Buying my first safe. Have questions.

[SAnd]

I doubled the size of my safe using Rifle Rods. You can stack a lot more guns in the same size safe. They also make it easier to get to the guns in the back. You need to unstack less guns to get to the back.

http://www.storemoreguns.com/rifle-rods-3.html

Look at the pictures to see how they work. They show a dealer in Denver.

I also use the socks to protect the fancy guns I have.

I also advocate getting the biggest safe that will fit your circumstances.

Happy Hunting.

[CO-SpAr72]

Bought mine at CO Safe Outlet. Just an entry level safe. Supposedly has capacity for 22 long guns or 11 lg plus shelves. Thinking bout half that at best but has nice interior and haven't filled it...YET! Pm me if interested in their contact info

[CrufflerSteve]

I think I've mentioned Zannoti Armor before. At one point I thought I'd never move again but life happened and I've moved 3 times.
http://www.zanottiarmor.com/

A modular safe is great. It is easy to move and install. You don't have to hire strangers and your neighbors don't even need to know you have a gunsafe.

Steve

[DFBrews]

I think I've mentioned Zannoti Armor before. At one point I thought I'd never move again but life happened and I've moved 3 times.
http://www.zanottiarmor.com/

A modular safe is great. It is easy to move and install. You don't have to hire strangers and your neighbors don't even need to know you have a gunsafe.

Steve

Cost?

[CrufflerSteve]

Cost?

Damfino. I bought my last one about 15 years ago. It was comparable to similar safes. They offer a lot of options. The modular feature makes for cheaper shipping. It can be flat on a pallet.

Steve

[gos]

I got mine at Costco, Rhino Bighorn 19ECB, for like $599 delivered when it was on sale last year. Cheap, but is rated at 30 minutes of typical house fire protection. Won't stop any determined thieves but will prevent mishandling of them which was my main concern since family with kids visit from time to time.

Looks exactly as advertised. If you weren't storing paperwork or other valuables inside and used both sides for guns, you could comfortably get 10-12 long guns with optics inside, plus a bunch of handguns along the top.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=11642080

Their 36ECB is on sale now too, $500 discount. Bring a few friends and a heavy-duty hand truck since it's 800 lbs.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=11751434

If we ever move, I'll definitely do the door/vault method, I think.

[BuffCyclist]

I'm following along this thread closely, been talking about safes for a while now with my Fiancee. We own our own home and will be getting married next year with kids to follow. She doesn't want our kids to access my guns, and I want to get a safe to lock up my rifles, as well as personal documents and the like.

However, I haven't seen anyone comment on the locks themselves: combination or electronic? Additionally, the fire rating hasn't been commented on. Most are 30min at 1200*F.

I was looking at picking up a $400 safe at Lowes that is made by Liberty Safe, the Centurion 12 or 20. Then I found Mesa Safes and the MBF5922, a 7.9cuft safe (which is roughly 18-20 guns according to other safes of similar size) which seems to be amazing. They retail between $850-1000 including curbside delivery with the choice of an electronic or dial lock and has a fire rating of 60min at 1750*F. Are their safes REALLY rated that high/long or is it a marketing scheme? Do I really need something rated that high or are normal 30min at 1200*F enough for a typical house fire? (wood framing, concrete slab, 90%/10% stucco/vinyl siding)

http://www.mesasafe.com/models/gun-s.../overview.html

For my use, I think I want to get a dial lock as my SD/HD/CCW will not be stored in it so quick access isn't necessary. And I've read (albeit briefly) that electronic locks can be more prone to wearing out sooner than a dial. I don't want to get a huge safe since our house isn't that large and the closet I will be putting it in will be used for other things as well. We have a concrete slab foundation so I will definitely be securing it to the floor, preferably with the hinge side away from the wall (for pry bar reasons as someone mentioned in the thread already).

Not purchasing soon, this is a 1yr or more research project and the safe will be purchased hopefully before the start of 2014.

[babirl]

I recently upgraded to an AMSEC BF to replace some lesser options after many years of deciding/putting it off. Regardless, that's not a "base" nor "economical" option but I can pass along some lessons learned:

- Anything is better than nothing!

- Definitely talk to a pro in the "gun safe/Residential Security Container" business; a few $100s can make a huge difference in what you get... Especially in the "budget" models. (There are huge differences in the bulk-built CH safes... Some are actually pretty dang good; some you might as well just buy a basic metal cabinet.)

- If no local dealer available or prices out of control. there are quite a few good dealers online that cover the spectrum from budget to "real" safes in the $100+K range. (I eventually went through "The Safe Place" and they were great and very knowledgeable... IM if you want some other ideas.)

- I've always opted for manual locks; partially because I'm old-school, partially because I've seen folks have hell w/ an electronic ones but that was years ago... I understand the reliability has vastly improved (Definite requirement is a UL listed lock).

- "Storage capacity" is always overrated; especially w/ ARs... Buy the best quality/biggest you can accommodate/afford and start saving for #2.

B2

FWIW, I've always had loaded/unsecured firearms in the house and my long-grown children knew, respected, and never had an issue... Same as w/ my dad, granddads, etc. It's the "friends" and thieves you have to watch out for!

[BuffCyclist]

I recently upgraded to an AMSEC BF to replace some lesser options after many years of deciding/putting it off. Regardless, that's not a "base" nor "economical" option but I can pass along some lessons learned:

- Anything is better than nothing!

- Definitely talk to a pro in the "gun safe/Residential Security Container" business; a few $100s can make a huge difference in what you get... Especially in the "budget" models. (There are huge differences in the bulk-built CH safes... Some are actually pretty dang good; some you might as well just buy a basic metal cabinet.)

- If no local dealer available or prices out of control. there are quite a few good dealers online that cover the spectrum from budget to "real" safes in the $100+K range. (I eventually went through "The Safe Place" and they were great and very knowledgeable... IM if you want some other ideas.)

- I've always opted for manual locks; partially because I'm old-school, partially because I've seen folks have hell w/ an electronic ones but that was years ago... I understand the reliability has vastly improved (Definite requirement is a UL listed lock).

- "Storage capacity" is always overrated; especially w/ ARs... Buy the best quality/biggest you can accommodate/afford and start saving for #2.

B2

FWIW, I've always had loaded/unsecured firearms in the house and my long-grown children knew, respected, and never had an issue... Same as w/ my dad, granddads, etc. It's the "friends" and thieves you have to watch out for!

Thanks for the tips, sadly I live in a town of 30k people and we dont' have a safe place. In fact, the only safe I can get here in town is a cheapo small "fireproof" safe at walmart or the $400 Centurion at Lowes (but they dont even know the combo to open it for me).

I'll check out The Safe Place and continue doing research, really curious on the fire rating of safes though. I think the Mesa 5922 is the biggest I can accommodate in our house.

Part of the reason I'm wanting to lock up instead of just continue hiding is that my Fiancee never grew up with guns, in fact her first exposure is through me carrying everywhere we go and at first she was VERY uneasy about it. Now she encourages me to carry. Still trying to convince her to get her CCW let alone let me take her to the range to shoot for the first time.

[babirl]

...
I'll check out The Safe Place and continue doing research, really curious on the fire rating of safes though. ...

Part of the reason I'm wanting to lock up ...

Best wishes and how the heck did you find a a trainable/cool gal in S NM? Congrats!

Heck, I have a Canuck daughter-in-law that's learned!

Fire rating is a bit nebulous; particularly for gun safes/RSCs... Most of the "cheaper" ones rely on a layer/layers of sheet-rock/drywall that tend to out-gas w/ heat and also absorb moisture due to various or lack of treatment/mitigation (not a normal issue in CO/NM; however, it's worth having a desiccant). Lots of info out there, but if you can buy into 60 min good/90 min better.

Anyhow, you're in the middle of nowhere NM but you have some great options to research and get something 'way better" delivered.

B2

OK, I don't start "forum wars" , but here's one that's not "the hated ARFCOM"/relatively recent:  http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465833

I will say anything much heavier than 800# you start getting into dangerous/exceeding your average HD appliance dolly/3-buds & beer moving service.