Fortress 24 gun safe from Lowes. Any opinions

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TennJed

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noticed Lowes has a Fortress 24 gun safe on sale for $437. Can't really find much about them online. Seems to be made by Heritage. Anyone know much about them? It does NOT have an electronic lock, which I think is a plus> The lowes website list the weight at 204 pounds which is incorrect. I stopped by and looked at them in person and if I remember correctly it was 370lbs, it was definitely more than 204lbs just by shaking it

http://www.lowes.com/pd_533651-57013-FS24B_0__?productId=50086814&Ntt=gun+safe&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dgun%2Bsafe&facetInfo=

ETA. I found this listing for it (same sku#FS24b)that list the weight at 470 lbs

http://www.autoweaponsus.com/detail.php?source=brands&product=41413
 
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I bought my safe from Lowes....Centurion brand. I've been very happy with it. No idea on that one.
 
That looks like a very good deal. At 470# its a good heavy safe. It's probably not the best safe in the world, but then its not the highest oriced safe either. In the world of safes its like tires, you get what you pay for it.
You get that safe bolted to the floor and wall and is is going to be a very secure safe IMO.
It is costing less than the price of one of your firearms your trying to protect. It will protect your firearms from 95% of the bad guys who want to get at your guns. The other 5% of bad guys will get into your safe even if you have a $3000 safe.
And it will definitely keep the curious out, if it stays locked.
I would buy it, You can always upgrade down the road if necessary. One more comment, The sales of gun safes are constantly on the increase today and have been for the last 20 years. Have you ever heard of a used gun safe for sale?? I haven't. Nuff said!! every one must be pleased with them.
 
There are a few things you need to be careful about when shopping. Often, manufacturers change the configuration for certain retailers. You'll notice the link with the higher price specifically mentions "mechanical lock", and the lower price link only says "combination lock". It's very possible that the Lowe's version does not have a mechanical lock.

A UL rated lock is my most basic requirement when it comes to gun safes. Without a UL rated lock, you are at risk of a very simple and fast attack being successful at opening the safe. On a non UL rated dial lock, this could be as simple as smacking the dial with a hammer.


The other 5% of bad guys will get into your safe even if you have a $3000 safe.
Click to expand...

That's really not true.

Have you ever heard of a used gun safe for sale??
Click to expand...

All the time. Watch your local Craigslist.
 
TennJed said:
noticed Lowes has a Fortress 24 gun safe on sale for $437. Can't really find much about them online. Seems to be made by Heritage. Anyone know much about them? It does NOT have an electronic lock, which I think is a plus> The lowes website list the weight at 204 pounds which is incorrect. I stopped by and looked at them in person and if I remember correctly it was 370lbs, it was definitely more than 204lbs just by shaking it

http://www.lowes.com/pd_533651-57013-FS24B_0__?productId=50086814&Ntt=gun+safe&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dgun%2Bsafe&facetInfo=

ETA. I found this listing for it (same sku#FS24b)that list the weight at 470 lbs

http://www.autoweaponsus.com/detail.php?source=brands&product=41413
Click to expand...
Depends on a few things:

1. How much money do you have to spend?
2. Do you move alot?
3. Do you also want to pay a bundle to have it professionally installed?
4. Do you have multiple layers of security already (alarm, dog, etc).

I move often...and frequently live in apartments. It's an issue for me to have a safe that weighs over 500 pounds. I have a Mesa brand safe from Sam's Club. I'm happy with it. If I was staying put I would have a different mindset on the issue.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on what you need....but you know your situation better than anyone. I would categorize the above safe as the bare minimum for something decent...but it's still decent.
 
a1abdj said:
There are a few things you need to be careful about when shopping. Often, manufacturers change the configuration for certain retailers. You'll notice the link with the higher price specifically mentions "mechanical lock", and the lower price link only says "combination lock". It's very possible that the Lowe's version does not have a mechanical lock.

A UL rated lock is my most basic requirement when it comes to gun safes. Without a UL rated lock, you are at risk of a very simple and fast attack being successful at opening the safe. On a non UL rated dial lock, this could be as simple as smacking the dial with a hammer.




That's really not true.



All the time. Watch your local Craigslist.
Click to expand...



how could I find out about the lock on the Lowes on? It there a way to tell by fell or looks? Maybe by turning it?



Thanks for all the post!!
 
A mechanical lock has the mechanical function that occurs as you turn the dial away from the last number, causing it to come to a physical stop. A non mechanical is simply dialed to the last number, and the handle turned.

Not that they don't exist, but all of the mechanical locks that I have seen on gun safes are UL rated. If the literature refers to a UL rated lock, or Group 2 lock, then that will tell you. Outside of that, dial the combination to open the safe, and see if the dial stopping is part of that process.
 
The only gun safe I've heard of for sale was at an estate sale. Old man died with like 40 plus guns. He had two safes, one sold. The second had gone thru two fires and he refinished it both times. Everything on the inside was perfect and didn't get too hot. I didn't see it in person, but I remember it blowing my mind when I was like 12 or 13
 
You only have 5 long guns now, that will change too. The nice thing about a safe is now you will keep your camera, cash or gold, binoculars, spotting scope, your wife's jewelry, lots of things will be kept in there. Especially when you are out of town. Buy big, you won't regret it unless you move. Before I bought my first safe, I freaked out when I went on a trip, worrying about ny guns. It will bring you peace of mind. Mine cost the price of just one of my scoped rifles. Cheap insurance.
 
witchhunter said:
You only have 5 long guns now, that will change too. The nice thing about a safe is now you will keep your camera, cash or gold, binoculars, spotting scope, your wife's jewelry, lots of things will be kept in there. Especially when you are out of town. Buy big, you won't regret it unless you move. Before I bought my first safe, I freaked out when I went on a trip, worrying about ny guns. It will bring you peace of mind. Mine cost the price of just one of my scoped rifles. Cheap insurance.
Click to expand...



can't really go bigger than these typical 24 gun safes. Smaller home, 3 kids. No basement or garage. Safe is going in a small corner in bedroom.



Plans are to buy a larger home in about 2 years. At that point I will add a larger more expensive safe and the one I buy now will be me "other" safe
 
The best advice I can give is to pay attention to what a1abdj has to say.

He's a well respected lock/safe professional that has been making worthwhile contributions here for years and I respect no one's information and opinion more than his.
 
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