Gun Safes

[quikdraw67]

Agree with get the heaviest safe you can.

I had coworkers who put boilers in basements for a living put mine in.

They aren't coming out without major effort.

I also have an alarm system.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Doesn't matter how heavy it is. Needs to be bolted down. If they can put safe down on floor they can get much more leverage to pry open. I second those who like Liberty brand. Video above very informative as well.

^^^ Yes

And thieves prefer an unbolted safe located so that it can be pushed down on its back

 

[RogerA]

I have a Winchester Legacy 53. 1634 pounds. 6 feet tall, 40' wide, 30' deep. 2 1/2 hour fire rated. S&G mechanical lock. Very happy with it.

 

[cndrdk]

30 plus years ago I got a Sturdy Safe, made in Fresno, CA. It has served me will, a handmade no nonsense safe with a rough finish. I believe they are still in business.

 

[Mule Packer]

Have to agree with all those who have gone with Liberty. I have a Liberty Colonial. Have had it for at least twenty years. Great safe and worth every penny.

 

[16thVACav]

Another vote for Liberty.

 

[desi2358]

When people start talking about " professional " thieves , I have to laugh . Yeah , I'm sure they're out there . I don't remember ever hearing of somebody that had their safe " cracked " in their residence . YouTube and Facebook doesn't count ..

Yes, it's certainly true that the vast majority of thieves are snatch and run types. Though if there are tools nearby they may try to force a quick break in to a safe. The gun shop I worked at did appraisals for insurance on gun collections for insurance and estates. A couple times we did estimated values based on the owners lists of what they owned (and good photos were a big help) that had been stolen (not really binding, more a counterpoint to bargain with the insurance companies).

In one of those cases the thieves had used the owners saber saw (which they also stole) to cut the top off the light duty safe and empty it (the family was on vacation and they apparently knew it). Prying the door open on the cheap "gun security cabinets" is not uncommon also. In one case I knew of they simply broke the safe loose from the wall and carted it off to open at their convenience (a method that is also popular for robbing small home and business safes used for money, jewelry and documents.

Many of these thieves are "pros" in that they make a substantial portion of their "income" from stealing but they hardly fit the Hollywood ideal of the professional burglar.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

One thing about those big heavy safes... I have seen lots of them sell for a fraction of their original costs at estate sales simply because nobody wanted to deal with getting them out of someones basement. Same thing with auctions, few people are prepared to get them home from the auction house. I mean like $600 or less for a high end $2000+ safe.

John

 

[NYlakesider]

One thing about those big heavy safes... I have seen lots of them sell for a fraction of their original costs at estate sales simply because nobody wanted to deal with getting them out of someones basement. Same thing with auctions, few people are prepared to get them home from the auction house. I mean like $600 or less for a high end $2000+ safe.

John

I had a big Browning safe (Pro Steel) in my house. I bought it in the early 80s and decided to leave it in the house when I sold it, if I could (2003). Bought a new bigger/better safe for my new built house.

I told the people that made a offer on the house that if they wanted the house I would sell safe it to them at a good price.

He countered with leave the safe as part of the sale. I agreed to that. Worked well I got rid of the safe and the new owner got a big, heavy, lagged to the floor safe.

 

[johnbeaver]

I have a Cannon and a Browning.
The Cannon had an electronic lock that worked well for about ten years. So I got an electronic lock Browning.
Couple days after I got the new one, the old lock went out.
I now have dial locks on both.
My main concern was fire. And both will last long enough for the FD to get any fire knocked down.
We have an excellent Fire Dept.
Also, they will keep out the meth heads. A true professional thief would probably get into just about any safe. Side note. I seem to remember a news article about thieves using liquid nitrogen to freeze a safe and just use a hammer to bust it open.
How do you guard against that?

 

[Auburn4]

Do you live in the country or down the street from a fire hydrant? Do you live in a gated community? Do you live in the hood? My insurance agent has heard of paying fire claims but has not heard of a home break in where a safe was involved. Buy what you can afford. JMHO

 

[llowry61]

Had one of these made last year. Not cheap, but a really nice safe. Watch the video of them demonstrating normal safe break in techniques. I am very happy with mine. If you have a large valuable collection it is worth investing in protecting it.

Home | Pendleton Safes | Custom Gun Safes

 

[Kanewpadle]

Pete, there many great brands to choose from. I prefer Liberty because their bolt works are stronger than most. Assuming nothing has changed of course.

I would be hesitant to buy from any big box store. Most of the time the safes are made in China even though they have a familiar name and look like US made.

Where I used to work, we had a contract with a buyer than bought all of the damaged safes/lost combinations from Costco, Tractor Supply, and Sams Club. On the outside you couldn't tell they were Chinese made. But once we opened them up for repairs, the work was terrible. No two were the same.

Find a safe store or local locksmith that sells or can order your safe. And as much as I hate big box stores Cabelas and Bass Pro sometimes have very good sales on American made safes.

Liberty, American Security, Fort Knox, Cannon, Browning and several others would serve you well. And as usual stay away from electronic locks if you can. Have it delivered and bolted down. Get a dehumidifier and gun socks. Keep it a place where the temperature is constant. Buy bigger.

Find the best deal on something American made and you'll be fine.

 

[Alton]

Like the video mentioned the side walls need to be 1/4" + to keep out most thieves. The new battery operated metal cutting saws can cut through 10 gauge in a matter of minutes.