Entry-level safe shopping

[XJ]

So after a broken pipe I've moved from the apartment to a rental house, meaning it is time to get a safe. There isn't space or budget for anything massive, and I'm leery about trying to move something too heavy. The floors are 2x10, and once I get into the crawlspace with a tape measure it wouldn't be tough to reinforce if the load would be mid-span.

How does it work when you get a safe - pickup at the store limited by your own capabilities or a have it delivered by a bunch of sketchy big guys who find out where you live and how low your budget is?

In the Springs, it seems like Sportsmans and the chain sporting goods stores are the inexpensive sources. Anywhere else? Specialty did not seem to have much for the beginner.

[BPTactical]

The best $200 I spent when I bought my safe was for the delivery. My back is worth at least that. If you go with a reputable safe mover I think you dont have much to worry about.
Hamblin out of Berthoud or Jim Palmer are both straight up guys to deal with. Who knows-Maybe they have a line on a trade in safe you could save some bucks on.

[funkfool]

XJ - I am also getting in the market for a safe - bought a home recently and the gun collection needs a safe.
Seems to me you are correct - the big box sports stores - I check the Sunday ads in the Gazette - some deals there.
I am wondering if there is a company someone can recommend here in the Springs for safe moving/install/consultation?
I will post here if I see anything of interest.

[BigBear]

If you're in the Springs (like me!) check out "Henleys". They are on Nevada/115, downtown right across the street from the First United Methodist Church.

[glucas]

A friend and myself lifted and slid mine on cardboard into the back of a pickup truck. Then slid it out on cardboard in my garage. Then used golf balls to roll it around on till I got it where I wanted it. (just keep replacing them to the front as you roll it, and obviously this wont work up or down stairs). I dont have the biggest safe in the world but it weighs somewhere around 760 pounds. It was a lot easier then I thought it would be.

[theGinsue]

I got this Winchester 12/24 gun safe at Sams Club (the Colo Spr North Sams) for $650 just about a year and a half ago. I now have 2 of these in my basement. For transporting, I had it loaded by Sams Club onto a untility trailer (lower than my truck bed). Once at my house, I removed the door (with the door open, it lifts off of the hinge pins) then 3 of us (me, my son was 16 at the time, and my best friend) moved the safe on a rented appliance dolly through my garage, down the basement stairs and to the location it now sits. Then 2 of us carried the door down and re-attached it.

It wasn't light work and we certainly built up a sweat, but it was safe and I didn't have to pay $100+ for paid movers.


http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt65/theGinsue/safe1.jpg

[gnihcraes]

safe moving: I was able to put mine on a strong 2-wheeler/appliance dolly, strap it down good and used the truck winch to assist in lowering it down the stairs to the basement... worked pretty well. :) straight shot from outside, no turns. whew.

I like the golf ball idea...

[opie011]

I use 3/4" plumber pipe under safes to roll them into place. Blocks of wood, rollers(pipe) and crowbars are your best friends when it comes to safes.

[sniper7]

seriously order from Costco.
both my safes have been purchased from them. free curbside delivery. most of the time they are cool enough to take it into your garage or something and then you can call some buddies.
the latest one was huge and a bitch to move...took 3 guys and we all strained ourselves pretty good. all good sized guys as well.
so if you have a couple friends go for that.
some of the best money I have spent.


ETA: also, get a furniture dolly to help you move it, especially if you are going to be moving up or down stairs.

[XJ]

How about dicks (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3385837&cp=2367438.2367824.2292572.2292624) which is larger and heavier, but has fewer details on construction.

or

lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=291281-10283-CN20-BK&lpage=none) which is from a "better" name but obviously not a real Liberty. Not as deep, but lighter for two people to move with a rubber-tire dolly.

Costco isn't open today, and I'm not a member there or at Sams club. Was really hoping to get something that is in stock, not waiting weeks and weeks.

[KFinn]

Haha... I was shopping for safes before black friday. I really wanted to get the 28gun safe from Dicks. That is the one I would suggest. If you send me a PM with your email address I can email you an excel doc I created with pictures comparing the specs and such. But it is a 6MB file.