Firearms by their very nature bring with them a raft of legislation, governing such matters as safe and secure storage. ‘Sturdy' is the name of the game here, and if the local constabulary leave the premises happy, you're away. Airguns are a different kettle of fish, and if their power output falls below the legal limit then we're largely free from legislation. We can, in effect, be rather more lax with any storage arrangements, although once youngsters feature in the equation there should be no compromise on safety.

Assuming these safety constraints are accepted and dealt with where necessary, storage can be addressed with a rather handy addition to anyone`s line-up. That comes in the form of the FastRak. Marketed by Deben Group, the FastRak is actually made in the USA, and while it's a fairly simple product, it holds great appeal due to its versatility, giving rise to a host of applications. The main rack block is moulded from a solid foam compound, which resembles the internal material forming the cut-out sheets that can be found in more up-market rigid gun cases. This compound is shaped with provision for four to five rifles, to be held between the ‘pegs'. Each ‘peg' is actually split to allow items to be pushed through to the waiting holes - this could include cleaning rods, ski-poles, fishing rods, and many more besides. The beauty of this FastRak is that it comes with a sticky back and a separate magnetic floppy strip, offering parallel usage. If the sticky route is taken, just peel off the backing, and press the rack into place on almost any hard surface that forms an appropriate gun rack. I've converted some bedroom cupboards into a makeshift gun cupboard and with the addition of the FastRak, the whole affair works very neatly. Obviously, the sticky back route is a permanent option. Opt for magnetic attraction and the fun begins. Peel off the backing and push the magnetic strip firmly into place. According to the sales blurb, eight to 10 hours should be enough for the strip to set hard. Then just find a suitable metallic surface and snap into place.

Filing cabinet ends and the sides of metal cupboards all offer an instant hook-up. Ideally a protected area makes sense, free from dust and the chance of damage to the rifles stored, and as previously mentioned consideration for safety has to be paramount, but there's no doubting the appeal of the FastRak. Mobile applications become possible too, and with the magnetic backing in place, fixing the FastRak to a car to form an instant ‘club' rack in the field or at a competition venue means a level of organisation is never far away.

To make the most of this product, fixing a thin metal strip (not included) to your chosen indoor spot, and then using the FastRak with the magnet in place, would mean the mobile option would still be possible at a later date; something for the manufacturers to consider maybe. Having said that, what exactly do you want for £9.95? What you get is a great little product that does what it says on the tin!

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