Question - gun safes and is anyone interested in upgrading theirs and selling?

[nosoup4u]

Hi Guys -

I was wondering when looking at safes, which route are you going?  I do not have as many firearms as some of you - maybe around 10 (AR's, shotguns, hunting, and few handguns).  For personal reasons, I've already decided I want the safe to be placed in the garage and I will bolt it down into the floor and build a 'closet' thing around it. 

I am not looking for something that can withstand a fire for one hour.  Am looking at just something 'basic' right now until I figure out how I want to upgrade my collection.  I plan on buying a better safe down the road, and would use this one to hold ammunition in the future.  I also am not interested in the expanding type of safes ...

So, my current budget is sub-1K and I would like WHITE GLOVE service - e.g., delivered and put into the garage.  A little too old to try and move it myself with curbside delivery.

a) would you stay completely away from the ones at the local sporting good stores?

b) would you stay away from buying a 'used' one through craigslist, etc.?  It seems unless it is light - I would spend just as much hiring someone to move it here than buying new; but, could be wrong.

c) any places offer white glove services?

d) Am I missing anything in my analysis.  Would love to just order one from Costco - but, it says curbside delivery and well, that does not help me much since my driveway is an incline (upwards) and fairly long. 

Thanks

 

[xjpete87]

Get one twice the size you think you need. They are never big enough. Look for AAMSEC or Liberty. There are some local vendors. Both make great safes. If money isn't an option go with Fort Knox. I purchased a Patriot Safe from eBay that I'm very happy with for the price. He even has free shipping sometimes. Don't recall the guys name but he was very nice.

 

[JK_HVGC]

It's not just about a fire rating, safes will also be classified by how long they will withstand a mechanical entry attempt.  I had a good friend that bought a cheap one.  Burglars ended up prying open just the corner, enough to get their hand in and stole everyone of his firearms. 

The point is to buy the best one you can afford.  Also, buying bigger than you think you need is a good point made.  They always seem to fill up fast.

 

[Search]

Any of the major manufacturers are good. Personally, I try to go with one of the ones that are made in the US. Liberty and Winchester are my preferences.

And do yourself a huge favor and stay away from the electronic locks..... I'm waiting for a locksmith as I type this to remove my e-lock and reinstall a mechanical dial.

 

[xjpete87]

Sorry meant Pioneer safes on ebay.

 

[PBloxam]

1K will buy a good safe....In so far as white glove service, you gonna pay around 250 to 350 ...Rent a dolley capable of moving 400 to 800 lbs...It's what I did and got a few friends to help get it in...

The thing about safes, even the good ones, is that prying one open is no longer the thing to worry about...They simply cut the side open and reach in get what they want Faster and they get out quicker...

Safe in combination with alarm and cameras are the way to go...That's the tip from my neighbor who is a Leo...

 

[Rubicon_Gil]

Hi Guys -

I was wondering when looking at safes, which route are you going?  I do not have as many firearms as some of you - maybe around 10 (AR's, shotguns, hunting, and few handguns).  For personal reasons, I've already decided I want the safe to be placed in the garage and I will bolt it down into the floor and build a 'closet' thing around it. 

I am not looking for something that can withstand a fire for one hour.  Am looking at just something 'basic' right now until I figure out how I want to upgrade my collection.  I plan on buying a better safe down the road, and would use this one to hold ammunition in the future.  I also am not interested in the expanding type of safes ...

So, my current budget is sub-1K and I would like WHITE GLOVE service - e.g., delivered and put into the garage.  A little too old to try and move it myself with curbside delivery.

a) would you stay completely away from the ones at the local sporting good stores?

b) would you stay away from buying a 'used' one through craigslist, etc.?  It seems unless it is light - I would spend just as much hiring someone to move it here than buying new; but, could be wrong.

c) any places offer white glove services?

d) Am I missing anything in my analysis.  Would love to just order one from Costco - but, it says curbside delivery and well, that does not help me much since my driveway is an incline (upwards) and fairly long. 

Thanks

Great question!

Many people make the fire rating a somewhat secondary concern, but in my opinion, it should be a primary concern. I personally always recommend the Amsec safes. they are  more money but gun collections get bigger quick, and what are you gonna do? put your babies, perhaps an AK or a SPAS 12 or a UZI, guns that may no longer be available and cannot be replaced, into a cheap safe? No way.

If you do decide to go with a fire rated safe, do look at the ratings...those safes that are fire rated and cheap are usually rated about 1100 degrees for about an hour...that's the average temperature of a house fire. If the fire lasts longer than the rating and your property gets damaged, you are SOL. If your safe gets into a fire, and it burns within the time limit, the safe company is responsible for the safe ONLY. they are not responsible for any contents.

As for installation, have you tried Baldino's? I think they are in Chantilly.

 

[773PPVM]

I did a lot of research before buying my gun safe, using various sources including the manufacturers' sites and several "safe buyer's guide" sites:

http://www.gunsafecritic.com/gun-safe-buyers-guide/
http://bestgunsafeguide.com/gun-safe-buyers-guide/
http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/buyers-guide/
http://www.safes.co/buyers-guide
http://www.gunworld.com/buyers-guides/accessories/10-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-gun-safe/
http://www.safegunsafes.com/2011/11/25/safe-gun-safes-buyers-guide/
http://www.gunsafereviewssite.com/

Most makers tend, in general, to offer their best protective features (thicker steel, anti-drill plates, etc.) only with their larger and "high end" safes.  These safes, in addition to better protection, include (to my mind) useless luxury extras like exotic hardwood drawers, high-gloss automotive paint, gold accents, etc.  The problem with that is, I wanted the increased protection but not the luxury extras.  Also, I had to have a safe that would fit through the interior door to be placed in my "gun room".  Most makers offer their top protection only in their larger safes, which wouldn't fit into my "gun room".

My research also told me there's no substitute for thick, heavy steel.  Any safe can be defeated given sufficient skill, tools, time, and no concern over noise.  A cheap safe can be broken into fairly easily by a thief with minimal skill, using only a couple of pry bars.  But, it all depends on what you want it to do.  If you just want to keep your guns out of the hands of resident or visiting children, or out of the hands of a opportunistic thief who'd be daunted by any safe, a more affordable safe may be perfect for your needs.  If you want to go on vacation and feel confident that your guns will be there when you return, even if you're targeted by a fairly capable thief...well, that requires something a bit more serious.

I ended up selecting a company called Sturdysafe.  Even their smaller safes incorporate features that make them very difficult to defeat.  And they don't include a bunch of useless luxury features.  And, the owner's daughter, who models for them, is hot.  http://www.sturdysafe.com/  Unfortunately, I don't think they offer anything in the sub-$1000 range.  But, they're a great value for what you get.

I agree wholeheartedly that you should avoid an electronic lock.  Go with a quality dial lock.

 

[ThinkMud]

I went with a Liberty Fat Boy and love it.  It's about 1k lbs empty.  Got it from Clark brothers and they delivered it me the same day.

It's pricy but well worth it if you ask me.  Only problem is I have too many and need another safe now lol.

 

[773PPVM]

I was just reading a great comparison of the two "best" choices as far as real burglary protection, short of buying a "true" commercial-quality safe from a company like Mosler or Brown.  Those two "best" choices are, according to this link, Sturdy Safe (which is what I have) and American Security (i.e. AMSEC).  It's a great feature-by-feature break-down:  http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/buyers-guide/best-gun-safe/

A safe like the Liberty Fat Boy may very well fit your needs, but you should understand that it's not intended to thwart a determined burglar who doesn't mind making noise.  It uses only 11-gauge steel, which is extremely thin compared to the 7-gauge body (can be upgraded to 4-gauge and reinforced with additional 7-gauge panels at certain locations),  14-gauge liner (can be upgraded to 10-gauge, although this isn't shown on their website), and 5/16" door (can be upgraded to 3/8") of the Sturdy Safe.  An 11-gauge safe can be penetrated with a fire axe.  Of course, not many residential safes are subjected to a determined attack by an experienced and well-equipped burglar.  A Liberty Fat Boy will be more than enough to thwart the typical "smash and grab" thief, especially one trying not to make too much noise that would alert neighbors, and is lighter and more affordable.  That level of protection may meet your security requirements, where a heavier safe may be overkill.  <salute>

 

[PBloxam]

I was just reading a great comparison of the two "best" choices as far as real burglary protection, short of buying a "true" commercial-quality safe from a company like Mosler or Brown.  Those two "best" choices are, according to this link, Sturdy Safe (which is what I have) and American Security (i.e. AMSEC).  It's a great feature-by-feature break-down:  http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/buyers-guide/best-gun-safe/

A safe like the Liberty Fat Boy may very well fit your needs, but you should understand that it's not intended to thwart a determined burglar who doesn't mind making noise.  It uses only 11-gauge steel, which is extremely thin compared to the 7-gauge body (can be upgraded to 4-gauge and reinforced with additional 7-gauge panels at certain locations),  14-gauge liner (can be upgraded to 10-gauge, although this isn't shown on their website), and 5/16" door (can be upgraded to 3/8") of the Sturdy Safe.  An 11-gauge safe can be penetrated with a fire axe.  Of course, not many residential safes are subjected to a determined attack by an experienced and well-equipped burglar.  A Liberty Fat Boy will be more than enough to thwart the typical "smash and grab" thief, especially one trying not to make too much noise that would alert neighbors, and is lighter and more affordable.  That level of protection may meet your security requirements, where a heavier safe may be overkill.  <salute>

Thinking about buying a sturdy safe... Talked to Elizabeth on Friday...Probably going to get their 24x19x60 fire lined...Also looking at their 28X22X60 lined and unlined...They have the best rating of any safe out there right now...Thanks for the heads up. Already have a safe but it's not a great one..I think you could get in it with a can opener!!! LOL!!

 

[773PPVM]

Glad you like 'em.  I'm very happy with mine, and I've had it for about five and a half years.  I feel confident when I go on vacation that my guns will be there when I get back. 

 

[ThinkMud]

Pretty much any safe can be broken into with the correct tools.  I'd advise u to lock up your sawzalls and skill saws before leaving on vacation too lol. 

I consider the fat boy and similar safes as "1 hour" safes.  Meaning a determined non pro theif could breach in an hour.  A pro probably much much faster. 

I love a more hardcore one but that is all I could afford at the time.

 

[773PPVM]

I consider the fat boy and similar safes as "1 hour" safes.  Meaning a determined non pro theif could breach in an hour.  A pro probably much much faster.

And, any thief would have to make a lot of noise breaking into any safe, including your Fatboy.  Which--unless you live in an isolated house far from neighbors or have really foolish and inattentive neighbors--would probably result in a police response.

 

[JEEPIN J]

I consider the fat boy and similar safes as "1 hour" safes.  Meaning a determined non pro theif could breach in an hour.  A pro probably much much faster.

And, any thief would have to make a lot of noise breaking into any safe, including your Fatboy.  Which--unless you live in an isolated house far from neighbors or have really foolish and inattentive neighbors--would probably result in a police response.

Running an angle grinder in a house probably wouldn't make enough noise to alert neighbors.

 

[Chris Woakes]

Pretty much any safe can be broken into with the correct tools.  I'd advise u to lock up your sawzalls and skill saws before leaving on vacation too lol. 

I consider the fat boy and similar safes as "1 hour" safes.  Meaning a determined non pro theif could breach in an hour.  A pro probably much much faster. 

I love a more hardcore one but that is all I could afford at the time.

Yes gun safes can be broken easily, but the one that causes the most delay that is worth investing in. Sometimes time doesnt even matter because gun safes are so light at times burglars pick them up and just take it away. look something that can be bolted into the ground and is heavy. Heavier it is, more good steel is used in it. Better the steel more time will be taken by thiefs cracking it. So spend more and get more that how easy it is.