Posted: 8/1/2007 7:49:48 AM EDT
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This looks like a pretty good deal, but my experience is too limited to make an informed decision. Thoughts? Gun Safe |
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I would personally go 10ga at a minimum if you can spend a few more bucks. My favorite safe FAQ: www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html |
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I have a steel gun locker. not super heavy duty, you know just a reinforced steel locker with 2 locks. anwyays I keep it bolted to the floor and filled with concrete blocks. I had some assholes break into my old house with what apeared to be a crowbar or some kind of prybar type thing. they scratched the hell out of the front of the safe, but couldnt pull it off the ground or open it. for only a little over $1K worth of guns, works for me. if I had more than that, I might step it up though. |
| I've looked at it in person, and it's nice, but I won't be getting it. I'm saving up for the Lincoln series. The one I want is around $1800, but the factory is in my home town, so I can go down and pick a scratch and dent for about 1/2 that. Ft. Knox is here too, I still need to go look at them. |
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Find the video that has the bubbas breaking into a safe like that. The door frame isn't reinforced, there are NO bolts across the top and bottom. It took two amateurs about two minutes to break into that safe. http://www.libertysafeofmd.com/ The video is on this website. |
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Don't get it....... When I was shopping around for a gun safe, I was a pubic hair away on buying the identical one. I did many hours of research on the net and talking to Locksmiths, that safe is one of the worst on the market. * Their "Composite door" is chicken wire in sheet metal. There are test video's on the net that you can actually see the door bend with a knee * There are no bolts on the hinge side of the door. * There only four locking bolts on the whole safe, all four on the left side. * Internal hinges... Bad  * Made in China * Crap Warranty The list can go on.... PLEASE don't waste your money on these "safes" Almost every Locksmith I spokes to laughed when I asked them about the Centurion safe. They told me to get a American Security/AMSEC, which I did. Try to save a bit of money and get a good safe, someone's life may depend on it. Bri |
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I just bought a safe--wish I had known about this thread. Lots of good, informative links. My safe is 30"W x 26"D x 60"H and barely holds 10 long guns comfortably, along with all of the other "stuff" that needs secure storage. Stuff = handguns, etc. I believe that the safe you're looking at is a little smaller, but the data sheet says it will store "up to" 18 guns. I guess that could be, but it wouldn't hold much else. The manufacturers capacity claim for my safe was 12. I bought an "American Security", not because I thought it was better, but because it was in-stock and I made the retailer an offer against his sticker price and he took it. Local delivery and installation here in Phx was $275. The thing weighs 900 lbs so there wasn't any alternative for my situation. |
I bought a safe last year and got an electronic lock. Now I am concerned because there is no back up means to open it. What happens in a SHTF situation when batteries become unavailable. I wonder if I can get a locksmith to add either a key or regular combination lock to it? |
| Wal-Mart.com is actually the best place for basic gun safes, they even do free delivery to your local store. |
Can't go wrong with a Ft. Knox. That was my plan until I found a local custom safe with the same quality/features. I ended up with a custom built Halls Safe. 1200 lbs of plate steel goodness. 
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They only have sentry, while a good starter safe, they are not a real safe. After playing with them, I wouldn't trust them much. ETA: Post 1600. It's like a sign to spend at least that much on a good safe  .For Ft Knox the Defender looks like the lowest one I'd get. |
Mine you pop the electronic pad off and use a key to open it too. If shit hit the fan and you dont have a spare battery, you were not prepared for SHTF. Shame on you. 
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Call a locksmith to confirm, but most safe dealerships will tell you that most of their service calls are for electronic locks. You can't go wrong with a mechanical lock as long as you treat it like a swiss watch. For the tinfoil types, what happens to an electronic lock if an EMP goes off? Good luck getting your stuff if that SHTF scenario happens! Don't put too much weight into the internal vs. external hinges talk. The only real limiting factor on internal hinges is that the door maynot swing open past 90 degrees. The ONLY purpose of hinges is to support the weight of the door when its open. |
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Wow....great responses. Excellent advice from everyone. I went to a local dealer today to look at the AMSEC safes. In my price range, he had the little 5517 for $550ish and 5924 for $950ish. Very nice safes....very well built...would definitely deter pretty much anyone that would break into my house. I doubt my modest little ranch in a working class neighborhood would attract Danny Ocean or the Italian Job guys (and girl). AMSEC has certainly given me a standard to compare to. Now I just need to get out and find a local dealer that carries the other top brands. Thanks again for the responses. Keep 'em coming if you got 'em. |
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Do not get a safe with an Electronic Lock!!! Do not go cheap on a safe, its a one-time expense (until you fill it up), your buying it to protect an investment. Go Amsec, with at least the BF line. I've had mine for 12yrs and my FFL has had his for darn near 20, still works like a champ. I would recommend Patriot, but I have found them impossible to deal with. |