I have outgrown my gun storage and need something that is more secure than the locked closet that I currently use. I am looking for storage for about 12 rifles and 10 handguns along with about four 50-cal-size ammo boxes. I would put a dehumidifier in it so it needs an electric feed through.
Reviews seem to be inconsistent. It seems there is a fair amount of junk out there. "Fireproof" would be preferred and either a tumbler lock or a keyed backup to an electronic lock would be a must.
Anybody have a safe that you are extremely happy with or that I should steer clear of? Cost ceiling would be about $2k but half that would be preferable.
Thanks in advance.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
2I will suggest to avoid any electronic type of lock: stick to tumblers, mechanical. Other than that, it's just a matter of money.
CDFingers
CDFingers
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like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
3I agree with this. I don't have sufficient faith in the reliability of anything electronic and am willing to trade a bit of security for the added reliability. (even then, I think the security of electronic systems in safes is debatable at price levels that are even remotely affordable)CDFingers wrote:I will suggest to avoid any electronic type of lock: stick to tumblers, mechanical. Other than that, it's just a matter of money.
CDFingers
Bucolic - you are absolutely right about there being a lot of junk out there; in my shopping experience the price for quality rises rather quickly. You may want to consider looking at local lock shops; I have seen several older safes in my local stores that are well-made and reasonably priced and the advice of the locksmiths are worth taking into account. You may also want to consider splitting up your collection, if you have room, which may expand your options.
With all that, I like Fort Knox products.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
4http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0 ... entries*=0
I got this dehumidifier. Its rechargeable and is designed to cover 500 cubic ft. I haven't had it long enough to assess it but with the rain I hope its doing its thing.
Speaking of new safes. Mine is too small. When they give a gun count its assuming your guns are shaped like mops. My 21-gun safe holds about 12 and they are jammed in.
I got this dehumidifier. Its rechargeable and is designed to cover 500 cubic ft. I haven't had it long enough to assess it but with the rain I hope its doing its thing.
Speaking of new safes. Mine is too small. When they give a gun count its assuming your guns are shaped like mops. My 21-gun safe holds about 12 and they are jammed in.
Puffing up is no substitute for smarts but it's a common home remedy
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
5Yeah, the number of long guns they'll hold is always optimistic - I'd say get one for at least twice as many as you actually plan to put in there.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
6Thanks, guys. Anyone have any experience with Liberty Safes? They are sold through gander mountain. US made, etc.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
7i open the bolts on my bolt rifles so the handles are straight up.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
8Check Craigslist. I often see good safes at great prices. You may want a locksmith to change the combo/key though.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
9Craigslist is great, I routinely see TL15-30 in your price range or cheaper. Just figure out a way to move it first. A lot of them are from businesses moving/closing and they're desperate to get rid of the old safe.senorgrand wrote:Check Craigslist. I often see good safes at great prices. You may want a locksmith to change the combo/key though.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
10What did you get?Bucolic wrote:Thanks, guys. Anyone have any experience with Liberty Safes? They are sold through gander mountain. US made, etc.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
11Still looking. Deferred the purchase until after I see my tax situation. Could be ugly this year with retirement getting sorted out, etc.sikacz wrote:What did you get?Bucolic wrote:Thanks, guys. Anyone have any experience with Liberty Safes? They are sold through gander mountain. US made, etc.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
12I'll be interested in finding out what you find after everything sorts out.
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
13I've had this safe for years. Added an extra shelf for handgun racks. Happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-G1459E ... op?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-G1459E ... op?ie=UTF8
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
14Fire rated?begemot wrote:I've had this safe for years. Added an extra shelf for handgun racks. Happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-G1459E ... op?ie=UTF8
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
15I got an old US Air Force, hanging map, safe from a local locksmith (he got it from a gov't auction). The walls and door are 11 mm thick plate steel. I had to finish the interior to make it a 'gun' safe, but it only cost $700. It's ugly grey primer color. Perfect.
The symbol of the race ought to be a human being carrying an ax, for every human being has one concealed about him somewhere, and is always seeking the opportunity to grind it.
- Mark Twain, a Biography
- Mark Twain, a Biography
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
16It is not.sikacz wrote:Fire rated?begemot wrote:I've had this safe for years. Added an extra shelf for handgun racks. Happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-G1459E ... op?ie=UTF8
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
17I picked up a used Liberty safe for about $525. It's a lot more solid than a Huntsman. The seal around the door looks like something you would see on a kiln. Checking the humidity gauge after a week of rain still showed it dry inside.
Puffing up is no substitute for smarts but it's a common home remedy
Re: Time for a new gun safe. Advice needed.
19We have a Liberty Safe. It holds all our long guns and handguns (which we keep cased), with room for jewelry trays and important papers. I think it was about $2200 delivered and bolted to the floor with electric run for it. It's their mid-range model and we've been really happy with it. It has a good fire rating - much higher than most safes we found at that price range. With all the fancy door pockets and presuming soft cases on the handguns, it would easily hold at least 20 handguns and 10 long guns, plus 4-6 ammo cans - we just don't have that many.