Gun Safe shopping

I am looking at purchasing a new gun safe and wanted some recommendations. You can find good and bad reviews on just about any safe. I'm looking to spend around $1000. 20 or so rifles and shotguns, 10 or 12 pistols to be stored. Thanks ahead of time.

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

-Mickey

Thanks, I was wondering if anyone had a specific recommendation

If you need it to hold 20 long guns and a dozen pistols, buy on that will hold 40 long guns and two dozen pistols.

www.graffundersafes.com

Recommendation #1, buy one at least double or triple the size that you think you need.

Everyone receives that advice, no one follows it, then they end up giving the same advice.

The reason I provided the link I did was so that you have plenty of information to better define your requirements. Your original post is a little vague. Without further detail you will get vague responses. Some will be suitable, some won't. Like TexFlip's Graffunder suggestion. Excellent safe, but I doubt they have a model that fits the budget.

Advertised capacity is for firearms with no optics. If your long guns have optics double the capacity to store them.

Some people don't like keypads, some love them.

The guns in the back of the safe are pain to get out unless they're on a carousel. I don't have a carousel but the ones in the back I don't use very often so that doesn't matter to me. Maybe you're different.

Maybe capacity and internal usability features take a back seat to security. Or maybe you simply want a flimsy 16 gauge "safe" with a cheap lock that can be picked by a middle schooler but it keeps guns away from your toddler niece/nephew that visits on occasion.

Many more things to think about beyond capacity (and cost) is the point.

-Mickey

I more than doubled mine - wish I went even bigger.

Thanks for the responses. I should have provided more information. I am looking for a quality safe that will provide at least 60 minutes of fire protection and be able to hold my firearms. Price is a bit of a sticking point as I do not want to spend $2000, but could go up to $1500 or so. I currently rent so I will be unable to bolt it to the foundation. I prefer not to have a keypad.
There are so many pros and cons, so I figured I would ask what some THFers have and what they like or dislike about them. I want to get a safe that I will not have buyers remorse for in a year

Factoring in:

* budget
* "doubling" capacity (you have 20 or so long guns - so look for capacity of 40 or so - the higher the better like previously said)
* fire protection

really limits choices. There may be a few Cannon models that will suit, maybe a few Browning and Winchester (Granite) as well - all respectable brands. I think other brands such as Amsec, Champion, Graffunder (previously mentioned), Fort Know and Liberty will be too far beyond budget.

Many say buying a safe is a "buy once, cry once" event. I agree. Also, like many, you'll likely have it delivered which is often an additional (itemized) cost that is only to the curb. You want it in your home then that will almost certainly bump the cost further. You mentioned being in an apartment - if maybe you'll be moving in a year or so then consider holding off and saving money to increase your budget. But, supposing you move forward and purchase while in an apartment, then placement needs considered. Can it get to where you want it??

Hopefully this has helped even if only a little bit.

Hit us up with more questions or comments.

Thanks. I am in a rent house, plan to put the safe in the garage. Recently moved and remarked to the fiancee that it is ridiculous to have this much money in guns and not having a safe. Looking at the fat boy jr from cabelas now.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/LIBERTY-SAFE-CLASSIC-FATBOY-JR/2010605.uts

Liberty safes. We have never been able to defeat one of theirs, other brands are much easier but still hard without the correct tools.

Neat, I wasn't aware that there are Cabela's-branded Liberty safes.

Do it.

Im gonna go take a look at it this weekend

ETH I bought mine at Cabelas during a sale (which they might have this weekend). Talk to the guys there and they'll be able to tell you if this is the right time or when is the right time.

As someone who used to sell safes, I can't believe someone in this thread just put Liberty safes in a category above Browning and mentioned them in the same realm as Fort Knox. Wild. Browning safes are a significant step up from Liberty, and Fort Knox safes are a step up from Browning. In you price range, I would buy a Liberty, but they are the definition of an average safe. IMO you would be best off saving up some more money and buying a better safe. You won't find a good 40 - 50 gun safe for $1000. Everyone has their own opinion of what a "good" safe is, though. To each his own.

What makes the Browning better? I know FK is good, but likely above his price point. What makes Liberty bad? Your experience is in selling, mine is in breaking into them.

When I was looking around, the safe that seemed like the best deal out there was made by Winchester. Highest fire rating and it was a lot bigger then the other brands for the same money. I've decided to build a storm/tornado shelter in my garage with a gun safe door instead of buying a gun safe, but that's what I would have bought if the tornadoes where not so bad this year.

As for the videos showing how easy it is to get into some of the different brands, I never seen one of those videos with a safe bolted to the ground. They always lay them on their backs to get the pry bars into them. When I was with the State Department as an Embassy Marine, we rated every safe and lock in how long it would take a pro to get through them. There was no such thing as a secure safe or lock. Most are rated in seconds, very few are rated in minutes. Buying a safe to keep a pro out isn't practical. The State Department uses Marines to guard their safes overseas. Get one that will delay the average crackhead who is most likely the one to break into your house looking for something quick to steal that they can sell for drugs. Also keeping so called friends and family members out of your stuff. And for me, most importantly, was hoping my stuff survives if there is a fire.

I bought a 7241 Fort Knoxx Defender around 10 years ago. My decision was simple. I wanted the best fire rating in the business. After my research, Fort Knoxx gave me that. I've never once regretted my purchase. You'll find you use your safe a lot more than you thought you would and for more than just guns. I bought double the size I thought I would need, and I'm close to max capacity now. Buy once, cry once!

If I was going to steal a safe I would want it to be in the garage not bolted down. If your safe is in a fire for more than 60 minutes at 1200 degrees someone is adding fuel to it.

There are different levels of resistance/security, even within a manufacturer.

Virtually all of the safes sold at big box stores are RSC rated, which is "Residential Security Container," which is the entry level.

Needless to say, price goes up significantly when moving into the tool and torch resistant categories.

It is worth checking lock and safe stores for trade-ins and used safes.

Here is a link to the UL rating system.

https://www.safeandvaultstore.com/burg-ratings

Securtiy Products out of Elm Mott. Mine has a key lock system and a recessed door that is a really neat design. IMO, it is superior to any other brand of safe, or locking system, I have seen. I don't have to worry about combo locks or batteries either. A little more than what your budget is, but as someone else said, buy once cry once.

+2 above. I have 2 now. First purchase was from a vendor in OK who handled all brands. I asked to speak to the owner. Just asked him what he had at home? This Texas safe is what he owned. He said burglars will start by smashing the dial or keypad to drill behind it. Then you can't get into very soon either. This safe just uses 2 very protected locks. This is a very difficult safe to defeat. I have the biggest ones and they are too small. Weight over 1000#s, but they still need to be bolted down so they can't get them on their backs and use a steel bar. I ordered as much fire insulation as they offer. You can burn down several houses around them and still not get hot enough to ignite important documents. There is no other safe I'd buy.

I started looking hard at Amsec BF models after I saw a picture of a safe where someone had cut into the back top corner with a sawzall. I've discovered that a similar sized TL-15 rated safe provides MUCH more security (even from sawzalls and portable grinders with cutoff wheels) for about the same price as the BF models although they have a bare interior. I realize they are significantly outside of the parameters set by the OP but they make the RSC level safes look like toys.

Bought a Superior safe, Master 50 last year. 10 gauge steel with a dial lock which i had bolted to the slab. Holds 58 guns. Currently has about 20-something rifles and pistols already. Although I knew to buy more safe than I needed at the time of purchase, i'm now thinking i should have gotten a bigger safe. Keep the need for quality and capacity above price. http://www.superiorgunsafes.com/themasterseries.html

SturdySafe is a cost effective option. They don't spend money on advertising and marketing; they just make a solid safe.

Most people say buy once; I disagree. I prefer multiple smaller safes. One lower priced Residential Security Container safe with your frequently used items; and at least one other more robust safe with other less frequently used or other items. After factoring in all costs including shipping and moving that One Big Safe with Maximum Protection, multiple safes with different capabilities is more cost effective.

I didn't read all the replies, so this may have been mentioned, but to my knowledge Liberty safes, or any safe with internal hinges, don't open all the way, only 90 degrees, if that matters to you.

www.gunsafesbykennedyskorner.com

Talk to Kris

If I lived in a rural area with very little fire protection and where theives would feel safe in my home for hours, I would have invested in a high-end safe. But given the nearest fire station is less than three minutes away and I have nosey neighbors, I didn't see it as cost effective to pay for a more expensive model.

I also agree the worst place to put a safe is in your garage where it could be more easily loaded and humidity levels often vary greatly.

I've been looking at safes and bought one today. I learned that the heavy gauge steel with 1 hour of fire protection and water protection is what you want. I found a 39 gun that meets this criteria with shipping cost included for $1325.00 at safesetc.com. Steelwater 39 gun.

When, I purchased mine I did allot of research. The two that stood out to me were Sturdy and American BF Series. For the price, these 2 offered options and protection that I didn't find in other brands. I don't think everyone needs to spend that much. If you live where emergency response time is fast, the fire department should be there quick enough. If you have an alarm system and a dog, a cheap safe will probably deter most.

On most safes, the doors are thick. On the lower end safes, the walls are not. If you find one that has thicker walls, go that route. I agree with the other posters in that you should not keep it in the garage.