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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.
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.
No matter which gun safe you buy, in a couple of years it will be too small:lol:
+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 ;-)
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!
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
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/
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!:thup:
I have two huge Liberty safes. Both are full and I'm in need of another one!
I too own a Liberty...great safe and a helluva value; only wish it were bigger.
I suggest getting the best you can afford with emphasis on fire protection as well as anti-theft and space.
As far as size goes, my safe is cramped with rifles but I got the best size I could afford. It takes careful effort to remove and put back individual rifles as to not damage/bump, scratch other rifles while removing and putting back other rifles. That being said, get the largest you can afford to have enough room to take out and put back rifles with ease and comfort without doing all the yoga maneuvers I have to with my cramped safe.
Have owned my sturdy safe for many years--could not be more pleased--I have visited the factory here in Fresno and these folks show you what they put in and how they construct these units. Very Sturdy! They picked the right name for there products.Quote:
Originally Posted by M1Riflenut
I rented a set of piano dollys to move my safe. They work great. One person can move a safe, As long as there is no steps. Cost me $10.00.
I've found that keeping some sort of "gun-sock" on the rifles in the safe helps reduce the hazards of accidental dings, dents, bruises, contusions, and worse...
I bought 2 dozen Browning VCI gun-socks - got a 10% volume discount. :thup:
No matter what brand you buy or how high the fire rating is, if you ever have your safe go through a fire do not open it until you are able to safely remove all the guns and clean them immediately. One of my friends had a Liberty that went through a whole house fire and the next day he had a wrecker come and hoist the safe out of the basement. He opened it, the guns were all fine so he shut the door and went back the next day to get them out. After being exposed to the air the day before, every one of those guns had rusted overnight.
I don't know that rusting overnight is a common occurance but it sure did happen to his. The insurance adjuster said he had seen it before so I know that it does happen. Just remember to have oil and rags available when you open a safe that has gone through extreme heat.
And buy a safe one size bigger than you need because a 24 gun safe only holds 24 guns if you stack them in like cord wood.
That guy at SturdySafe has one heckuva webmaster.....
They seem to be very honest, they're what I plan on buying when I buy one.Quote:
Originally Posted by M1Riflenut
:super:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mizzouboy
Eli
Check with safe dealers in you area. I got a Melink (sp) which came out of a Hospital. It was a money safe and it's a double door vault and has a UL fire rating. Weight is about 4000 pounds empty.
A couple of points to consider:
Fire ratings are relative, not absolute. A 1 hour rated safe may or may not keep the contents safe for 1 hour; it will keep the contents safe for twice as long as a 30 minute rated safe. There are just too many variables in a fire for anyone to give you an exact time that the contents will be protected.
Fire protection needs vary. If you live in a rural area, do not have a monitored fire/security alarm system, do not have public water, do not have a residential sprinkler system, & have no close neighbors, you need a REALLY good safe; if you have a fire, your house will likely burn to the ground, & burn hot.
Consider the location of the safe in your house. Usually the basement, next to a masonry wall under a support beam, will be best in case of a fire.
What's a "basement"?!:dunno:
Another plug for Liberty. Bought the largest they made and it is still too small.
My only gripe with my Liberty is the sharp edge facing inward at the bottom of the door discovered when I dinged a stock! I used a piece of edge trim bought at an electrical supply wholesaler to rectify the situation. I think they should include it from the factory.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ickness1-1.jpg
Trim Lok - #1 Source for Plastic and Rubber Trims and Seals
I can't recommend Fort Knox safes, the combo lock on mine seized up so the bars wouldn't fully retract and I had to hire a locksmith to break into my safe to the tune of $250. When contacted Fort Knox said that it was only the second time they had heard of that happening but they offered no help in repairs or otherwise.:bitch:
Lesson learned: stick with a safe maker that has a good guarantee and abides by it.
I know that I'll never buy another Fort Knox. :mad:
Go to sturdysafe.com and check out the website. Be sure to look at the pics of the house that burned down because fire protection is really important. They are built like battleships but priced reasonably. My 2D x 4W x 6H cost no more than $2,500. And this is the season to visit because the girls in the office will be wearing really skimpy clothing. BK
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maniac
The interior locking mechanisms of Fort Knox Safes seem to me to have way too many gears, bearings and bolts than are necessary for security. I think it's mainly for show.
One would think if they only had two problems they would have jumped all over your situation just for good customer relations.
Regards,
Jim
hi,
Brattonsound 9 Gun Safe - with 203mm Shelf SL9+ would be the good option.it is available at very good price at discountlocks.co.uk.
check it.
I just took delivery of a 6 ft ZA-III (Zannoti) and I could not be happier.