Gun Safe Advice Needed

[mqstevens]

I would like to buy a gun safe to house about 16 long arms, 8 handguns and some rare coins. I started looking at all the manufacturers that advertise and it's a bit overwelming. What I am seeking is some guidance on what folks believe provides "adequate" fire and burglary protection.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mike in NC]

Best advice that some told me that I didn't take for the first safe that I bought.

"Buy a much bigger safe than you think you need."

I have a Liberty that I am happy with.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

No matter which gun safe you buy, in a couple of years it will be too small

[Kerwin Law]

+1 on the Liberty Safe. I have bought a few and they are a good value for the money. Safes are like garages, figure what you need and double it ;-)

[Mike Haas]

While there is logic in buying a Safe larger than what you expect you need; there is also logic in buying one "just" large enough for what you intend to put into it.
I have a 18 gun Browning and a 18 gun Liberty and both our "overly full"! (essentially matching spec's).
Sometime in the next five years one of them will be empty as I either sell or give away stuff to family. Then I can either give away or sell the empty safe.
If I had a 40 gun Gunsafe I'd have to keep it 1/2 empty or less, and potentially short-change security of the firearms I gave to my family.
Getting old is a bummer but it's better than the alternative!

[Jim K]

If the area is hard to get to, consider a modular safe, like the Zanotti, that can be built in place. Not as heavy as some, and not fire resistant, but adequate for most folks.

A while back, someone said that he was building a gun room and planned to use nothing less than 3" face hardened armor plate for the walls and a bank vault door because that was the minimum anyone should have. I, being ye olde picker of nits, asked him if he had any idea how much sheets of 3" armor cost and how much they would weigh. Never got an answer.

I guess life is about compromises.

Jim

[M1Riflenut]

Do your homework,research all the details of the various brands out there.
This is a good place to start,a wealth of info on safes
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

This is where I ended up buying from and could'nt be happier. They don't have much "flash and pizazz" but they are the best built IMHO.
http://www.sturdysafe.com/

[CTMC(ret)]

After I researched many of the available gun safes, this is where I ended up:

http://www.patriotsafe.com/products.html

They have three models that are rated at the number of firearms you want to store, but...you'd have to forego shelving to get that many long guns in either the "Closet Model" and the "Protector" (and, as others have said - you'll just want a bigger one later, anyway!). Obviously I went with the "Collector Model". In addition to the standard features, I also got the "Free Upgrades" and I also ordered (and recommend) the upgrade to 2-hr/1800 degree fire rating (normal is 1-hour). It was real fun...but this 64 y/o weakling and the young whippersnapper from across the street moved it into the house ourselves, with the aid of an appliance handtruck and a set of those teflon skids. My wife and I have decided that, in the event of the next hurricane here in the FL panhandle, we're gonna strap ourselves to that safe!

[Bill Hollinger]

I have two huge Liberty safes. Both are full and I'm in need of another one!

[Oyaji]

I too own a Liberty...great safe and a helluva value; only wish it were bigger.