NuclearMeltdown
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Anyone here have the Stack-On 14-gun security cabinet? If so, how do you like it? I'm looking for something inexpensive and it's on sale for $120 and looks like it fits the bill.
Stack-On security cabinet
- Thread starter NuclearMeltdown
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News Shooter
Member
I have two
I can't afford a full-size safe and couldn't get it in my place anyway
I decided on the stack ons
I understand they are flimsy, but I figure any dedicated thief is going to get into any safe anyway. I am hoping this will at least keep the casual punk thief
out while the alarm is going on...
I know this will get slammed, but I don't care...it's my only option
I can't afford a full-size safe and couldn't get it in my place anyway
I decided on the stack ons
I understand they are flimsy, but I figure any dedicated thief is going to get into any safe anyway. I am hoping this will at least keep the casual punk thief
out while the alarm is going on...
I know this will get slammed, but I don't care...it's my only option
NuclearMeltdown
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- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
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- 224
I understand the price point and size problems with a full-size safe...that's why I was also leaning toward the Stack-On cabinet. What's the "3-point locking system" like?
Tinman357
Member
I have one
It's OK. the 3 pt lock is just a formed steel bar that locks at the bottom and top. The 3rd is the plate that rotates with the key. Solid enough but it wouldn't take a hardcore bad guy long to get into it. It will slow down the meth punk types. It's worth the money.
It's OK. the 3 pt lock is just a formed steel bar that locks at the bottom and top. The 3rd is the plate that rotates with the key. Solid enough but it wouldn't take a hardcore bad guy long to get into it. It will slow down the meth punk types. It's worth the money.
1 old 0311
member
I had one years ago. Kept the bottom full of ammo for weight, and mounted four eye bolts on the sides to run logging chain around it.
I have an 8-gun cabinet. It's really not at all flimsy for what it is. It's inexpensive, it keeps the closet neat, it keeps your guns from getting banged up and rusted. It keeps oil and fouling off our clothes.
While it won't absolutely positively prevent a dedicated thief from stealing your valuable firearms, it will make it almost infinitely more difficult than just grabbing them from where they're leaning against the wall! If you're home during a break-in, it will keep a burglar from just grabbing one of your own guns and using it on you.
It will also keep kids, inebriated party guests, and others from messing with your firearms. This can save a life.
I did get a safe, too, later on, when I ran out of room.
If I were looking at the 14-gun, I'd consider the Sentry 14-gun safe, which I also have. With an electronic lock (MUCH more convenient, and makes it useful for quick access to defensive guns as well) it was $409. It's not super-heavy for a safe, but it is a lot more solid than the cabinet, and it's more flexible if you have carbines, scoped rifles, long shotguns, etc. The positioning of the standoffs in the Sentry works better for me. In the cabinet, I had to put a board under the floor foam to get a 10/22 to reach the standoffs, for example
While it won't absolutely positively prevent a dedicated thief from stealing your valuable firearms, it will make it almost infinitely more difficult than just grabbing them from where they're leaning against the wall! If you're home during a break-in, it will keep a burglar from just grabbing one of your own guns and using it on you.
It will also keep kids, inebriated party guests, and others from messing with your firearms. This can save a life.
I did get a safe, too, later on, when I ran out of room.
If I were looking at the 14-gun, I'd consider the Sentry 14-gun safe, which I also have. With an electronic lock (MUCH more convenient, and makes it useful for quick access to defensive guns as well) it was $409. It's not super-heavy for a safe, but it is a lot more solid than the cabinet, and it's more flexible if you have carbines, scoped rifles, long shotguns, etc. The positioning of the standoffs in the Sentry works better for me. In the cabinet, I had to put a board under the floor foam to get a 10/22 to reach the standoffs, for example
B. Adams
Member
I have the 8-gun cabinet, and I have the smaller cabinet that bolts on top of it as well. They're not safes, obviously, but they're not as flimsy as you might think. Sure, it wouldn't be too much trouble for somebody with the right tools to get into it, but it would stop somebody who's just looking for something easy to run off with. The 3 point lock just makes it so you can't just stick a pry bar in the door and bend the corner down, and it seems like it would work fairly well.
I think they're just fine if they're used as intended. They're not the most secure things, but they'll keep most people out, especially kids. I got my 8-gun cabinet and the top cabinet for less than $150 together, and I definitely feel like I got more than I paid for.
ArmedBear is right about the standoffs though, they're a bit too high for some guns. My 10-22 has a longer barrel than the standard ones, so it reaches OK, but my AK was way too short. I had some 6" thick soft foam sitting around so I put a piece on the bottom of one side to hold them up, and it works great.
I think they're just fine if they're used as intended. They're not the most secure things, but they'll keep most people out, especially kids. I got my 8-gun cabinet and the top cabinet for less than $150 together, and I definitely feel like I got more than I paid for.
ArmedBear is right about the standoffs though, they're a bit too high for some guns. My 10-22 has a longer barrel than the standard ones, so it reaches OK, but my AK was way too short. I had some 6" thick soft foam sitting around so I put a piece on the bottom of one side to hold them up, and it works great.
Flyboy
Member
I have three of the rifle cabinets, and one pistol cabinets. I use the word "cabinet" deliberately: that's all it is, a cabinet with a lock.
A few years ago, I ran a flying club. In order to allow the members access to the airplane, as well as store supplies, I bolted one of these cabinets to my hangar. Rather than give them all keys, I disabled the barrel lock and attached a hasp with a combination lock. When I drilled the holes for the hasp, I had no trouble whatsoever; I drilled four holes in under a minute. The steel was easier to drill than some woods I've used. These cabinets will not stand up to any sort of attack, not even a tweaker with a crowbar.
That said, they're probably excellent for keeping kids (real kids, not Brady "kids") out of the guns, and they are a much more attractive and organized alternative to a pile of guns under the bed. As long as that's what you expect, they're a pretty good deal for the money. Just don't have any illusions of securing them from anybody over the age of about 13.
(Edit: I'll also agree about the standoffs being less-than-optimally placed, and add that the depth of the 8-gun cabinet is perhaps a bit too shallow for anything scoped--I end up with guns resting on the butt and the scope, rather than the butt and the barrel, and I don't really have the space to install the taller standoffs.)
A few years ago, I ran a flying club. In order to allow the members access to the airplane, as well as store supplies, I bolted one of these cabinets to my hangar. Rather than give them all keys, I disabled the barrel lock and attached a hasp with a combination lock. When I drilled the holes for the hasp, I had no trouble whatsoever; I drilled four holes in under a minute. The steel was easier to drill than some woods I've used. These cabinets will not stand up to any sort of attack, not even a tweaker with a crowbar.
That said, they're probably excellent for keeping kids (real kids, not Brady "kids") out of the guns, and they are a much more attractive and organized alternative to a pile of guns under the bed. As long as that's what you expect, they're a pretty good deal for the money. Just don't have any illusions of securing them from anybody over the age of about 13.
(Edit: I'll also agree about the standoffs being less-than-optimally placed, and add that the depth of the 8-gun cabinet is perhaps a bit too shallow for anything scoped--I end up with guns resting on the butt and the scope, rather than the butt and the barrel, and I don't really have the space to install the taller standoffs.)
skeeter1
Member
I've got the 8-gun version, and I paid $108 for it a year ago, so $120 for a 14-gun sounds like a good price.
I know Stack-Ons are not the greatest, but it was the biggest one that I could get into an upstairs bedroom. A "real" safe would have had to go out into the garage, and I didn't want that. It's enough to keep out the amateur thieves, and if I happen to be home at the time that someone decides to break in, well, that's why I have one handgun that I did not put in the safe.
RNB65
Member
I have a Stack-on cabinet. It's just a thin, metal box that will stop a young child. Anyone over the age of 10 with a big screwdriver could easily get into it. It's better than nothing, but make sure you have enough insurance to cover your guns just in case.
Yep.
I lost my key to my Stack-On when moving, and didn't realize it until a range day with some friends. I got in with a large Craftsman flat-blade screwdriver in about 5 minutes, and that's because I was trying to be careful and hoped to save the cabinet, and quiet, since I lived in an apartment at the time.
The cheap pot-metal bolt that holds the center cylinder key lock on popped, and the sheet metal locking bars just bent out of the way. With a real crowbar and no cares about trying to preserve the cabinet, I could have done it in five seconds.
They're only good for kids and untrustworthy houseguests who don't want to get caught. It's an almost meaningless amount of security to any burglar.
I lost my key to my Stack-On when moving, and didn't realize it until a range day with some friends. I got in with a large Craftsman flat-blade screwdriver in about 5 minutes, and that's because I was trying to be careful and hoped to save the cabinet, and quiet, since I lived in an apartment at the time.
The cheap pot-metal bolt that holds the center cylinder key lock on popped, and the sheet metal locking bars just bent out of the way. With a real crowbar and no cares about trying to preserve the cabinet, I could have done it in five seconds.
They're only good for kids and untrustworthy houseguests who don't want to get caught. It's an almost meaningless amount of security to any burglar.
craig
Member
i have an 8 gun, 14 gun, and 2 pistol cabinets. they're nowhere near s good as a safe, but they'll keep most curious people (kids) away from your guns.
i'd get a safe, but right now i'm trailer trash and a safe would end up in the basement i don't have.
the valuable guns are in a real safe (landlord's) in the storm shelter and i use these mostly for ammo storage and keeping the hd guns in when company shows up.
they do make storage easier, and i have some dessicant bags in them to control moisture.
i'd get a safe, but right now i'm trailer trash and a safe would end up in the basement i don't have.
the valuable guns are in a real safe (landlord's) in the storm shelter and i use these mostly for ammo storage and keeping the hd guns in when company shows up.
they do make storage easier, and i have some dessicant bags in them to control moisture.
cloudcroft
Member
News Shooter,
You shouldn't get flamed -- and it looks like no one has has -- because we all can only get what we can afford.
Besides, later on if you want, you can always take a step up and get a Stack On safe/RSC, then use the one you have now for something else and/or bolt it to any new safe you get. Check out Sports Authority online and locally...they sometimes have a few safes on the floor you can look at in-person. I saw one there for $319, a 22 or 24-gun Stack On safe/RSC (non-fire rated). I also saw a Stack On "ELite" 24-gun fire-rated safe there and then, it was gone but a Remington was in its place. You never know what they will have on the floor. Wlamart sometimes has a few Sentry gun safes/RSCs (almost idential to Stack Ons, probably made in the same factory) on the floor, too.
Sam's Club has that Winchester safe/RSC I'd like to get.
But no matter what security "box" we get, at least we are WAY ahead of MOST other gun-owners who merely "hide" their guns in the back of a closet...thieves like those guys.
craig,
The 22-24 gun Sentry and Stack On safes/RSCs are not even 300 pounds (something like 250 or so)...they'd be no problem at all for your mobile-home's floor, even with guns in them. Remember, all that weight is spread out across the bottom.
-- John D.
You shouldn't get flamed -- and it looks like no one has has -- because we all can only get what we can afford.
Besides, later on if you want, you can always take a step up and get a Stack On safe/RSC, then use the one you have now for something else and/or bolt it to any new safe you get. Check out Sports Authority online and locally...they sometimes have a few safes on the floor you can look at in-person. I saw one there for $319, a 22 or 24-gun Stack On safe/RSC (non-fire rated). I also saw a Stack On "ELite" 24-gun fire-rated safe there and then, it was gone but a Remington was in its place. You never know what they will have on the floor. Wlamart sometimes has a few Sentry gun safes/RSCs (almost idential to Stack Ons, probably made in the same factory) on the floor, too.
Sam's Club has that Winchester safe/RSC I'd like to get.
But no matter what security "box" we get, at least we are WAY ahead of MOST other gun-owners who merely "hide" their guns in the back of a closet...thieves like those guys.
craig,
The 22-24 gun Sentry and Stack On safes/RSCs are not even 300 pounds (something like 250 or so)...they'd be no problem at all for your mobile-home's floor, even with guns in them. Remember, all that weight is spread out across the bottom.
-- John D.
craig
Member
cloudcroft..i've looked at those and may get one. at least it'll slow down any potential thieves.
i really want a fire rated safe, but that won't work in here now.
once i do get a house, they'll need a forklift to get the safe out, or they'll have to cut it open. a guy i know has a bank type safe he'll sell me. it weighs about 1200 lbs.
i really want a fire rated safe, but that won't work in here now.
once i do get a house, they'll need a forklift to get the safe out, or they'll have to cut it open. a guy i know has a bank type safe he'll sell me. it weighs about 1200 lbs.
Phaetos
Member
can't seem to find them .. anyone got a link?
George Hill
Member
Just remember they are not safes... just lockable cabinets. Like your locker in high school. Security enough to keep honest guys out, but a determined thug with a crow bar will not be stopped.
And there is just about no fire protection with them either. But for a hundred and twenty, it does offer enough peace of mind for the dollar.
And there is just about no fire protection with them either. But for a hundred and twenty, it does offer enough peace of mind for the dollar.
NuclearMeltdown
Member
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Phaetos,
Here's the one I was referring to. $120 at Dick's Sporting Goods until closing today.
http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_security/gc-14p.html
Here's the one I was referring to. $120 at Dick's Sporting Goods until closing today.
http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_security/gc-14p.html
Phaetos
Member
http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/index.html
Found them. Seems they offer two different lines. One is a basic cabinet, the other is a more secure safe. I can't seem to find any pricing on them though.
Found them. Seems they offer two different lines. One is a basic cabinet, the other is a more secure safe. I can't seem to find any pricing on them though.
Are these the ones that use round barrel keys like in Kryptonite bike locks?
If they are, be aware that any street-punk can pick that lock in under 10 seconds with nothing but a Bic pen.
All you need to do is jam the barrel of a plastic pen tube into the lock and turn...
This is common knowledge with bike thieves, car thieves, etc. It has also been widely reported in mainstream news. Probably only honest people do not know about this weakness.
If they are, be aware that any street-punk can pick that lock in under 10 seconds with nothing but a Bic pen.
All you need to do is jam the barrel of a plastic pen tube into the lock and turn...
This is common knowledge with bike thieves, car thieves, etc. It has also been widely reported in mainstream news. Probably only honest people do not know about this weakness.
Phaetos
Member
There are two types of the cabinets/safes. One uses those little keys, the other is a heavier steel and uses a true locking mechanism with either a combination lock or an electronic one.
Another thing to consider is that not everyone lives in a house or can afford to own or build a house.
I ran into a problem when shopping for a RSC: it could not be moved into my dwelling without renting a lot of very expensive and specialized equipment due to the logistics of moving it in. As someone who moves every 2-3 years or has so far, I needed something that wasn't so hard to transport.
I've had to make due with the "security cabinet" solution and the Sentry models myself. It's not because I wasn't willing to pay more for a better container, it's just that it didn't fit my lifestyle or all my needs.
It's true that these containers are really not very good when you talk about stopping a professional thief or at least a determined one, but imho unless you have the resources to build a dedicated "vault" as part of a house you're going to live in for an indefinite period of time, it's probably about as much security as you can realistically expect to have.
I did some research and found out that a real safecracker can easily break into most gun safes, and even the expensive ones in my price range wouldn't hold them off for longer than an hour at most.
The way I look at it, if someone is so clever they can break in without anyone noticing and spend 5 minutes cracking my safe, they are probably clever enough to break in and spend 45 minutes doing the same. The only people I'm realistically going to stop with such a container are innocents, children, fools, and maybe the smash and grab types. So it's worth having, but it's also important to realize what you're actually accomplishing.
There was an incident in my life several years ago where my grandmother's neighbor (who was a bit unstable) stole a gun from a drawer in her neighbor's apartment during a visit and then shot herself with it. This caused all sorts of grief for the gun's owner. A simple Stack On cabinet would have prevented that. At least with something like this you are showing the world you're making some sort of effort to secure the firearm from unauthorized use, and if someone breaks into it, it demonstrates anything they do with the stolen gun is clearly their own fault.
I ran into a problem when shopping for a RSC: it could not be moved into my dwelling without renting a lot of very expensive and specialized equipment due to the logistics of moving it in. As someone who moves every 2-3 years or has so far, I needed something that wasn't so hard to transport.
I've had to make due with the "security cabinet" solution and the Sentry models myself. It's not because I wasn't willing to pay more for a better container, it's just that it didn't fit my lifestyle or all my needs.
It's true that these containers are really not very good when you talk about stopping a professional thief or at least a determined one, but imho unless you have the resources to build a dedicated "vault" as part of a house you're going to live in for an indefinite period of time, it's probably about as much security as you can realistically expect to have.
I did some research and found out that a real safecracker can easily break into most gun safes, and even the expensive ones in my price range wouldn't hold them off for longer than an hour at most.
The way I look at it, if someone is so clever they can break in without anyone noticing and spend 5 minutes cracking my safe, they are probably clever enough to break in and spend 45 minutes doing the same. The only people I'm realistically going to stop with such a container are innocents, children, fools, and maybe the smash and grab types. So it's worth having, but it's also important to realize what you're actually accomplishing.
There was an incident in my life several years ago where my grandmother's neighbor (who was a bit unstable) stole a gun from a drawer in her neighbor's apartment during a visit and then shot herself with it. This caused all sorts of grief for the gun's owner. A simple Stack On cabinet would have prevented that. At least with something like this you are showing the world you're making some sort of effort to secure the firearm from unauthorized use, and if someone breaks into it, it demonstrates anything they do with the stolen gun is clearly their own fault.
Technosavant
Member
I've got the 10 gun Stack-On cabinet. I don't use it for all my guns (those are locked in a special closet), but just for a couple for HD purposes. I screwed a 2x4 into the wall studs and then affixed the cabinet to the 2x4. It will work fine to prevent unauthorized access by children or houseguests. It will probably also deter a smash-and-grab type thief, but not a determined "I'm gonna get what's in there" thief. Fire protection is also negligible.
But then, I do not believe that most of us can afford a safe that will stop a determined and capable burglar who has all day to crack it. This thing is just fine for keeping honest folks (and a chunk of the lazy/useless dishonest ones) out of it.
But then, I do not believe that most of us can afford a safe that will stop a determined and capable burglar who has all day to crack it. This thing is just fine for keeping honest folks (and a chunk of the lazy/useless dishonest ones) out of it.
Phaetos
Member
Upon further inspection, these actually seem to be quite adequate for my current needs. I think Academy has the smaller 8 gun cabinets for sale. Looks like them anyway. ... Yep sure do .. here is the link ...
http://academy.com/index.php?page=c...utdoors/hunting/firearm_safes&lnkSRC=HmFeatIm
http://academy.com/index.php?page=c...utdoors/hunting/firearm_safes&lnkSRC=HmFeatIm
cloudcroft
Member
craig,
Then think about getting some of that fireboard stuff lots of safe-makers use...and line your safe yourself. Maybe you can get at least 30-minutes fire-protection out of it.
To the other guy: No, the gun safes we're talking about here are NOT like "high school lockers"...those are gun cabinets.
We just play the odds -- deal with the rule, not the exceptions, i.e., forget about the "pros" getting into your safe...they couldn't care less what you or I have in there...it ain't worth it to them. Just deal with the average street punk/gangster/smash-grab thief...get what you can afford and bolt it down.
-- John D.
Then think about getting some of that fireboard stuff lots of safe-makers use...and line your safe yourself. Maybe you can get at least 30-minutes fire-protection out of it.
To the other guy: No, the gun safes we're talking about here are NOT like "high school lockers"...those are gun cabinets.
We just play the odds -- deal with the rule, not the exceptions, i.e., forget about the "pros" getting into your safe...they couldn't care less what you or I have in there...it ain't worth it to them. Just deal with the average street punk/gangster/smash-grab thief...get what you can afford and bolt it down.
-- John D.
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