Help me pick the best RSC/safe for my situation

[ClonaKilty]

All: I'm in the market for a gun safe or RSC and could use your help in selecting one that fits my limitations/parameters (below). Before I dive into what I want out of the safe/RSC, I want it to be clear that I have read the multiple postings by CB900F and a1abdj and I am familiar with the real limitations of RSCs, and the huge advantages of real safes.

My Safe/RSC parameters

Short Term Objective: Hold our CCW & HD guns (4 HGs and 2 LGs), and also my competition guns (3 additional) plus an upland game s/g, an AK, and a couple 22s. The rest of my collection will be in offsite storage.

Long Term Objective: I will buy a second (and/or more) safes, in order to move the other guns back home, and diversify the risk of break-in & fire by having them in separate areas. The first safe (the one I am looking to buy now) will be the smaller of the two, becoming only the "safe room safe" in the future. The larger, second safe will hold the majority of the collection. It will be located on 1st floor and be a true safe (no RSCs). This LT goal is 2-5 years out on the time horizon.

Parameters/Limitations for the first RSC/safe:

This is where it gets tricky. I want a true safe for my first unit, but the following limitations make me think I need to be open to the possibility of getting an RSC:

1) The RSC/safe MUST be located upstairs in our safe room. Thus I need someone to move it up a flight of stairs (with two tight landings), and install/bolt it down.

2) The RSC/safe must be maximum 750 lbs. This is because NO ONE of the local safe dealers or independent mover/installers in my area will move a heavier safe up stairs. One installer used to do it and then stopped recently because he broke through a customer's stairs!

3) The safe/RSC have a maximum external width of 24" for it to fit into the particular location in the safe room that limits visibility & access to safe, limiting the ability for thieves to do the brute force attacks discussed so often here.

Other factors to consider:

I live in a small-ish town of 15,000 people. I have great relationships with all of my neighbors, and we watch out for each others' places. We also have very good Police response (<5 minutes). No children. We have a vigilant, barking dog. Considering an alarm system.

So.... given the above, what would you recommend I get?

Thank you!

 

[heeler]

This is kind of tough on the first safe scenario because of the weight limations and you want an RSC that is close to the real thing.
The smallest Amsec BF gun safe weighs in at 815 pounds.
On the other hand why dont you get in touch with Ft.Knox and price their 60x26 Defender model with the deluxe package which then brings the body up from 10 gauge steel to 3/16ths and the door plate will come up from the standard 1/4 to 3/8ths of an inch.
It will be pushing the 750 pound limit as the standard 10 gauge Defender in that size weighs in at 691 pounds.
Any reason the safe has to go upstairs as you state one will eventually be down stairs??
Also give Sturdy Safe a call because since they dont use sheetrock for their fire protection they just might have something in their 7 gauge line(3/16th really) that might come in at that 750 pound limit.
They are truely nice people as I have put in a a price request recently on a couple of their strong units and much to my utter surprise the owner Terry actually called me at my home and discussed in great length about his gun safes.

Of course some will say that a 12 gauge RSC is the same as one with a plate steel door and a 3/16 body but i beg to differ on that.
Not all RSC's are created equal.

 

[ClonaKilty]

On the other hand why dont you get in touch with Ft.Knox and price their 60x26 Defender model with the deluxe package which then brings the body up from 10

Thanks Heeler - the problem is that it has to be 24" wide max external in order to fit into the right space. I have seen the Defender and even called Ft Knox to see how much it would be to make a custom size, they said they can't go under 26".

Any reason the safe has to go upstairs as you state one will eventually be down stairs??

I want my defensive tools with me in my safe room. Also, though I didn't say this, in my current home there's no safe/hidden spot to put a RSC/safe, as it's an open floorplan. Unless it were to go into the garage, which makes them unacceptably hard for me to access in an emergency. I will move in the next few years and will be sure to put the next safe downstairs.

Also give Sturdy Safe a call

I just checked their website and it looks like they do have a 24" in. wide safe that comes in under 700 lbs even with firewall mat'l! The only thing is they want me to pick it up ... I'd have to get a 3rd party installer....still, thanks for the tip!

 

[chiselchst]

Sturdy Safe

I just purchased a sturdy safe (www.sturdysafe.com). I also wanted to locate mine upstairs, and it fit my weight criteria (safe weighed ~705 lbs). It is 32Wx60Hx24D. Most of their safes are like min 7 Ga outter sheel, but this was an over run, and had an 8 ga shell. If does have 1/4" steel door shell, top of the line S&G lock, hard plate, etc. Cost me ~$1,800 delivered to Nor Cal.

They can custom make a safe any size you'd like, but possibly they might have more over runs in stock. I did a lot of research online, and they had me sold that they make the very best *affordable* safe (especially their fire protection). They are located in Central CA, and will include shipping in their quote. Call them; the gal that answers the phone is normally the daughter - that very attractive gal modelling their safes.

They are very easy to work with, and the owner will come to the phone if you have any questions.

If you don't buy a safe there, at least check out their website, it has a LOT of great info...

For me, this was any easy decission.

 

[ClonaKilty]

Thanks guys - very good info.

 

[Maverick223]

You may want to look into one of these...SnapSafe...you can move it yourself. Mind you I have never seen one, which lead me to purchase a Diamond Back 30H. The Diamond Back 24H safe (sold only by Zykan Safe...from what I can find) which also will just barely meet your needs at 580lbs and 24"W. It is also reasonably priced for the protection it affords.