Please help me pick a safe.

[Klein Helmer]

Hello everyone,

I need help picking a gun safe. It must do the following things:

House two large N Frame Revolvers (a six inch barrel 629 and a five inch barrel 627)

Prevent potential damage from heat and humidity.

That's about it. It can get hot and humid where I live, and I hadn't previously considered the risk of damage from these factors. I am planning on getting two Bore Stores as well.

What are you recommendations for a safe to hold these two guns and keep them safe from corrosion?

Also, would you recommend putting anything else in the safe to absorb additional moisture?

 

[P&R Fan]

The only safes I have are Zannoti safes. They are quite large, about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. They come in six pieces, a door, back, top and three sides. They are attached on the inside by L shaped pins. Took me and a friend 14 minutes to put together. You'd swear it was welded together. They make them in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Check their website, I'm sure they have smaller ones.
I use a Goldenrod dehumidifier in mine. Have had them since I got the safes in the '90s. They plug in with the cord running out a little hole in the back of the safe. Never had a problem with rust. Give them a try.
Jim

 

[Klein Helmer]

The only safes I have are Zannoti safes. They are quite large, about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. They come in six pieces, a door, back, top and three sides. They are attached on the inside by L shaped pins. Took me and a friend 14 minutes to put together. You'd swear it was welded together. They make them in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Check their website, I'm sure they have smaller ones.
I use a Goldenrod dehumidifier in mine. Have had them since I got the safes in the '90s. They plug in with the cord running out a little hole in the back of the safe. Never had a problem with rust. Give them a try.
Jim

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't ask my question with enough specificity. I am looking for a much smaller safe than that - but one that can accept a Goldenrod Dehumidifier.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

In addition to reading the responses to your question from the other forum members, I would ask questions of other gun owners, especially those who work in the local gun shops. Finally, I'd also go to the Internet and search for gun safe reviews.

That's exactly what I did two years ago in my own situation. I also looked at Costco, Sam's, Academy, etc for the $600.00 -$800.00 specials. My gunsmith recommended Liberty Safes (Liberty Safe - America's #1 Safe Manufacturer of Gun Safes, Fire Safes, Home Safes and More!) and it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Mine was $2,100.00 delivered and installed, and I caught heck from my "better half", but she's accepted it over time. My only mistake (I was warned by everyone and did not listen) was that I did not buy a larger one, i.e. buy one twice the size of the one that you need.

Thinking outside the box about this very important decision, includes:

1. Protection for all of your firearms from fires, water, heat, humidity, etc. You can also store other valuables in it such as jewelry, coins, watches, heirlooms, documents, etc;

2. Security of your firearms to prevent access by anyone other than yourself. This includes family members, friends, relatives, and criminals. Depending on where you live, I am anticipating future changes to existing gun laws in some states which seek to hold the registered firearm owner responsible for any injury or crime committed by someone who had authorized or unauthorized access to your firearms;

3. In my opinion, there is a related possibility that in the future, insurance companies will require you to certify that your firearms are properly secured before they will insure your property.

4. In the future, you could also be required to have a law enforcement officer visit your home and certify that you have adequate security for your firearms before you are eligible to make a purchase. If you disagree, spend some time reading the postings in the "Second Amendment" forum.

Stack On makes some very inexpensive storage cabinets for less than than $100.00 if you do not require a safe. They are available from Amazon and Lowe's.

Please feel free to send a PM to me if I can answer any questions that you may have.

 

[Klein Helmer]

In addition to reading the responses to your question from the other forum members, I would ask questions of other gun owners, especially those who work in the local gun shops. Finally, I'd also go to the Internet and search for gun safe reviews.

That's exactly what I did two years ago in my own situation. I also looked at Costco, Sam's, Academy, etc for the $600.00 -$800.00 specials. My gunsmith recommended Liberty Safes (Liberty Safe - America's #1 Safe Manufacturer of Gun Safes, Fire Safes, Home Safes and More!) and it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Mine was $2,100.00 delivered and installed, and I caught heck from my "better half", but she's accepted it over time. My only mistake (I was warned by everyone and did not listen) was that I did not buy a larger one, i.e. buy one twice the size of the one that you need.

Thinking outside the box about this very important decision, includes:

1. Protection for all of your firearms from fires, water, heat, humidity, etc. You can also store other valuables in it such as jewelry, coins, watches, heirlooms, documents, etc;

2. Security of your firearms to prevent access by anyone other than yourself. This includes family members, friends, relatives, and criminals. Depending on where you live, I am anticipating future changes to existing gun laws in some states which seek to hold the registered firearm owner responsible for any injury or crime committed by someone who had authorized or unauthorized access to your firearms;

3. In my opinion, there is a related possibility that in the future, insurance companies will require you to certify that your firearms are properly secured before they will insure your property.

4. In the future, you could also be required to have a law enforcement officer visit your home and certify that you have adequate security for your firearms before you are eligible to make a purchase. If you disagree, spend some time reading the postings in the "Second Amendment" forum.

Stack On makes some very inexpensive storage cabinets for less than than $100.00 if you do not require a safe. They are available from Amazon and Lowe's.

Please feel free to send a PM to me if I can answer any questions that you may have.

Thanks for the response.

The more that I think about it, a cabinet would probably suit my needs better than a safe.

Do you know if they are equally easy to keep free of humidity?

 

[gboling]

Go big, you'll need it if you're like the rest of us.

Too much safe is never enough!

 

[Rufus]

Just a suggestion--You might want to look at a Tractor Supply Store. I shopped around for a safe, and I found they had a good selection at the best price. I bought a 6-gun pistol rack at Academy, and it holds two 1911s (5" barrels), a Sig P238, and two S&W revolvers -- a Model 66 (4" barrel) and a Model 617 (6" barrel). I also have four long guns in it and I have room for car titles, wills, banking stuff, etc. I have a dehumidifier in it. Oh by the way, it's a 24 gun safe.

 

[HPaugh]

this is so easy,my safe is the perfect safe.lol

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Please help me pick a safe

Thanks for the response.

The more that I think about it, a cabinet would probably suit my needs better than a safe.

Do you know if they are equally easy to keep free of humidity?

This can be done, but depending on the continuously changing humidity levels in your home, it may be a challenge. The Stack On products may work well for you. The recommendation for the Goldenrod (Goldenrod Dehumidifiers | Dehumidifiers for Gun Safes, Airplanes, Cars, Boats, Cabinets, etc.... ) could be perfect but it may require that you drill a hole in the cabinet for the power cord connection.

I use a Meade TM005X-M wireless hygrometer ($34.00 at Amazon for both temperature and humidity information) to monitor the humidity. You can also contact your local pharmacist and ask them to give you the desiccant capsules that they throw away to supplement the Goldenrod. I believe that 40%-60% relative humidity is acceptable with 50% being optimum. Other forum members may disagree.

 

[THE ROLLING STONES]

Klein Helmer,

You could use a light bulb in your safe to control the humidity.

THE ROLLING STONES

 

[mmaher94087]

" Please help me pick a safe." Ooh, and I was getting excited until I realized that one "picks" a lock and "cracks" a safe... Mike #283

 

[Oscarflytyer]

Some notes on humidity and a safe

If you place it on a cement slab, make sure you have an air gap under the safe. Mine is sitting on some door frame shims to level it. Gives it enough air gap.

My safe is in a semi-outdoor room. Under the screened deck, tin roof, on a slab, 1/2 cement block (bottom) and upper is framed/insulated/paneled. I live in N AL. Very humid.

I run a de-humidifier in the room 24/7. Can't carpet it - holds moisture. In the safe, I have a 'heat stick' (not sure the real name for these) that stays warm. Also have two big (6" diameter/5" tall) desicant cans.

Room stays at ~40-45% humidity. Safe sits at about 25%. No rust.

BTW - a VERY neat trick I was given for moving a big (48 gun) safe. Tip it up slightly put golf balls under it. It is a dream way to move it around! Amazingly easy.

 

[C17]

I can solve you problem. Ill keep them in my safe. That way you dont need to spend money on one, or buy ammo. Just kidding. There are some nice wall safes if you dont mind putting a hole in the wall. Another trend is to scour antique shops for old under desk style bank safes from the 1800-1900's. they can be set by a locksmith with a modern seal and lock and look cool as hell

 

[mojave30cal]

Also, think about the Fire Certification of your safe. This is
based on a 1200 degree fire, and how long the safe will
protect the contents until the fire department arrives to put
out the flames. The Liberty Lincoln safe I first bought is
rated at least an hour, and wasn't cheap. I have a fire station
two miles from my house, and a fire hydrant right across the
street from my house. Find out where your nearest fire
station is, and how long it might take them to arrive at your
house. Then buy accordingly.

And, buy more safe than you initially need as this gun hobby
has no cure. I'm on my third safe now!

 

[AveragEd]

Rufus mentioned Tractor Supply. They sell a Cannon safe - a very good brand - that is roughly 60" tall, 20" deep and 20-couple inches wide for $539.95. It will hold every gun you now own and many more plus safely store important documents and other items as it has a 1,200-degree, 30-minute fire rating. As gboling said, you will outgrow any small storage box you buy today.

Ed

 

[jtcarm]

Rufus mentioned Tractor Supply. They sell a Cannon safe - a very good brand - that is roughly 60" tall, 20" deep and 20-couple inches wide for $539.95. It will hold every gun you now own and many more plus safely store important documents and other items as it has a 1,200-degree, 30-minute fire rating. As gboling said, you will outgrow any small storage box you buy today.

Ed

I'm safe shopping to. I checked out the Cannon at TS and it looks very entry-level to me. Next to it was an identical-size Winchester for $650. The Winchester had about 4x as many bars and on all 4 sides. Based on that short comparison I would not hesitate to spend the extra money on the Winchester.
I checked out one at an LGS the other day, forget the make, but it was $7,000, 10-gauge steel. Assuming it could be opened from the inside, it could double as a two-person tornado shelter

 

[littleriver1]

I'm safe shopping to. I checked out the Cannon at TS and it looks very entry-level to me. Next to it was an identical-size Winchester for $650. The Winchester had about 4x as many bars and on all 4 sides. Based on that short comparison I would not hesitate to spend the extra money on the Winchester.
I checked out one at an LGS the other day, forget the make, but it was $7,000, 10-gauge steel. Assuming it could be opened from the inside, it could double as a two-person tornado shelter

Shelter? That would work unless it got pushed over on the door side in the storm.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Klein,

I have added a "Gun Safe Buyer's Guide" in Acrobat Reader format as an attachment to my original post.

 

[chief38]

I've posted many times about safes and there are others here that have done the same so you might want to do a search o the topic.

best advice in a nutshell is:

Get a larger, stronger, heavier, better fire rated, and better made safe than you ever think you will need-------- BECAUSE YOU WILL! All of a sudden you start putting things in a safe that you forgot about; ie: jewelry, cash, collectibles, more guns, valuable papers, etc. etc.

DON'T FORGET: which ever safe you buy, BOLT IT DOWN GOOD!!!

 

[gdnagle]

Hello everyone,

I need help picking a gun safe. It must do the following things:

House two large N Frame Revolvers (a six inch barrel 629 and a five inch barrel 627)

Prevent potential damage from heat and humidity.

That's about it. It can get hot and humid where I live, and I hadn't previously considered the risk of damage from these factors. I am planning on getting two Bore Stores as well.

What are you recommendations for a safe to hold these two guns and keep them safe from corrosion?

Also, would you recommend putting anything else in the safe to absorb additional moisture?

OK you only want to store two revolvers. Why not just look at a SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Cubic Feet Combination Fire-Safe. The safe measures 17.8 by 16.3 by 19.3 inches on the outside (H x W x D) and 13.8 by 12.6 by 11.9 on the inside and weighs 101 pounds. Meets you required requirements about $156.00 from amazon free shipping for prime members. Get a can or two of Silica Gel Dehumidifier Desiccant. It also states it can sit in up to 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours without sustaining water damage. Or look at Wally World for their fire safe.

This will only hold handguns. Bolt it down so it can't be carried off.