Gun safe/RSC options for decent sized "arsenal" :P

[jason10mm]

Hey everyone. I'm looking into upgrading the theft/fire protection on my guns. I'm using Homak cabinets right now. I've read up on the gun safe vs residential security container debate and since money is an object (got a wedding to save up for!) I think I'm gonna have to opt for a RSC. The problem is three-fold;

1. As an active duty military guy, I have to move alot, so the RSC has to be able to get in and out of homes for PCS moves,

2...and since I rent (only 1 year PCSs for the next few years) I can't do any serious bolting, concrete pouring, false wall building etc.

3. I've managed to accumulate 25 long arms and 16 pistols, so I need lots of space. A large portion of the long arms are relatively cheap C&R rifles though, so their security is of less concern.

Anyway, I'm considering getting a larger Sentry Safe or a low end Liberty-type. I know that a real burgular can bust them within seconds/minutes and a major fire will burn these things up, but just having them in Homaks really makes me nervous. Should I get one big one (there is a 20 cubic foot Sentry for $1000 or so) or a couple smaller ones?

My gut says a big one, weigh it down as much as possible with ammo and weapons, and prioritize the space (where is a criminal gonna get .303 British, 7.5 French, 7.62X54R, or 6.5 Swiss?). The other stuff will stay in the Homaks.

I could get 2 smaller RSCs, but they would be lighter and more portable, thus easier to carry away. What do ya'll think? Once I can put down roots somewhere I'll get a proper SAFE, but for now I'm relucant to drop 2+ grand on a big RSC (like the high-end Liberty) if it isn't going to give me any more protection from theft/fire than a cheaper Sentry. Thanks.

 

[Preacherman]

There have been a number of threads on RSC's and gun safes - use the Search function to get at them.

In your situation, I'd go for a 25-gun-capacity Liberty, or something similar. A great deal at the moment is at Sam's Club: a Winchester 25-gun safe for $888 shipped! Might be your best bargain. See here for information. They have larger models too, if you want them.

This smaller safe will be easier for you to move in and out of your home, but can be either bolted to the floor with rawl bolts (easy to get in and out) or weighted down with ammo, etc. packed at the bottom. You can also get the Acorn door-hanging system to put a dozen or so handguns on the inside door of the safe. This maximizes the use of internal space.

 

[taliv]

get a safe big enough to keep all your handguns and a couple rifles, and just put the bolts from the C&R stuff in the safe. I'd leave the ancient ong guns out, as they're not in much demand by your criminal types (I suspect because you can't hold a mauser sideways over your head with one hand, long enough to finish your hollywood speech before shooting your victim).

 

[Tinkerer]

Check out Zanoti Armor safes. They're designed to come apart so you can move it yourself. When it's together and locked it just won't come apart. I've moved mine 3 times already, two upstairs apartments and now upstairs in my home.

 

[logical]

zanotti .............2 t's

 

[Bayou Boy]

I've beeen doing some thinking and reading about the RSCs and have come to this conclusion.
A lot of people will tell you that an RSC is an RSC. I don't think that that is correct. The RSC rating means that the safe passed the 5 minute mark with allowable tools but didn't make the TL-15 15 minute mark with drills and such. What if the safe failed at 14:30? It gets an RSC rating. IS it better than one that failed at 5:15? Definitely! Is my 1000 lb Heritage tougher to get into that a 400 lb safe from walmart. Of course.

Yes. They are all RSCs. No. They do not provide the same level of protection.

Also, how many home burglarys have you heard of where the thief attempted to open a safe with power tools?

 

[JohnBT]

Heard of one where they opened a nice RSC with an ax.

I vote for 2 smaller ones bolted together. I saw how much work went into delivering a thousand pounder. And they had 3 pieces of power equipment - or 2 and a tailgate lift depending on how you count.

John

 

[Kestrel]

Take a look at Brown Safe . These are commercial safes and much better than an RSC.

Also call them and talk about what you want to do. They have a lot of options and will be very informative.

(I have no connection with them, by the way.)

 

[EastDallas]

Winchester Gun Safe

For what it is worth the Sams Club in Shreveport had the Winchester Manual combo 60x 30x 22 on sale for $468.00 last week. It was the 2004 model in hunter green. I snapped one up and there was one other I sold my sentry safe to a friend at a discount price.