Fort Knox M2 safe
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I'll start out by saying this video influenced me to purchase a (Ft.Knox) safe from CE. I was targeting a narrow closet safe elsewhere. The safe looked secure and not too bad price wise. While I was deciding on it I came across CE Safes at the S. Florida Fairground Gun Show. I got a little rattled at first when I looked at the price tags but recognized the safes were built substantially better. The sales person immediately addressed door and body thickness. I looked/listened and left. Anyway I came across this video and got very impressed. I spoke to Curt by phone. He took his time and explained the differences. Never pressured me to buy. I did go to his showroom in Deerfield the next day. Curt gave me plenty of his time. Informative and once again never pressured me to buy. He is professional and wanted me to buy according to my needs. He never tried to oversell. The safe wil be delivered soon and I will follow up on the delivery and the M2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltK-bDbADa8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltK-bDbADa8
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I'm torn between the M2 and the Defender. Seems the 2 give and take from each other. What one gives the other takes. This comparison is for the same size 60x25x31.
The M2 is new and no frills. The M2 has 6 active locking bolts, 4 active on open side, 1 active top, 1 active bottom, and 4 fixed on hinged side. The M2 has no fire protection in the door other than the 3/8" plate steel door. M2 has 3/16" body. M2 Fire rating is lab tested for 50 minutes @ 1450 degrees (equivalent to 60 minutes @ 1200 degrees).
Now for the Defender; 11 active bolts (4 each side, 2 top, 1 bottom), Fire rating is lab tested for 90 minutes @ 1680 degrees. The defender does have a smoke seal also. Body is unibody 10-gauge steel and Door is overall 1.75″ thick with 1/4 inch steel plate and 10-gauge steel.
So I see the M2 has more steel, less bolts, and less fire protection and is about 3-400 cheaper.
I'm leaning towards the M2 mainly because of the recessed door giving about 1.5" more clearance in width. I measured them myself and even though the website says they are the same the M2 is narrower front to back to get it in those narrow closet doors.
The M2 is new and no frills. The M2 has 6 active locking bolts, 4 active on open side, 1 active top, 1 active bottom, and 4 fixed on hinged side. The M2 has no fire protection in the door other than the 3/8" plate steel door. M2 has 3/16" body. M2 Fire rating is lab tested for 50 minutes @ 1450 degrees (equivalent to 60 minutes @ 1200 degrees).
Now for the Defender; 11 active bolts (4 each side, 2 top, 1 bottom), Fire rating is lab tested for 90 minutes @ 1680 degrees. The defender does have a smoke seal also. Body is unibody 10-gauge steel and Door is overall 1.75″ thick with 1/4 inch steel plate and 10-gauge steel.
So I see the M2 has more steel, less bolts, and less fire protection and is about 3-400 cheaper.
I'm leaning towards the M2 mainly because of the recessed door giving about 1.5" more clearance in width. I measured them myself and even though the website says they are the same the M2 is narrower front to back to get it in those narrow closet doors.
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I'm more interested in the steel than the fire rating. That helped me to choose.
I bought the 20". Space was an issue. I do like the recessed door. It cost $1799+150(keypad)+$100(door organizer)+ $200 (deliver and bolt).
Take your time and compare. Can't go wrong with a Fort Knox. The M2 interior shelves are cheaply made but functional. Some carpet staples are loose. I took one blood test so far. I will add shelves and do some re-stapling. No big deal. A minor nit-pick.
The M2 is a bull dozer of a safe. It's appears to be all business.
I bought the 20". Space was an issue. I do like the recessed door. It cost $1799+150(keypad)+$100(door organizer)+ $200 (deliver and bolt).
Take your time and compare. Can't go wrong with a Fort Knox. The M2 interior shelves are cheaply made but functional. Some carpet staples are loose. I took one blood test so far. I will add shelves and do some re-stapling. No big deal. A minor nit-pick.
The M2 is a bull dozer of a safe. It's appears to be all business.
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The steel is the big push for the M2. My local dealer has the M2 60x25x31 for $1999 + $149 for S&G digital lock + $300 delivery and bolt.
I have a Winchester safe about the same size, obviously not the same quality of the Fort Knox. It's about 300 lbs lighter and I believe uses 12g steel. It is bolted in a corner so prying won't be easy, but as my custom collection grows I feel the need to upgrade.
I have a Winchester safe about the same size, obviously not the same quality of the Fort Knox. It's about 300 lbs lighter and I believe uses 12g steel. It is bolted in a corner so prying won't be easy, but as my custom collection grows I feel the need to upgrade.
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Follow Up: The M2 is a tank. I'm happy with it. I highly recommend CE Safes and would buy from them again. The Fort Knox Safes have a great warranty. CE Safes has great service and customer service. An extremely professional company to deal with.
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