Entry level gun safes

[chief38]

If you are looking to strictly keep out children and not concerned with a major house fire or thieves who know how to break in, you can usually get an inexpensive model at one of the large chainstores like Bass, Costco, Walmart, etc. Again, these are only entry level but to keep out kids they should be fine.

 

[6518John]

The prime idea is to keep them safe from children. . . EDIT: Probably should have also mentioned that this is for my son to keep guns away from 5 year. He can buy real security later, on his own dime when he is better able to do so. I have a 35 YO Browning Silver series for my own stuff

Pete—I am a firm believer that as soon as a child can talk and walk, it is time to start teaching Cooper's basic gun safety with a demilled or "blue" handgun and longgun. His first rule is modified to all guns are loaded, so never touch a gun without your mom or dad or grandpa present.

If you have a failure with your security or they are exposed to a firearm at a friends, they know how to handle the situation. Moreover, you have laid a foundation of safety when they start handling firearms and shooting when old enough.

 

[Narragansett]

Narragansett, you don't mention how many guns your son needs to secure, but if the only thing he's concerned about is a child accessing a few guns, and cost is a consideration, one of Pelican's cases should be more than sufficient.

Protective Cases. USA Made and Waterproof. | Pelican

6 handguns, and 6 long guns should be good

 

[chief38]

The important thing to remember when buying an entry level safe.....

REMEMBER, entry level models are to child proof firearms and NOT a very effective method to secure them against thieves and a roaring fire. Many times the owner slowly and falsely trusts the safe more and more (because no break in was attempted) and he starts placing more and more valuables inside for so called security. This now concentrates all your valuable in one neat little package and if you get hit by burglars you can loose everything all at once.

Yes.... UL burglar rated and UL fire rated safes are quite expensive, but they will at least give you quite a bit worth of more protection than the entry lever big box store models. IMHO one should get the best and highest rated model they can afford!

SUGGESTION:

Used jewelry store safes can always and relatively easily be modified with racks to hold guns. Jewelry safes are by far much more secure, carry much better fire ratings, heavier and stronger. While they usually don't have the bling paint jobs and the gold plated wheels, they are way better where it counts - under the hood. They can be purchased used at good prices and in general blow the "gun safes" away, dollar for dollar. Don't put your safe "on display"!! Hide it in a closet behind something that will not make it immediately noticeable to everyone who walks around your home. If possible, alarm the closet (with a separate alarm code and keypad) to Central Station and refrain from showing the average Joe where your safe is and whats inside!

 

[Truckman]

A local pawn shop recently had three blocks of bank safe deposit boxes (the slide out drawer type) for sale, each keyed separately...I thought it might be good for a handgun collection, although the separate keys might be an inconvenience as well as a deterrent...They still had one left last time I looked......Ben

 

[CALREB]

With safes I kinda figured its an all around approach, when I lived in the big city, I had a medium security, decent fire protection safe. It was 1100 lbs empty, placed inside the house. I had neighbors, at home, 30 yards away in all directions, a 5 ft brick and iron fence/with a locked gate, and a dog.
I wasnt worried about a "crackhead" with a screwdriver, getting into the safe, or someone spending 45 minutes dumping the safe on its side so they could work on it with power tools. Also it was in an area of the house, where no workers or anyone else could see it.
Now our situation has completely changed. We live 25 miles out in the boonies, only 1 house can even see our home. There is a fence and gate over 100 yards away from the house. The house is small, so the safe is easily seen. The house has so many windows and doors, with glass, even with keyed deadbolt type locks, it would be easy to get in. We do always have at least 1 vehicle sitting outside, and we have signs posted. Luckily most people in the area got used to seeing my (really sweet) but protective doggie charging the gate and acting like he was possessed, if they even slowed down in front of the house. But alas he has departed also, I left the BEWARE of dog signs up in honor of him, HA.
So the requirements of the safe changed, followed the old saying "BUY once, CRY once" got an AMSEC almost 2 ton UL safe. Cost me a very nice 1948 Colt 38 super with original box/docs etc., for it delivered and set up. But I dont worry too much about the "Meth heads" getting into it. Notice how if you move only the type of druggies change. Also I think there is a bit more respect or actually fear of the inhabitants, here, than in LostAngeles.

 

[StakeOut]

Look in Costco.
My local Costco has inexpensive gun safes that are often on sale.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I agree with the idea of Costco . I've bought 2 from them . I didn't listen to you guys about thinking ahead , but then I didn't think I'd go so far down the S&W rabbit hole . My second is a Cannon Executive Series , a 50 gun safe if I remember right . Funny thing is I looked at the bill of lading and it cost the same to deliver , from Cali to Fl , as it did for me to buy it , a little over $600 .

 

[Baxter6551]

I bought a Liberty Revolution safe at Gander Mountain for $500 years ago. They sell Liberty at Tractor Supply now. It is a smaller safe with a regular combination lock. Bolt it down. I wish I had bought a bigger one as it is really crammed full but like others here I would recommend your son buy a safe, not a metal cabinet that looks like a safe. I also am leary of the electronic locks but have no personal experience with them.

 

[djohns6]

It doesn't matter what you ask for , somebody is always going to tell you that's not what you really want .

 

[Kanewpadle]

Jeez, with all due respect, you guys need to listen up.

Do NOT buy from Costco!

Their safes have American names but are made in China! I've repaired more than I can remember. You can knock the top off the safe with a sledge hammer because of the terrible welding. Why do you think they're so cheap? It's definitely not because Costco is overly generous.

And good luck with getting parts. There are none.

 

[ladder13]

Jeez, with all due respect, you guys need to listen up.

Do NOT buy from Costco!

Their safes have American names but are made in China! I've repaired more than I can remember. You can knock the top off the safe with a sledge hammer because of the terrible welding. Why do you think they're so cheap? It's definitely not because Costco is overly generous.

And good luck with getting parts. There are none.

How about Tractor Supply?

Just messing' with ya. I do have a Canon from TSC. The electronic lock (I know, I know, haven't gotten around to getting it changed to mechanical ), that has once been replaced and may now be on its way again. Needs a few tries before unlocking even with a new battery.

It suits me because I got it super cheap, its large, it's in a hidden area, and I have cameras and an alarm system.

I need to get the lock changed ASAP.

The best safe I've ever seen for any money is made by a guy in NC, called Drake Safes. I believe the sides are minimum 1/4 inch. Of course you can go thicker. Do you have a crane?

Well built and not much more than Liberty.

His safes are not fancy but he gives you steel for your money.

Too heavy to get it where I needed/wanted it.

 

[Grayfox]

Teach the kid proper gun handling and safety. I started both of my sons at around 5 years old. Gun accidents happen because kids are curious and want to fiddle around with things that are otherwise forbidden. Show them the guns. let them handle and inspect them. Take the kid shooting with you so they can see exactly what guns do and are capable of. Answer their questions. Taking the mystery out of it is far more effective than hiding the guns behind locks.

 

[Imissedagain]

You could put a lock/padlock hasp etc etc on a closet for now.
Keeping the ammo secure is also very important.
The carry/house gun is another issue to consider.

 

[Smoke]

Jeez, with all due respect, you guys need to listen up.

Do NOT buy from Costco!

Their safes have American names but are made in China! I've repaired more than I can remember. You can knock the top off the safe with a sledge hammer because of the terrible welding. Why do you think they're so cheap? It's definitely not because Costco is overly generous.

And good luck with getting parts. There are none.

There is ONE person responding to this discussion who has an actuall PROFESSIONAL opinion on this topic. I know who I would listen to.

 

[Smoke]

The OP needs a safe now. Leaving the guns unsecured until he can purchase the best safe isn't an option.

I've pissed away a lot of money in my life trying to save it buying the cheap option.

I would buy the minimum acceptable option that meets his requirements and immediately start saving for the best option OR I'd look at how much buying the best option on credit would cost versus buying a "Safe" I know I'm going to replace (buying two safes).

 

[Jeff423]

I got a used Knaack Job Box for $100.00, added two Golden Rods and a fan.
Fire Proof - no
Experienced thief proof - no
Child proof - yes
Is this what I needed - yes

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Judging from your original post, you're looking for an imported safe. I just spent a few days searching the internet for US made safes. Even the smaller ones are over a grand, and the ones with good fire protection are 2-3 grand minimum.

I just bought a second safe, this one from Tractor Supply. It's imported, probably made in China, but all I need is something made to hold guns that shuts and locks. My first one was a Winchester safe that I bought from Costco 15 years ago. I have not had a single problem with it. That same Winchester safe is available right now at Tractor Supply for $599.00. That's as cheap as you'll find for a real safe with locking bars. It will do what your son needs right now. The contents won't likely survive if the house burns to the ground. It might protect things until the fire department puts the fire out. If I had lots of diamonds, bearer bonds, priceless firearms, and piles of cash, I'd get the most expensive safe money could buy. But for a few rifles and pistols, an imported safe is fine.

Also, Oregon is one of 11 states that require all firearms to be locked in a safe or have a locked cable or trigger guard. You should see if your son lives in one of those 11 states.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Oops...

I said Remington safe in the post above. It's actually Winchester. My bad. Edited above.

Let us know what solution you decide on

 

[Kanewpadle]

I got a used Knaack Job Box for $100.00, added two Golden Rods and a fan.
Fire Proof - no
Experienced thief proof - no
Child proof - yes
Is this what I needed - yes

Having had to break into a few of those on the job, they are tougher than you think. That was a great idea on your part.