Thinking it's time to get some kind of Gun safe & need your help

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Gideon

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Okay, I hate the idea of buying a gun safe because that's one or more guns I can't buy! I have a small modest selection and use an old gun cabinet with the glass. I want to be under $1000 and I'm looking for something to mainly just slow up a thief a little and to keep my children out of them (I have 6).

I've read a lot and looked alot but the moving part is an obstacle, I have steps and stairs and will likely be moving in a year or two and I don't like the whole effort to move one so then I looked at the modular ones. Found two but the one high end model is WAY more than I'm willing to spend.

Then I found the Dakota brand. It's available to me for $679. The advantages besides cost is that I can take it into my basement easily and assemble it in my study. I'll use it for all of my good guns and maybe keep my old wood/glass cabinet for my junker and clunkers. I'll anchor it to the concrete floor and may even install it up underneath the stairs as they're righ in my study. At present I just store boxes in that area.

I was curious if any of you had the Dakota safe and if so, could you tell me what you think about it?

I know it's not top shelf but it's certainly better than my current setup. I also have some rifles cases and laying around in my study and that bothers me and my wife.

Then I'm thinking I'll get a "gunvault" delux and mount it on the floor next to my bed for my HD pistol and a surefire light.

Any comments, suggestions on safes in general for a new guy would be appreciated.

God Bless
Gideon
 
yep, just read my review (the first link) about the Dakota I built. Good stuff. I moved it down 21 stairs (3 corners, 7 stairs a flight). Wasn't that bad. With help I will probably be able to move it up again :).
 
6 Children; I have a few more guns than that! :D

I think the Dakota is the right value for me. I need to be able to handle/move/install with out hiring a crew or getting my own crew together. I don't want this in my living room so it has to go to the basement down a set of narrow stairs. The Zanotti safes seem nice and I like the PIN construction but they are ridiculously priced:eek: I really can't believe they can stay in business with pricing like that but then again, no one knows about the Dakota brand, or they do but they don't like them!

I just need something because I don't think it's right to have even unloaded long guns laying around. So I'm going with the Dakota and then I'm going to mount a "GunVault" to the floor beside my bed and set something in front of this so any guest who happens to walk into that room just see's books, or some other decoration.

I am very surprised there aren't more folks out there on the forum with this Dakota Safe. It makes me a bit nervous. I would think this would sell like hot cakes due to the price point and features of being able to move and install it a lot easier than a regular safe!

Thanks for the inputs...
God Bless
Gideon
 
I believe Dakota is relatively new. I spoke with DakotaScott about his product and marketing. The "problem" he mentioned is that they can't keep up with demand (that's a good problem). So, he's reluctant to increase marketing and advertising efforts only to increase the wait.

I have a Zanotti. I'm happy with it and I got it used. They're also back-ordered for several months. Is it as good as an Amsec or something similar in terms of security? I dunno, probably not. However, the portability and modularity of the safe is worth the premium. Mine also went down a narrow flight of stairs. Stairs that the appliance guys cursed when they delivered my washer & dryer which are smaller and lighter than the Zanotti.

I think the Dakota is a good buy, especially for your needs.
 
The Zanotti safes seem nice and I like the PIN construction but they are ridiculously priced
Click to expand...

There is a guy at the local gun shows selling the Zanottis. I haven't been to the show in a couple of years. The price must have gone up, because I don't remember them being all that offensive.
 
Thanks for the reviews. My name is Scott Jones and am one of the owners of Dakota Safe Co.
Gideon if you have any Questions I will be happy to answer them in public forum or PM.
Thanks
scott
 
Thanks Scott, I did finally find a rep who could order one of your safes. I'd written to your web site about ordering direct but haven't received a reply yet. I like the modular idea because I want to put this in my basement and I know I'll be moving. If I were to build my last home and could figure it in, I'd go with a big regular safe but I think your solution is a good one, however, my one immediate question is whether or not I can get a manual lock from you. I'd read in another forum that someone did that.

I'm just curious about that as an option but I've never carred for electronic locks.

Anyway, I will hopefully be ordering my safe this next week and if I do, I'll be sure to post some reviews.

Thanks
Gideon
 
I'm not sure why you don't like electronic locks. I've got a Liberty safe and the only thing I'd change about it is the manual lock. I'd prefer to be able to get into it a little quicker. Don't know anything about Dakotas, but I don't think you can do any better than the Gun Vault for next to the bed. I really like mine.
 
Gideon -

You might consider Phoenix for an alternative to the Gun Vault. Check their site at www.gunlocker.com and look for "Home Security Locker". These are a bit pricey at $299, but they are the way to go IMO.

The safe is around 24" high and mounts between studs in a bedroom closet (typically -- obviously you can mount it anywhere you want but this is recommended)

It has narrow shelves like a medicine chest which can be used for watches, cameras, etc. and you use Velcro holsters on the inside of the door for 1 or 2 pistols.

Digital lighted keypad opens it with a combination you choose. Key back up for dead battery problems, so you have to have another safe for the key (like the large one you're thinking of putting under the stairs...)
 
99% of the time, having something that cannot be easily peeled (do NOT leave your air compressor and pneumatic tool set next to your $89.99 K-Mart "safe") that is too heavy to move to another location is a good thing.

PUT LOTS OF HEAVY STUFF INSIDE.
 
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