Small Gun Safes

[Thoward]

I'm looking around for a small gun safe. I currently own 4 long guns and 2 handguns. I don't think I'll be adding more than one of each any time soon. Who makes a good, small safe?

I'm not picky about features. I like the safes with the shelves built into the doors for handguns, but that's not a must have.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[whalerman]

My experience is that the good ones don't cost a lot more than the cheap, useless ones. And if you're going to expand in the future, extra space is never regretted. Also, if you get a strong safe with good lock and latches that isn't finished to look like some museum piece, you can save money. I'd go for quality, not beauty. And one last thing, be sure to get one that has a hole in it to place a heater or goldenrod. You will need that. Some safes don't have it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

you can find a pistol drawer type, but the smaller the safe, the easier to tote off
consider something like an ammo box with a lock on it (looks like the rest of the stack of fishing, reloading and ammo)

or spending the money for a larger safe, and even then " gun safe "
IS NOT A SAFE, it's a gym/high-school locker with a fancy paint job, wall board (fire insulation) and prettier lock...

If you REALLY want a small safe for your guns, consider looking for a used (OLD) small safe, you can pick them up for a few hundred and they are real safes, ie not something you can pick up and walk out with.

 

[Captains1911]

I just recently started a similar thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=658337

 

[Walkalong]

Buy one that holds twice what you have now, or expect to upgrade one day.

I have a Sturdy that I am very happy with. The Amsec BF safes are very nice as well. The Amsec ZES version saves some money. It is built similar to my old style Liberty as far as body and door steel size goes. 1/8" bodies and 1/4" doors. That is much better than all the cheap 10 or 12 gauge safes.

 

[Dr. Sandman]

+1 on buying bigger than you need right now. You can keep stuff other than guns in there, too (money, paper, deeds, titles, ammo, Rx meds, subway club card, etc.)

I am happy with the Browning safe I bought at my LGS. I really like the digital keypad and I have not had any problems with it. I do wish that they came with a key in case of a problem with the keypad.

 

[Redlg155]

I have a Sentry brand gunnsafe that has locking bolts and is a step up from the gun lockers, however, it is not as heavily constructed as larger safes. Although some may not consider something to be a safe unless it weighs 600 lbs, has anti drill locks and a special deadbolt locking system, in reality my safe will do just as well for my purposes. No matter what safe you have, a determined theif will the right tools and time will easily open a residential safe.

A safe is just a deterrant to reinforce other security systems.

 

[Savage99]

Consider a safe that you can assemble and carry in pieces into your place yourself.

This is a benefit to avoid having a rigger or trucking co. move it.

Such safes are made by the Snap Safe Co and Zanotti.

http://www.snapsafe.com/

http://zanottiarmor.com/safes.htm

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um, 600 pounds ain't a safe unless it's something like a 2 cubic foot strong box.

 

[CB900F]

Thoward;

The first decision you have to make is whether you want a safe or an RSC. If you're not aware of the difference, just search RSC or Residential Security Container, there's a wealth of threads about the subject. Safes cost more than RSC's, and usually not just an incremental amount.

900F

 

[Shadow 7D]

BTW ^^^^^
CB900 is a locksmith specializing in Safes
and he can hook you up with some nice ones.

Long time no see CB

 

[Thoward]

Thanks guys this is great information.

CB900F, I am more in the market for the Residential Security Containers that are big enough to hold my long guns. I live in a multi-family residence and anybody trying to cart off the container or bash it open would attract unwanted attention pretty fast.

I'm really looking for something robust enough to stymy curious kids and the odd junkie dabbling in home invasion. Something one step above a metal cabinet. It doesn't even need to be fireproof. Do you have any tips on companies that make good RSCs?

 

[tuckerdog1]

Thoward,

I bought one of these, and have been very happy with it. I though compared to other more familiar names, they offered a little more for the money. Ship free & will do a garage delivery. If you're a veteran, they'll give a small discount as well ( 5% I think ).

I do echo what others here have said. Buy bigger than you think you need. I got the 39 gun, and it's filling up faster than I expected. But that's a good thing

http://superiorlockandsafe.reachlocal.com/?scid=1168312&kw=4194744&pub_cr_id=7184603209

Tuckerdog1

 

[CB900F]

Thoward;

In the world of RSC's, find the one that gives you the features you need at a price point you can live with. There isn't a whole lot of protective difference among them in the 500 - 1000 dollar range. I'd suggest getting a mechanical dial lock, bolt the sucker down.

Shadow; Hey I'm around, maybe not as much as I used to be, but I kinda got: A. a new motorcycle & B. tired of repeating myself.

900F

 

[Hugo]

If it must fit in a drawer, watch this link. A locksmith & security tester & gun enthusiast tests several small gun lockers. Some are defectively designed and are horribly easy to pick open with no evidence left behind. What a nightmare explaining that to police and insurance company. "I don't know how they got in this biometric locker but they did!"

(NSFW again, some casual swearing since it's a casual conference full of guys, still good info)
http://vimeo.com/31177302

At the end of this video, he does recommend one "nightstand" safe that would do well in a drawer. The LOCKSAF PBR-001 was the best one he tested in this video.