Just Bought My first Safe any thoughts or tips

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horsemen61

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Hello all,


I just purchased my first safe a cannon 65 gun model (yes I know it won’t hold that many I’m hoping to get 30 in there)

so the reason for this thread is as follows any thoughts tips suggestions for a first time safe owner such as a should I buy a “golden rod” dehumidifier or what?

thanks for reading
 
Yes, to a warming rod for controlling humidity. Also get a hygrometer so you cam know what the actual humidity level is.
 
As you know they are heavy. Pay the extra to get it professionally delivered to your spot. Your buddies and you will potentially hurt yourselves or your house trying to move it.

Assuming your spot is in the basement and if so pay to have it lagged to the floor. Safes that are easily tipped over are easy to open.

Get the door organizer as it uses the space that is typically not used.

Goldenrod for sure.
 
I never put any environmental controls in a safe and I have been using them for decades in NC, Tn, and Fl. I do coat my guns with a generous amount of motor oil on the metal (applied with a small paint brush) prior to storage, and I've never had issues with corrosion- I just keep a rag handy to wipe a gun off before I remove it for use. I also place my safes on a couple of 2x4 pieces to prevent damage to the floor or carpet over long term. While I have never had issues IN the safe due to my use of oil, I have seen carpets and floors with a nice rusty square outline after the safe is removed- the last thing you want to deal with if you are moving out of a rental property or trying to sell a house.
 
I risk not bolting it down. 1,000lbs in basement, uphill rough terrain to street doesn't bod well for pros or amateurs. Security system will have police at the house before anybody can get away. Besides most burglaries are grab and go. They're not going to waste time with the safe.

To that end my safe sits on top of 4"x6" supports. Makes it easier to access. In the event of a minor flood, keeps the safe dry. And more importantly I've had to relocated the safe in the basement several times. It's a piece of cake to get dollies underneath it. Done the moves solo with no issues.
 
The assumption that a team of burglars will pass up a safe by is wishful thinking. My neighbor failed to bolt his safe down. Burglars broke in the wee hours of the morning and started emptying the house. They noted the gun safe and the fact it was not bolted to the floor. They then whistled up some help along with an appropriately sized truck. By that time, it was dawn, but that didn't stop them. They moved that safe right out the front door and into the truck in daylight and drove it away. A neighbor kid saw them and told his parents, who finally called the police after a certain period of time. Too late. Later, the safe was found in another location, torched open. Obviously, the contents were gone. He was like most of us in that he didn't just have guns in that safe.
 
The only thing I can add to the above is that I have added a piece of pegboard to the inside of the door on 2 of my safes. I have mostly pistols hung there but it could do other things. I put pieces of 1/4in vacuum line on 1/4in hooks.
Mine is bolted down and I have both a hydrometer and a golden rod in it. Mine came with interior lights.
 
I think its Lockdown that makes a nice little drawer that hangs from a shelf. Handy for papers, jewellery, magazines, knives, etc.

Many companies make wire racks that hold pistols vertically. They put 4-6 pistols in the space of 2 or 3. I prefer the vinyl coated steel racks.

Goldenrod is a must if the safe is not in an air conditioned environment. Good idea even if it is.

To even got to my safes, a thief would have to get through the house and 3 deadbolted doors, or bust through a window that has .5" steel bars and expanded steel over it or through a heavily reinforced door then through another deadbolted steel door. Then they will find they have trouble getting them out through said door. The more effort and time required, the less likely they are to get to them. Especially if they cant see them.
 
Put it somewhere where it's not visible to visitors or service people. In my old house it was behind a sliding wall panel. I left it when I sold the house, and it was three months before the new owners found it and asked for the keys.
 
I have a perforated can of desiccant in mine. Works just fine. I take it out and dry it when the color changes.
 
Good info above. I would think about getting it off the floor a bit also. Have seen many safes rusted up bad on the bottom sitting on either concrete or carpet. A little air will help that, also if the power cords go out the bottom it is much easier to put them in/out when needed.

Worth it to look at rifle rods also if you start to run out of room.
 
alfsauve said:
I risk not bolting it down. 1,000lbs in basement, uphill rough terrain to street doesn't bod well for pros or amateurs. Security system will have police at the house before anybody can get away. Besides most burglaries are grab and go. They're not going to waste time with the safe.

To that end my safe sits on top of 4"x6" supports. Makes it easier to access. In the event of a minor flood, keeps the safe dry. And more importantly I've had to relocated the safe in the basement several times. It's a piece of cake to get dollies underneath it. Done the moves solo with no issues.
Click to expand...

Bolting down isn't so much to prevent them stealing the entire safe. It's to prevent them from tipping over the safe so they have more leverage to pry open the doors.

You can skip to about the 2:30 mark.
 
I have a different perspective.....While buying a safe is a good start to secure items, it is not an end-all. As others have pointed out, any safe can be broken into given enough time. Thus, just like an onion with various layers, security should be approached with various layers.

Others have pointed out and responded regarding tips involving a goldenrod and bolting down the safe. There are many accessories for safes, but not knowing your situation, I have no ideas on what you may need (pistol racks, mags racks, etc.). I will say, I do not believe in storing ammo in a safe as it takes up valuable space. If you have available space in the beginning, fine. But I suspect that will change over time.

I truly believe the best tip regarding a safe is to have a monitored alarm system in your home in addition to exterior and interior cameras.....especially a camera by your safe. Thus, if you do experience a break-in, at least your alarm and siren will alert the burglars and thus limit the time that they are in your residence thereby reducing the chance of breaking into your safe.

Cameras obviously provide valuable video and many not only allow communication but also have the capability of triggering a siren. Thus, they can help limit the time the burglars are in your residence.

Good luck with your new purchase!
 
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