View Full Version : Gun Safe questions
We are looking at the purchase of a gun safe. As we lost our gun-like objects in a dreadful Zepplin mishap, we simply have sticks that are the size and shape of firearms now- they’re just as dangerous, right? We’d like to corral all of ur sticks somehow, and contain them.
I have many n00b questions about gun safes, so please bear with me.
Is it best to keep all gun-shaped sticks together in one area?
All gun safes are not created equal, and the cats show no inclination of being able to best childproof locks we’ve placed on the cupboards. With no little humans in the house, is there a safe brand that is more desirable than the other? Some of them are really expensive! Yikes.
Is it better to have a fairly large gun safe to contain all of our fancy sticks, or should we have two or more safes for the variety we have? We have both long sticks and ‘L’ shaped sticks.
Is there a prime place to keep a gun safe? The basement floor is solid, as is the garage floor. The spousal unit thinks we should bolt it to the floor. Is that recommended?
What other information should I be asking about, and what else do I need to know about gun safes? I’d appreciate any and all information and guidance you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance!
A simple search will come up with quite a bit on the subject
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/131033-Safe-Info-Thread?highlight=Safes
this is a good start!?!?
SideShow Bob
06-20-2014, 17:32
Bolted to the floor whether in the garage or basement.
Cons in the garage : large temperature swings, from frigid winter and hot summers could cause rusting of your sticks. High humidity in the winter if the garage is heated due to snow and slush melting off of vehicles. Easy access to your stick storage device from uninvited persons especially if the garage door is accidentally left open when you leave. And a high possibility of rusting out the bottom of the safe from Magchloride & salts from winter road treatments mixed in the snow and slush melting from vehicles.
Cons in the basement : it is hell getting a decent size safe into the basement if it has a tight 180* turn half way down.
Pros in the basement : a more temperature controlled environment. Out of sight to guests. Easier access to you for cleaning and fondling of the sticks.
Dont beleive the manufacturers number of sticks the safe will hold, cut that number by at least 1/3.
Buy a safe at least for 1/2 more than you think you will ever need.
And like anything else, you get what you pay for.
Rooskibar03
06-20-2014, 18:12
Always buy at least the next bigger size than you think you need, 2 sizes up if possible. Love my Liberty, just wish it was bigger.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/951fd8b3.jpg
I bought a 51 gun safe.... had 10 guns in it, important papers, ammo, ammo cans, cleaning kits etc, and needed more room!!!!
do your research, it's an investment that is meant to last years. so a few thousand now is only $10-20 a month over the 10 years +, you will have that safe. But also considering what is going to happen if you are ever going to move. the 51-gun safe was 1,000 lbs. Any average dolly truck cannot handle that weight. Luckily the Air Force paid a moving company for me to move it.
/fly boys .02$
If I had it to do over, I would have dropped a FatBoy in the basement before the house was framed in. If you live in an urban area, the fire ratings don't matter much, and in fact they don't matter too much out in the country. Have a second, smaller, safe near where you sleep might be a good idea depending on how you like things set up.
4623346235
I prefer the people who would want what is in my stick safe to not even know it is there. ;-) If someone wants to get in it they will get in. You just have to make it hard to get inside (sides are the most vulnerable.
Colorado Safe Outlet treated me well.
StagLefty
06-20-2014, 18:38
My being in a lower income all I could afford was a Stack-On rifle cabinet with a pistol cabinet on top (buy bigger is good advice). Also being in a mobile home I lag bolted both to wall studs.
Not the desired answer but better than nothing.
Like these guys said, get bigger than what you need. I prefer basement over garage as it is out of sight out of mind. If your basement has a possibility of flood then just elevate the safe a little. I didn't bolt mine to the floor because it cannot be taken back up the stairs, mods had to be made and repaired to get it down there. It will stay with the house the next time I move. Liberty and Knox or some of the best, as well as the Browning safes. The debate about temp rating goes back and fourth. Mine is rated pretty high due to the fact that it is in the basement and if the fire ever did get bad enough and every thing fell it then maybe something might survive. The wife says that what is in the safe would be
the least of or worries, I beg to differ. Do your homework and shop around, safes are a huge investment. Good luck and I hope you have a few good friends to help you move it in. I'm not sure if they still offer it but Cannon safes used to promise that if anyone ever did manage to break into your safe that they would replace the contents.
Be sure you scrutinize who has the combo/key. too.
A safe is an extra layer of insurance.
I was a victim of an entire collection gone. Even though it was an inside job, I would never, ever be caught without a good safe. And only 2 people know the combo, and I can change it in 10 minutes.
Think about the total amount of your collection... Then set that number next to the price of a safe. I would gladly postpone my next purchase or two for a little extra layer of insurance.
<MADDOG>
06-20-2014, 19:21
My own $.02...
To echo what has been stated above; get bigger than you think you need, and as much as you can afford.
Bolt it to something. From what I have heard from somewhat expert opinions, thieves most times attack everything but the front.
Best option for security purposes is basement IMO. I have heard of an instances where thieves have wrapped straps around safes in a garage, and yanked them clean out... (think ATM).
Fire; there is no win. I have personally seen two instances with the Black Forest fire where all that is left is a molten pile of steel... Those of us who are in relatively new construction (late 90's and above), shouldn't fool ourselves. A 1Hr rating doesn't mean shat when your home is built of TJI's, and the FF's are sending hose streams from the outside worrying about a floor collapse... Insurance for fire IMO.
Always buy bigger than you need....you'd be surprised how fast they fill up. Also, bolt it down as many manufacturers will void the warranty if they find out it wasn't bolted down.
4623346235
I prefer the people who would want what is in my stick safe to not even know it is there. ;-) If someone wants to get in it they will get in. You just have to make it hard to get inside (sides are the most vulnerable.
Colorado Safe Outlet treated me well.
Should have slid the safe over tight to the adjacent wall. Putting the non hinge side against a wall prevents extra leverage if someone used a pry bar on your safe.
Always buy bigger than you need....you'd be surprised how fast they fill up. Also, bolt it down as many manufacturers will void the warranty if they find out it wasn't bolted down.
Should have slid the safe over tight to the adjacent wall. Putting the non hinge side against a wall prevents extra leverage if someone used a pry bar on your safe.
I built a wall around it. extra drywall, expanded metal, etc... This was an early pic right after install My basement was only framed in at this point. Plus, once I am done you will never find this room. [Flower]
spqrzilla
06-20-2014, 20:14
Don't buy an electronic keypad lock.
Don't buy an electronic keypad lock.
Hell naw. I got the one with the S&G mechanical lock. I use them daily at work, and can operate and change the combo in my sleep. Borrowed the change key from work actually.
I'm from the school of more safes bolted down. If they manage to break into one they won't get everything. They most likely won't have time to open all of them. I still have four safes from back before the boating accident when every shooting stick I own went down with the boat to Davy Jones Locker. Safes are for break-ins insurance is for fires.
SamuraiCO
06-20-2014, 21:10
Mine is in the basement. Not bolted down but I have extra ammo so it weighs that much more. Looking into a Safealert from Liberty that communicates with your cell phone letting you know if being broke into or temp swings.
WOW.
Everyone, thank you so very much for the advice. I never would have thought about temperature/humidity fluctuations, keypads vs. mechanical locks, or getting the biggest size possible.
Bolted down, hidden away and raised up a little to protect from possible water damage. Got it!
I appreciate everyone's input on keeping our sticks safe. :) I love this forum.
[Flower]
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