Had a Liberty in an unheated garage in Michigan for 10 years in one home we owned. Had a golden rod and regenerable desiccants. Never an issue.
Gun safes: opinions and advice needed…
- Thread starter Beemerguy53
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I do. No issues ever. I do live in a pretty dry area, though.
Sturdy Gun Safe. American made, no-nonsense.
American Gun Safes & Vault Doors! Affordably Higher Security
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American Gun Safes & Vault Doors! Affordably Higher Security
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Puller
Member
I have two Liberty safes and like them. I don't do electronic locks, mechanical only.
Mine has been in my garage for about 10 years. Maybe more.
It most cases the garage is the best place because the temperature stays constant.
The repeated rise and fall of the temperature in your house can be a bad thing. It will cause condensation.
Dehumidifier and gun socks work.
AJ
US Veteran
My garage is not the best place for a gun safe. Temps about 120 during the summer and as low as freezing at times during the winter here. Not to mention humidity of 80% or better at times. No golden rod or dehumidifier will take care of that. Better in the house with heat and A/AC year round.
pistolpete10
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I actually prefer a key lock safe. I have a dial and a key lock. I will not buy a safe with an electronic lock. Can let you down at the wrong time.
AJ
US Veteran
I kind of feel the same way. I have one single gun safe that has a touch pad and a key (if the touch pad does not work). All the rest I have are key locks (4), except one with a dial combination lock. In Post #14, I showed a friends vault door. He also has several floor safes that had touch pads. The have "low battery" lights when the batteries are low. He regularly changes out the batteries to preclude him having any trouble with his. He swears by them.
Your building a new home. I am sure your going to have some type of security system. Go to Tractor Supply, Costco, etc. Buy a Large safe, with features you like, with the hinges on the outside ( more room on inside). Your security system has options. My friend has a siren in his attic. He lives in a many acre community.
I’ve been working with safes for over 30 years. And I’ve given advice here many times.
It’s amazing how many people either don’t listen or think they know more than I do.
Im done.
It’s amazing how many people either don’t listen or think they know more than I do.
Im done.
rockquarry
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I, for one, value your advice. I don't know much about gun safes.
AJ
US Veteran
I take everything that I read here with a grain (or two) of salt. If I really want to know things of this nature I talk to my Brother-In-Law, as he is a locksmith.
SteveJewels
US Veteran
I have not read every post so this may have been mentioned. Liberty Safe was bought out by an investment company in 2021 and has proceeded to cheepen the quality and construction of the safes.
The Liberty Safe of today is not the product you are familiar with.
Monomoy Capital Partners Agrees to Acquire Liberty Safe
The Liberty Safe of today is not the product you are familiar with.
Monomoy Capital Partners Agrees to Acquire Liberty Safe
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SJshooter
Member
I have a Liberty Lincoln 25, which is a big gorgeous safe.
But it's not really a safe, it's more of a locked cabinet. Despite the heavy door and the impressive looking bolts, these are RSCs (Resident Security Containers) and anyone with a crowbar or pry bar can get into one surprisingly easily. They will prevent a smash and grab, but if anyone wants to get in, they can do so without even powertools. The door is easy to pry open and the sides are shockingly thin.
I've kept my Liberty to store guns, but nothing seriously valuable goes in there. For that, I have a smaller TL-15 rated safe hidden in another location. No one is getting into that safe quickly or easily. Even a professional is going to need a lot of time and special equipment to get in.
When you look at the cost of many Liberty Safes, you are getting close to the cost of a legit safe, which Liberty is not. And has been mentioned, if you look on FB Marketplace, you can find a lot of used safes (both in the RSC category, as well as actual burgarly-rated safes).
I recommend /r/Safes over at Reddit - a wealth of info and people there will point you in the right direction and give you solid security advice.
But it's not really a safe, it's more of a locked cabinet. Despite the heavy door and the impressive looking bolts, these are RSCs (Resident Security Containers) and anyone with a crowbar or pry bar can get into one surprisingly easily. They will prevent a smash and grab, but if anyone wants to get in, they can do so without even powertools. The door is easy to pry open and the sides are shockingly thin.
I've kept my Liberty to store guns, but nothing seriously valuable goes in there. For that, I have a smaller TL-15 rated safe hidden in another location. No one is getting into that safe quickly or easily. Even a professional is going to need a lot of time and special equipment to get in.
When you look at the cost of many Liberty Safes, you are getting close to the cost of a legit safe, which Liberty is not. And has been mentioned, if you look on FB Marketplace, you can find a lot of used safes (both in the RSC category, as well as actual burgarly-rated safes).
I recommend /r/Safes over at Reddit - a wealth of info and people there will point you in the right direction and give you solid security advice.
I second that! I've followed your advice for a very long time. Thanks for your shared expertise!
,
When we retired we moved from LA to the boonies in NE Texas. Love it here but we are way out. In LA had a good medium security safe. Also had a gated yard, alarms, police response, and neighbors homes all around with great neighbors that were retired and kept an eye on everything.
Now no police response, well maybe 45 minutes tops daytime. Only 1 home visible from mine. Gated yard, but house sits 100 yards from the gate. So a real different situation. Have cameras and alarms, but that's only to let us know what is happening. So I bought a way better safe.
American Security TL-30 type, you are not going to get it open with the tools I have laying around. Good luck taking it out 3500 lbs empty. I am sure there are some better, but I feel good with this. We opted for the attack cat option, if it is ever breached.
Now no police response, well maybe 45 minutes tops daytime. Only 1 home visible from mine. Gated yard, but house sits 100 yards from the gate. So a real different situation. Have cameras and alarms, but that's only to let us know what is happening. So I bought a way better safe.
American Security TL-30 type, you are not going to get it open with the tools I have laying around. Good luck taking it out 3500 lbs empty. I am sure there are some better, but I feel good with this. We opted for the attack cat option, if it is ever breached.
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OP
I think if you talk to any professional -- gunsmiths, doctors, plumbers, auto mechanics, lawyers, etc. -- you'll hear that exact same comment.
Thanks for your contributions...
crstrode
Member
Protect Your Valuables - Graffunder Safes & Vault Doors
These guys make a good safe that is a big step up from locking cabinets such as Liberty.
I bought a small one from the company founder, Ulrich Graffunder, who actually delivered it himself. I got a great deal at a gun show because they didn't want to haul it back home!
This particular model is designed to fit inside of a typical interior closet (60 x 28 x 24), and weighs-in at about 1500 pounds. In 1985, the price was $1500.
The first time I moved, the initial plan was to merely leave it behind and buy another one. Graffunder said an equivalent safe would be much much more expensive, so I've been dragging it around for decades.
I have moved it 4 times, and each time the safe movers were surprised at how much this thing weighs (-:
These guys make a good safe that is a big step up from locking cabinets such as Liberty.
I bought a small one from the company founder, Ulrich Graffunder, who actually delivered it himself. I got a great deal at a gun show because they didn't want to haul it back home!
This particular model is designed to fit inside of a typical interior closet (60 x 28 x 24), and weighs-in at about 1500 pounds. In 1985, the price was $1500.
The first time I moved, the initial plan was to merely leave it behind and buy another one. Graffunder said an equivalent safe would be much much more expensive, so I've been dragging it around for decades.
I have moved it 4 times, and each time the safe movers were surprised at how much this thing weighs (-:
