December 16, 2007, 11:51 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: October 5, 2007
Posts: 20
|
Buying Gun Safes
We want to buy a gun safe that we will have for life. It needs to hold at least 25 long guns (more better). 10 + handguns and valueables
What should we be looking for fire rating, water proof, lock. What are other important ratings? What are the best companies and were are the best place to buy them? 3 Thanks |
December 16, 2007, 04:49 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 19, 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 201
|
Have you tried posting on The High Road. There is a guy there, name has slipped my mind, that seems to really now what he is talking about. Zylkan safes or something like that. Do a search over there.
__________________
Criminals thrive on the indulgence of an understanding society DW 10mm CBOB, 10mm Experimental, .45 Pointman GD, .45 Patriot CCO. DW 744 VH .44 6", 715 VH .357 4". Fusion 10mm Longslide XM-10 Tactical Hunter. Glock 19c, Browning Buckmark, S&W 686 .357 4", 629 .44mag 8 3/8". Uberti Cattleman .45LC. http://www.1911auto.org/forum/index.php?referrerid=24 |
December 16, 2007, 05:05 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 23, 2007
Posts: 201
|
Sturdy
Sturdy gun safes are supposed to be bad ass. I've seen some threads on this and from what I gather, unless you are willing to spend several thousands of dollars, most of the ratings don't mean much. I am not willing to spend that much, so most tell me to get something that I think could keep out the smash and grab criminal and the kids and their friends.
Tips I have learned: You want external hinges. You want a dial lock. You want at least 10 guage steel.
__________________
klcmschlesinger The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote, "a flute with no holes is not a flute, and a donut with no hole, is a danish." |
December 16, 2007, 09:21 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: September 25, 2005
Posts: 41
|
fire rating..for me anyway..rural fire deptment..is a moot point
by the time they arrive...be too late even with the fire ratings i see..compounded buy a wood floor
__________________
Browning Hi-power .40 and 9mm SA 1911 .45 COLT 1911 .45 KIMBER PRO CARRY .45 SIG P229SAS COLT .380 WALTHER P-35 COLT DELTA ELITE 10MM S&W 686 .357 BROWNING BUCKMARK 5.5 TARGET |
December 17, 2007, 07:22 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2001
Posts: 124
|
safe
You need to think about your price range. I recently spent 6K for a gunsafe including freight and installation but that might be way out of your price range. Since prices can run from a few hundred bucks to many thousands security and fire rating varies considerably. In the price range of 1500-3000 I would look at the Amsec BF series. Above 4k I would look at the TL30 Amsec or the Graffunder. Keep in mind that safe manufacturers overestimate how many long guns their product really holds. Based upon my experience to hold 25 long guns you need to look for a safe advertised as holding 40.
Last edited by xcop; December 17, 2007 at 08:48 AM. |
December 17, 2007, 06:55 PM | #6 | |||||||
Senior Member
Join Date: November 28, 2005
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 496
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
AMSEC is also a real safe company. They are one of the largest safe manufactures in the US producing upwards of 60,000 safes a year. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
If you're rather buy locally, I'm sure I could point you towards somebody in your area. You're better off sticking with safe companies as opposed to sporting goods stores. They will be better able to show you the differences and provide you with accurate information.
__________________
www.zykansafe.com |
|||||||
December 17, 2007, 08:59 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 12, 2007
Location: The Great American Desert
Posts: 501
|
I would google American Security at least and look at their stuff.
|
December 18, 2007, 08:26 AM | #8 | |
Junior member
Join Date: March 22, 2007
Posts: 480
|
Quote:
especially for AR-15s..., BUT !! i discovered a way to get almost that many in mine which is a Ft.Knox, i took out the factory racks, made my own and rack them every other one muzzle up and muzzle down even with scopes this method works very well, i also have three hanging on the door, they are my "go to" guns. |
|
December 22, 2007, 12:46 AM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: May 25, 2004
Posts: 19
|
Posters are correct that you can't put 20 guns in a 20-gun safe unless they are all single-shot .22 rifles.
With guns of various sizes and lengths, the size shrinks quickly. My safe originally had room for ammo and accessories. Two years later, just guns jam it full. Most folks who buy gun safes get more guns, not less. And then your spouse will want to put jewelry and cameras and such in there, shrinking the space. Go large if you have the space and $. I recently had an "issue" with my S&G electronic keypad lock. There is a thread on it at THR. I still have one, but it is an issue to consider. |
December 29, 2007, 11:12 PM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: December 29, 2007
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5
|
Browning Safe
The range where I shoot had a safe for sale that finally meets all of my space requirements; and it's just on the outer edge of what I can afford to spend. ($1500)
The safe is a Browning "Theftgard" TG33F. I was wondering if anyone out there had one; and/or anyone has an opinion on this particular model. Thanks in advance for your help! Rick |
December 29, 2007, 11:59 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 28, 2005
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 496
|
Rick,
The Theftgard is a Chinese import with the Browning name attached. The safe is one of their entry level units that uses 12 gauge steel and has a 30 minute fire rating. If you haven't had a chance, click on the link in my signature line and look at the Diamond Series gun safes. They run in the same price range, but are built quite a bit heavier than the Browning.
__________________
www.zykansafe.com |
December 30, 2007, 01:31 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 11, 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 3,403
|
There's no such thing as too big. I've got a 8-gun safe, and with 6 long guns and 4 handguns, it's packed! Think about what you need, and then get one size larger.
|
December 30, 2007, 11:29 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 19, 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 5,323
|
I agree Skeeter. You need to plan for growth. You will find things to put inside the safe and it won't only be guns.
The only place I can effectively place a safe is in my garage and garages aren't real secure for the most part. Then you have humidity issues potentially in the garage with the possibility of condensation on the firearms due to changes from cold to warm. |
December 30, 2007, 08:58 PM | #14 |
Junior Member
Join Date: December 26, 2005
Posts: 14
|
FWIW - I just bought a BigHorn 30 gun safe from Tractor Supply. Did a bunch of comparing, most in my price range ($800-1K) were small (16-20GUN) 1/2 hour rated.
Next best was at Dicks, they had a left over 24 GUN at $799 - 1/2 hr. Tractor Supply had the Bighorn - 1hr rated, 10 ga steel, external hinges, and fire seal that expands when it gets hot to seal the door from smoke/heat. Granted, it is made in China - distributed by outfit in Idaho - Rhino Metal safe co. Safe weighs 840 lbs - seems real well made. I put off the safe for years, never had a problem but feel much better now all my rifles and pistols are locked up. Going to get a dehumid stick this week. I paid $1058 w/tax. A little more than I wanted but the best deal I found. Oh yeah....it's full! might be able to sneak another couple in if I have to..thinking about a hornet |
January 1, 2008, 10:54 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 28, 2002
Location: Oregon-The wet side.
Posts: 949
|
When I shopped safes, I concluded that my best value was a moving target, shifting as various dealers and manufacturers went through their marketing gymnastics. I discovered Sportsman Steel Safes after the fact and suspect I missed my best choice. Shipping costs were a major factor.
Look up the difference between a safe and an RSC, Residential Security Container. Most gun "safes" are RSCs. If the bad guys have time and can make a lot of noise, RSCs are absurdly vulnerable. Who will notice an attack and how quickly the bad guys can be caught or driven off is very important. Check out Omega Point Laboratories, a fire resistance tester. Check the difference between gypsum and ceramic fireboard liners. Look very carefully at having the pros deliver and install your purchase. I collected my 900 pounder at the warehouse and brought it home in my Yukon. Six of us got the beast out of the car and into position in the house without damage or injury, but I will not attempt such a feat again.
__________________
Gee, I'd love to see your data! |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|