Posted: 1/1/2004 7:16:41 PM EDT
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Does anyone have any recommedations for any gun safe manufactuer? I am looking for one that will hold somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 long guns, a couple of pistols, and a buttload of ammo and mags. I live in ATL, and was looking for either locally or carried through some chain like Bass Pro Shops, etc. I don't think mail order / internet would work because of shipping of a large metal safe would have to cost a shitload. I was looking at this one: www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=22319&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults Does anyone know of Homak? Gotta luv the name! |
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I'll piss a bunch of people off who have bought the "name" but in reality most gun safes from $500 to $3000 are the same. They're all 10 or 12 gauge walls and have doors that are all stronger than the walls. A thief isn't going to pick the lock - unless you have the combo written across the front of the safe - they're going to use brute force to defeat the walls. There's a bit of difference between 10 and 12 gauge steel walls but not a whole bunch when you think about it. So two suggestions - get a bigger safe than you ever think you'll need as it comes in handy for storing other junk in. When we go on vacation I pack the thing full of junk from the house. And two - get a safe with fire lining as more guns burn up in safes than get stolen out of them. I ended up with a really pretty Canon one with the high-gloss finish, big gold spoke wheel and gold leaf fancy work. The thing was big and fire lined and the last thing left in a gun store that was changing owners ... [:)] |
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I have one of those $300 Sentry safes, too. Right now it has four ARs and over a dozen handguns sitting in it. I could squeeze two shotguns in there without being too crowded. I think it is a great value. Only problem is mine is now full. I will have to buy a second one before I buy another handgun, as I really have reached the limit of what the shelves will hold. |
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My first safe was a 25 cubic foot size. It was great, but then it got full. I sold it and was looking for new ones. I was torn between the 35 cf and 50cf sizes, and decided to get the 35cf to save a couple hundred bucks, and now it's nearly full. Mine's a Champion, but without the glossy finish because I'd rather have the cash instead of paying $100-$200 for shiny paint. Get something fire rated, as big and heavy as you can afford. I would choose a bigger, but ugly exterior safe over a smaller, but prettier safe for the same money. Mine was about $1500 if I recall. The 50cf was about $1700 or $1800. |
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I like most bought my first safe (Liberty 25) and thought I'd never fill it. Guess what? I filled it, sold it and bought a bigger one (Liberty 40). Guess what? Yes I filled up. Bought another (Champion 25) for just pistols. I didn't buy another larger one since I will be moving this spring and didn't want the expense of moving it. One question about storing ammo in a tight safe. Is this a good idea??? My friend that sells safes told me not to store it in there. Don't know why, but though I'd ask. |
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Quoted: So two suggestions - get a bigger safe than you ever think you'll need as it comes in handy for storing other junk in. When we go on vacation I pack the thing full of junk from the house. And two - get a safe with fire lining as more guns burn up in safes than get stolen out of them. Amen to that. That is the biggest mistake most safe purchasers make, getting one that is too small to begin with or not taking into account that when you put firearms in a safe they multiply in there. Also, the bigger the safe, the heavier it will be so it will be harder for someone to take the safe altogether. A fireproof safe is also a wise move. Look on the inside of the door and see what the fire rating is between safes. Not all fireproof safes are equal. |
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Those Homak and Sentry boxes are "gun cabinets" not safes. 1: If your house burns so will whatever is in there, they are not fire rated. 2: A friend of mine has one and his house was broken into. They got into the "cabinet" with a butter knife from his kitchen! They are junk, don't waste your money. 3: All they are good for is keeping "little hands" off of your weapons. 4: At my local gun shop you can buy a Liberty 25 gun safe with a 30 minute fire rating for $500-$600. Spend a few extra dollars. |
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Actually, not all Homak/Stack-On [url=http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/fire_resistant/gsx-420.html]safes[/url] are just cabinets. Just the ones you see at Wally World. They make inexpensive safes as well, both fire rated and not. For someone living in an apartment or renting a house, several of these make a better option than one big safe, since you will have to move them some day. Also, once you get into a big heavy safe, you should think twice about placing it anywhere else but on concrete. 1200-1500 pounds is a lot of weight for the floor of a modern (crappy) constructed home or apartment to support. I have a pretty big Liberty safe (don't know the model off the top of my head) and it's already full. I'm looking around for another one to add to (not replace) it. |
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Quoted: 1st be smart, fire rated/ FOR WHAT IN CASE YOU HOUSE BURNS TO THE FUCKING GROUND,I doubt you'd care about them 1st. Well, duhhhhh. Anyone with a brain will keep important documents safe. Tax returns, birth/marriage certificates, passports, deeds to property, wills, legal documents, etc. all should be kept in a fireproof safe or in a safe deposit box. A gun safe just isn't for guns. They're great for holding cash, jewelry, electronics and other things you don't want to walk off. |
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Quoted: One question about storing ammo in a tight safe. Is this a good idea??? My friend that sells safes told me not to store it in there. Don't know why, but though I'd ask. I want to know the answer to this too. I keep a boatload of ammo in my safe. Never heard it could be a bad idea until now. |
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Quoted: I bought a sentry for like 300 bucks at wal-mart. Says it holds like 14 guns, but i dont think it really could lol. It was pretty damn heavy, and it was harder then hell getting it down the stairs. For the price it is pretty damn good though. ditto.And for those who want "fire proof"safes...SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!If your house burns to the ground even in a "fire proof" safe your guns (sadly) are TOAST!!!!! |
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Quoted: Quoted: I bought a sentry for like 300 bucks at wal-mart. Says it holds like 14 guns, but i dont think it really could lol. It was pretty damn heavy, and it was harder then hell getting it down the stairs. For the price it is pretty damn good though. ditto.And for those who want "fire proof"safes...SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!If your house burns to the ground even in a "fire proof" safe your guns (sadly) are TOAST!!!!! It depends....on how long the fire burns and how soon the fire department gets there. This statement can be true or false -- it is very variable dependant. |
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Another $350 walmart Sentry safe owner. As a matter of fact, I was having this discussion yesterday, about how I don't think I could possibly fit 14 guns in it...Perhaps 14 Handguns? I'm very happy with it. I got it for two reasons: 1) To keep my guns dry and from rusting (put in 18" golden rod) 2) To keep out the average thief. There is no such thing as a unbreakable safe. And I'm not anticipating Rober Deniro and Edward Norton trying to steal my guns anytime soon. |
| I have that "Sentry" safe also. Paid 249.00 at a Lowes 1 day sale. The guy said he sold 50 safes that morning I got the floor model. Its 1/4 plate steel all around and holds 14 guns which I cant see happening. Another vote here for the sentry and save the rest of the cash for ammo and mags. |
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WWW.championsafe.com [img]http://photos.ar15.com/WS_Content/ImageGallery/Attachments/DispThumb.asp?sAccountUnq=6026&iGalleryUnq=692&sThumbnail=safe2.jpg[/img] I would Highly recommend Champion 3/16 walls ALL the way around and a massive door ['course I am a little biased] [0:)]I have the crown series 1500lbs dry [:)] |
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Consider designing something to hold your guns that does not look like it is a safe. I remember someone posted a pic of a "fake" electrical box that was a gun cabnet of sorts, looked really professional and a crook probably would not have given it a second look. I agree with the post above, if you get a afe, go big because your colelction will most likely grow. As for fire rating...better have it and not need it than need it and not have it. If you live in the City, fire response will most likely be sufficient to prevent your place from "burning to the ground" as noted above. Lastly, I don't store ammo in my safe. For that, use a simple lock box that is loosly sealed (prevents pressure buildup in fire/explosion incidents). |
| Academy Sports has the $350 Sentry safe Wal*Mart sells for $300. I just picked mine up last weekend. 300 freakin' pounds. My wife and I discussed the fire rating and decided that if a fire is that bad, 30 minutes aren't going to matter. That's why we have renter's insurance. I don't have any collectibles that couldn't be replaced tomorrow. |
| I'll chime in with those that recommend the largest safe you can afford. The one I bought when I had 1 AR and a couple handguns is way too small. I have a huge Security Products safe at work and it's too small. If I ever remodle my house I'm going to buld a walk in vault with concrete walls and a bank vault door. I'd probably fill that up too! |
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Bought a Sentry Safe (should really be called a gun cabinet) to lock the guns up when the youngsters are around. Cheap, but not much in the line of protection from fires or thieves. Did a tremendous amount of homework studying the top safe manufacturers and came to one conclusion: Fort Knox is the best. Bought one of their models as well and I am very impressed. Top of the line. One thing is for sure.......... buy the largest one you can afford. They never hold as many guns as they claim (especially when you store guns like AR-15s, etc.), and you'll always wish you had more room! |
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Quoted: ditto.And for those who want "fire proof"safes...SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!If your house burns to the ground even in a "fire proof" safe your guns (sadly) are TOAST!!!!! This is wrong. A fire rated safe is designed to keep the interior cool enough to prevent major damage to the contents. The limit for fire testing is 350 degrees. Higher rated safes take longer to reach an internal temp of 350 than lower rated safes. Paper won't burn until 451 degrees. I doubt most guns would be damaged below 451 degrees. For the interior to get hotter than that, you'd have to have a huge fire for a long time. Most big, heavy fire rated safes will keep the contents under the safety limit for anywhere from 30 minutes to almost 2 hours. As long as the fire department shows up in a reasonable time frame, you have a really good chance of having no damage to the contents. I have a Champion safe and like it a lot. Here's a pic from their website of mine: [img]www.championsafe.com/products/images/challenger.jpg[/img] |