Gun Safe?

[zeke1312]

I've been looking for a gun safe for several pistols of mine. Apparently, not all safes are safe for guns!

Safes (all?) that are rated for fire protection are NOT safe for guns, at least not according to SentrySafe as noted on their web site. Per SentrySafe, the fire insulation will cause excess moisture build up in the safe and they do not recommend storing guns in such safes.

They do offer "gun" safes but they are for long guns. I'm looking for a small safe that is "safe" for storing guns. I don't like rust.

Any folks have some insight to this subject?

 

[1911jerry]

I have a 16 gun safe and use a golden rod to create just a little heat to push the moister out the craks of the safe. I have never had a spot of rust build up on any gun.

JS

 

[hso]

If you want to secure your handguns and you are concerned about rust you may not want to buy a fire safe. If you want a fire safe to store your handguns in you may want to invest in additional protection in the form of safe heaters like the Goldenrod already mentioned or in vapor emitter rust prevention inserts like those from Bullfrog. http://www.bull-frog.com/products/

 

[a1abdj]

There are smaller safes built the same way your typical tall gun safes are. Although not overly secure, they are marketed for storing handguns.

AMSEC offers them with the Smith & Wesson name attached, Cannon makes some, Liberty has LifeSafe, and I'm sure there are others.

 

[Mannlicher]

Mine is

 

[CB900F]

Zeke;

Sentry's web site: Take with a grain of salt? No, lots more salt needed.

Do a little research on the differences between true safes and RSC's. It's available here on THR, just search RSC.

If fire is a major concern, then get a safe that meets the U.L. 1 hour fire protection standard. Not Omega, not Fred's, not Herman the hyper's super standard, the U.L. 1 hour standard. Also, the U.L. standard to be rated a safe is at least, minimum, 1/4" plate steel on every side. That's all 6 sides. The U.L. safe then would have to be B rated burglary + the 1 hour fire.

Smaller true safes that meet the U.L. standards are available. They cost more than Wally World's Sentry units, quite a bit more. But, what they offer is far superior protection, not Dr. Feelgood placebo protection.

There are a couple of us here on THR that do sell safes. I'm one of 'em. I'm a professional locksmith who specializes in safe sales & service. Contact me via PM if you'd be interested.

900F

 

[Peet]

Check your local Deere dealer

Ya can't make this stuff up! My local John Deere dealer sells gun safes. They are painted classic Deere green with (again - classic Deere) yellow lettering.

Keep in mind, this is in the Socialist Republic of Massachusetts! Everybody who works in the store (old/young, men/women) seem to be members of the local Rod and Gun club.

Back on topic, though -- how cool would it be to have a gen-you-wine John Deere gun safe?

P.

 

[a1abdj]

Back on topic, though -- how cool would it be to have a gen-you-wine John Deere gun safe?

They are actually Liberty safes with the John Deere Logo. They would have a much greater cool factor if they were painted the same green and yellow that the tractors are. Instead they are a darker green and gold.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

The Deere subject 'safe' illustrates my comments to Zeke concerning the importance of emphasizing build quality over appearance. IMHO, Liberty represents a triumph of marketing over substance. Check the Deere carefully, if it's made by Liberty it's highly likely that there is no plate steel anywhere in the safe body or door. Check for the thickness of the sides, top, and bottom. It'll be guage metal, but what guage? The higher the guage number, the thinner the metal. Ten guage, .140", is usually the thickest seen, then you get into fractional plate dimensions, such as 1/4". The thinnest usually encountered is 16 guage, & that's .0625" according to the sheet metal shop around the corner.

My point? Don't buy looks, buy substance.

900F