Help buying first real safe that's move-able

[zimm17]

I don't have hours and days to research- but I need to upgrade from my cheapo sheet metal safe to a real gun safe.

I'm active duty and move a lot, so that's a factor. My small safe is easily moved around with a hand truck, but it's over-stuffed with guns.

I want a fire-proof safe that will handle the typical house fire. I plan to keep it in the garage on a pallet so it can be moved every 2-3 years.

I'd like an electronic lock for speed and ease of access. Also a port for an electric goldenrod for moisture control.

I'm moving to Northern Virginia from Hawaii, so it's time to get something better than I have now.

Needs to hold at least 20 long guns comfortably, and 10 hand guns, plus the wife's jewelry and important documents.

I have a local lock smith who is a liberty and amsec dealer- those seem to be "real" safes. Or the typical sporting good store variety.

What should I get?

 

[Searcher4851]

If it's in the garage on a pallet, it can be just as easily moved by a theif as it can be by you.
If you haven't moved yet, you might want to wait and see what's available to you near your new duty station.
There are a number of options depending on the degree of security and the extent of fire protection you're looking for. The more you want, the more it'll cost.

 

[zimm17]

I have a dealer for Amsec and Liberty 2 miles from my new house. On the web, I'm looking at the franklin 35 with electronic lock.

 

[Overkilll0084]

What's your weight authorization for HHG? Keep in mind that a safe like you are wanting will use up somewhere near 1000 lbs +/- of that authorization.
I would look into 2 smaller safes for ease of PCSing.

 

[zimm17]

HGG goods weight isn't a problem, I'm authorized 11,000 pounds and so is my wife (we're both military).

 

[mfcmb]

Here's a good article on choosing a gun safe:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

Here's a brand that's worth considering. You can order them with fireproofing:

http://www.sturdysafe.com/

These safes can be disassembled, but I don't think you can get them with fireproofing:

http://www.zanottiarmor.com/

These safes can be disassembled AND you can get them fireproofed:

http://www.snapsafe.com/


NOTES

I don't own any of these.

These (as almost all gun "safes") are all technically classed as "residential security containers" (RSC), not "safes". A "real" safe, such as one rated TL-30, will be much heavier and cost way more than an RSC.

There's a lot of controversy about how effective the different methods of "fireproofing" are.

Personally, I'd consider the Sturdy Safe or the Snap Safe. The Snap Safes are small, so if you like them you might have to get two to hold all your stuff.

Good luck!

 

[a1abdj]

There's a lot of controversy about how effective the different methods of "fireproofing" are.

There's no controversy at all. UL is the benchmark when it comes to fire testing, and to my knowledge, nobody has been able to point me towards any safe with a UL rating that uses anything other than a cast ("cement") insulation as it's primary insulator.

I want a fire-proof safe that will handle the typical house fire

This rules out most gun safes. If you have items that require true fire protection, consider purchasing a smaller fire rated safe with a UL label.

I have a dealer for Amsec and Liberty 2 miles from my new house. On the web, I'm looking at the franklin 35 with electronic lock.

The AMSEC BF series is one of the few gun safes that uses a cast insulation, and will probably be the closest thing you're going to get to real fire protection in a gun safe package.

The Liberty only uses gypsum board. I can (and have posted them here before) show you photos of gun safes that have come out of home fires. They usually don't do so well.

 

[zimm17]

Thanks for the info here. I did find that article on 6mmbr- very informative. Seems no safe has ALL the features- or if they do, they're $4000+. Looks like $2000-2500 gets me the most bang for the buck.

I do like what I'm reading about the sturdy safes too. They use real insulation as opposed to gypsum board. It's not poured concrete which sounds great, but I do have to keep weight down to a reasonable amount that my movers can haul it around every 3 years.

I'm not worried about absolute theft security- because I'm in rental houses, putting it in the garage is the best I can do. Heck, I might even keep it on a palet- if someone hauls a palet jack up to my house, opens the garage, moves the car, and loads it- I'll just cash in on the home owner's insurance.

I like the take down safe- but when I move my guns, I leave them in the safe- so that won't work for me. I like locking them up, keeping the key/combo and the movers can't get to them.

I plan to use my existing cheapo safe for all the ammo.

Also good idea on the fire proofing- I'll get a small document firebox and keep that in the bottom with our important stuff- birth/mariage certs, titles, etc.

 

[garyh9900]

I just purchased a Liberty Lincoln a few months ago. I am more than satisfied with it. I researched several different brands and Liberty seemed to have a good combination of reputation, warranty, and variety. I was looking at the Liberty Franklin but ended up choosing the Lincoln instead. It offered a lot more for only a slight difference in price.

 

[bbq fan]

You might be surprised how low your home or rental insurance covers on guns. The last quote I heard was around two grand unless you purchase a special policy.

 

[Captaingyro]

Wait until you get to Virginia, then join Costco. If you're going to the Pentagon, there's a Costco just across the highway in Crystal City.

Costco carries some decent brands, including Rhino, Big Horn, and Cannon. All their prices include delivery.

I just picked this one up, on sale for $800.00, delivered to my driveway. It was quite a chore for the old lady to drag it down to the basement, but now that it's in place I'm very pleased.

http://tinyurl.com/63ga2aq

 

[zimm17]

Well I got a amsec bf6030 from Frank Zykan safe. He's a forum member. Awesome safe. My dad and I got it off the pallet, through a step up doorway, across 50' of basement and installed in about an hour. Took 3 1.5" wood dowels and two sheets of Masonite.

 

[Ultra]

I hope Frank pays for advertising on here, The High Road deserves their cut.

 

[zimm17]

Not sure if that's a compliment...

I will say I got mine delivered into my garage for $2295. My local dealer wanted 10 weeks to order it, $3700 and change for the same safe, $400 delivery to their store, and another $350 to my house... I politely said "thank you for the quote" and left.

I had the safe within a week of calling Frank.

 

[Ultra]

Sounds like a good price for a good safe. Enjoy!

 

[heeler]

Enjoy it Zimm.
It's a well made gun safe that will give you a life time of service.
Just yesterday I was looking at some things at the very place I bought my BF66X36 two tears ago for $2299.
They had a BF 60X30 on display for $1995.00.
That was before the 7.25% tax and $300.00 delivery
Which shows me that the Amsec price guide is being somewhat enforced as this safe a year ago at the same place was around $1699.00.
Glad I bought mine when I did.