Need some opinions on safes / rsc's

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xlr8d

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Was looking at this, its $249 at local sams. Was looking at spending no more than 500 for some peace of mind. Not wanting anything huge, i only have 2 handguns and some misc stuff i want to store. Eventually down the road I will get a bigger one, but I think something of the size of the Mesa will last atleast a few years. Is there anything else within my price range that would be better?

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod460660
 
Not to confuse you too much, but the safe you linked to is not an RSC, and is merely a fire rated document safe.

Two important things about these types of safes. Although they look like safes, they offer very little security, far less than a gun safe. Most of these safe can be opened in 30 seconds or less using very basic methods.

The second important thing is that although they are great for protecting documents in a fire, they accomplish this by using a damp insulation. This can cause serious moisture problems with firearms, and there's nothing you can do to control it short of keeping the guns in an airtight container placed within the safe.
 
Listen to a1abdj he knows safes! If you ask nice he might sell you one or tell you where you should go locally. Check youtube for breaking into a safe. It will make you think about how big a safe purchase is, so that said listen closely and make the best choice you can afford. Good Luck!:what:
 
What do you recommend around my price range? I saw a Winchester Ranger series local for around 450. Think I read on another thread you said it was garbage, but i can't remember. I went to a locksmith by my work today and he let me look at a amtec catalog. I think the cheapest thing i found was something that was right around 500 but I think it said it was imported. I was thinking of getting something smaller just go get me by for awhile, like the FT KNOX gun box, or Vline gun box... both have simplex locks I believe and run around 125-150.

Thoughts / Opinions?
 
V-line makes a wider selection of styles, but the Fort Knox is a better built unit. The Simplex lock is pretty reliable, and used widely for commercial applications. I don't think you can go wrong with either one here.

If you don't need fire resistance, look for a B rate chest. It will have 1/4" walls, and a 1/2" plate door. You can find them new starting in the $350/$400 range for a decent smaller unit. About half of that used. If you want to tell me where you're at I may be able to point you towards a safe company near you.
 
"Me to me to"! Brownsville, Harlingen, area Tx. But I need a big one for rifles and pistols. True value hardware in Harlingen had some starting around $800 up to $2000. I know nothing about safes...
 
Is there anything in my price range thats about the same size of the mesa, just more secure/better built? Only thing about the VLINE pistol vault and FT KNOX box is they are a bit to small for me. Thanks need to make a decision soon
 
Is there anything in my price range thats about the same size of the mesa, just more secure/better built?
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Gardall H2. It's a bit smaller with inside dimensions of 9.75" x 10.75" X 9". Light enough to ship UPS, but with 1/4" plate body, 1/2" plate door, and UL rated lock. Much more secure than the MESA, but not fireproof. Costs about $420 shipped.

"Me to me to"! Brownsville, Harlingen, area Tx.
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Not much in your area. I have a friend in Bay City, but that's almost 5 hours from you. Nice thing about Texas is that there are a lot of companies there. Bad thing is that Texas is so big, they're usually not close unless you're near a big city.
 
That Gardall H2 looks pretty secure. Most of the small safes I have seen are pretty flimsy with a cheap electronic lock. I am thinking of one for a small wall safe.
 
AMSEC has the MS1414. It's about the same price, a little larger, but I don't think the body is a full 1/4" (The door is still 1/2"). Also has the UL listed lock.

These little guys do make decent wall safes if you have a wall deep enough to put them in.
 
What about the AMSEC CSC1413 ?

http://citywidesecurity.stores.yahoo...sccomsecs.html

How's that compared to the H-2?
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Different type of safe, but also suitable for handguns. The CSC is a lower end import (which should be fine if not under constant commercial use). It's a composite unit, which means the fill material acts as both a fire and burglary barrier. The Gardall uses heavier plate, but doesn't have a fill.

Make sure you price the safe with shipping. Sometimes these website can be a bit misleading by showing a low safe price, and then sticking you with high shipping. Of course if you decide to go that route, I might be able to get you a better price.

I also have a few other "no name" safes that are similar in construction, but a bit better quality.

DALLAS, TX
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Try Tarrant County Lock & Safe @ 817-428-7333. Tell them a fellow Clearstar member sent you.
 
Seelwater Gun Safes

Does any one have any personnel experience with Steelwater gun safes? And what about the Frontier/Pentagon safes from Sportsman Steel Safe Co out of Houston, Tx. Both seem to be very well made and reasonably priced. 2k is about my ceiling right now, and these seem to fit the bill.
 
Gun Safe

Thank you for the reply....I did as you suggested and it seems that there has been a bit of negatives about Sportsman, but I haven't seen or heard anything yet on Steelwater. I've seen their video and am very impressed with them...would I expect any thing less! I have also been looking at Hollon/Republic safes. What does anyone think about them? It can be confusing at times.
 
I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this too DADS. I'm in the market for a good gun safe (RSC) too. I'd like it to be American made, be able to hold at least 20 long guns plus some additional misc stuff, have some fire protection and cost less than 3,000 dollars. I've been looking at Fort Knox safes and they look pretty nice to me from a quality standpoint. Does anyone own a Fort Knox safe or something similar that they like, thanks.
 
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but I haven't seen or heard anything yet on Steelwater. I've seen their video and am very impressed with them...would I expect any thing less!
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I don't like videos from manufacturers for a number of reasons. The same manufacturer that makes the Steelwater is the same manufacturer that used to build a line of safes I used to sell. I never had any problems with them, although they are far from the best safes built. I think it's a good value as far as Chinese safes go.

I'd like it to be American made, be able to hold at least 20 long guns plus some additional misc stuff, have some fire protection and cost less than 3,000 dollars. I've been looking at Fort Knox safes and they look pretty nice to me from a quality standpoint. Does anyone own a Fort Knox safe or something similar that they like, thanks.
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The AMSEC BF series fits that description, and in my opinion, is the best value in its price range.

I have dealt with a number of Fort Knox safes, and although they build a good safe, there's a lot of stuff that you're paying for that has nothing to do with the security of the safe itself.
 
a1abdj,

I did read the earlier discussions here about the AMSEC BF and the Sturdy Safe and they are both on my short list. For the Fort Knox, I'm looking at the Protector. Can you give an example of what I would be paying for that's not security related? Is it all the bolts? Thanks
 
Not at all...I have about 12 rifles and 12 handguns at the moment. I am sure I will pick up a few more along the way in the next few years. What I really want is a safe that at least 72Hx40Wx28-30D. I rather have a external hinge set up as so I can open it a full 180 or so, I know that if I don't get that then I will regret in the end. I've seen a Liberty Franklin model 50 that I fell in love with , but only internal hinges....that was the only negative that I had with it...again temping but for that price $ 2500.00 I would rather have the external hinges. The second thing is that it has to be American made...in that I will not compromise. I will continue to research and of course heed the great advise found this forum.
 
Are the amsec bf made in the USA?
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California.

I did read the earlier discussions here about the AMSEC BF and the Sturdy Safe and they are both on my short list.
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Where fire protection is high on the list, I think the AMSEC is hard to beat. The Sturdy really shines when fire proofing isn't that important, as it can be purchased as a steel safe only.

Can you give an example of what I would be paying for that's not security related? Is it all the bolts?
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Some of it is the brand name. Fort Knox also tends to spend more on the fit and finish. In your specific example, the Protector is the same safe as the Defender, but with a nicer paint job. Their boltwork also usually has a bit more to it than your typical gun safe. It cost more to produce, but probably wouldn't benefit your average gun safe owner in any way.
 
Oh yeah, I was checking out the Fort Knox safes as well...very high end indeed. I was just looking at the Patriot web site and they are currently having a sale and also comes with some nice upgrades and free shipping as well. And their site states American Made!
 
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