Gun Safe/RSC Questions

[adawg88]

First post, go easy on me. I am looking for a RSC (most likely) or a safe for my guns. So far it is just a handful of long guns and a pistol. But, much to my wife's displeasure, the collection is growing.

I have a youngster in the house, so I absolitely need a safe...or whatever you choose to call it. I have a budget of $800, that I do not see increasing unless I hit the lotto. Any suggestions on decent options?

Keep in mind this is going in my basement so it has to be able to get down the stairs. I am more interested in securing my weapons while I am in the house. If someone wants to spend 20 minutes with a grinder getting them out, not a lot I can do to worry about that.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I noticed this one today, but I am not a fan of its digital display...prefer a dial:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...11280618&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=5&lang=en-US

 

[Chipperman]

Welcome to THR!

Do a search for "RSC" and you will find many threads discussing this.

Pay particular attention to posts by CB900F and a1abdj.

They are both professionals in the business.

 

[adawg88]

Thanks for the response. Actually it was the post of those two fellas that prompted me to post. They seem to skew much more to the high-end and I am wondering what are some of the preferred lower-end (e.g. my meager $800 budget) models out there.

Thanks again for the response. Have a great 4th!!

 

[Chipperman]

You are likely to get the most out of your $800 if you go to a professional and pick up a used safe/RSC.

 

[enkindler]

On the other hand my inexpensive RSC worked well last week when someone smashed in my front door. Most burglaries are smash and grab, anything you can do to make your house a harder target then your neighbors is good. Police in my area have very little time or interest in doing any detective work on a residential burglary so I would buy what you can afford then look into security cameras and alarms. I had a good description of who broke into my house but without proof the police will do nothing.

 

[BigEric]

same boat...

I spent a LOT of time pouring over websites and brouchers, crawling through the RSC's at the big-box stores, trying to find what fit me the best. The cash isn't in yet...newly married, new house, new dog, new Springfield Armory...the list goes on...but when cash is in hand I am calling Sturdy Safe, www.sturdysafe.com
For my needs they seem a great match.

This board was a great resource and the pros in know have some good advice.
Let us know what you are finding out there...I could have very easily missed something

E.

 

[adawg88]

BigEric - How much does a Sturdy Safe run? I emailed them for a price quote and never heard anything back.

I also see that Sam's Club is selling a Winchester Safe made by Granite Safe Systems. Are they at least of higher quality than say a Stack-on? It has an electric dial, which I am not too excited about, but the price is right!

 

[Guns and more]

I too started looking for a safe of about 500# and $800. You can shop online but shipping has big problems. I then went to all my local safe dealers. One ignored me, and the other treated me like family. They had used safes that looked like new. (People move and it's cheaper to sell the safe than move it.) I bought from them after going back twice and asking lots of questions. They even made an extra shelf using the same carpet (free). I ended up with a bigger safe and a more expensive one. I'll keep insurance papers, photos, wills, valuables (okay, I don't have any valuables) and my growing gun collection. The fire rating was higher, it was heavier (800#) and they delivered it for $125 into my bedroom without a scratch. After seeing them do it, I realized I couldn't have done it as well. It's a Century safe and I wanted the electronic lock. I open it every time I'm home and lock it when I leave, I'd never do that with a combo lock. (especially in a panic.)
Any lockbox is better than none, but as with all things, you get what you pay for. Of course, waiting to save up and getting robbed in the meantime is false economy. Get the best you can afford and don't look back.
Also if you have a Tractor Supply nearby, check with them too. They carry a brand.