Gun safe questions

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Hokie_PhD

Hokie_PhD

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i was in Walmart the other day and saw an inexpensive gun safe and it got me thinking.

I know they’re not great and can easily be gotten into if someone really wants to.

My question is, is an inexpensive safe worth it to keep your guns organized and ensure that yo7 can say you made an effort to secure them if yo7 have no rare and historic guns?

Personally I’d prefer to display them in an old fashioned wood gun rack but fear that may not be wise.

I don’t have any minor children at home so kids aren’t an issue and I don’t have grandkids yet.

Also buying an expensive safe isn’t an option. So the choices are build a wood rack that can use a cable or other security device or an inexpensive safe, or both.
 
I recently bought a 32 gun Ridgeline safe. Seems pretty solid for the money. 45 minutes of fire protection.
I know ya get what ya pay for it was side by side with more expensive safes and seemed like a good value. $500.00 list. I got it for $350.00.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
i was in Walmart the other day and saw an inexpensive gun safe and it got me thinking.

I know they’re not great and can easily be gotten into if someone really wants to.

My question is, is an inexpensive safe worth it to keep your guns organized and ensure that yo7 can say you made an effort to secure them if yo7 have no rare and historic guns?

Personally I’d prefer to display them in an old fashioned wood gun rack but fear that may not be wise.

I don’t have any minor children at home so kids aren’t an issue and I don’t have grandkids yet.

Also buying an expensive safe isn’t an option. So the choices are build a wood rack that can use a cable or other security device or an inexpensive safe, or both.
Click to expand...
How much are your guns worth if you have to replace them all due to theft? If all of your guns total less than $1K; an inexpensive stack-on cabinet should keep teenage smash and grabbers away; If your guns are worth more like $20K, you might want to invest in a good safe.
 
Unless local laws require a safe, if I were on a tight budget I'd look for an old, heavy 1950's freezer with a good lock. No smash and dash will likely go after your prized frozen Succotash.
There is also an inexpensive "locker" that can be inletted between your wall studs. The level of security is no different than those sheet metal Stack ons but with the wall lockers you can hide them in the back of a closet or behind some other impedimenta.
My thoughts anyway.
 
I have a regular safe (Liberty) at home; but as I have mentioned, I also have an apartment in the town I work in. I have given a bit of thought to a locker style "safe" here in my apartment. I also like the idea of a display case. It is a bit of a shame that we no longer feel comfortable displaying our firearms.

Before someone says, "crime," I will point out that crime is down, not up since the 70's & 80s'. It isn't crime, it is a cultural change. It might be more common for people to carry firearms, outside of work related needs, but conceal is the trend.

The trouble for us in that is that firearms ownership is not seen as mainstream. I have even heard a co-worker exclaim that she didn't know anyone that owned a gun. What she apparently didn't realize is that several of her co-workers get together to shoot on a near-regular basis. I talked to her about it later and she was genuinely surprised. She didn't realize that it was something that "normal" people did (her word).

In the long run this harms us, as shooters, as shooting sports are seen more as a lunatic fringe activity, with all of the associated negative thoughts. This then goes to express itself in a manner that is antagonistic toward firearm ownership.

I suppose that this is a long way of saying that, maybe putting a couple of nice looking, but low value, firearms in a glass case might not be a bad idea. I have a friend that has a display of firearms from several major powers during WWII in a display case at his business. None of them are particularly valuable and he doesn't feel that it should be hidden. Possibly we shough be better at presenting ourselves instead of letting the "lunatic-fringe" represent us.
 
If the guns have monetary value, insurance is better than a safe for protecting it. A safe just costs more money and does not promise to protect what you've already spent unless it also comes with insurance. Most likely, a cheap safe will increase your losses in a burglary or fire event. Insurance may require some level of security in storage though.

For storage and organization, you can use a security cabinet instead of a "residential security container." A security cabinet is typically a 14 ga steel cabinet. The difference compared to a cheap "safe" is it does not have gypsum drywall lining and it typically has fewer latch points on the door. It's also a fraction of the cost. Stack-On security cabinets sell for $125 for "22 gun" models. Of course, just like safes they typically hold a third to half the advertised number of guns.
 
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George P said:
How much are your guns worth if you have to replace them all due to theft? If all of your guns total less than $1K; an inexpensive stack-on cabinet should keep teenage smash and grabbers away; If your guns are worth more like $20K, you might want to invest in a good safe.
Click to expand...

Somewhere between. Defenantly not $20k but more than $1kand growing.
 
There is nothing “wrong” with an inexpensive safe, as long as your expectations are managed relative to what you want out of the safe. Think “fit for purpose”.

Dunno how you feel about Sam’s but they may add a couple of options at a good price that WalMart may not offer.
 
I do not advertise my nice stuff (display it) as I think that just invites theft - everybody knows somebody and word of mouth may invite that somebody into you house when you are not home. I have an “average” safe that gives me peace of mind - at least it will slow the “bastards” down.
 
It really depends on your objectives.

My children are all grown, and have children of their own. When they come to visit, we need to keep little hands out of trouble. That's the main objective.

We would also like to discourage the casual thieves.

That sets the bar fairly low. We have a couple of inexpensive, uninsulated, long gun safes that do that. We have a cheap Harbor Freight handgun safe that we leave open most of the time, but close when we leave or have company. When company comes, the magazine from my home defense AR goes in with the handguns.

If what you have is bolt action rifles and handguns, then the rifle bolts and the handguns can be stored in a small safe.
 
Trunk Monkey said:
I say this every time a gun safe thread comes up because it's not somethIng I ever thought of but look around your local "For Sale" pages and see if anyone is selling a used safe.

We got a used Liberty Centurion that lists at $600 for $325.
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Absolutely; I would be contacting local locksmiths and safe dealers to see if they have trade-ins from someone who upgraded. Another good source is US Gov't Surplus; may not always be a "gun safe", but with a little work, the interiors can be made to work.
 
Hasaf said:
I have a regular safe (Liberty) at home; but as I have mentioned, I also have an apartment in the town I work in. I have given a bit of thought to a locker style "safe" here in my apartment. I also like the idea of a display case. It is a bit of a shame that we no longer feel comfortable displaying our firearms.

Before someone says, "crime," I will point out that crime is down, not up since the 70's & 80s'. It isn't crime, it is a cultural change. It might be more common for people to carry firearms, outside of work related needs, but conceal is the trend.

The trouble for us in that is that firearms ownership is not seen as mainstream. I have even heard a co-worker exclaim that she didn't know anyone that owned a gun. What she apparently didn't realize is that several of her co-workers get together to shoot on a near-regular basis. I talked to her about it later and she was genuinely surprised. She didn't realize that it was something that "normal" people did (her word).

In the long run this harms us, as shooters, as shooting sports are seen more as a lunatic fringe activity, with all of the associated negative thoughts. This then goes to express itself in a manner that is antagonistic toward firearm ownership.

I suppose that this is a long way of saying that, maybe putting a couple of nice looking, but low value, firearms in a glass case might not be a bad idea. I have a friend that has a display of firearms from several major powers during WWII in a display case at his business. None of them are particularly valuable and he doesn't feel that it should be hidden. Possibly we shough be better at presenting ourselves instead of letting the "lunatic-fringe" represent us.
Click to expand...

I recently moved my nice looking, but inexpensive, wood gun cabinet with an etched glass door from the storage room to my living room.

The only thing it holds it my old, broken Marlin M60. The gun is in beautiful shape, so looks nice on display, but is useless if it gets stolen. When I'm able to I might Look around for more guns like this to display
 
The most expensive safe you'll ever buy is one that fails. Fails a pry bar attack, fails in a fire. That said there are ways to go less expensive. For example the bulk of all humanity lives in a town or close by, with quick police & fire response times. So a lesser fire rated safe i.e. 30 minutes could be bought due to quicker response. I wouldn't, but theses fire ratings are offered commercially for a reason.
The overall security of the house is more important, outside lighting, monitored security system, dead bolts, fire extinguishers, just about any barking dog, and a safe even if small for valuables, papers etc. To keep focused on a safe; UL listed, hinges are not part of the door's security, all bolts all 4 sides of doors work (not just posts on hinge side), 1 hour + fire rating, AMERICAN MADE steel.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
i was in Walmart the other day and saw an inexpensive gun safe and it got me thinking.

I know they’re not great and can easily be gotten into if someone really wants to.

My question is, is an inexpensive safe worth it to keep your guns organized and ensure that yo7 can say you made an effort to secure them if yo7 have no rare and historic guns?
Click to expand...

If you're talking about the Cannon safe they sell, I have one. It's made for Walmart and the price does reflect the quality. It's made of pretty thin steel and wouldn't take much to cut into if someone has a little time and a grinder. I wanted one to keep my handguns and ammo out of reach from all the young Tykes we have visit but didn't want to spend a lot. It's more than adequate to say "you made an effort" to keep your guns secure, if you live in one of "those states".
 
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One thing to remember. If someone breaks into your house they will have access to all of your tools. Someone that's determined and has time will probably get into the safe.

If they are just smashing and grabbing most any safe will be a deterrent
 
I really think those cheap metal cabinets $200 or less are meant mostly to keep your kids out. Or maybe non-professional thieves who smash and grab, in and out in 5 minutes.
 
I have a spare bedroom closet that I use to keep firearms in various stages of repair and tupperware bins holding various parts and things. A few years ago my wife bought a Stack On rifle cabinet and it really works well for my purposes. Holds five rifles needing repair or parts and the shelves are perfect for spare parts, accessories and a surprising amount of ammo. The Stack On won't keep out a dedicated thief but they will be sorely disappointed in what they find if they were able to open it. Stack On, IMO, are great for keeping little hands and eyes away from things you don't want touched or seen.
More expensive firearms, wife's jewelry, etc are in my more expensive safes in my bedroom.
 
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“HEADLINE: THIEVES SHOOT HOMEOWNERS WITH STOLEN GUNS.

Yesterday, two young thieves became killers as they robbed a man and woman’s home in _______. The men had records and were high school drop outs but that didn’t keep them from acquiring guns in a prior robbery that police have since connected them to. In that prior robbery, apparently the home owner just left guns lying about giving the two miscreants easy access...
The funerals for the young couple will be held this Saturday.”

Buy a safe...even a cheap one is better than none.
 
For the majority of us, something like a Canon safe is more than adequate. Just make sure to bolt it to the wall or floor. Your average thief probably isn’t going to risk the time trying to get into a secured safe, even using your own tools, not knowing what’s inside. He’s just going to grab your tools and whatever other valuables that are easy to find and be gone. If it’s a lighter Stack-On cabinet and it’s not bolted down, he might grab the entire thing and throw it in his truck/van and worry about breaking into it later.

And like others have said, check out Craigslist or Armslist. I picked up something much heavier and larger than I ever figured I’d need for about 60% of what a new one would cost.
 
Pat Riot said:
“HEADLINE: THIEVES SHOOT HOMEOWNERS WITH STOLEN GUNS.

Yesterday, two young thieves became killers as they robbed a man and woman’s home in _______. The men had records and were high school drop outs but that didn’t keep them from acquiring guns in a prior robbery that police have since connected them to. In that prior robbery, apparently the home owner just left guns lying about giving the two miscreants easy access...
The funerals for the young couple will be held this Saturday.”

Buy a safe...even a cheap one is better than none.
Click to expand...

I think about this every time I read a post about how someone has guns stashed all over their home.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
Also buying an expensive safe isn’t an option.
Click to expand...
With that in mind Walmart sells the Stack On line which are relatively inexpensive and as they say better than nothing. They can be bolted down and their security improved with some creative thinking. Without getting into the whole RSC (Residential Security Container Vs. Safe thing they are better than nothing.

Ron
 
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