Things You Should Know Before Setting Up an Under Table Gun Mount

More gun owners are looking for ways to store their firearms safely and keep them close at the same time. One option that’s become more common is setting up an under table gun mount. It gives you a fast way to reach your handgun without leaving your chair, whether you’re working from home or watching TV in the evening.

Before installing one, there are a few things we should think through carefully. Mounting a firearm under a table brings a mix of safety, access, and privacy into one spot. Done right, it can give you more peace of mind. If rushed or installed in the wrong place, it can cause more problems than it solves. Here’s what we would keep in mind before getting started.

Know Where You’re Mounting It

The table surface matters more than people often realize. Not all materials handle screws and weight the same way. Here are a few things we check first:

• Wood tends to hold mounts well, especially solid pieces that aren’t hollow or particle-filled
• Metal tables or frames may need special hardware or drilling that could bend or scratch if not done carefully
• Glass tables or plastic-topped desks are not safe to mount anything under and should be skipped

We also think about who moves around the area daily. You don’t want your knees, a guest, or even a pet brushing into the mount without knowing it’s there. That’s why we test where our legs sit when we’re pulled in or leaning back. We make sure the table’s surface is strong enough and that the mount sits well out of the way but still does what we need it to do.

Sometimes, checking the area around the mount helps avoid surprise bumps. If the spot is where kids play or pets hide, it may not be the best pick. A place that is private, but not awkward to reach, helps keep things safe.

Make Sure It Holds Right and Doesn’t Scratch

A good mount does two things. It holds your firearm in place, and it won’t mess up the finish. That might sound simple, but not every setup checks both boxes.

A firm hold matters, especially if you’re getting up and down a lot. We look for a mount that grips with some pressure or uses magnetic hold, so it doesn’t shift. If it wobbles, it can come loose over time or rattle when we don’t want it to.

We also prefer mounts with a rubber or plastic coating. Without it, grabbing your handgun quickly might leave small scratches or marks on contact points. It’s a small detail, but it matters in day-to-day use.

Before final mounting, we check that our handgun actually fits the model without forcing it in or leaving it loose. Every millimeter counts, especially when you’re going to be reaching under without looking.

The QuickMag mount from VULCAN Arms is built with a heavy-duty rubber exterior coating specifically designed to protect your handgun’s finish from scratches and wear. Its powerful rare-earth magnet provides reliable grip for most semiautomatic pistols in under table setups, while remaining easy to install with screws for strong, lasting placement.

It might be worth holding your handgun in the spot before attaching the mount to see if there’s enough room. This way, you know you’re not forcing anything and the fit will be practical. Taking a little extra time to check for marks or rough edges helps you avoid regret later. If your pistol never wobbles, never scratches, and always stays in place, you’ll be glad you checked first.

Think About Access You Can Actually Use

Just putting a firearm under a table doesn’t make it helpful. The angle and direction matter a lot more when it’s time to use it.

We sit at the table and imagine having to grab the gun with one hand, whether we’re right-handed or left-handed. The mount should hold the grip in the direction that matches how we draw, not upside-down or backward. If we have to twist our wrist or move too much to grab it, we adjust the angle or position until it feels natural.

Some people set up the mount dead center under the tabletop. Others pick the right or left side, depending on legroom or drawer space. There is no one right answer. But it should feel like a smooth movement from start to finish, especially if stress is a factor.

If your seat sits really close to a drawer, or if you have to lean back to reach the mount, it might not be right for quick access. Testing the motion a few times helps you spot problems before they happen. We try reaching for the gun without looking, or when sitting in different chairs, to see if anything feels off.

What Happens Around Your Mount

Where the gun sits under the table is just half the story. What surrounds that space matters just as much.

• If your chair backs into it every time you slide in, both the mount and handgun can get bumped
• A drawer near the mount might block your reach when open or be loud enough to get attention if slammed shut
• Wires, bags, or tools stored below the desk can make access harder or scratch your gear

Thinking ahead here is a big help. We like to clear out the space under the table so nothing blocks or rubs against the mount. If other gear has to stay nearby, we test how to reach the firearm quickly but safely around it. Opening and closing drawers a few times helps spot little hang-ups before they cause trouble.

Sometimes, the environment changes from day to day. Bags or wires you don’t usually think about may end up in the way after a busy week. Checking every now and then to keep the space clear makes sure your access stays smooth.

When to Double Check Your Setup

Even after you get your setup how you like it, it makes sense to take another look now and then. Tables move. Weather shifts. Screws loosen over time. We’ve had setups that started perfect but changed slightly after just a few weeks.

We go back and check the screw tightness every couple of months. If the table is in a garage or seasonal room where temps swing, we might check more often. It also helps to add a lock or travel-safe storage solution nearby for times when we’re not home or if we’ll be away for long stretches.

It’s never about fear, it’s about being smart. Just like keeping track of oil in your car, keeping your firearm mount steady and secure is part of the deal.

VULCAN Arms emphasizes the importance of pairing any under table mount with a secondary secure storage solution, such as a lockbox, when unattended for long periods or during travel. This extra step supports both security and responsible firearm storage as needs change throughout the year.

No setup truly stays perfect forever unless you pay attention to it. Tables can get bumped, shifted, or even warped by humidity, so a regular check stops issues before they turn into problems. For us, quick visual checks are enough most of the time, and tightening up a loose screw takes only a moment.

Smart Setups Lead to Better Peace of Mind

Putting in an under table gun mount takes only a short time, but its impact lasts a lot longer. When we take the time to plan out where it goes, how it holds, and how we reach it, we feel better about having it there.

It’s not just about quick draw or hiding it from view. It’s about building your space to match how you live, how you move, and how you stay prepared. If each part of the setup matches the way you think and train, the mount becomes just another part of your routine, quiet, strong, and made to work when you need it most.

A well-placed under table gun mount can make a big difference in how you store your firearm securely while keeping it accessible. The best setup takes into account your daily routine, table strength, and how your gear is arranged. Our goal at VULCAN Arms is to help you create smart, safe solutions that work with the way you live. If you have questions about finding the right fit, reach out to us.