Inexpensive but reliable safe

[Mitlov]

My Stack-On gun safe's keypad has now failed for a second time, and the safe is only two years old. I find myself simply not trusting it anymore, which is no good considering my usage. My firearms are in it all the time when they're not with me, and the safe is next to the bed for quick access if I need them at night. Children in the house = no "nightstand gun."

I don't need a ton of storage; I currently have one handgun and one long-gun, and only foresee maybe a second handgun in the near future. I'm not that worried about the details of the fire resistance and power-tool resistance--nobody is going to try that hard to get a single pump-action shotgun and cheap 1911 where I live--but I need something that will hold up to the most troublesome of elementary school kids if my boys have friends over and the friends go exploring (my own boys know firearms safety).

I'd definitely like to keep the cost below $1000; the lower the better while still maintaining quality. I'd like either a keypad or key for access instead of an old-school combination lock so I can get into it quickly if I need to. Any suggestions for brands and models I should be looking at? There's so much out there and I feel a bit "once bitten twice shy" after this Stack-On. The local Sportsman's Warehouse carries Yukon Gold and Stack-On and the local Big R carries Liberty; I'm wary about another Stack-On though.

 

[leadcounsel]

Get a hard plastic pelican style case and put a few padlocks on it. $200 and it can double as an awesome travel box. https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...Dsg&ei=RSO6VIv-HILUoAS-i4HgAw&ved=0CG4QpiswAA

It is better than wasting $500 on a easily defeated aluminum or thin steal "safe."

In your less-than-$1000 budget, you're basically looking at just keeping honest folks out, not real criminals.

Or you can get creative and try to hide the long gun. There are all sorts of options that allow you to lock a single long gun in a safe between the studs hidding in the wall.

http://shop.factory-express.com/STA...us0nrWUBzJ1GwRtZHTbx4_ERRqUbKaDIzsaAqfV8P8HAQ

Or a life jacket style lock. $30. http://www.amazon.com/MSE-Jacket-Polycarbonate-Protection-Shotguns/dp/B003UA3KZO

 

[txblackout]

combo lock just feels more reliable to me. What you can do is dial the first two numbers and leave only the last number to be dialed. This makes it faster than an electronic lock. Anyone trying to guess the combo only gets one chance before they have to start over.

Also I unlock my safe at night and then lock it in the morning.

Virtually all safes that you can buy only have Residential security container ratings anyway. This means they can all be broken into in about 5-10 minutes with an angle grinder. It isnt until you get to TL rated safes that you get to the 15 or 30 minute level.

Sturdy safe has the thickest steel and is probably one of the more secure RSCs for the money. Their smallest safe is about $1300 + shipping so a bit outside your budget.

For the two guns you have I would probably get a shotlock for the shotgun and a gun vault or other pistol safe for the 1911 and mount it by the bed.

 

[stevekozak]

I have been using a Sentry safe bought at Home Depot for years. It has worked well for me. It wouldn't keep professional burglers out for long, but I have it in a place that would be hard to get to or to tip it over.

 

[HighExpert]

Cannon at Tractor Supply. Almost all models are below your price point.

 

[oldandslow]

m,

I have bought a couple of safes from www.homelandsafes.com over the past few years and they have worked well. They have a Sargent and Greenleaf combination lock as I prefer no electronic locks. If you check under their "closet safe" icon they have one at $999 (the same I ordered). I also ordered one of their smaller handgun safes. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

[il.bill]

My Stack-On gun safe's keypad has now failed for a second time,...
I don't need a ton of storage; I currently have one handgun and one long-gun, and only foresee maybe a second handgun in the near future. I'm not that worried about the details of the fire resistance and power-tool resistance ... but I need something that will hold up to the most troublesome of elementary school kids ...
I'd definitely like to keep the cost below $1000; the lower the better while still maintaining quality. I'd like either a keypad or key for access instead of an old-school combination lock so I can get into it quickly if I need to. Any suggestions for brands and models I should be looking at? ...

I bought a pair of 'Winchester' Model TS-9 gun safes (I mean residential security containers) at Tractor Supply for less than $325 each out the door. They sound almost perfect for what you want, except for the combination dial lock, which was the only style I would take. I am thinking about the pros and cons of txblackout's suggestion and may try that myself: "What you can do is dial the first two numbers and leave only the last number to be dialed. This makes it faster than an electronic lock. Anyone trying to guess the combo only gets one chance before they have to start over."

 

[FAS1]

I bought a pair of 'Winchester' Model TS-9 gun safes (I mean residential security containers) at Tractor Supply for less than $325 each out the door. They sound almost perfect for what you want, except for the combination dial lock, which was the only style I would take. I am thinking about the pros and cons of txblackout's suggestion and may try that myself: "What you can do is dial the first two numbers and leave only the last number to be dialed. This makes it faster than an electronic lock. Anyone trying to guess the combo only gets one chance before they have to start over."

^^^This for your shotgun and bolt it down in a corner of the closet.

Then get a good quality mechanical pushbutton lock handgun safe for your 1911. There are several styles you can choose from depending on the features you want. Bolt it down as well.

 

[Dan Forrester]

Find the heaviest chain you can fit through the mag wells of each of your guns.

Then find the heaviest one of these you can find at lowes or tractor supply:

http://www.amazon.com/Lashing-Enclosed-Cargo-Trailer-Pickup/dp/B00D68DR76

Then tapcon it into the concrete floor or into a heavy beam and lock up each gun individually for extra security or just do one big chain through all the mag wells.

I personally think it's a much better option than a cheap safe.

Dan

 

[joem1945]

Check with safe companies in you area for used money vaults. I bought one that is double door, over 6 ft high and 6 ft wide. 35.5 inches deep and weighs 2 tons empty. UL fire rated for 8 hours @1700 degrees, cost $2500 delivered and set in place. Note: must be placed in basement or garage on concrete.