New gun safe suggestions

[cdk8]

Werd to Sturdy! I think Sturdy is a great option for someone considering a first gun safe (even better if they can find one used or SD.) I like how Sturdy's BASE armor (i.e., thinnest armor they offer) is actually thicker than the armor found on the flagship Liberty & most other flagship gun safes, and yet the Sturdy is notably less-expensive than most others.

I also feel that the base lock a safe maker uses says a lot about the quality & capability of their product(s). Sturdy exclusively uses the S&G 6730 Group 2 Mechanical lock, which is the industry standard and capable of withstanding decades of commercial use. Considering how the advertising of some gun safe makers tries to lead consumers to believe that all Group 2 locks are the same, Sturdy could have easily cut corners here to save a few bucks, and yet they still went for the best. Sturdy's choice to do this says a lot to me about what they think of their customers.

(compared to many other makers that use locks far inferior to the 6730. The S&G 6741 Group 2 is a common one and they fail a lot...warranty or not, it's still an inconvenience, stressful, may have out-of-pocket expenses, and likely means the safe has to be drilled.)

 

[dbmjr1]

I have a Sentry 'Safe' RSC. I know it's not impenetrable. It's bolted to the slab with Redhead anchors, and fastened to the wall behind it. It's in a closet, with no access on either side without demo'ing framing.

Take into account that anyone breaking in will have an alarm going off that sounds as if it's a thousand decibels.

Disable my alarm, and the police show up.

Cut the power, and the police show up.

So my suggestion would be to get a monitored alarm system to compliment your safe, even if it means buying a budget Safe.

Do not get an electronic lock. The solenoids fail, locking you out of your safe and requiring costly locksmith services. Get a dial type manual lock.

Bolt it to the floor, and to the wall behind it.

If it's all you can afford, buy a 'Job Box'. Stand it on end. Line it with two layers of drywall, and put good padlocks on it. Holds more than most safes. More secure than some.

 

[Walkalong]

The small cheap safe I mentioned is an older Sentry. 1/8" steel walls and 3/16" steel door. Probably more steel than the current crop of $600 Chinese safes. It isn't even bolted down good, but there is a lot of lead in it.

The power tools are out back in the shed where you have to get past the attack Dachshunds.

The $600 box store safes have no reinforcement of the steel the bolts go behind when locked, and no bracing on the other side of the bolts to help keep them from pivoting when the door is pried. Add 2 & 2 and you get the u-tube videos where a pry bar pops them open.

But, they are far better than nothing.

 

[jlr1962]

I have not seen a safe under $1500 that I think would withstand a decent battery powered sawzall.

 

[cdk8]

These can!!!

I've found that around the $2,000-ish mark, finding a security safe in a very large size/form that works as a gun safe is quite doable. IMO it is well worth the time spent looking around for that bargain. Given these can resist a wide range of entry attempts, unlike gun safes I feel that they can be counted on for burglary protection.

Older gen AmSec AMVAULT with TL-30/UL350 for $1,500 OBO...I've seen this model used for under $1,000
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amsec-TL30-...021363?hash=item4b07e56533:g:NZkAAOSwFe5X0MNt


TL-15 with fire $1,500 OBO
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INFINITY-12...643690?hash=item281f77e7ea:g:EZYAAOSwnNBXasuP


TL-15 plate safe for $900...I've seen these in much larger sizes for roughly the same price
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TL-15-bank-...347966?hash=item2ef3986afe:g:p6kAAOSwxvxW74lL


TL-15 with fire for $1,200 OBO
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selling-Use...309335?hash=item2101559f57:g:-04AAOSwjVVV3LvU

 

[X-Rap]

And all 4 of those together will hold how many long guns?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[cdk8]

And all 4 of those together will hold how many long guns?

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I found those listings in 30 seconds. Finding a particular size takes some hunting, but is very doable. They won't be lookers with all that techno beebop, and they won't come with an interior setup for guns, so they may need some paint and some interior creativity. But they will do a great job filling the two main purposes of a safe.

I just did a fast CL search. Here's a TL-30 AMVAULT, like new condition, in smaller gun vault size for under 2 grand, and chances are the Seller would go even lower. The AMVAULT is very common and one can often have luck finding them used locally for prices that don't break the bank. As an added plus, this safe has outstanding fire protection.
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/spo/5705956136.html?lang=tl

This is a style plate safe where many models are in the shape/size desired for holding a lot of long guns. Where as a 12 gauge gun safe has an armor plate that is about .11 inches thick and made of an unknown steel, here we have a full inch of A36 plate steel. Many used safe sellers come across, and often they sell them for a whole lot less than this, but it illustrates the type and why I think one doesn't have to settle for burglary resistance.
http://www.lackasafe.com/products/u...38-knight-tl15-high-security-steel-plate-safe