Gun Magnets , Quick Access to Your Concealed Weapon : Gear Review
Video | Ammoland Inc.https://www.ammoland.com/Posted on by Tred Law
Tred reviews some popular gun magnets products and finds some great tools for staging your home defense and everyday carry weapons.
Gun Magnets Firearms
USA –-(Ammoland.com)- A bright spot in firearms storage tools that has gone mostly unreported on are Gun Magnets.
Available for many years now, this solution to a common firearms access problem has helped a lot of gun owners and has become a real must-have accessory for your car, safe, bed storage locker, bathroom… and the list goes on an on.
These magnetic gun mounts have a lot of useful applications. You can use them to organize your gun safe by adding storage options or mounts on every available open wall space. I have one on the wall next to my bathroom toilet where I hang my firearm for safe keeping while I am… “reading.” The obvious uses are under office desks and in cars, but magnetic gun holsters/holders work just as well on metal bed frames, sides of refrigerators and on work-out equipment.
I have seen a lot of comments from folks who say the magnets are too weak or they will make my gun barrel, rail or slide a magnetic dust collector. Well, both those arguments don’t hold water. For one the neodymium magnets in all these products are pretty durable and will hold almost all handguns and even some rifles and shotguns. They are cheap, so I recommend you buy more than one for use on long guns. Most if not all come with the standard warning that if you have a pacemaker to keep your distance, the same goes for that metal plate in your head. If you fall into one of these categories, you may have to look for another gun-holding solution. The magnets are strong, and the real danger is scratching your gun’s finish. Now on my everyday carry gun, that was not so big a worry as that weapon is worn smooth already. But if you have a nice sidearm you may check and see if a softshell gun holster will stick to the magnet as I found that worked for me on my office filing cabinet, but with two magnets side-by-side.
As far as magnetically contaminating your handgun, the claim individual component magnet polarities on these are charged in the factory, so you do not have cross-contamination of nonmagnetic metals. For what that is worth I would still not slide my everyday carry weapon back and forth on the magnetic surface, it is better to pull it straight off to avoid charging your gun’s metal parts.
The variety of gun magnet product choices continues to grow, and some are slightly better utility design than another, but since they are so inexpensive, you may do what I did and buy more than one of each and more than one variety as they defiantly have their niches and you will find multiple uses.
Different Gun Magnets with the Mossberg Shockwave test subject.
In the magnetic products we featured below, we tested the holding strength on two firearms: a Mossberg Shockwave and a Ruger Super Redhawk 44 magnum (each is heavier than most everyday carry weapons).
Here is a rundown of the gun magnets products, I linked to the manufacture’s descriptions and some comments in no particular order:
My comments: The Keeper brand magnet is a nice one-piece unit with a rubberized cover that is low profile, sitting at only 0.30″ high. Out of all the magnetic gun holders, we tested this unit had the least holding strength and just barely held the Ruger Super Blackhawk and could NOT hold onto the Mossberg, but it worked as designed with a variety of average handguns. Ironically the package warning says: “Not for use with loaded firearms or for quick draw purposes.” Wait, what? I guess it is just for storing your guns long-term?
From the Keeper Magnetic Gun Mount product description:
“The Keeper Magnetic Gun Mount is a high grade N35 Neodymium magnets rated at 35 lbs. It has a single piece metal design, build for strength and durability. The thick high quality rubber cover protects your firearms from any scratching. Our unique four magnet setup provides a strong grip while also keeping your firearm straight. Each Keeper Magnetic Gun Mount comes in protective packaging and includes four self-tapping screws and installation guide.
Go for flexibility with the Keeper Magnetic gun mount: No longer do you need a specific magnetic holder for each gun, if it has metal you can mount it. Mount almost any gun type and model in various ways for quick access or storage. Store your firearms in your office, car, truck, entryway, safe, bedroom, desk, table, wall, garage…
Keeper Gun Magnet Exploded view with the rubberized top off. You can see the neodymium magnets configuration, glued to the backing plate. Besides the Taction Halo the other firearms magnet products did not come apart or appeared to be one 1 piece construction.
The Keeper Magnetic Gun Mount has a sleek beautiful design that measures 3.75″L x 1.4″W x 0.30″H. Our design allows for a low-key concealed gun mount that has marked countersunk screw holes that makes your screws sit lower than the rubber cover. Flat square metal back makes it ideal for installation with double sided tape. High-Tech Halback Array setup clears the back of magnetic force, stopping interference with electronics.”
GO-Magnet Gun Magnet Low Profile :
Go Magnet Magnetic Gun Holder
From the Go Magnet Magnetic Gun Holder product description:
“The GO-Magnet Gun Magnet Low Profile model incredibly strong gun magnet is less than 0.5″ thick and can hold just about any pistol on the market* in just about any location.”
“Coated in soft a soft rubber-like substance, it will not scratch your weapon, and will hold firmly without slipping. Each GO-Magnet comes with a separate metal mounting plate a screws, in order to mount to wood or plastic surfaces. If mounting to steel, no screws are required. GO-Magnets is a Veteran Owned Company, and all GO-Magnets are made in Austin, TX. *Does not work on Hi-Point Pistols “
Concealed Carrier Gun Magnet with Adhesive Backing, 2 Pack :
From the Concealed Carrier Gun Magnet product description:
“The Concealed Carrier Gun Magnet with adhesive backing is the Anywhere Magnet set that will fit anywhere you can imagine needing to have access to a firearm.
Most of the “other guys” selling gun magnets don’t provide you with the hardware to install it. WE DO! There is a limited number of places you can store a gun and chances are it’s never where it truly should be if you were to need to use it.
The Concealed Carrier Anywhere Magnet will hold up to 25 lbs. so this will hold any firearm you attach to it, big or small. The product is small and discreet. Specs: Dimensions (L x W x H): 1.5″ x 1″ x 3/4″
The Concealed Carrier Gun Magnet with the included adhesive backing is incredibly light weight at only a few ounces. You can purchase multiple magnets to hold extra magazines or use two magnets to hold one long gun (i.e. rifle, shotgun, etc.) This can be easily mounted in a vehicle. Preferred locations are inside the glovebox and under the steering wheel. The magnet comes standard with an adhesive backing to make mounting easy. Simply stick the magnet to the location to mount of your choice, put the screws in, and you’re done!”
TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet
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TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet
My comments: The TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet is a compact 1pc design with two pillars with neodymium magnets. The TLO Magnet held all our test weapons quite well. The plastic covering is stiffer than the keeper brands and is similar to the Concealed Carrier Gun Magnet in both design and scale. No adhesive backing comes with this magnet, so you have to screw it in place. No screws were provided either.
From the TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet product description:
“TLO Outdoor’s Magnetic “GunMag” Mount is the ideal solution for VEHICLES: car or truck gun magnets, gun holsters, and gun safes, concealed storage of your pistol, rifle, shotgun, handguns, and ammo magazines. Our gun magnets are made of the highest quality neodymium magnets and hold up to 25 pounds. The magnet is covered with a specialized rubber coating to prevent your guns or ammo magazines from being scratched when attached.
USAGE
Install in the location of your choice such as on the inside of vehicle’s center console, under a desk, coffee table, on the side boards headboard of bed, side of dresser, etc
Install in closet or safe to attach your handguns to the mount or easily attach your ammo magazines. Use as magnetic gun or ammo magazine storage or as a part of your tactical wall.
The magnetic mount can also be used to mount and display knives, or tools.
SAFETY!
TLO’s exclusive safety clip is a cylinder shaped attachment to our gun magnets that allow attachment of a metal ring & optional trigger guard lanyard. This was developed in cooperation with Federal Law Enforcement & Training Staff.
IN THE BOX
2 TLO Magnetic “GunMag” Mounts Mounting hardware & metal ring attachments to attach to safety cylinder clip
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT: 2.75 in (L) X 1 in (H) X 1.25 in (W), and 3.6 ounces (each). “
TACTICON HALO Gun Magnet
TACTICON HALO Gun Magnet
My comments: The Tacticon Halo is the strongest of all the gun magnets we tested, in fact, they were a pain in the @$$ as they stuck to the included screws as well as each other, even pulling in the other gun magnets when I was trying to get the glamor shots. But that same magnetic attraction lets this pair hold all our test weapons and most any firearm or rifle for that matter. With an advertised 30lbs for each magnetic disc, just one was pretty much as strong as the other comparison magnets. Each Tacticon magnet has a removable rubberized cover. The Tacticon comes with screws and a 3m adhesive backing.
“We have revolutionized the way you can mount and store your firearms for easy and discreet access.You don’t ever need to buy another gun rack again. The TACTICON HALO Gun Magnet will fit anywhere you can imagine needing to have access to a firearm.
The Tacticon Armament HALO Magnets will hold up to 30 lbs. so this will hold any firearm, including most long-guns guns you attach to it, big or small. The product is small and discreet to put anywhere you can imagine. Dimensions: 1.25″ Diameter and .25″ height
The product is incredibly light weight at only a few ounces and about the size of a quarter! You will receive 2 gun magnets per order to hold extra magazines or use your two magnets to hold one long gun (i.e. rifle, shotgun, etc.) This can be easily mounted in a vehicle. Preferred locations for mounting a gun in your vehicle are inside the glove box and under the steering wheel.
The gun magnets come standard with an adhesive backing to make mounting easy. Simply stick the gun magnets to the location to mount of your choice, put the single screw in, and you’re done!”
Overall this selection of magnets did a good job and allowed me to stage my EDC weapon in a variety of locations when I could not have it directly on my person. Have you found new uses for gun magnets? Let me know how you took advantage of these useful and inexpensive gun storage accessories?
WB I’ve kept one under the dash of my SUV for years with no adverse effects. It’s a cheap S&W 9mm but it holds 16 in the mag and 1 in the pipe. It goes bang every time I hit the bang switch and I don’t worry about it getting scratched. I use the inline tool magnets from harbor freight and put electrical tape on the magnet to avoid scratching. No need to pay big bucks just because something says “gun magnet” on it. As far as it making the weapon magnetic – I’ve never tested it. If it did… Read more »
Wallace Freeman
6 years ago
And here I thought the use of a magnet for handy concealed storage was my idea. Several years ago I purchased some magnets from a local hardware supply store and epoxied them to various crafty locations around the house (which the wife hasn’t noticed yet – she’d have a fit). I’ve found they work wonderfully on the chunky square slide of a Glock but aren’t so good with weapons made with nonferrous metals like the Calico. If you have any doubts about the holding potential of magnets look at some of the Youtube videos of Russians magnet fishing helmets, hand… Read more »
Robar
2 years ago
What impact would the use of a magnetic weapon holder have on an Olight laser/light and/or a red dot sight? I have both for home defense weapons.
American Cynic
2 years ago
Hello, I could be wrong, but in some parts, a gun attached to magnet in your car where everyone who looks can see it, may not necessarily be considered concealed. For instance, my initial weapons instructor informed me that for my handgun to be considered concealed, even in a car, it needs to be covered, if it’s not in the glove box; or concealed on your person. But that’s not what I wanted to ask. There are often times when I have to leave the firearm in the vehicle when entering a government building, or on school grounds. In those… Read more »
Mine’s back far enough that you can’t see it. That picture looks too exposed for my liking. I’m not worried about the legals, however, I don’t want someone breaking a $500 window to get a $300 gun.
I have a gun magnet that was sold as a way to secure a firearm to the back of a nightstand. It does indeed do that, but the firearm, loaded with a full magazine, would eventually rotate so the muzzle pointed up to the ceiling. The grip would never be in a position where I could just grab the gun.
in my opinion, don’t waste your money. However, you may have a unique situation were a gun magnite would work.
Which is why a single-piece gun magnet is useless in my opinion. TWO magnets, such as the Halos mentioned above, spread a bit apart hold a pistol at the ready without sagging, depending on how you position them. Further apart and they hold a shotgun, but I use three instead of two neodymium magnets for that purpose, mounted at the angle I prefer, although two will do just fine — I like the extra bit of security. You can buy similar strong magnets with no covering and a hole in the center in a set of five for under $8… Read more »
I have quite a few of those magnets, guaranteed to hold any gun, mounts with 2 screws and takes a little power to remove your gun but it will be in place when you want it! I have some smaller ones, use in tandem, work okay if not in an area of sever vibration, gun safe, furniture okay, does beat locking them up for access!
If the force is too much you can just layer tape until you get it the way you want it. My truck gun has a square top slide and if you pull down on the grip first it’ll come right out. Otherwise it’s not coming off for a pothole or something.
Arkansas Rob
2 years ago
My concern with using one in the car is what happens in a collision. The G force due to near instant deceleration and lateral acceleration will likely dislodge and throw the firearm.
You can’t worry about everything Rob. In the event of a collision, you don’t know where your holstered weapon will wind up much less the one under the dash. This is the kind of thing that’s really low on my list of priorities. I’ll be more worried about any other people in my vehicle, any other people not in my vehicle, and where my arms and legs (and other parts) end up.
45crittergitter
2 years ago
The chart listed a “Tac-Mag Gun Magnet” but there was no review of it. It apparently has no provision for mounting (no screw holes, adhesive or mounting plate). The reviews included the TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet but it was not on the chart.
Will this make your pistol magnetic?
WB I’ve kept one under the dash of my SUV for years with no adverse effects. It’s a cheap S&W 9mm but it holds 16 in the mag and 1 in the pipe. It goes bang every time I hit the bang switch and I don’t worry about it getting scratched. I use the inline tool magnets from harbor freight and put electrical tape on the magnet to avoid scratching. No need to pay big bucks just because something says “gun magnet” on it. As far as it making the weapon magnetic – I’ve never tested it. If it did… Read more »
And here I thought the use of a magnet for handy concealed storage was my idea. Several years ago I purchased some magnets from a local hardware supply store and epoxied them to various crafty locations around the house (which the wife hasn’t noticed yet – she’d have a fit). I’ve found they work wonderfully on the chunky square slide of a Glock but aren’t so good with weapons made with nonferrous metals like the Calico. If you have any doubts about the holding potential of magnets look at some of the Youtube videos of Russians magnet fishing helmets, hand… Read more »
What impact would the use of a magnetic weapon holder have on an Olight laser/light and/or a red dot sight? I have both for home defense weapons.
Hello, I could be wrong, but in some parts, a gun attached to magnet in your car where everyone who looks can see it, may not necessarily be considered concealed. For instance, my initial weapons instructor informed me that for my handgun to be considered concealed, even in a car, it needs to be covered, if it’s not in the glove box; or concealed on your person. But that’s not what I wanted to ask. There are often times when I have to leave the firearm in the vehicle when entering a government building, or on school grounds. In those… Read more »
Mine’s back far enough that you can’t see it. That picture looks too exposed for my liking. I’m not worried about the legals, however, I don’t want someone breaking a $500 window to get a $300 gun.
Maybe it also depends on what lbs magnetic power your mount holds. I’ve got an ironclad gun magnet and it really paid off. No slipping, no scratches and no ceiling-pointing muzzles.
https://www.amazon.com/Ironclad-Anywhere-No-Scratch-Bedside-Install/dp/B071JLCYK6
I have a gun magnet that was sold as a way to secure a firearm to the back of a nightstand. It does indeed do that, but the firearm, loaded with a full magazine, would eventually rotate so the muzzle pointed up to the ceiling. The grip would never be in a position where I could just grab the gun.
in my opinion, don’t waste your money. However, you may have a unique situation were a gun magnite would work.
Which is why a single-piece gun magnet is useless in my opinion. TWO magnets, such as the Halos mentioned above, spread a bit apart hold a pistol at the ready without sagging, depending on how you position them. Further apart and they hold a shotgun, but I use three instead of two neodymium magnets for that purpose, mounted at the angle I prefer, although two will do just fine — I like the extra bit of security. You can buy similar strong magnets with no covering and a hole in the center in a set of five for under $8… Read more »
Perhaps a second magnet to spread the load would help maintain the orientation you want.
Harbor Freight 18 in. Magnetic Tool Holder works great. Five bucks.
I have quite a few of those magnets, guaranteed to hold any gun, mounts with 2 screws and takes a little power to remove your gun but it will be in place when you want it! I have some smaller ones, use in tandem, work okay if not in an area of sever vibration, gun safe, furniture okay, does beat locking them up for access!
If the force is too much you can just layer tape until you get it the way you want it. My truck gun has a square top slide and if you pull down on the grip first it’ll come right out. Otherwise it’s not coming off for a pothole or something.
My concern with using one in the car is what happens in a collision. The G force due to near instant deceleration and lateral acceleration will likely dislodge and throw the firearm.
You can’t worry about everything Rob. In the event of a collision, you don’t know where your holstered weapon will wind up much less the one under the dash. This is the kind of thing that’s really low on my list of priorities. I’ll be more worried about any other people in my vehicle, any other people not in my vehicle, and where my arms and legs (and other parts) end up.
The chart listed a “Tac-Mag Gun Magnet” but there was no review of it. It apparently has no provision for mounting (no screw holes, adhesive or mounting plate). The reviews included the TLO Outdoors Gun Magnet but it was not on the chart.