DIY Gun Cart Project – Looking for Ideas and Inspiration!

[KatfishKid]

Howdy, folks!

I’m considering building my first gun cart and could sure use some advice. I’ve only been to a couple of matches so far, but I’ve been blown away by the amazing quality and the level of personalization I’ve seen in the carts people use. I even chatted with a few folks at a match, and the one piece of advice I heard over and over was, “Get ya something that’s light, you’ll hate dragging a big heavy cart around after a while!”

Now, here’s where it gets interesting...I’m more of a metal worker than a woodworker. I can TIG weld better than I can drive a nail, but I feel like a metal cart wouldn’t quite fit the cowboy aesthetic I’m going for. So, I’m trying to find a balance between function and style.

If you’ve got a cart you’re proud of, I’d love to see some pictures for inspiration! I’m also wondering:

What kind of storage do you find most useful?

What size wheels work best for different terrain?

Are there any features you love or regret adding (or not adding)?

I’m hoping to build something practical, sturdy, and easy to handle without breaking the bank. Any advice or tips from your own experience would be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

[Fretless]

If metal is a medium you're adept at, use it.  We shoot guns....fine metal machines.  Add some wood to soften the overall look.

I started with a welding cart from Harbor Freight.  The total cart was cheaper than buying just the wheels alone.  I did some cutting and welding to reconfigure it from vertical to horizontal, moved the axel (which might have been a mistake), and added tubes on the inside to receive the upright portion, so that part is removable for transport.

The big addition of weight is from the wooden box.  I threw caution to the wind and built drawers.  That adds a good deal of material (weight), but I love the convenience of it.  My big expense was the slides for the drawers.  I went with the kind that close themselves with a push, that way they don't open on their own.  Like I said though, the drawers add allot of weight compared to a box.

[Chancy Shot, SASS #67163]

This is my 4th cart.  I tried to keep it simple, but....

I use a large range bag to carry the small stuff.  The wheels come off and the rest breaks down into 3 parts

I recommend big wheels.  They are easier to push or pull in rough terrain.

 

Good luck on your adventure

Chancy

[Windy City Kid]

If you do metal better, what about an old west jail bars theme? Wood in spots to soften the look as Fretless said? Gun rack can look like the old Sheriff rifle case? 

[Yul Lose]

If you do go with neumatic tires get these Stop A Flat foam tubes, you’ll be glad you did.

[Doc Altman SASS#74468]

If you want some inspiration, hunt around for some of the gun carts made by Yul Lose (who just posted a minute before I did).

His carts are amazing works of art!

 

--Doc 

[Eyesa Horg]

50 minutes ago, Doc Altman SASS#74468 said:

If you want some inspiration, hunt around for some of the gun carts made by Yul Lose (who just posted a minute before I did).

His carts are amazing works of art!

 

--Doc 

And I there's one in the classifieds this morning for about half the value. Grab it while ya can! The workmanship is impeccable.

 

https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?/topic/377070-yul-lose-custom-guncart-fs/#comment-4718325

 

Edited December 5, 2024 by Eyesa Horg
Added link

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Here's an old picture of Castiron Mike's War Wagon at EOT in 2003

 

[Yul Lose]

5 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

Here's an old picture of Castiron Mike's War Wagon at EOT in 2003

 

He used to bring that to The Dulzura and Escondido matches. He really did a nice job on that gun cart, one of a kind.

[Marauder SASS #13056]

https://marauder.homestead.com/files/GunCart.html

 

[KatfishKid]

 

Fantastic ideas so far! I’m really loving the cart that @Chancy Shot, SASS #67163, shared—it feels like something I could build without breaking the bank. And @Eyesa Horg that cart you posted is absolutely stunning! Unfortunately, since I’m brand new to the game and still saving up for the guns I'll need to play, it’s a bit out of my budget right now. But wow! the price is definitely fair for such a beautiful and functional piece of art.

I really appreciate all the input so far!

[Old Man Graybeard]

A lot of people will also get an old jogging stroller and use that for the base of their cart. I am not a woodworker by any means...but I built my first cart myself. I just looked at pictures I found and got in my pile of wood and went to cutting and fastening. It was a little bigger than needed but worked well. My grandson is still using it.

[Eyesa Horg]

I built my cart out of cherry from a tree that fell in a wind storm. I really like the looks and functionality of my cart, but 13 years later it is getting heavier to lift into a truck!! I'm sure the age of me has nothing to do with it!

Edited December 5, 2024 by Eyesa Horg
Otto changed a bunch of words.

[Sedalia Dave]

Paste the below into the google search.

 

gun cart site:sassnet.com

 

 

[Sam Sackett]

I originally build a wooden cart. The box came off and it folded up for transport. Then I found an old jogging stroller someone had out with their trash. It followed me home. It’s still a work in progress, but I like it a lot better. 
 

[KatfishKid]

I'm really starting to dig the joggin stroller idea. I'm pretty sure my wife had one when the kids were young. She has a hard time throwing anything out, so maybe it's still hanging out in the basement or garage. 

[Mister Badly]

[Mister Badly]

[Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646]

Yall, my considerations for a guncart are as follows:

1) Weight  Im 76 and lazy. If it can be easily broken into two or three major components that is a plus for loading and unloading. My biggest was 56 pounds empty, it has gone down the road now.

2)Material choice I much prefer to work in metal but no longer have access to most major metal working tools so I am limited to a metal frame with wood accoutrements.

3) Ease of maintenance. How much am I going to have to do or will I be able to do when it inevitibly gets rained on. That is a very real consideration in Middle Tennessee. I can touch up spray paint a lot easier than refinishing wood.

4)Storage space taken up at home and in the vehicle -in transit.

5) Wheel size and composition. The larger they are the easier to roll around, airless means never have to have a flat. too big are just...in the way. 8 to about 14 in diameter seem to be optimum

6) Cost I picked up my current, and favorite , cart for $50 when a friend upgraded to a RuggedGear, think $$$.

7)Aesthetics When was the last time you saw the Duke amble down main street pushing a modified baby stroller? Or the Man with no Name reach into a gunbox for more ammo?

8) Hobby or obsession How much time do you have or want to put into cart building. Im feeling the need for a nap after typing for so long. 

 

Imis

[Go West]

I bought a baby jogger for $20 and put this together with scrap wood. The long gun rack comes out and the ammo tray and cooler box do as well. The pins holding the gun rack were made with bolts with a hole at the end for pins. It all folded up and fit in a subcompact car trunk. I replaced it last year with a Rugged Gear cart I paid $60 for. It came with no flat tire inserts. I got rid of the fabric piece over the front wheel with a wooden box. 

[KatfishKid]

39 minutes ago, Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 said:

Yall, my considerations for a guncart are as follows:

1) Weight  Im 76 and lazy. If it can be easily broken into two or three major components that is a plus for loading and unloading. My biggest was 56 pounds empty, it has gone down the road now.

2)Material choice I much prefer to work in metal but no longer have access to most major metal working tools so I am limited to a metal frame with wood accoutrements.

3) Ease of maintenance. How much am I going to have to do or will I be able to do when it inevitibly gets rained on. That is a very real consideration in Middle Tennessee. I can touch up spray paint a lot easier than refinishing wood.

4)Storage space taken up at home and in the vehicle -in transit.

5) Wheel size and composition. The larger they are the easier to roll around, airless means never have to have a flat. too big are just...in the way. 8 to about 14 in diameter seem to be optimum

6) Cost I picked up my current, and favorite , cart for $50 when a friend upgraded to a RuggedGear, think $$$.

7)Aesthetics When was the last time you saw the Duke amble down main street pushing a modified baby stroller? Or the Man with no Name reach into a gunbox for more ammo?

😎 Hobby or obsession How much time do you have or want to put into cart building. Im feeling the need for a nap after typing for so long. 

 

Imis

Go get yourself that nap! You deserve it. I appreciate your input.

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

I made this one out of oak from the local Menards. The upright portion is removable so it’s easy to transport. The shelf on the rear folds down to make it more compact as well. I can set a box in the front section, but I have just been dropping a range bag in there for now. It’s served me well so far.
 

 

[Sheriff Dill]

This is the cart we built. It’s a little heavier and we have added a swivel wheel in front. It holds 4 long guns and 4 pistols. 

The front cabinet holds all of our ammo plus all of our other gear needed.