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affordable gun safe... #6178488 02/11/16 03:12 AM
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crankn101 Offline OP
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Whats a good quality yet affordable gun safe? Is there anything specific I should be aware of before buying one?

I need one for 10-15 long guns and a few handguns along with some ammo and paper work.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178496 02/11/16 03:15 AM
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bigjoe8565 Online Content
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Buy it bigger than you think you'll ever need and one with the pockets built into the door. These are the two things I regret about the safe I purchased.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178505 02/11/16 03:20 AM
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My large Sentry brand safe has served me well. Cheaper than the well known brands.


Uprisings started or quelled, tornadoes rerouted, elections rigged.
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178591 02/11/16 04:22 AM
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yep. buy bigger and grow into it

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178616 02/11/16 04:51 AM
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Texas Dan Online Content
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You can expect any safe you buy to hold about half as many guns as the stated capacity.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178790 02/11/16 02:02 PM
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I have a cannon safe I bought at academy when it was on sale. I like it a lot.


Good is the enemy of Great
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6178950 02/11/16 03:42 PM
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Big Fitz Offline
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A couple of things I considered: 1) I want a mechanical lock and do not trust an electronic lock. 2) I chose to buy a few smaller safes that I can move myself without much help. They are bolted to the floor and I can add more as needed.

I went with a Liberty safe but don't see this particular model any longer.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6179510 02/11/16 11:01 PM
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Leave room inside for a small fire resistant lock box for small valuables and important paperwork. The heat will have to breech the big safe, then that one. It'll buy you some time. You might not be home when the fire starts.


"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

A. Einstein

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: Slow Drifter] #6179587 02/11/16 11:42 PM
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Marc K Offline
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Originally Posted By: Slow Drifter
Leave room inside for a small fire resistant lock box for small valuables and important paperwork. The heat will have to breech the big safe, then that one. It'll buy you some time. You might not be home when the fire starts.


This ^^^!!

Remember that "fire-safe" actually means fire resistant, based on time and temperature limits. When my part of Bastrop county went up in flames in 2011, even the very, very expensive safes didn't protect the contents. The fire guys just couldn't battle so many fires at once - so 1,700 homes were allowed to burn themselves out over 10-12 days. Safes are rated in minutes in high temperature - not days.......

One of my neighbors in particular, didn't look so good when the pro's finally got his large and very expensive safe open. (Interesting process) Massive amounts of cash, jewelry, guns and rare items evaporated all over the hills that week.

Ever see four pools of solidified liquid aluminum pools next to a car, then realize that it was the rims?

One is none - two is one. How important is "important".......

Marc



Last edited by Marc Kurth; 02/11/16 11:44 PM.

A Democracy is when two wolves and a lamb vote on the dinner menu. That is why this country was specifically not designed as a Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic.
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6179700 02/12/16 01:05 AM
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I was told by a locksmith that the entry level/cheaper safes that mechanical locks fail just as much electric locks, and good quality safes, he rarely sees a dial or electric lock fail. The lower end safes are basically just metal cabinets with a big door. Nothing wrong with that, but just something to keep in mind. I personally have a Browning safe with an electric lock. I love how easy it is to punch in the code and get in. I can also open it in the dark.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: Colt W. Knight] #6179785 02/12/16 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Colt W. Knight
...electric lock. I love how easy it is to punch in the code and get in. I can also open it in the dark.

Though I prefer to have a manual lock, I don't. Mine is electronic, as Colt's is, with a light which is nice. Change the battery about once a year. As everybody else has said double the size and get a small firebox for inside. Another nice feature, in my opinion, is the gun carousel. Spin it to get what you want rather than having to dig it out.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

-Mickey


My botnet is bigger than yours.
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6179795 02/12/16 02:02 AM
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If you have a Sports Authority within driving distance, sign up for their email notifications. Every 2 months they generally send out a 20-30% off coupon and it can be used towards a safe purchase. I know they carry Browning safes ( where I bought mine $1000 dollar safe for $700) and a cheaper brand like Canon. I have no regrets buying my Browning safe. Has been great. If you are in a place where you have an outlet near by, you can hook up a dehumidifier ( if needed) and a light. replacing batteries on those stick on motion lights gets old after a while. I have had mine for over 3 years now, and I just put the 3rd battery in the lock before Christmas. My safe blinks and makes a beeping noise while opening when the batter starts running down, so you have plenty of warning to replace it.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6179880 02/12/16 03:04 AM
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Thanks for the info guys.

Ill be running around to a few local stores and do some price checking.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: Texas Dan] #6180698 02/12/16 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
You can expect any safe you buy to hold about half as many guns as the stated capacity.

Yep.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6181725 02/13/16 03:59 PM
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I was warned by the salesman to buy bigger than you think you need. Well...... Don't just hear it, take the advise.

I am sure this comes as no surprise, but make sure the thing will fit through your doorways. I've moved mine around a few times but the most recent move required removal of the wheel style traditional handle lick mechanism to get through the door ( and I don't mean the thread on and off spindles- the whole mechanism).

I have a liberty and am happy. I saw some at cabelas that looked better on fire rating and were surprisingly a good price- course they don't have the glossy finish( which I've learned I could've done without).

Just my 2 cents.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6182491 02/14/16 03:26 AM
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Liberty, good safes and they stand behind their product.


MOLON LABE
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6182787 02/14/16 02:32 PM
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The only advantage of mechanical locks is not having to change the bettery. Electronic locks are superior in every other way. On top of that, the battery probably wouldn't go dead for several years if you left it in until it died, but most guys change once a year to keep it simple.

If you care more about superior security and ease of access more than you care about changing a battery once in a blue moon, go electronic.


"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6182789 02/14/16 02:34 PM
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What's your budget, and what level of security are you looking for? Everyone's definition of a "good" and "affordable" safe is different.


"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: TTUhunter4] #6182830 02/14/16 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted By: TTUhunter4
What's your budget, and what level of security are you looking for? Everyone's definition of a "good" and "affordable" safe is different.


Just like everything else in my life I like to stay mid-grade, so maybe $1500 or so. To be honest my guns are probably worth about $3k right now.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6183142 02/14/16 07:26 PM
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Tractor Supply has some sale going on. Don't remember brand, look at their web site.

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6183884 02/15/16 12:59 PM
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I recently purchased a safe myself. I thought I purchased one big enough.

Oops, I did not take into consideration that most of my guns are shotguns with long barrels. I had to take out "my wife's" shelf to get my guns to fit.

So I suggest you purchase a safe taller AND wider than what you think you need.


Luck favors the prepared mind.
Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6184258 02/15/16 05:23 PM
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Oh, and get with your insurance agent after it's at the house. I get a small discount for having a safe and another for having a security system. Not a lot, but it's easy and a dollar's a dollar.


"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

A. Einstein

Re: affordable gun safe... [Re: crankn101] #6184280 02/15/16 05:37 PM
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Yes, buy bigger, they fill quickly. I have a Cannon, and they're decent.

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