Gun safes- please school me

[ohiobuckeye]

Out of sight...out of mind.
Big and strong...can't go wrong.
Wrap them in the most steel you can afford and keep it hidden from all but the very most trusted household visitors. The larger the number of people to see it, the larger the number of potential burglars.

 

[Bill Bates]

Be aware that the sides of most safes, from all manufacturers, are just thin sheet metal and can be cut through easily. Look for a safe manufacturer that has an upgrade option for the metal thickness of the sides, tops and bottoms or at least check the metal thickness of the sides.

Fire ratings are increased by adding more wall board to the sides.

Bolt it to the floor.

Of course buy larger than you think you will ever need. Safes like humidors tend to be filled and then you're buying another.

 

[gtk]

A long video, but interesting. All about gun safes & what to look for.

GUN SAFES "THE TRUTH" weaponseducation - YouTube

 

[Shooter2384]

Here is what I did:
Register at lowes for a 10% off coupon here http://www.lowes.com/cd_Coupon+Registration_253641591_

Purchase liberty safe with said coupon from website http://www.lowes.com/pd_202347-1028...pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=liberty+safes&facetInfo=

 

[NYlakesider]

Be aware that the sides of most safes, from all manufacturers, are just thin sheet metal and can be cut through easily. Look for a safe manufacturer that has an upgrade option for the metal thickness of the sides, tops and bottoms or at least check the metal thickness of the sides.

Fire ratings are increased by adding more wall board to the sides.

Bolt it to the floor.

Of course buy larger than you think you will ever need. Safes like humidors tend to be filled and then you're buying another.

MY Fort Knox had different upgrade options that could/would increase thickness as an extra cost option. I took the option that upgraded with a layer of STAINLESS STEEL and a thicker door. There is a good reason my safe weights close to 1400#. Note, my safe was ordered, not off the rack at the local quick shop store!

There is no such thing as proof, (Leak proof, sink proof, burglar proof, ETC) the correct word is resistant. Bottom line all you are doing is buying time the more time you buy the more it costs.

You got to make the decision for yourself HOW MUCH TIME DO I WANT TO BUY!

 

[normanvin]

Always get bigger then you think you need.
As any thing else in life there are Not so good, good, better and best
safes.

Not so good would include the stamped sheet metal locker that you carry home in your trunk and bolt together. Although it may keep your gun away from your kids it will do little to stop a determined thief.

Good would be the safe you bring home in a pickup. It may offer little to no protection from fire. Again it would offer little protection from a thief.

Better would offer 45 to 90 minutes or so protection from fire. A thief would need to spend some time to break into the safe.

Best would incorporate what these others offer and more. It will be even more resistant to a thief. It will be made of heavier steel,may be lined with concrete.

Under the right circumstances and given enough time I believe any of these can be broke into. Or just hauled away.

Things you will need to consider. A good dehumidifier is a good thing.
Lighting is another good option. Both can be added at a later time.

Bolting the safe down is a good idea but not absolutely necessary. Again given time this option can be defeated.

If you have a decent home alarm and you are cleaver you can alarm your safe and tie it into an auxiliary zone in your alarm.

 

[kwill1911]

Lots of good info here but I disagree on one point: rather than buy bigger, buy two safes. I like one for handguns and one for long guns. It is inefficient to try to mix them in one safe. Also, moving two smaller safes is much easier than one large one and you have lots of options as to how/where to locate them. You can consider locating them in different parts of the house or bolting them together, side by side. Either method has merits, depending on your home.

 

[normanvin]

I did buy two safes. Filled them. Went back for another.


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