Cabinet vs. RSC?

[KW]

Greetings all,

I'm in the process of purchasing my first home and I'm starting to think about a place to store my guns. Right now I only have 3 longs and a pistol, but I'm hoping to start adding to the collection. I'd also really like something more secure then a padlock on the case that came with the gun. I've been reading through the archives all about safes, rsc's, cabinets etc. I understand that I need to go with a layered approach - secrecy, alarm, dog, safe, and good insurance.

My question is, is a residential security container really worth the extra money over a metal gun cabinet? I know I can't afford a real safe, and honestly my current collection doesn't justify one. My main concern is just keeping average joe crackhead out of it, and also any curious visitors (or kids in a few years). Would something like a Homak or Stack-On even stand up to a cursory attempt to just pull the door off? Or would they just come apart if you gave them a nasty look?

 

[VaughnT]

The Homak/StackOn lockers are rudimentary, at best, and will only keep out children under the age of twelve. Teenagers, you're biggest offenders of law, can enter one of the above in little time with simple hand tools.

The WalMart Sentry safes are a definite step up from the gym-locker type of container. The Sentry G7211 is touted as a 14-gun safe, but I don't see more than ten rifles fitting in it without a lot of cramping. Still, this is better than nothing. Check with Tractor Supply Co for comparative pricing.

Anything above the Sentry line is a bit expensive and they weigh some. You really have to weigh the pros and cons to see where you're life is going.

I like the size of the Sentry safes because they can fit just about anywhere and can be moved, should you move, with relative ease. The larger safes are very nice as the collection grows, however.

As you are building/buying a house, I assume you are planning to stay there for a good long while. As such, I would recommend you buy the largest, quality safe out there.

 

[feedthehogs]

They have to find it to open it.
Depending on how the house is built, basement, attic, closets, false walls can be added to hide the cabinet or safe.

A wall in the back of a closet can be spaced out handle guns in their soft or hard cases.