Gun safe recommendations?

jmr986

jmr986

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Hey guys and gals! I think I've reached the point where I need a gun safe. Eight handguns and an AR-15, for now. Maybe a shotgun in the future and handguns well ... Time to secure them.

Thinking 20 cubic feet should do the trick, humidifier. Seeing mixed reviews on electronic locks. It'll be in the basement, probably bolted to the floor. Kids are grown and out of the house. Missing anything? No need to get crazy just something to keep the normal heroin addict, thug, or cat burglar away from my hard earned stuff.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I bought a Liberty brand safe. Liberty safes are made in the US. I have the electronic lock on it. The price point for Liberty safes is higher than those made off shore but well worth it. Completely satisfied with the purchase. Had it for 3 years and no problems. Model is Revere 20. Large enough for my needs. However you should get the biggest one you can afford as several shelves on mine now contain family valuables, jewelry and important papers. Liberty makes a lot of accessories for their safes also. It was my first safe.
 
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gunnails said:
Costco has free delivery and get the biggest you can afford.
Click to expand...

A serious consideration is free delivery. I really like my Liberty Safe but had to pay extra to have it delivered.

Would have someone else deliver your safe rather than get it on your own. The two experienced safe/piano mover beefy guys recommended by my dealer were great but still struggled with the safe at times getting it over thresholds and through a door.
 
The two best brands of "Gun Safes" as far as I am concerned, are the Liberty Presidential line and Fort Knox top of the line. They are not cheap but with safes you get what ya pay for. Most of the Costco, Walmart, or Big Box store safes are more of a kid proof way to store Firearms as they are not very strong or thick, but if someone breaks in and does not have an extended time period it will slow them down or stop them depending on their tools and know how. Pro's can open those kind of safes in minutes!

I've said this many many times here on this Forum:

The BEST safe to buy is NOT a "Gun Safe", but a USED Jewelry Safe! Jewelry safes are MUCH stronger, thicker, heavier, come with much better Burglar and fire ratings, better locking mechanisms and buying them used you can get a safe 4 times more secure for half the price!!! What you won't get is a fancy paint job or gold plated wheel, but IMHO a safe belongs in a hidden location such as an alarmed closet with a solid door and security locks on it (just a few more levels of protection that will slow burglars down even more). No one will see the safe except you so who needs the fancy paint job?!!

No matter which brand you buy or if it is expensive or cheap - BOLT IT DOWN!!! A Safe that can not be pushed on its back it much harder to break into with pry bars. That is the single most important thing you could do IMO. When you have it delivered or bring it home - get a box from a refrigerator, hot water heater, etc to slip over the safe. Your safe is YOUR BUSINESS and not the neighbors! The less who know - the more secure your home will be.

Another word of advise is to buy a safe twice the size you think you need as your collection just seems to magically grow over the years. :D
 
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VaTom said:
A serious consideration is free delivery. I really like my Liberty Safe but had to pay extra to have it delivered.

Would have someone else deliver your safe rather than get it on your own. The two experienced safe/piano mover beefy guys recommended by my dealer were great but still struggled with the safe at times getting it over thresholds and through a door.
Click to expand...

Next time consider Nick of Time Movers. They have all the correct equipment, and are careful, courtious and skillful.
My friend had a 1000lb safe delivered to his second floor, in about 45 minutes including floor and stair padding for some $350. Cheap price to pay to allow yourself and others to live another day.
Most "free" delivery is either to the street or garage area of your home, sometimes first floor.
They even picked the safe up at point of sale.
They do much of the safe deliveries for Cabelas, Dicks, Gander, etc.


To add, not a dent in any wall or woodwork, or marks on his wood flooring.
 
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If you look around you might be able to get a good deal on a used safe. We paid 300 bucks for a used Liberty that normally sells for 600$
 
My professional recommendation is Liberty.

Stay away from ANY safe you can buy at ANY department store.

Get one a size bigger than you think you'll need. Have it delivered and bolted down. Stay away from digital locks if you can. Digital is great for older folks that can't remember the dialing sequence of a traditional safe lock. Or those that have arthritis etc....

Buy one that has a outlet built in for a dehumidifier and LED lights.

Buy once and enjoy it. It's an investment.
 
Kanewpadle said:
My professional recommendation is Liberty.

Stay away from ANY safe you can buy at ANY department store.

Get one a size bigger than you think you'll need. Have it delivered and bolted down. Stay away from digital locks if you can. Digital is great for older folks that can't remember the dialing sequence of a traditional safe lock. Or those that have arthritis etc....

Buy one that has a outlet built in for a dehumidifier and LED lights.

Buy once and enjoy it. It's an investment.
Click to expand...



Listen to this man. He IS a professional.

Lots of safe threads on this forum. There is ONE consistent statement. Get one bigger then a you think you need.
 
Ditto Liberty. Bought the '24' gun model a few months ago from Cabelas, just about $450 on sale with a buddys card discount. Was able to take it home in our short model Dodge minivan and move it into the closet myself using pieces of 1 1/2 pvc pipe for rollers but I did have to use a small floor jack to raise the pallet end in the van to start putting pipe underneath the safe.

Not suggesting anyone attempt this just mentioning that -I- was able to do it; however I am very accustomed to moving heavy objects.

Cons:
Composite door
14 ga steel
There is some slop when the door closes

Pros
Made in the States, allegedly
US manufactured fire board, allegedly
14 ga steel (probably why I could do it myself)
The slop in the door I figure will help the inside vent humidity with the warmer I have put inside.
Fit/finish very high

Our safe was gotten merely to reduce our liability exposure-I was and am not concerned about fire protection, anyone can get into any safe given enough time and working area (which is why I placed ours into a closet) and with a truly theft proof safe one has to deal with the weight of a theft proof safe.

This model Liberty offers the most bang for the buck and is surprising more than I expected.

Or, by the way get your door pocket accessory right away-it will eliminate the second trip after YOUR wife takes up almost all the space inside with HER stuff.
 
Think about the one you plan on getting then double that size. This way hopefully you won't run out of room. Sounds impossible don't it?. Let me know how that works out for you in a couple of years. Besides you could use the extra safe space for cameras, optics,electronics, jewelry and even ammo. I know a guy who bought the biggest safe he could to store guns in. Now he's out looking for a bigger one. Frank
 
Frank46, agreed but only if you have enough help to get it in and out again should you move or if you are able to pay for 'professional' help. With regard to the latter-be certain to ask for a copy of liability and work mans comp AND call the agent to verify the policy is in effect.

Remember to add framing support underneath.
 
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