Thoughts on safes

[mjohnson]

So I might know a guy looking to get a safe for spoons and dubloons.

My local locksmith pushes American Security - they seem as good as anyone else.

My day to day job is vulnerability assessment for very special things (see my location).

I'm hard pressed to spend mega bux for a box that holds some guns and paperwork. My house has no security system or fire/sprinkler. If a bad guy got in and had 5 mins with my safe - he also has 20 mins - or 60...

Why should I buy a fancy safe?

[E38Driver]

If you don't want to spend the coin for a TL-30 type safe at least get a Fort Knox safe. Cheaper than a TL-30 rated safe and will keep any junkies from getting to your goodies.

Any safe can be opened you just want to keep it to a level that a decent pro will be needed to crack it

Dave

[legion]

When I worked at a bank in high school, a components in the mechanical time lock in the backup safe (banks have two) broke, rendering the safe unable to be opened. We had to call a pro, and it took him 13 hours to drill the safe and open it. Consumer safes can generally be opened by a pro safe cracker in under 45 minutes.

[nvr2mny]

Why not have something that’s useful, beautiful and VERY secure? Antique safes can offer all 3. This gent has some amazing stuff for not “as much” (relative) as one might imagine.

FYI the safe pictured is not one of his, but, he has access to dozens of that type.

www.theantiquesafecollecter.com

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by legion

When I worked at a bank in high school, a components in the mechanical time lock in the backup safe (banks have two) broke, rendering the safe unable to be opened. We had to call a pro, and it took him 13 hours to drill the safe and open it. Consumer safes can generally be opened by a pro safe cracker in under 45 minutes.

Or in 5 min or less..

A few years back I had a large safe costing 700 bucks plus. A pin sheared on the inside allowing the handle to spin freely and not allow it to open. I had to call a Pro, he showed up with a cordless drill, an 1/8 inch drill bit, hammer and punch. I was shocked at how easy it was to "break into". 5 min later he was packing his stuff.

There is a lot of false security that goes with modern gun safes...they work well for amateur smash and grabs but if a smart thief with tools shows up it probably wont matter what you bought.

[legion]

Originally Posted by MMiller

Or in 5 min or less..

A few years back I had a large safe costing 700 bucks plus. A pin sheared on the inside allowing the handle to spin freely and not allow it to open. I had to call a Pro, he showed up with a cordless drill, an 1/8 inch drill bit, hammer and punch. I was shocked at how easy it was to "break into". 5 min later he was packing his stuff.

There is a lot of false security that goes with modern gun safes...they work well for amateur smash and grabs but if a smart thief with tools shows up it probably wont matter what you bought.

This is all true. But I have nothing in my safe a pro would be interested in. There is plenty in there an amateur would want to take.

[Bill Douglas]

I bought a second hand safe recently - ebay sorta purchase, cheap as chips. But looks good.

I can only just lift it myself. I've got it in the house not bolted down and filled with cans of dog food.

The idea is that when some halfwits burgle the place the first thing they will find is a safe that they can only just manage to carry out to the car then will be gone. They will be surprised when instead of gold and diamonds it's cans of dog food.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by legion

This is all true. But I have nothing in my safe a pro would be interested in. There is plenty in there an amateur would want to take.

That is my situation as well...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by legion

This is all true. But I have nothing in my safe a pro would be interested in. There is plenty in there an amateur would want to take.

Exactly. 99% of home break ins are amateur jobs. The average person doesn’t have items that are of interest to a real pro.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by MMiller

Or in 5 min or less..

A few years back I had a large safe costing 700 bucks plus. A pin sheared on the inside allowing the handle to spin freely and not allow it to open. I had to call a Pro, he showed up with a cordless drill, an 1/8 inch drill bit, hammer and punch. I was shocked at how easy it was to "break into". 5 min later he was packing his stuff.

There is a lot of false security that goes with modern gun safes...they work well for amateur smash and grabs but if a smart thief with tools shows up it probably wont matter what you bought.

Exactly. I, I mean my friend, doesn't have backup coming in x-minutes. Those ratings of "so many dudes with these tools" don't apply when they have lots of time with the box. The box is more of an insurance tool and child-proofing.

I will admit, the fancy ones are very shiny and fancy looking...

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Here's a corrected link for post #4
The Antique Safe collector

This is cool. Perhaps you found me another rabbit hole into the webs...

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by E38Driver

If you don't want to spend the coin for a TL-30 type safe at least get a Fort Knox safe. Cheaper than a TL-30 rated safe and will keep any junkies from getting to your goodies.

Any safe can be opened you just want to keep it to a level that a decent pro will be needed to crack it

Dave

Oh, I can get any safe opened. It might be loud but it'll be quick!

I'm guessing that I'm not the bad guy we have in mind...

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Exactly. 99% of home break ins are amateur jobs. The average person doesn’t have items that are of interest to a real pro.

Yup. I have no jewels or anything else sexy. Just some papers and spoons.

The fancy safes are very appealing. They're very shiny and expensive. I just don't think they're worth the $$.

[nvr2mny]

Thanks Zeke!

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by mjohnson

They're very shiny and expensive.

Second hand ones are really cheap for some reason.

[mjohnson]

Second hand safes - even if not antique - are interesting. I need to follow up with that.

The old ones - so cool...

[ckelly78z]

https://www.ruralking.com/gettysburg-24-gun-fire-safe?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=221070024&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv72O75Ct5QIVhpOzCh1GOAKpEAQYAyAB EgK-wvD_BwE

We bought this gun safe on Balck Friday for $299. It provides some fire protection, and keeps the meth heads out of it, but not top of the line technology.

[on2wheels52]

Check the price/pound when comparing safes.

[KFC911]

Be safe...even just a little bit imo.

I don't want some "smash & grab" lowlifes to have a supply of "street spoons", plus the sentimental value I have attached....it's not about the $. Any cheap safe will do that...plus some fire protection. I don't live in the boonies....mine is rated 1 hr (30 min would be fine), bolted to the floor...good enough for me.

[bleucamaro]

I have an AMSEC BF7240. I don't consider it fancy, but adequate enough in getting the job done. It has a 2 hour UL fire rating, and enough features for me to keep an amateur burglar / tweaker out. (bolted to the floor in a corner, heavier than competition, clutched handle, 1/2" plate door facing).

For me, the biggest drawback is the electronic lock, but I think the newer ones have a provision for redundant second lock: mechanical or key. My electronic lock died on me a few years ago., but it was easily replaced for under $100.

Second biggest drawback is it is dark inside. They have a light-kit, and that may be enough.

Why I bought it: I have things that carry a lot of sentimental value that I want protected from destruction and theft. It also seems like the more responsible method for firearms storage.