Best Value Gun Safe?

[jbauch357]

Apologize if this has already been discussed, search function isn't working - I am just beginning my investigations on this...

I am looking for the best value in a gun safe, meaning I want a good safe but not something that is top of the line and will cost a fortune nor do I want a piece of crap.

Looking to store up to 10 long guns and up to 5 pistols, plus a large cache of ammo.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

[Eyesac]

I bought a American Security safe for about $600. Wasn't the top of the line or anything (in fact, it's their import line) but it's all I could ever need and more. Check them out.

 

[CB900F]

Jbauch357;

A good value in an RSC seems to be the Winchester line, made by Granite in Texas, usually found in Sam's Club/Wal-Mart stores.

Search the term RSC, you should get plenty of hits.

900F

 

[Rembrandt]

...I am looking for the best value in a gun safe, meaning I want a good safe but not something that is top of the line and will cost a fortune nor do I want a piece of crap.

Term "value" implies getting the most for the dollars spent. Better to ask the question, "will it meet your needs?"

- Size
- how much fire protection do you want?
- storage for guns and documents?
- will your long guns fit the interior layout?
- handguns storage (how much is needed?)
- humidity control
- lighting
- type of lock
- can you get through doorways in your home
- how will you move it, how often?

Answering those questions will weed out most safes from the selection process.

 

[Silver Bullet]

I also like American Security.

 

[glockman19]

I also have an American Security. Not a large one but it will hold up to 20 rifles. paid $459.

http://www.amsecusa.com/gun-safes-LP-main.htm

 

[strat81]

Value is relative. Specify your price limit. There might be a $750 safe out there that is PERFECT in every way you need it to be, but if you only have $400...

Oh and I'll say it before everyone else does:
RSCs suck. If you can buy it at Sam's Club it sucks. You only want it to hold 10 guns now, but you should buy a safe big enough for at least 1,378 guns PLUS your wife's jewelry and the gold in Fort Knox, cash, ammo, your signed copy of The Bible, and the Seinfeld Season 4 DVD Box Set. If it weighs more than 600 pounds, it'll be near-impossible to steal. Safes weighing less than 1000 are easy to steal. Putting ammo into a safe will turn it into a bomb and you'll obliterate the entire county. Anyone can break into any safe, vault, or RSC at any time using only a paper clip, a bottle of whiskey, and a Dremel. And they can do it in 2 minutes with no noise.

 

[dogtown tom]

strat81: ... Putting ammo into a safe will turn it into a bomb ...

No it won't.

Pistol or rifle ammunition (unless chambered) simply bursts the cartridge case. It doesn't detonate,it ignites and burns.

Black powder a bomb? Yes, because BP is an explosive. That is why BP has specific storage instructions to NOT be stored in a typical gunsafe, but instead in a wooden or thin walled metal cabinet.

 

[igpoobah]

I do believe the last part of his post was firmly tongue-in- cheek.

 

[jbauch357]

Thanks everybody for the feedback!!!

OK, some more specifics on what exactly I am looking for...

- Storage for up to 10 rifles/shotguns/muzzleloaders
- Storage for up to 5 pistols
- Storage for 5k: 9mm and .22 lr, and 500: 30-06, .357, .38 special,
- Fire protectant, but I have minimal requirements here
- Dial or electronic lock doesn't matter to me yet (need to do more research)
- Must fit through standard door jam
- Weight, the heavier the better - I have friends, dollies and lift-gate trucks available
- Price up to $750

Mainly I am looking for something sturdy that will hold a moderate cache of weapons/ammo, that will keep somebody from breaking in and steeling all of my weapons, and is heavy enough to not be moved out by your average thug.

Sounds like the LP series American Security safes are going to be perfect. I think the LP 5924W will fit the bill...

 

[cpttango30]

If you have a Gander Mtn clost by go in and check out there safes. I got a Timber Ridge (Made By Liberty) for around $700 it is a 23 gun safe with 3 shelves and a top shelf. Mine has a S&G combo lock on it with a key to lock the dial.
I have 5 rifles and 1 shot gun in the picture. Space is kind of tight but you could it ten on one side it you do it right. I think Cannon or Browning has a system where you can put them in in alternating directions (One muzzle up one muzzle down). So you can fit more guns in the safe. If I were to do it over I would have gotten a wide body safe to allow more room to get rifles in and out. I just make sure to put the most shot rifles in the front of the safe. Many of them come in an array of colores and finishes with gold or chrome finishes and a few have the black chrome (Which when paired with the right color looks very sharp)

http://www.libertysafe.com/
http://www.cannonsafe.com/
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/safes/index.asp
http://www.ftknox.com/

 

[Geno]

Point of rationality and firearms "safes" are incompatible. There are "cabinets", "safes" and true "vaults". There are professionals around here who know 10X what I do, but I can tell you there are basically three levels of security as aforementioned. Each level is progressively more secure, but none infallible. Cost rises with each level, and the final level is considerable. Begin where you can and escalate security.

Closing notes: there are companies that sell "security" items for safe rooms and for vault interiors which would render any damned fool regretful of breeching the device. Again, cost. A second parting word of wisdom: never disclose the make of your vaults. Lack of prior knowledge to be able plan is significant protection. Third and final parting words, there are scum who surf The High Road seeking information Re: firearms and location. I have seen it with my own eyes at certain criminal-oriented sites. Be careful what you disclose. here.

 

[Ala Dan]

RSC's

I know that I will get flamed for this comment, but I have my flame
retardent suit on so here goes:

I needed a RSC that would keep the "smash and grab" crowd and my now
three year old grand-daughter out of its contents. So, I went with the 23
gun "LIBERTY COLONIAL SERIES" RSC. I have other options of security
installed as well; but thus far the "pretty painted" [woodland green/gold
trim/brass hardware] RSC has done its job. Besides, there is always a
gun savy person at home; as our work schedules vary from week to week.

FootNote: One thing any good thief needs is time~! If not given the time,
chances are good that any attempt would be dealt with by gun fire~!

 

[eflatminor]

Consider an older model

I went to a safe dealer (Dean Security in CA) and found an older model Cannon Traditional Series, which they were keen to move to make room for the 2008 models coming in. Saved quite a bit of money doing it that way.

 

[Zen21Tao]

I went with the 23 gun "LIBERTY COLONIAL SERIES" RSC. I have other options of security installed as well; but thus far the "pretty painted" [woodland green/gold trim/brass hardware] RSC has done its job.

Same here, I have a 23 gun Liberty Colonial that serves me well. Of course, I have never had a break in to test it, but I am confident that it is enough to defeat the casual "smash and grab" thief.

 

[Geno]

Re: the criminal-oriented sites that I mentioned previously, I think (not positive) that it was Jeff White who cautioned me when I was new here to not give too much info due to such cites. I have since lost the bookmark.

Does anyone else still have the link to some of the sites where the members (other sites) have suggested visiting THR looking for theft targets? It was a heck of an eye-opening read!

Doc2005

 

[Im283]

delete

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

some get lucky

Not to hijack this thread. I was in the same boat as jbauch357 until about a week ago. I wanted a safe for a few years now but didn't want to buy a cheap one or small one but didn't have enough $ for a good one. So I didn't buy one. Kept all my guns in our gun (smash and grab) cabinet.

By sister in law worked with a lady who's sister had a Champion Tropy Safe she wanted to sell as she needed cash. She wanted $800 and my wife and I offered her $500 cash and that was that. Her and her husband even delivered it and helped bring it in the house. I never have anything good like this happen to me, until now. New these safe's might be more than what jbauch357 wants to pay by it is one nice heavy duty safe! Anyhow, Good Luck jbauch357 keep us posted and throw in a few pics when you get it!

 

[jbauch357]

so as I do more research on this, I have a couple questions. sorry if these are dumb questions, I've obviosuly just recently started researching the matter...

1. RSC (residential security container - I just learned that tonight) - how do I differentiate between this and a full security safe?

2. Is it realistic to think I will be able to find a true safe that will fit my requirements for under $750?

 

[Ala Dan]

A true "safe" for under $750, NO; a RSC for under $750, YES a Liberty
Centurion for $599~! Most of the safe experts on board here
will tell you a real "safe" would start at 'bout $3500 and go well
beyond $20,000.

 

[CB900F]

Jbauch357;

The telling difference between a real safe and an RSC is this: In order for U.L. to rate a container as a safe, all 6 sides must be, as a minimum, 1/4" plate steel. If it isn't plate steel, it isn't a safe, it's an RSC.

Note. Total wall or door thickness does not count. Many companies use a sheet metal wrap over insulation, usually gypsum wall board, to give the appearance of massive protection. However, compromising sheet metal is almost literally child's play. Then going through the wallboard underneath isn't much work either. Finally, the final protective barrier - shag carpet.

It's a sad fact that Ala Dan is correct. True safe prices are high & climbing due to the rapid rise in both metals prices & fuel. I see this as a direct consequence of moving the world's manufacturing capacity to the PRC. If someone who reads this wants a true safe, get it now. Delay three or four gun purchases & get the safe. From what I've seen in the last three years, you'll save a significant amount of money if you do.

Just my .02, but it's an informed .02.

900F

 

[LoadedDrum]

The telling difference between a real safe and an RSC is this: In order for U.L. to rate a container as a safe, all 6 sides must be, as a minimum, 1/4" plate steel. If it isn't plate steel, it isn't a safe, it's an RSC.

This is probably an oxymoron, but what is the least expensive U.L. rated safe?

 

[CB900F]

Loaded;

I don't have an answer for you. I don't even pretend to know all the manufacturer's in this country, let alone worldwide.

In the U.S.A. finding a used Diebold or Mosler is possible. Sometimes they can be had for just moving it out. However, neither to my knowledge ever made a dedicated gun safe. As far as gun safes go, the three I deal with most are AMSEC, Brown, and Graffunder. I'm a Graffunder dealer and can almost always beat the price of the other two. But, that being said, they ain't cheap! Then, to add insult to injury, the steel & fuel prices are driving up the costs of safes in a rapid fashion. Every time I get a new order in, I have to charge more.

If you are interested, PM me.

900F

 

[Geno]

Here is the link for Brown Safe Manufacturing's Gallery:

http://www.brownsafe.com/categories/80AA8945-93FF-B7FB-5222AD3CB62AEFFF/gallery.htm

Me want!!!!!

Doc2005

 

[Im283]

^^^^^^^
I am with you Doc, but then my safe would about triple the cost of my guns.
No very cost effective. Gotta live in the real world.

an RSC ( there I used that term) is better then nothing and certainly better than a metal gun locker. At least there is some minimal fire protection.
And anyway if my home torches to the point that the safe melts down my problems are a lot bigger than a few handguns and rifles. But the RSC will keep a smash and grab out and more importantly the little ones in my life who are more of a concern than burglars.