Fact or Fiction? Any Gun Safe Is Better Than No Gun Safe

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MI2600 said:
While I recognize the value of safes, I went with an ADT alarm system, with interior motion, breaking glass (windows) and all entry door sensors. If the alarm is not disarmed within 60 seconds, ADT calls for the disarm code, failing that, the police (less than 5 minutes away) are notified.

There are always items beyond guns to be protected,
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Cut the power, no internet.
 
Working a transient life I've had different safes. One thing to add here maybe if you can buy a bigger safe than you need and put either canvas or heavy material type bags with sand in them, or, small boxes filled with sand taped shut with boxing tape stacked up one side. I did this when I couldn't bolt one down because of being a rental. I did have my safes stolen twice, once they made down two flights of stairs until they got confronted and ran off the second they made it to the living room and left it.
 
I've had both security alarms and I've had security cameras. And, I've had both at the same time.
Security alarms are good as long as you are at home. If not, they are gone by the time cops are called and arrive. That is except for false alarms which can drive you up the wall.
Cameras are good if it's during the day and they don't have a mask or hood and look into the camera. At night not near as good. In any case. You have a video of someone breaking into you home. But who? You don’t know who it is. The cops don't know who it is. So, what they gonna do? If you are lucky it's your neighbor and you can see them clearly and know who they are. If not, the cops can ride up and down the roads looking for anyone that looks like in the video. You think so?
I finally gave up and got me an a driveway alarm. Not for the driveway. Motion detectors on the front, back of my home and where I think they may pass by. At least I get instant alarm whenever someone approaches my home. No, not perfect. Nothing is.
 
The way I see it is if a thief is in my home he/she already has access to every power tool imaginable (attached garage). I cannot do anything but slow them down with more expensive safes. If I was in an apartment I would just use a small lockbox bolted to the wall/floor
 
A lock is to keep honest people honest.
If a criminal want your stuff, a safe will just slowed them down. Fire-proof? Well, the twisted metal would survive, but the content inside, no chance.
I am not an expert at anything.
 
Elkins45 said:
If I saw a vending machine in a private residence I would assume it wasn’t full of sodas.
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Visualize a wealthy guy's shop. Car lift, large compressor, nice lathe, several welders, torch. Killer toolbox. And what looks like a stocked coke machine. Bathroom and gun room on one side. Owner knew that thieves would be able to back a large truck and steal whatever they wanted. The coke machine was clearly the least interesting thing in the shop.
 
I'm not wealthy, but have grinders, a cutting torch, cut off tools, a big pry bar, axes, sledge hammers.........gun safes are to stop amateurs. Real safes are to slow down professionals.
 
mjsdwash said:
Get some heavy wood screws and screw into the studs. Predrill for the bolt size you get.
Any building that can support two floors will have adequate framing.
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Landlord (and/or property management service) might disagree with the notion of whacking heavy screws into his rental.

In four decades the number of structures with inadequate or just barely adequate, structures I have seen beggars my imagination and those were seen with my own eyes.

Toughest part about floor framing is not the floor per se. No it's the stairs. I have seen too many with 2x10 stringers rather than 2x12 Far far too many toenails too.
 
CoalCrackerAl said:
If people don't know what you have. The less of a chance they will be prepared to breach a safe. One time a stranger walking by while i was loading my gear in the car. Asked me what kind of gun do i have. I use cases to transport them. I told him were going to a paint ball challenge. He said oh. And continued on down the road.
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Love your quick thinking! :)
 
hso said:
If you check out the Gear & Storage section here you'll find a lot of discussions about storing guns "outside the box"...especially in rentals. Putting up a panel in the back of a closet is a trivial modification that takes very little effort to put up and remove when you move.
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How does one open and close so you can use what you store behind it?
 
old lady new shooter said:
How does one open and close so you can use what you store behind it?
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I created a false wall under a stairwell by using similar paneling and securing it with magnets. Just put your fingers in a detent and pull the paneling away. In my case, I had a wine rack behind it. LOL Still wondering if the new owners know it is there.
 
Misdirection is nearly always good, too.
The case I had for my Savage 110T looked like a case for a bass guitar (and neighbors would ask if I played, I always said "At Long distance, my friend. long distance.")

Mind, you might need to "sell" the impression--after all, if you steal from the average bass player you wind up poorer, not richer . . . :)
 
illinoisburt said:
Searching for fingerprints for a simple burglary is the stuff of television, not real life. If no one was injured the standard is confirm the suspects are no longer in the premises and take a report about what may have been taken. This is very low priority to solve in most areas because frankly it's a simple property crime and most people have insurance. Same goes for car break-ins. Best advise if you want some resolution is get cameras. They are very cheap anymore and super easy to install both indoors and out around your property.
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You are correct. My family's hardware store was broken into one night and the bottom of the safe was cut open with a cutoff saw from off the shelf. One of the thieves left a lot of blood and bloody fingerprints behind from reaching through the jagged metal which the police weren't interested in. I use that same safe at home now bolted to the floor in an out of sight place. So I know my particular safe can be breached if the thieves want to spend the time it would take which I doubt.
 
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When I built my current house I had a Gun Room Built. No Safe Rash, no Moisture issues and though in theory it is less fire resistant that what safes claim, unless you were to get there right away and get the fire out, the end result would be the same. The room has a second alarm system backing up the house alarm, plus solid doors, walls and doors.
 
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