Safes (strorage containers) and creative engineering

[Atticus]

I'm considering buying a safe i.e., storage container for my guns. I've read a bazillion threads on the topic and have come to understand that all safes under $3000 is a waste of money, in spite of the fact that no one has posted a story about losing guns to burglary or fire in a $800 safe. I'm curious as to why a safe lined with concrete or ceramic is worth $2000 more than a Liberty safe, when concrete is (not sure of the price) but ....$ is 10 buck a bag or so? How much are ceramic tiles? How much would it cost to pick up some steel plates and have someone weld a frame around a Liberty safe....or build a solid concrete block shell? Surely nowhere near $2K.
Assuming you put the safe in your basement, garage, out- building, etc, - and will live there forever - how difficult and expensive would it be to improve security and fire resistance on the cheap?

1) Has anyone done this?


2)I'd also like to hear some real world stories. How many of you have lost your collections to fire and/or theft because you could only afford an $800 safe?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Go here for the sorry tale of 50 guns stolen from a fellow guns stolen from safe link

Details are scanty but apparently he had them in a vault and the thieves knew he was away for the weekend and that they had time to break into it.

 

[pauli]

passive security is a deterent, not a preventative.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Do a search on "residential security container" - guy here in the business who, if I recall correctly was discussing buying a quality safe of less than $1000 and then setting up forms and pouring concrete around it (making it part of the house I guess.)

If it can be hid, all the better.

 

[Third_Rail]

The key things are to hide it WELL and not tell ANYONE that you have it, nor where it is. NO ONE CAN KNOW.

If no one knows, it doesn't exist.

 

[Smoke]

I posted about a frined that had his whole safe stolen here

It can happen. Nothing is 100%, do the best you can with what you can afford.

Smoke

 

[Kenneth Lew]

I'm considering buying a safe i.e., storage container for my guns.

I know of a FFL that has a GOOD REAL HEAVY SAFE, USED for sale @ $500.00. You will be responsible for shipping. Gun capacity is somewhat limited. Email me @ [email protected] if interested.

Kenneth Lew

 

[dukeofurl]

When my home is built 20+ years from now, I am strongly giving consideration to having a false door put in to a safe room. All my valuables/survivalist stuff will be stored in there.

It will also be a dual purpose safe room in the event of hurricane or otherwise. I'd have to abut the room against a bedrooms walk in closet so nobody's the wiser, but its a start.

http://www.hiddendoors.com

Looks neat. I'd have the false door swing outward and a heavy steel door with at least 2 deadbolts swinging inwards.