I don't know if this is in the right thread, so move it if needed.

I have contacted Liberty Safe with some questions:

My info request:

Hi,
I am doing some investigating about safes since I want to buy one and make a post report in the S&W and 2 Ruger forums on the quality of your safes.
I have noticed that several manufacturers have their safes made in China, and yours too (the Franklin 17).
Your website and brochures state “Made in the USA”.
Do you use Chinese made steel in your other safes?
Are your other safes manufactured in China and assembled here in the USA?
Is there any other Chinese made component in or on your safes?
I will report your answers in the forums (with your permission).

Reply by Liberty:

Dear Lawrence,

Thanks for your request. Liberty Safe was founded in 1988 in Provo, Utah and has manufactured the majority of its safes in the US. In the year 2004, Liberty entered the entry level safe market by contracting with a China manufacturer to produce those safes using Liberty’s proprietary design and engineering specifications. The number of safes produced in China accounted for 40% of our unit production (at its peak). Today, Liberty is transitioning that production of entry level safes back to America with an investment of $10 million dollar in our new computerized CNC in line process automated to produce a safe every 90 seconds and effectively doubling our production capacity to more than 700 safes a day (current production rate is 350 safes a day).

The majority of our safes and revenue come from our low to mid to high end safes produced here in the USA. More specifically, 70% of our safes are made in the USA. A list of our series show this to be the case:

Series (and model sizes) Made in the USA (70%):
Centurion (12, 18, 24) New line formally made in China
Revere (20, 23, 30)
Colonial (23, 30, 50)
FATBOY JR (48)
Franklin (25, 35, 50)
Lincoln (25, 35, 50)
Presidential (25, 40, 50)
National Security 25, 40, 50)

Models made in China that will be transitioning to the US (30%):
Centurion 17
Revere (20, 23, 30)
Franklin/Deluxe (17)
Home Safes (8, 12)

With our US built safes, we do buy a few parts from China that go in those safes, namely the handles, hard plates, pins, brackets and 50% of the fabric. We are in the process of transitioning those parts back to the US as we find part manufacturers that can meet our demand and costs. The majority or core of the safe (steel, sheetrock, paint, and mechanism) is made in the US by US citizens using US materials. Our goal is to have all of our safes made in the US by 2015.

We promote made in the USA because most other manufacturers, at least those who have some volume, are almost all made in China or Mexico. We take great pride in building the highest quality safes with top of the line features at a price range others can’t match. Due to our investment in the manufacturing process we have been are able to add more features that other companies leave out just to compete.

Hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Do you want photos of our plant and safes? If so, you can go here and download them:

Liberty Safe Dealer Files
username: liberty
password: images


Sincerely,

Jamey Skousen
Marketing Director

And that is how to win friends and sell products.

I have the Liberty FatBoy JR. You'd be hard pressed to get 48 guns in it. I hat to take out all the shelving (except the top shelf for pistols).

Other then that, I like it.

What Liberty failed to tell you, that no matter which gun you want to use, there is an un-written law somewhere that says it will be in the back.

I've been looking at safes at Tractor Supply (they're on sale for the next couple weeks).
It strikes me that a safe costs about the same as a good handgun.
Either the safe mfgrs are really screwing up - OR - The handgun mfgrs are ripping us off.

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In dog years I'm dead.

Having worked on many brands of gunsafes, Liberty is one of the best.

You need this safe!!

Pendleton Safes • Valuables Management

I've had the Liberty President for about 16 years now and I have been very happy.

The BEST safe you could get for the money (and yes I admit it's what I should have done 16 years ago) is to buy a good used Jewelry Store safe. There are plenty available at your local safe dealer - these days plenty of stores are going belly-up. They are TEN TIMES stronger, more burglar proof (actually a very high rating) and fireproof as well. The only thing is that you will have to build your own interior for your long guns (not really a big deal). You won't get the fancy paint job or pinstripes either, but you will have one hell of a strong safe!!!

I have looked at those safes and they appear to be nothing more than a glorified gym locker! I would save my money and get a better quality safe.

I purchased a Liberty safe, Lincoln model, this year and love it. The Made in the USA was a factor in addition to the quality and warranty.

Having bought my first safe in the early 80s and on my third now let me say. Most of the safes you see at the big box stores even though they look great are not near as secure or fire rated as the models you get from a safe company or a more dedicated safe dealer (locksmith) or good gun dealer.

Old saying you get what you pay for, really pay attention to the specs and the thinner steel used at the big box stores. They buy in quantity and to their specks, I want farm supplies I go to Tractor supply I want guns or a safe I go to a outfit that specializes in those products

The biggest thing is the door actually get a look at the inside of the door (big box Vs lock smith) and you will see what I mean.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

For my money, you can not go wrong purchasing a Liberty safe. I first purchased a Franklin safe many years ago and upgraded to a Presidential. I have had this safe for years and had to remove the shelves to accommadate more rifles. I have never had a problem and they are rated the number one safe for security and fire. Also, one of the few that is manufactured in the U.S. You get what you pay for. Lastly, my safe uses the lights that are inserted in the electrical wire that surrounds the inside of the safe. When I needed a replacement, I called Liberty and they sent me a box full of new bulbs and holders free of charge. I use a golden rod for a de-humidifer and works great with a gang bar plug that is standard in the safe. The only problem I have is that I haven't moved it since I set the safe in the corner of the room years ago. My wife is annoyed because she cannot paint or re-carpet the room with that big thing in the way. I guess I will have to figure out how to move it to another room, temporarily, while I re-do the room. Go ahead and make the purchase and I know you will be very satisfied your your investiment.

Nick

Love my Liberty Lincoln 50. I also had to remove most of the shelves to get in all my rifles. They could definitely redesign the interior, but from all indications it is a high quality safe. It is massive.....the cat still hasn't got used to it and either hisses at it when she walks by or runs by it as fast as she can..

Mine has new LED strips inside the door and it makes for a cool presentation. I also like the door organizer....very handy.

If you are considering a Liberty, I say go for it.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

EXACTLY!

I value the no BS response from Liberty such as posted above. No waffling on the questions. I am always drawn to companies that conduct business in this fashion. FWIW, I bought a Liberty Lincoln back in 1995 and have no complaints. Amortized over the past 17 years, it works out to about $75 per year. Pretty cheap insurance for the peace of mind the safe gives me. I would patronize Liberty again if needed.

I've had a Liberty safe for many -- at least 15 -- years. It's well-designed and well-made, and I can recommend Liberty products without reservation.

A note on fire ratings,

WOOD starts to burn at 500 degrees!

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Take a look at Sturdy Safes. They are made in the USA.

Check out their web site, they have lot of good info on safe construction.

Whatever safe you buy, when you decide on a model that you think will hold all your guns and valuables, go to at least the next larger size or possibly two sizes larger than you think you will ever use. I'm looking for another safe now to put the guns I couldn't fit into the first safe I bought.
The worst part is satisfying my wife's curiosity as to why that big safe I bought won't hold all my guns.
What I want is a lockable storage chest to fit on the floor of my clothes closet to hold ammo, extra magazines, holsters, extra optics, etc. Stuff that won't fit into my safe. I guess I could get a local welder to build me one about 40"x24"x 18" high. I've looked at all the safe companies online and haven't found anything.

Dixiejack,

How about lockable DIAMOND PLATE TRUCK TOOLBOX for your closet?

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I have a lockable cabinet for my ammo, cases, holsters, gun boxes ect. I got it at Office max and it is 42" high by 18"deep by 37" wide. Cost around $175. It's not fire proof, theft proof, or air tight, but it would be considered to be child proof since it's all metal with locks on the doors. With it, I can utilize all the space in a safe for guns & stuff.

I Googled "Horizontal gun chest" and came up with several hits.
http://txfowlers.com/GUN_CABINET_CHEST_GUN_DISPLAY.asp

Moonman, I hadn't thought about a truck box. Great idea. Their made in every kind of configuration and would be cheaper than having a storage box custom welded.

Thanks to everyone who jumped in to help me.

larry8, I didn't mean to highjack your post. If I bought another safe, it would be a Liberty brand. They offer some many options and the finish is nice--no streaks or runs like I have seen on some other cheaper safes. I did find a box. It is a Jobox by Delta.