What's the best place to put a gun safe?
- Thread starter SciFiJim
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Tom S.
Member
Jim,
My Browning safe is probably older than some of the members here! When I got it, I took the interior floor out of it and drilled a 1/2 hole in each corner. Then using a hammer drill, I drilled through the concrete slab underneath and installed anchor bolts. The safe weighted 700lbs empty, and probably another 350lbs with the stuff I have in it. Add the weight of the slab underneath and I doubt it will go anywhere.
I have a lot of tools, and the first thing I put in my safe wasn't a gun, it was my cutting torches. Someone may break in, and they may cut the safe open, but they won't do it with my own tools!
My Browning safe is probably older than some of the members here! When I got it, I took the interior floor out of it and drilled a 1/2 hole in each corner. Then using a hammer drill, I drilled through the concrete slab underneath and installed anchor bolts. The safe weighted 700lbs empty, and probably another 350lbs with the stuff I have in it. Add the weight of the slab underneath and I doubt it will go anywhere.
I have a lot of tools, and the first thing I put in my safe wasn't a gun, it was my cutting torches. Someone may break in, and they may cut the safe open, but they won't do it with my own tools!
neomac3444
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That is a great idea to put your cutting torches in the safe.
My safe is the basement but my cutting torches are in the garage guess its time to move them.
Or better yet, have the safe (if its permanently installed, which it should be) on its own alarm circuit. My safe has its own alarm on the door which is key controlled so even if the home alarm is not armed the safe is armed, and if the home alarm is armed the safe's alarm circuit can still be disarmed with the key.
The only problem with putting it in the middle of the building is that even if its a fire safe its probably not going to survive in the middle of your burning house. I have mine on an outside wall (built into the wall, sandwiched all around by studs so being pulled through the wall is not a concern) and the location of it is noted in the hazmat book at the local fire dept, so if there is ever a fire and I am not here, when they check my address to see if there are dangerous materials at this address they will see the note giving the location of the fire safe and know to put a hose on it to keep it cool
Just to be clear, its in the hazmat book not because the FD believes a gun safe is, but because they said that was the best place to make note of it to be sure it would be read in the event they responded to a fire at my house.
Deanimator
Member
The BEST place is entirely dependent upon your situation.
One of the WORST places would be the garage. The last thing I'd want is to have thousands of dollars worth of guns in a location where they can easily be put on a refrigerator dolly and wheeled quickly through a large door to a waiting truck or van.
One of the WORST places would be the garage. The last thing I'd want is to have thousands of dollars worth of guns in a location where they can easily be put on a refrigerator dolly and wheeled quickly through a large door to a waiting truck or van.
makarovnik
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Hide that puppy. Gun safes just scream "I've got guns and/other valuables inside".
I like a false wall or behind a cabinet or something.
I like a false wall or behind a cabinet or something.
Carlos Cabeza
Member
I like "out of sight, out of mind". All it takes is one peron to see it and repeat it in mixed company unknowingly giving information about "Mr. White's safe full of guns".
Some of my immediate family doesn't know I have a safe.
Some of my immediate family doesn't know I have a safe.
Lightninstrike
Member
I want a basement like that.
In my house, the basement is the best place. I plan to put one in a certain spot, and then build my reloading/gun cleaning/gunsmiffing bench next to it.
As far as the cutting torches, good idea, but all you need to lock up is the torch tip itself. I'd leave the head assembly alone, it's useless without the cutting tip.
As far as the cutting torches, good idea, but all you need to lock up is the torch tip itself. I'd leave the head assembly alone, it's useless without the cutting tip.
maksim
Member
Wow, talk about a real mancave. =P
I think some of you are overthinking it a bit. If you are worried that someone is going to cut a hole in your house and pull the safe out with a truck then I dont think that you will ever have enough protection to satisfy your fears. MOST break ins by your common thief are smash and grabs, in and out in a matter of minutes. If someone really wants what is in your safe and they want what is in it undamaged they have a big job ahead of them with lots of time and noise. With most safes having bolts that come out on three or four sides you cant just grind the hinges off. Get an alarm with motion sensors. Me, I'll keep my guns in the corner of the basement.
I hate to admit it but my safe is sitting in my garage, it was too large(77 x 43 x 37) to fit through the front door or the hallway. I will need to knock out a wall to eventually install it in my laundry room.
On the upside I choose a Original Safe 30X6, it weighs almost three tons empty.
I doubt anyone will easily get this out of the garage, let alone past the first turn down the street.
This is my first safe, I'm wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the layout inside the safe in addition to the suggested locations.
On the upside I choose a Original Safe 30X6, it weighs almost three tons empty.
I doubt anyone will easily get this out of the garage, let alone past the first turn down the street.
This is my first safe, I'm wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the layout inside the safe in addition to the suggested locations.
A fortified basement is the best place. Also, install a walk in area in the basement and install a sliding bookcase with locks to disguise it. I would also say put a cheap "dummy" safe somewhere where a thief would sort of easily find it. If they actually take the time and get it open and nothing is inside but confetti and a sign that says, "Ha ha. Caught you!"
TheFallGuy
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I rent. I don't have a basement at my disposal. My safe (a liberty) is in my bedroom (behind a closet door). If I owned my house and had a basement, I would put it in the basement. If I buy the house I live at now, my safe will go to the basement (very cool and dry). If I buy the house I will add on to it though-think rebar 1 foot thick walls and exterior grade doors with deadbolts between the world and my safe.
That's a perfect place, 2 years in the future though. Put it in the basement (cool and dry). Keep it hidden-why draw attention to your $10,000 (or more) gun collection? If you can bolt it to the floor do so! If there is a door between your safe and the rest of the world, replace it with an exterior grade door (preferably steel) with a dead bolt or two. Then write down every serial number and hide them in you bedroom safe (with your insurance, birth certificate, passport, deed to the house, etc).
That's a perfect place, 2 years in the future though. Put it in the basement (cool and dry). Keep it hidden-why draw attention to your $10,000 (or more) gun collection? If you can bolt it to the floor do so! If there is a door between your safe and the rest of the world, replace it with an exterior grade door (preferably steel) with a dead bolt or two. Then write down every serial number and hide them in you bedroom safe (with your insurance, birth certificate, passport, deed to the house, etc).
chuckusaret
member
In the spare bedroom closet, bolted to the floor with a lockable steel closet door, steel door frame.
yeti
Member
I like the way mine looks, right in the living room, where a good safe belongs.
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