Gun Safes

[Flynt]

I've just realized that I've accumulated a pretty expensive gun collection -- 8 long guns and about the same number of pistols. Guess it's time for a gunsafe, but I don't know the first thing about them. Ever since I could remember, guns just went in the closet...

We have both Bass Pro and Academy Sports & Outdoors in my area, and I saw a good assortment of safes at Bass Pro the other night. My first question is the difference between steel gun cabinets and safes. Bass has 3-4 cabinets, which were black metal with key locks on front. Pretty flimsy insides -- some foam. They had a larger number of safes, which had the big combination locks and better interiors. Do the safes weigh more than the cabinets? I wonder if a couple of strong thieves couldn't just pick up the cabinet and load in their pickup; presumably safes are too heavy?

Next question: Is it good to keep guns in a locked cabinet or safe? I have always heard, for example, that the hard cases some guns come in are poor storage devices because they allow moisture to accumulate. Do the cabinets & safes have ventillation? Use dessicants?

Thanks, guys.

 

[P95Carry]

I'd say a dessicant plus dehumidifier rod are both good ideas ... mainly in summer ... tho I keep my office (where safe is) controlled with A/C in summer so not that bad.

My safe is a genuine SAFE ... not a gun cabinet ... but is what I would call a ''compromize'' deal. I got it thru Sportsmans Guide .... it was IIRC about $800 and shipping was awful cost tho! Weighs approx near 600 lbs I think. Steel is reasonably heavy gauge.

It's made by Safari safes outa somewhere in CA ... potentially a 24 gun .. but mine is split - for long arms on left and rest is shelves, above and to right ... to deal with handguns.

The left won't take 12 . unfortunately .. by time you have scopes and slings and stuff in the way . I doubt I can get more than 8 in there.

It has 30 min fire rating and electronic combination lock .. and three very large door bolts engage when locked.

What I'd really like of course is one of those 1500 lb deals ... thick plate and probably costing nearer $2,000 plus!! However, this one is way better than no safe at all .. and does at least house my most valuable stuff ... the C&R has to sit outside of it!

I can post pics if wanted .. plus other info re manufacturer.

 

[TarpleyG]

Check out this thread and maybe you can get some info from CB900F (resident safe guy) as well. Maybe send a PM.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28799&highlight=gun+safe

GT

 

[Flynt]

Gun Socks?

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I ended up with a Homak steel cabinet, which I know is far inferior to a real safe, but it seemed to make more sense as a temporary measure -- we're moving relatively soon.

I'd been keeping my long arms in the closet, and they were all in gun socks. My pistols were in "Bore Stores," the silicon treated cloth pouches with the fuzzy lining. One of the nice things about these coverings is that they not only prevented moisture from collecting, but they guarded against minor dings when I fished around in the back of the closet for a rifle or shotgun and brushed the other other guns on the way out.

I'm wondering if I should continue to use gun socks and Bore Stores now that I've got the cabinet. (I've got a box of dessicant.) Will the socks and bags help with moisture -- or would they have the opposite effect? Thanks.