I just purchased a new Fat Boy Jr. gun safe from Liberty. I thought I would put down a few thoughts to help other first time safe buyers.
Firstly, the safe was exactly as expected; the exterior paint, decals and pin stripping were in excellent condition. The door was hung straight and works perfectly. The lock mechanism works as expected. The interior finish though is weak. The upholstery is fine but shelves are flimsy and the adjustable strips on the sides of the safe that support the shelves are stapled to the walls. I’ve already had to reaffix one of the strips.
I started by calling the Liberty dealers closest to me- the prices were higher than I could find elsewhere but the kicker was that none of them offered installation- just curb side delivery. The safe went into a first floor bedroom but getting it from the driveway to the interior room is a problem.
Lowe’s seemed like the best place to buy the safe. The purchase price is low and delivery price is ridiculously low. The Lowe’s webpage says that delivery is not offered on items over 250 lbs but if you call the store delivery manager or the national 800 number they’ll arrange it. The problem was that Lowes was sold out. The safe was on backorder with no estimated delivery date.
I bought the safe from Big R, a local chain, for $1,200 but I needed to arrange delivery. The first private guys I hired quickly demonstrated they were not up to the job. I found a professional firm that charged $400. It took 4 guys with equipment to get this safe into place. Don’t under estimate the effort needed to move this if you have any steps at all.
Once it was in place it looked bigger than we had imagined. My wife didn’t like the black shinny finish nor the word ‘Centurion’ or ‘Fatboy Jr.’ prominently displayed but I think she’s getting used to it. She suggested Liberty offer some designer options or provide a blank front.
The safe was bolted to two 4x4 for transportation. The bolts came through four holes in the bottom of the safe. Four plastic caps are provided to cover the holes from the inside. I haven’t bolted it down yet but I image these are the bolting holes. I just sent an email to Liberty asking how the safe can maintain a good fire rating with four direct openings to the exterior.
The safe is a good value for the money. It’s 705 lbs and would be difficult for thieves to carry away. I’m happy to have it and delighted with the peace of mind now that my kids are older and starting to stay home alone (yes the guns were secure before the safe but it was a difficult process to manage).
Advice from others was to buy a larger safe then I think I need. I concur and recommend the Fatboy Jr.
Firstly, the safe was exactly as expected; the exterior paint, decals and pin stripping were in excellent condition. The door was hung straight and works perfectly. The lock mechanism works as expected. The interior finish though is weak. The upholstery is fine but shelves are flimsy and the adjustable strips on the sides of the safe that support the shelves are stapled to the walls. I’ve already had to reaffix one of the strips.
I started by calling the Liberty dealers closest to me- the prices were higher than I could find elsewhere but the kicker was that none of them offered installation- just curb side delivery. The safe went into a first floor bedroom but getting it from the driveway to the interior room is a problem.
Lowe’s seemed like the best place to buy the safe. The purchase price is low and delivery price is ridiculously low. The Lowe’s webpage says that delivery is not offered on items over 250 lbs but if you call the store delivery manager or the national 800 number they’ll arrange it. The problem was that Lowes was sold out. The safe was on backorder with no estimated delivery date.
I bought the safe from Big R, a local chain, for $1,200 but I needed to arrange delivery. The first private guys I hired quickly demonstrated they were not up to the job. I found a professional firm that charged $400. It took 4 guys with equipment to get this safe into place. Don’t under estimate the effort needed to move this if you have any steps at all.
Once it was in place it looked bigger than we had imagined. My wife didn’t like the black shinny finish nor the word ‘Centurion’ or ‘Fatboy Jr.’ prominently displayed but I think she’s getting used to it. She suggested Liberty offer some designer options or provide a blank front.
The safe was bolted to two 4x4 for transportation. The bolts came through four holes in the bottom of the safe. Four plastic caps are provided to cover the holes from the inside. I haven’t bolted it down yet but I image these are the bolting holes. I just sent an email to Liberty asking how the safe can maintain a good fire rating with four direct openings to the exterior.
The safe is a good value for the money. It’s 705 lbs and would be difficult for thieves to carry away. I’m happy to have it and delighted with the peace of mind now that my kids are older and starting to stay home alone (yes the guns were secure before the safe but it was a difficult process to manage).
Advice from others was to buy a larger safe then I think I need. I concur and recommend the Fatboy Jr.
