My stepson turns 30 next month. He's a good guy who recently left the Coast Guard after 8 years. Married, with a new baby, working and in school.
The wife & I want to get him a gun safe for his b-day. He currently owns 2 long guns & 2 pistols so his capacity needs are small (that will change someday). Also, they're in a small apartment so compact size is important.
Any recommendations for a good, compact, fire-rated, secure safe? Any of you know a reputable dealer in the Tampa Bay FL area? We're in Albuquerque NM and we think it best if he bought one locally (to him) from a dealer. New or used would be OK with us. Thanks for any & all advice.

Might be easier to do a search as we have discussed safes several times. If you still need help, ask.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I decided on a plain combination lock rather than the electronic stuff. That is a GREAT gift idea for someone with growing kids.

I got a Stack On. Cheap yes, but I just needed something to keep guns out of the hands of kids and teenagers.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Go big.

You won't regret it.

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Molon Labe!

Depending upon your budget, I would recommend a Liberty safe. They make several models that would be perfect for your stepson, and I'm sure there's a dealer in Tampa...

Liberty Safe - America's #1 Safe Manufacturer of Gun Safes, Fire Safes, Home Safes and More!

Robert--I looked at one of their "locking guns/ammo cabinets" on the web-site. Where did you actually buy yours? I have a super nice Liberty Fatboy but am going to get one of their locking cabinets for my ammo (to free up safe space).

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Possum—The other white meat!

The single best advice given on this forum!

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Possum—The other white meat!

Young guy going to school, just a couple long guns, married with a growing family living in a small apartment... do they really want a 500lb brick to live with and lug around until more settled?

Phil--You are 100% correct. I was speaking in general terms from advice I was give here prior to buying a Liberty Fatboy a few months ago. I had PM'ed the OP with what I had found on highly portable, lightweight safes I had looked at in addition to my main safe.

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Possum—The other white meat!

I'm with Phil on this one. There are plenty of options that would meet their needs at this point in their lives, and when they have a greater need "someday" they can fill it at that time instead of now. With so few guns in the house at this point, finding ways to keep them from being stolen should not be difficult, without going to the expense and size of a full-blown gun safe.

Best regards to your stepson for his service in the Coast Guard!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

C E Safes has an office in Ft. Meyers. Check them out online. Great people to deal with.

Somebody makes a safe in kit form that you assemble in place. Once assembled, it is quite sturdy. You have to get inside it to disassemble it and they come in different sizes.

Of greater importance: the safe should be concealed from view, located where a random burglar just might overlook it and it must be fastened to the house structure, preferably a concrete floor.

It is not about the brand, it is about the issues you need to address. I have a safe big enough and heavy enough that it is a permanent feature in my basement.

Do not get those super cheap safes that someone can pick up and carry out the door, but get one that does not require a team of professional movers and an crane to remove.

Look for a fire-proof safe that can hold some other important collectables and papers.

You do not need to pay the premium that goes with an electronic lock, just find a good combination lock model.

Make sure you have room for the ammunition storage as well as the guns.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Zanotti safe company. They did have a 9 + month backlog, but that was a while back.

http://www.zanottiarmor.com

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

I live in a small apartment and having a 500lb safe isnt very practical for me and since I only own two pistols I bought a small stack on low profile safe and bolted it upright in the bottom corner of the closet. Its not going anywhere, in addition I replaced the closet door knob with one that has a lock.

I just bought a Stack On safe for my daughter and son-in-law. With a nearly 3 year old grandson and a 2 month old granddaughter, my wife and I both wanted to get them something to keep the little ones from getting their hands on their guns.

My son-in-law only has a shotgun and a 22 rifle, so they did not need a large safe. I bought them the Stack On model FS-14-MB-E on sale for around $400 plus tax from MC Sports. It only weighs 300 pounds, so they threw it in the back of my minivan and the son-in-law and I drove it the 2 hours to their house. My son-in-law's father helped us get the safe down to the basement using a hand truck.

This particular safe comes with adjustable shelves so that you can set it up however you want for long guns, pistols, ammo, etc. It is fire rated with an electronic lock.

https://www.stack-on.com/categories/...s/products/247

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MP40FS,MP40C,MP22
NRA,ISRA

Get a Liberty with a plain combination lock. Always buy larger than you ever think you will need. Ask my how I know this.

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I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

Keep in mind he lives in an apartment, and will most likely move a couple times before buying a home and settling down. I would get him something secure but not necessarily a big heavy fire rated monster. He will have to move this thing several times, and his needs aren't great (at this time). He can always sell it and use that for partial payment on a bigger safe as need arises..

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would buy a small safe and then get other safes as my collection grows. Bolt them down in a corner, get an alarm system and insurance. It takes more time to breach or steal multiple safes than it does one safe.

My thanks to everyone who chimed in. I was looking for good, practical feedback and I got it.

Amen! I'm a firm believer in "not" letting it be known that one has expensive things like guns, jewelry, cameras, etc., in their home, car, etc.

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gone

IMO, the most common mistake made when purchasing a "gun safe" is buying one that it just "big enough".

Leaves no room for growth.

Doesn't have to be a 500+ lb brick.

Get the largest Stack On Cabinet you can find.

If that's all you can afford or that fits your situation.

Bolt it to the wall in a closet.

I've seen them framed into a corner and covered in a couple layers of plywood.

Anything to make it more difficult to steal.

Down the road, you can always use it to store ammo, mags, or other gear.

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Molon Labe!

I didn't, and I do.

I sell, service, open, and repair safes. Used to move them too.

Having lived in apartments I know there isn't much room. And I know that someday you will have your own home.

If it were me, I would buy this one.
Stack-On GCWB-10-5-DS Sentinel 10 Gun Security Cabinet - Walmart.com

Is it extremely secure? No. Is it fire resistant? No.

It is reasonably secure and it will keep the guns out of reach.

When you settle for good, buy a big heavy duty safe. For now, join the NRA.

You will have the benefit of life insurance and firearm insurance. Put the extra money towards that.

Or buy renters insurance with a rider for firearms.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Would't even think of buying a safe for 4 guns. Most Ins. policy will cover to at least $3000 without having a rider or having to list them. As for the children invest in good locks for each firearm. Putting them in a small, cheap, lightweight safe only helps the criminals. Take the whole thing and open in your leisure. Any new safe that costs less than $5000.00 is nothing but junk. I don't care how thick they are, or how impressive looking they are, they are pure junk.

You're dead wrong.

The young man is just starting out with a new family. He doesn't need a big heavy safe to move from place to place.

A simple sheet metal safe can be bolted down. And locks on individual guns is the stupidest thing you can do unless that's all you got.

At least $5000? You're wrong again.

I'm speaking from experience. I started with a Stack On sheet metal safe many years ago. We moved many times and I was glad I didn't have to move a 400 pound or more safe.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

If you want to install it upstairs (or anywhere) yourself and take it with you when move without the need to use movers, take a look at what Snapsafe offers.

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Rush

I think there are two main reasons for getting a gun safe. The first is to prevent the guns from being stolen. The second is to prevent children and others from playing with them because they are dangerous. Of the two reasons, I think the second is far more important than the first.

Young guy in an apartment, just starting his family, and likely to move? I favor the sheet metal gun cabinet, or maybe even some sort of lockable metal trunk/box that he could slide under his bed.

Zipdog is right on target about loss.

Unless we're talking heirlooms, renters insurance will cover the replacement of a couple typical long guns, and NRA members get $2500 coverage too. The notion of spending a lot of money on a quality safe to secure against loss that which is already covered might be rethunk.

Crum-crunchers are the issue. If there is going to be a loaded pistol in the home for SD then a high quality pistol safe is in order. The long guns can be made inoperable by removing the bolt, trigger lock, cable... and put in one of those metal gun cabinets if desired.