gun safes

[nostatic]

OK, with the entry of long guns into the house I'm going to need a larger (than handgun) safe. I'm on a budget but figure a "locking cabinet" isn't really that secure. Seems like a 10-16 gun safe is around $500 or so. Anyone have any good suggestions for one? I'm low on space in my apt and don't really need anything bigger than that.

[legion]

I got a basic 13-gun Brinks safe from Menard's for around $300. I'd argue it is really a 10-gun safe. I plan on upgrading when I get a larger house.

The thing I like about it is that it has a 4-tumbler key lock (the key looks like a cross), so it can be quickly opened.

[Racerbvd]

Sam's Club & Home Depot have some decent gun safes, just make sure not to place it near a door (a refrigerator dolly can carry it), try & hide it if you can (like a wardrobe)

[craigster59]

I've got a Dean Safe, they're in the Valley and are usually at the Ventura Gun Show swingin' deals.

[nostatic]

I'm thinking of this one - about $525 street

http://www.sentrysafe.com/products/productDetail.aspx?s=247&WT.si_n=ShoppingCart&WT.si_p=CartView

[mattdavis11]

I bought a 24 gun Stack-on for my brother for Christmas, $517 out the door. Combo lock, fire resistant. I can't recall the fire rating though. The sports authority had it on sale. It is one heavy sob, so 1st floor only would be my recommendation. Here's a pic.



It will hold 15 long guns if they have scopes.

[Rick Lee]

Paging Charles Kieffner. I've seen his Liberty safe and it's a monster. I think they found Frankie Carbone from Goodfellas hanging on a hook in there, it's that big. My safe is way outgrown, but I'm waiting until my next home purchase to get a bigger safe. To think my safe is already full with my several grab guns around the house and never in the safe. Hmmmm. I need to upgrade soon. Gun show this weekend too.

[911boost]

Space is at a premium in my house, so "if" I were to buy something, I would buy a stack-on 10 gun double door cabinet.

A big burly safe would be cool and I will have one someday, but a bit of overkill what I need now.

[Bill Douglas]

Maybe buy a second hand one off ebay. And bolt/screw it to the floor.

[Rick Lee]

Nostatic, don't forget to use your space efficiently. I bought what looks like a wire dish rack at a gun show that hangs in my gun safe and can hold seven handguns. It holds them by the insides of the barrels and the prongs are rubber coated. There are lots of gadgets out there to make handguns take up less space. Long guns are a little different, especially with scopes on them.

[aigel]

Sentry makes a decent product.. They sell through Costco, WalMart and probably also Sam's club. I recommend you go with a mechanical 3 number combination lock (over an electronic). Also, no keys. The combination can't be lost or found once it is in your head. 14 gun cabinets are a good compromise in size. Not too light to be carried off easily but still light enough to be movable when you are moving. These safes have holes in the back and bottom and can be bolted down well. This will make them feel "heavy" to anyone that wants to take them.

For me, a safe is mainly about preventing easy access to the guns, not to protect them from a well organized burglary. Just make sure your home owner's / renters insurance covers the weaponry fully.

George

[craigster59]

Here's the place I was talking about http://www.deansafe.com/seggunsa.html

They also gave me the tip of using "rope lite" around the interior of the door to illuminate the interior. Browning sells a kit for more than twice the price that you can DIY it yourself from Lowe's

[911boost]

Oh yeah "if I were to buy anything it "would" be attached securly to the wall and floor.

[red-beard]

Home Depot around here carries them as well. A pretty decent model for around $500. Academy also has a decent selection. Higher end models can be found at Gander Mountain.

[KarlCarrera]

Look for a good fire rating, and internal door hinges as well. (This will add cost). Three position bolts in the door, (top, left, right) combination lock, and multiple shelving arrangements. Throw the ammo in there as well, at least alot of it. Sam's has a good one except the hinges are external. Sports Authority, Costco, Sportsmans Warehouse, etc... $700 and up will get you a very nice safe, with a decent fire rating.

Karl
88 Targa

[aigel]

Unless you own guns that have sentimental value and are irreplaceable, I would skip the fire rating. If your house burns down, you just add the list of guns to the insurance claim. Key is to make sure your guns are covered. (Most policies have a limit to guns, jewelery and electronic equipment, so make sure increase that limit as needed).

George

[azasadny]

I bought a Liberty safe from Gander Mountain a few years ago and they delivered it. It took 3 guys with straps to get it in the house. I placed the safe on a furniture dolly so I can roll it around the basement and it's in the former cellar, under the family room. I have the dehumidifier plugged in, but the area is nice and dry and never gets wet. I have 4 long guns, 5 pistols, important papers, jewelry and tapes of our house and possessions for insurance purposes locked in there. I believe I paid $800 for the 13 gun safe and it's got moveable shelves and is very nice!

[targa911S]

This is my workshop and the 24 gun stack, ( $600.00 at Dicks sporting goods) on I have down there. You better have some very strong friends. This one weighed in at 800 lbs. Getting it down a flight of stairs was a real trick. Hint: Beer and pizza.
If you buy from an outlet they will deliver it for you but they charge about $300.00!

[charleskieffner]

from someone who owns (2) safes , a canon and a liberty , and will soon need a third(sick huh?) heres the skinny.

1) safes are just like boats and p-cars.............sooner or later you will want a longer or faster one. ALWAYS ALWAYS BUY BIGGER THAN YOU NEED AT THE MOMENT! you will thank me. ask me how i know.

2) anchor to core/mantle of the earth with redheads.

3) while single for last 10 years, safes in living room along with drumset/1983 baja winning husky ashcraft/smith husky 500xc. when single its cool. when married or about to..........not so cool and you will be asked to remove them like myself. ask me how i know. sooooooo............you will need alternate space if your life changes like mine has. have alternate spots for both and have inquired with safecrackers and its about 2 hours of time to move mine to their new spot.

4) DO NOT GET STUPID ASS DIAL LOCK! giant PITA! get digital. i refitted my canon safe with one for $347 installed. 1.2 pico seconds and im in the damn thing with a gun in my hand loaded if need be.

5) buy only safes with lifetime warranty. why? think about it! dials and digitals do wear out like anything else mechanical and they should be serviced every 2-3 years. ie. lube job and batteries.

6) dial and digital combo faces designed to break off in event of breakin.

7) the higher the fire rating the spendier they are. in my case due to my 2 story home my upstairs will collapse onto 1st floor in event of fire and basically cover safes with burning debris..............i went with a uber zoomy fire rating.

8) once you figure out yer hot poo on the block.............well every damn thang you value will be crammed in there in about a week!

9) i paid $2800 bucks for my liberty and about $1000 for my canon. i beat the hell outta the safe place here in phx and that was delivered and placed also.

10) YOU AINT GETTING IN THEM! PERIOD! you will need a flat bed truck load of oxy/actl bottles and even then you will be there a long damn time. and even then once thru the fire linings(plural) you will burn the poo outta everythang your trying to steal!

11) nothing.............I MEAN NOTHING IS BETTER THAN SLAMMING THEM SHUT AND GOING ON VACATION AND NOT WORRYING!

12) take pictures and serial numbers down of each weapon and stash them elsewhere for reference down the road.

13) my buddy had over 30 guns stolen from his house along with bad guys drinking his beer because he bought one of those cheap ass homack "WALK AWAY" safes and he didnt ANCHOR IT!

and finally............WHY YOU ALWAYS BUY BIGGER..................

once yer g/friend or wife figures it all out ................ALL OF HER CRAP WILL BE STASHED IN THEM!

[charleskieffner]

another interesting note about my liberty safe. safecrackers came to house to install digital pushbutton dial. while talking about what they do, they told me they are contracted by phx FBI/AZDPS and every city municipality here in arizona to crack safes with a warrant.

seems they run into alot of illegal gun runners and dope dealers and they need to get in them to search for evidence.

the last liberty safe they had to break into they started with phx. p.d. bomb squad using 1# of C-4 explosive and that didnt work. next they planted 2# freeking pounds of C-4 and finally made entry.........................

THAT WARMED THE COCKLES OF MY HEART!