Entry level gun safes

[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.

 

[machinist mike]

As was mentioned above, A job site storage box mat be just what you need. The larger ones are usually 48 X 24 X 24 inside dims, the smaller ones are about 25% smaller, The larger ones have 2 padlocks, and the smaller ones iust 1. You can often find them at Lowes or Home despot, and the cost is usually around 225.00 for the larger one, and, if you're a Vet, you get 10% off.

 

[NYlakesider]

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.

I had to break in to a few of them over the years.(retired construction worker/welder) Keys were always getting lost. Having the right tool handy which I will not name and its not too hard.

On a job site one thing at a private house that box would be tough!

 

[Capt Steve]

A Liberty safe from Tractor Supply...

While still in escrow on the purchase of our new home up in the Mountains {small town} I bought a nice Liberty, Revere series safe from Tractor Supply. It was $800 and I paid a crew $200 to deliver and bolt it down and they brought it the mornin we closed escrow. They used 4 - 6" X 3/8" lag bolts drilled into the slab and I doubt you could get it out of my garage with a tow truck.

You can't see it unless you are actually inside my garage and I have a Blink Security camera discreetly mounted and aimed at the safe. Also have 6 other cameras that cover every door and window on our house as well as the .57 acre yard. My gun collection is just a couple of 22 rifles and a dozen handguns but it also provides secure storage for all of our important papers and a few valuables. it has been $1,000 well spent.

 

[Tom S.]

Electronic lock safes are quick to get into.
But dial locks are the only way I will go. Now.
When the electronics go out, sometimes you may have to drill out the locks. No fun. Experience.

My Fort Knox has both, an electronic keypad and a dial. You can use either one. For speed, you can't beat the keypad, but if needed, the dial is always there.

 

[Golddollar]

I think a steel storage cabinet with a cylinder key and lock would do the job. Thieves could break into it, or a determined teenager with a crowbar, but, I think in terms of keeping young children in the household away from guns it would work well.

I used that set up in a friend's garage for a few years.

Depending on the number of guns to be stored, you could add trigger locks.

The high cost of good safes, designed primarily to thwart adults intent on theft, should not be a deterrence to securing guns in the home from children.

Before I bought my Champion safes, I was using what were called locking cabinets. I remember one of them was by AmSec. Yes, they weren't the ultimate in fire and theft protection, but they were a lot better than a petty thief being able to reach under the bed and pull out an armload of guns.

It turned out that these cabinets could be very versitile. Back when I was an active competitor on the Cowboy Action Shooting circuit I ran into another competitor who had come to the match with a travel trailer. Somehow we got to talking about gun security for a travel trailer. It turned out I had bought some safes and the locking cabinets were empty. The other competitor ended up buying my old locking cabinets for the travel trailer.