I've read everything about sub $1000 safes and I know what I'm getting into. After all that I have to spend what I have to spend, and I am down to this Winchester and the Liberty Revere 30 gun that TSC sells.
I can get the Winchester delivered to my curb for the selling price of the Liberty, which makes the Liberty about $150 more shipped. I understand both of these safes won't deter a real thief. I live in a fairly quiet rural town and my main concern is casual deterrence, a good spot to organize what I have, and a way to keep my 15 year old from ever getting any ideas. Currently I keep all my long guns in range cases and bags, and it's not an optimal way to have all my guns stored.
1. USA vs China
I know that Liberty is USA made. Lifelong union member, grew up in a union house, and I know my fellow countrymen like to eat just as much as I do, so USA made always matters to me, but doesn't exclude imports just gives me a preference for USA made. There is some question about whether this Winchester is import or USA made, and from reading all the material and watching their Youtube videos it appears to me that this particular Winchester safe is made in Texas and not China. But I'm not 100% certain on that.
2. Key lock backup
The farm and home store down the street has a huge dresser sized Cannon super cheap that I passed on because initial Google searches indicated that someday it would require an expensive visit from the locksmith to drill open. This Winchester has a coke machine key lock under the electronic lock. That is a super feature to me, because not if but when the cheap Chinese electronic lock fails I have a way to get in the safe so I can install a replacement electronic lock myself. Liberty doesn't have this.
So after everything I've read I would be buying a Liberty, but because of the key backup the Winchester is swaying me that way. I sure would love to hear some feedback from you guys because even though I am looking at a super entry level quality of gun safe, it's still something I am spending my money on and filling with stuff that is near and dear to my heart. Appreciate it, thank you.
I can get the Winchester delivered to my curb for the selling price of the Liberty, which makes the Liberty about $150 more shipped. I understand both of these safes won't deter a real thief. I live in a fairly quiet rural town and my main concern is casual deterrence, a good spot to organize what I have, and a way to keep my 15 year old from ever getting any ideas. Currently I keep all my long guns in range cases and bags, and it's not an optimal way to have all my guns stored.
1. USA vs China
I know that Liberty is USA made. Lifelong union member, grew up in a union house, and I know my fellow countrymen like to eat just as much as I do, so USA made always matters to me, but doesn't exclude imports just gives me a preference for USA made. There is some question about whether this Winchester is import or USA made, and from reading all the material and watching their Youtube videos it appears to me that this particular Winchester safe is made in Texas and not China. But I'm not 100% certain on that.
2. Key lock backup
The farm and home store down the street has a huge dresser sized Cannon super cheap that I passed on because initial Google searches indicated that someday it would require an expensive visit from the locksmith to drill open. This Winchester has a coke machine key lock under the electronic lock. That is a super feature to me, because not if but when the cheap Chinese electronic lock fails I have a way to get in the safe so I can install a replacement electronic lock myself. Liberty doesn't have this.
So after everything I've read I would be buying a Liberty, but because of the key backup the Winchester is swaying me that way. I sure would love to hear some feedback from you guys because even though I am looking at a super entry level quality of gun safe, it's still something I am spending my money on and filling with stuff that is near and dear to my heart. Appreciate it, thank you.