Affordable Gun Safe for Apartment

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NewShooter78

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As stated in another thread I'm moving in a couple of weeks, and it'll be to a new area. I am interested in getting a gun safe, but I can't break the bank on it, and it'll be for an apartment. I would appreciate any help in making a wise decision in this area.

I've also read the precautions about not letting people know you have one, try to disguise it, but I don't think I'll be able to get an alarm system involved. Maybe I'll get one of those door handle hanging "alarm" devices. Any advice in this area will be greatly appreciated too.

Can't be too safe I guess...:D

Don
 
I'd go with a Homak. No where near top of the line but in an apartment should be just the ticket. They're cheap too.

GT
 
Mad Dog was experimenting with a Diamond plate truck bed box:
http://www.tool-box-store.com/crossbed_truck_boxes.html
http://www.truckxccessory.com/truckxccessory/universal-fit-tool-boxes-ultima-series-tool-boxes.html

maybe you could call it an "industrial coffee table"

You could slide one of these under a bed:
bb_1_drawer_big_400_146.jpg

http://www.tool-box-store.com/72_bed_box_standard_1_drawer.html
 
That looks like a good option.

I 2nd Homak. Its inexpensive. Its light. That can be a factor if you're on an upper floor. And it provides adequate protection.

For handguns, I like the GunVault.
 
I like Homak, although I would consider them more a gun cabinet than a gun safe.

http://www.homakmfg.com/homesecuritycatalog/list.htm

The metal walls are thinner than a safe's (what I consider a safe), and they weigh much less, but they're much cheaper. Plenty fine for keeping out the kids. If you're worried about competent burglars, a safe will slow them down more than a cabinet.
 
Most safes are "safes" only in name and in reality are more properly gun cabinets. Sure they'll keep the average household burglar out, but once that same burglar is aware of it, he can defeat it on the second (and better planned out) trip. There's a thread here where a safe was simply "removed" from a weekend property. Opps.
 
The homaks are more properly a gun cabinet than a safe. Wally World sells "Sentry" brand safes which are true safes. The prices range from $350-500 depending on the thickness of the metal and the number of active locking bolts. Most of them have only 5 active bolts, but there is one model called the executive (or something like that) that has 12 active bolts and weighs 350 pounds. I found one on sale for $450 and have been well satisfied. The only thing I did was line the bottom of the safe with one pound lead ingots after I had it located where I wanted it. I dont remember the model # but it has an electronic keypad and measures approx 20Wx15Dx60H.

If money is not a concern, check out Zanotti Armor.com They manufacture a knock down safe that comes ready to be assembled using tapered pins. For anyone in an upper floor apartment this might be the answer as the heaviest piece (Door) weighs less than 100 pounds, and the other five consideably less. The drawback is the cost. Smallest one prices around 1200.

Whatever you decide to purchase, bolting it to the floor will increase the overall security, except for the Homaks, they can be opened with a pry bar, easily
 
That truck box is a good idea. I'll have to look into that. I've got to keep it light because its more than likely going to be in an apartment. I'll take a look at the links you guys put up. Thanks.

Don
 
The cheapest Homak/Stackon metal rifle box is around $80-90. The cheapest Sentry safe at Walmart is around $250, but its quite small. Here's another cheap alternative: check out the contractors' metal boxes (Greenlee and other mfrs). Lowes sells one 2ft x 2ft x 4ft, for $199. Footlocker style, not upright. You have to supply a couple of big padlocks, also. IMO these are a bit more secure than the Homak's, but hold lots more than the cheapest Sentry safes. You can often pick up the contractors' boxes, used, at pawn shops. Lightweight boxes can be carted off by crooks, you can bolt them to floor/wall studs to deter this. Someone else suggested another idea: Use long pieces of angle iron, bolted to closet walls, and in turn bolted to the metal box; the idea is to make the box/angle irons too big to cart out without completely destroying door frames on the way out.

Radio shack sells several of the noisemaker burglar alarms (motion sensing, and pull-pin type), for $20 or less.
 
but there is one model called the executive (or something like that) that has 12 active bolts and weighs 350 pounds. I found one on sale for $450 and have been well satisfied. The only thing I did was line the bottom of the safe with one pound lead ingots after I had it located where I wanted it. I dont remember the model # but it has an electronic keypad and measures approx 20Wx15Dx60H.
Click to expand...
I have looked for this model everywhere. (except Wal-mart, of course) Thanks for the info. Hopefully ours will have them also.
 
I have a Sentry 14 gun safe that I bought on sale from Walmart in Feb for $280.00. The put them on sale after hunting season is over. It was regular $330.00.
 
First we collect guns. Then we collect gun safes. :rolleyes: I'm thinking the only solution is a rebarred, concrete filled cinderblock room with poured concrete ceiling and a vault door. :)
 
If you get a cheapie Homak cabinet, spraypaint it with a couple cans of flat white paint. This'll make it blend in better with standard apartment white, you'll be able to pile things in front of it for more camoflage.
 
On thing to consider is weight. In a apt you may simply not be able to have anything really heavy. On the other hand something around 300 pounds is no big deal, given that two normal people can stand next to each other and not fall through. But at the same time a 300 pound safe will give you a bit more security that the basic $100 thin sheet cabinets. I like the the Stack-on cabinets and they may work for you. They run about $350 or less on sale and they are carried by many sporting good chains.

YMMV
Loch
 
Originally posted by 4v50 Gary
I'm thinking the only solution is a rebarred, concrete filled cinderblock room with poured concrete ceiling and a vault door.:)
Click to expand...
Actually, I have been thinking about building a home (years from now when I get money and land) with a room such as you describe in the basement. I would build my house using these people: http://rewardwalls.com. Its pretty cool what they can do, and if you have to shoot a perp or have a ND:eek: there is less worry about it going thru 6" of rebar-reenforced concrete than a 2x4 wall with drywall, R-19 insulation, and aluminum siding. Personally, it sounds pretty cool.
 
I have one of the sentry safes with the key pad. It weighs around 350 lbs then I put several hundred rounds of 44 mag, 45acp, 9mm, 30-06, 22, 300 WM, 12GA, and 450 Marlin in it. It probably weighs well over 500 lbs now. It also has a small lock box biuilt in.:)
 
Set a friend up with a Homak, not a "safe" it really a "security container". we draped it with an old comforter to get it in past inquiring eyes of neighbors. Bolted to the wall of an walk in closet. Closet now has a solid door with deadbolts, to keep curious maintanence men away...alarm from tiger direct I think (DC with b/u batteries).

Simplex pistol safes are secured in "furniture".
The long guns get toted in and out in nonchalant " duffle bags ( those duffles for fold out chairs) . shot guns are broken down an carried in plain jane ' gym bags , the pistols in backpacks.

Low profile, no adverstising...the rest of his stuff in a real safe secured in concrete at his FILs.

He did find a floor safe from an old business, wifey found a wicker basket thingy ...once we get that in ( huff huff) and hide in plain site, other valuables will be put away.
 
Are you going to store rifles in it?

For handguns only there are lots of small safes out there that are great for a small apartment. I use this one...

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Catalog_PDFs/V530.PDF


I just keep it in the back of a closet. The safe is about 55 pounds. Add to that the weight of up to at least 6 gun (in original boxes.) It can be carried off, but I don't think anyone will get very far with it. Also, it can be bolted to the floor, which is probably the best thing to do.

I'd say you can store 6 to 8 handguns in their fitted boxes. If you put the guns in soft cases you can get a lot more in there. Less, for long barreled guns or guns with large boxes containing tools and accessories.

It's a very solid safe and it is all metal, unlike the Sentry fire safes that have lots of plastic in them.


Officemax sells it for $120. Depending on where you are, you might get it delivered for free. Staples also sells them (that's where I got mine.) If you have either one close by you might be able to check it out first.

http://www.officemax.com/max/soluti...xO4&siteID=9JCtARuCOPo-*gojsv3cl/XmWy57ncZS6Q
 
Hi Guys,

Being a long time apartment dweller who moves frequently for work, I have a Zanotti safe that comes apart for easy and discreet moving. It's a little pricey, but more secure, I think, than the security cabinets, but more portable than a one piece safe.

As someone else mentioned, my irreplacable pistols are in a safe deposit bank box.

Best
 
Buy a decent safe. Afterall, you're going to protect valuables, right? A weak/light safe is just a burglar's prepackaged shopping cart. You can find workable safes for well under $1000 Liberty Safes

I second the notion that you should weigh-down a safe with as much ammo/bags of shot/etc as practical. For appartment/frequent moves, look for one starting around 300 pounds.
 
I saw a relatively small (closet size) Sentry model in Wal-Mart last week for $279.98 IIRC. It looked fairly sturdy though - much heavier than a Homak.
 
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