looking for gun safe


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trigga
December 10, 2010, 01:45 PM
i've always kept everything in it's own case but now i don't have enough cases and i figure it would be wiser to get a safe. i had wanted a nice safe but with that kind of money i could buy a few more guns lol. i don't think i need it fireproof or anything, just the maximum room for the money. i found a stack on 10 gun safe for $89 locally and a stack on 14 gun safe for $135 online. any suggestions? ideas? recommendations?

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CoRoMo
December 10, 2010, 01:53 PM
For the low end cabinets, you're on the right track. But you could also look for a used, general, locking steel storage container and use it as a gun cabinet.

I see that you list a number of firearms in your sig line. What are your thoughts about storing $2,000 worth of firearms in a $100 cabinet?

redbullitt
December 10, 2010, 01:53 PM
You will pay lots for a safe lol. Those are lockable containers; they will stop the smash and grab, but not anyone with a little bit of time.

How much are you willing to spend?

trigga
December 10, 2010, 01:58 PM
at most $200, coromo does have a point but i just need something to store them in the time being. i guess it would be called a lockable cabinet, not a safe.

Kwanger
December 10, 2010, 02:24 PM
Sentry is also a make of cheap safes you might look at - I have a couple of them. http://www.sentrysafe.com/Series/102/Security_Gun_Safes. Even some of their non gun specific safes make nifty ammo/pistol storage units. You can usually find them pretty cheap on ebay/amazon/wallyworld etc.

I'm fully aware they are lockable cabinets....my main motivation is to keep them safe out the hands of kids etc.

If you go this route, I'd recommend backing up with an insurance policy....always a good idea, even if you have an expensive safe.

mgkdrgn
December 11, 2010, 08:41 AM
Well, you are not going to get a "safe" in your price range, but there are several good lockable steel cabinets in that range. I have a stack on set that has served me well for nealy 30 years.

I also have a 60" x 28" x 73" Champion that weighs about 1300 lbs. :-)

GregC
December 11, 2010, 02:51 PM
For that kind of money, I would go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and buy an exterior keyed lockset and replace the standard lockset on a closet in your house. As secure as one of those type cabinets, but should hold many more guns.

oneounceload
December 11, 2010, 07:08 PM
$200????? For your gun collection? Is that all it is worth if it gets stolen?.....if it is worth more, then go accordingly

brandon_mcg
December 11, 2010, 11:35 PM
i have had this argument in my mind. i currently have a cheap stack on gun cabinet that i put my guns in. however, my most expensive gun was only 699 and i have my firearms covered under my renters insurance policy. i also have no room for a huge gun safe at this time. if i had a large collection of very nice firearms i would reconsider my storage option; however, at this point there is no gun that i have that i couldnt replace.

that being said, sentry has some pretty reasonable prices.

JTHunter
December 11, 2010, 11:43 PM
While it may not be as secure (and most definately NOT "fire-rated") as a true safe, the cabinets have the advantage of not "advertising" WHAT they are storing!
:D

tominct
December 12, 2010, 09:25 AM
For about 10 years I used a Greenlee gang box from Home Depot. I kept all my ammo in it, and had the guns stacked like cordwood (in soft cases) on top. I doubt if I could have gotten 2 more rifles in there, the loaded box had to weigh 600-700 pounds.

I liked the Greenlee for several reasons. It seemed to be heavier steel than the Deltas and Knaacks, it had a shelf across the back for stuff I wanted to have easy access to, and I liked the way that the padlocks were arranged. They swung freely (as opposed to the others, where they're retained in the latch mechanism), which I think would be more of a challenge for a thief to drill.

Also, at 4'W x 2'D x 2'H, it sat in my apartment's dining room for a couple of years, draped with a tablecloth.
Even my hunting friends and the girls I dated never noticed that it was anything but a piece of furniture/

And you can still pick them up for about $300.

While I haven't really looked at them, the Ridgid boxes at HD seem to be very similar,

I know they're not real safes, but I think they're better security than the $150 gun cabinets I've seen.


ETA: When I moved out of my last place, I sold the Greenlee on Craigslist for almost current list price, about $50 more than I paid for it.

btg3
December 12, 2010, 09:37 AM
^^^tominct makes a great suggestion. Same goes for "range bag" vs "tool bag". Avoiding "gun" labels will typically save money.

... I would go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and buy an exterior keyed lockset and replace the standard lockset on a closet in your house. As secure as one of those type cabinets, but should hold many more guns.

Closet doors typically have exposed hinges and the pins can easily be tapped out. Of course, there are solutions for this. Also consider solid vs luan door construction regarding how secure you want the closet to be. Of course, punching through drywall into the closet is another concern. Just think it through.

bobnailer
December 12, 2010, 10:00 AM
A few years ago I purchased a Stack-on 10-gun safe, non-fireproof. My intent was to keep my weapons safe from theft as well as other miscellaneous valuables I have in the house. I love the safe, it has no exposed hinges and the combo lock (manual, not digital) has internal baffling to prevent drilling it out. It is bolted to the concrete foundation of my house with wedge bolts and its situated where getting to it is a b*tch ... it's not going anywhere without a whole lot of effort and specialized equipment. If you can afford it, get a fireproof safe, bolt it to the concete foundation of your house/apartment using wedge bolts and buy insurance for your house or apartment contents.
You'll sleep better.

kd7nqb
December 12, 2010, 01:41 PM
I am in much the same at the OP I have guns that need storing but dont have the finances for a $2000 safe. I would take a stack-on box and cut some custom shelves and customized it a little for my use. If I were you.

alex_h
December 12, 2010, 02:26 PM
It is bolted to the concrete foundation

Great Idea what ever you get make shure it is bolted down. No point of having something to keep your guns safe if they can just pick it up and take the whole thing with them.

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