Comments on Sentry safes?

[heypete]

Hey folks,

Here's the story: I currently have a few Title I guns (a semi-auto 1919 being the "scariest", with the Bushy AR up next) in an 8-gun Stack-On gun cabinet. It's really thin steel, and I suspect that someone with a few minutes and a screwdriver could easily open it.

I'm looking to upgrade my storage, as I am running out of room in the cabinet, and I will be getting my first NFA article soon (a Gem-Tech Outback II suppressor -- while not needing to be protected to the same degree as a machinegun, it's still something I'd like to keep safe).

My budget is limited, and I cannot afford a >$1000 safe, such as those by Liberty, Cannon, Browning, Ft. Knox, etc. Say $600-$700 max.

I've used Sentry safes for small items and valuables, and have been pleased with them. Any comments on larger gun safes made by Sentry (Wal-Mart has 'em for a good price...I don't think there's an actual safe shop around here, though)? I don't expect a safe to be impregnable against a power-tool wielding safecracker, but I do expect it to keep out your average bonehead thief with handtools and a few minutes of time on his hands.

I'd also prefer to get a safe made somewhere other than China, unless otherwise unavoidable with the budget constraints. I'd prefer an electronic lock, as I dislike dial-combination locks and hate carrying a key around.

I look forward to any input you all might have.

 

[gbran]

I have a 14 gun Sentry. Paid a lettle less than $300 a few years ago. It has a steel dial and a steel handle. It is drilled to the concrete floor. It is miles ahead of your Stak-On, which is primarily only good for keeping kids safe. The cheap Sentry will not be easy for crooks. The more you spend, the more security you get. I've see many bigger, better safes in the $600-$700 range that are also fireproof.

 

[KC&97TA]

The Sentry Safes that are in the $350-420 range are pretty good, they'll stop stupid criminials, but I've seen one that was hacked open with a fire axe, can't find the pictures at the moment.

The little more expensive $600-700, fire proof safes are worth thier money. Sams Club and Cost-Co usally have some decent deals, Ebay has a few decent deals too.

If you can find a manufacture in your area, you might try getting a blemished one if you pick it up an pay cash

 

[MountainBear]

Check out the Browning safes. Some of the lower price models are <$1000 and are good safes.

 

[a1abdj]

The vast majority of sub $1,000 gun safes are Chinese. Liberty, Browning, Cannon, Sentry, and others import their lower end safes.

I would call a local safe company, and see what they have in used safes.

 

[CB900F]

Heypete;

Go to the Yellow Pages & find the locksmith's ads. Call & ask the shops if they are a SAVTA member. Safe And Vault Technicians Assn. Go talk with a live safe guy at a shop that's a confirmed pro. I'm just a voice on the internet.

900F

 

[heypete]

The vast majority of sub $1,000 gun safes are Chinese. Liberty, Browning, Cannon, Sentry, and others import their lower end safes.

I would call a local safe company, and see what they have in used safes.

Not a bad idea looking at used safes. Honestly, I never would have thought of anything like a "used safe", as I'd imagine they'd be pretty semi-permanent things.

I called a local safe shop (only a few blocks away, that's surprising!) and they said they have a wide selection of new and used safes, with competitive pricing.

I suppose this is one of those things where one should "pay for quality first, so you only cry once" kinda thing. Better to get a high-quality safe with a good warranty and a local representative/advisor/service place than skimp. Probably best to get a safe that's too large for my current collection, as it's likely to grow.

I'm fortunate in that I live on the first floor, and my walkway is accessible from a parking lot on the same level (there's also one three steps up, which is closer).

I wonder if the local safe shop would loan me a palletjack or something to get the safe out of the truck (I hope they'd deliver...my Toyota Camry isn't really equipped to move a safe) and into the apartment.

 

[akanotken]

I just got a stackon Elite

Was on sale at Dicks. I did a lot of research, and it is perfect for me. I almost have it filled. I intend to buy another when it is, as I'd rather have 2 mid sized safes, located in two regions of my house.

BTW, Mine came as a 16-24 safe. The 16 region will top out at 13 (after a lot of thought and figuring). Pistol grips and a wide firearm or two and the real capacity goes down.

It's fire rated, and I've put it on an external corner (firemans advice) so I feel decently protected that way.

Pricing was too good to pass up, but I almost spent $100 more for a slightly larger model at Sams ... or Costco (I get them mixed up :/) ).

I know a determined thief would have no problems with the safe; evenso I feel a lot better having it.

Transferred via pickup, and moved it myself with a handcart. No stairs, and it wasn't the easiest thing to do, but I was inspired by the 2 kids who brought it to my truck, One had it on the handcart, the other watched :O

I stuck with the dial, I hear the pads come in two varieties ... those which have broken and those that will break ....

 

[Sig245]

Costco has some super deals on safes too. I think sentury.
Anything is better than nothing. Most criminals are drugies and will scan the house for stuff they can pick up quickly and walk out and turn into cash fast. As long as you bolt the safe to the floor of your garage or flooring you will be ok from the actions of most thiefs.

I did have a friend that did not bolt the safe down and they tipped it over, put it on a large throw rug and dragged it through his home and out onto the front porch. Backed up the old puckup truck and dragged it into the truck bed. Its was never found. The next one he bolted through the floor of his log home with all thread and bent the bottom over with a hammer in the crawl space. They will have to take the floor of the house with them the next time.