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Posted: 10/12/2006 10:42:17 AM EDT
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I'm looking for a gun safe for my AR and other weapons. They have Sentry brand safes at walmart, an electronic one for $350. This seems like a good deal. What I'd like is to keep it next to my bed to secure the weapons during work, and have the door open at night to make them accessible when we sleep, thus the electronic lock would be easier to operate daily. I think having a safe is good so if we were broken in to, they could not easily make off with my weapons. Any input on other brands or the quality of the sentry's and electronic locks appreciated. |
| Its a good idea to make sure that which ever safe you choose it can be anchored to a fixed surface in your home(i.e. wall,floor). If you dont, the crooks wont steal one of your guns, they will steal them all with the safe included. Its also a good idea to look at fire rated safes. Sometimes its not practical to buy a $1300 24 gun safe, but buy the very best you can afford, remember the heavier the safe the harder it is to move(by "you" and the bad guys), you'll thank yourself when it does its job. As far as brand, there are several excellent brands out there that wont break the bank. Also...if you have trouble getting the idea of a $600 or $700 gun safe buy the warden(wife/girlfriend) remind them that its a great place to store other valueables like jewelry,cameras,and family heirlooms. Goodluck and happy shopping. |
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I have a smaller "American Security" safe that fits really well in the corner of my walk-in bedroom closet. (I didn't want my safe out in plain sight)  I have it bolted down to the concrete slab with (4) sleeve anchors that are rated at 2400 lbs pullout each. The safe itself weighs 250 lbs and is fire rated. It will hold 11 rifles/shotguns and has a shelf for pistols etc. I paid around $450 +tax at a local fun shop. I keep my Glock within easy reach and the rest in the safe. So far I really like the Safe, I have the model 5517 Here's a link: www.amsecusa.com/gun-safes-LP-main.htm Hope this helps! Dixie_Shooter |
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I was in the same boat as you... I bought a Sentry gun safe from Walmart a few weeks back but I returned it because it was built kinda cheap (it made me worry more) so, there I was with no safe and no idea what to get, there isnt alot of info out on how to choose or buy a safe (RSC) I went to Gander Mountain at look at there lower end safes, the liberty Centurion, only to find out that it had 4 locking bolt only on one side and the door was composite (which means that the shell of the door is only 12 gauge but it sandwiched to look much thicker).... so, that was out. Next, I talk to lots and lots of locksmiths about safes (they're the experts not the sporting good salemans) and many of them leaned towards the Amsec safes. The two high end series were out of my price range so I ended up buying the Amsec LP5924W, after many hours of searching. It has alot of features that are impressive: 5- 1 1/4 bolts with 3- 1 1/4 deadbolts 1/4 " solid steel door fired rated @1200 for 45min "B" rated Lifetime "No Cost" warrenty 490 lbs for a small safe  Oak shelves with velour Group II lock I wont have the safe until later this week, I'll update with a final report when I do get it. Bri P.s You should be able to get the LP5924 for about $650 if you call around, many quotes many be around $1000 but thats the MSRP 
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Well, I bit the bullet and got the safe at Walmart on Friday. Ended up with the sentry unit with the electronic lock. http://www.sentrysafe.com/Products.asp?r=21&s=153 A funny side note is the expression on my wife's face when she came home and found the safe in the bedroom. hinking.gif I keep the door open at night so i can get at weapons fast, and locked when we are away. The electronic lock makes it easy to open quickly. Since it is out in the bedroom, I don't want to put holes in the floor though the carpet and also risk hitting the pipes in the slab. Was thinking that the safe is 250lbs, maybe if i add some lead plates to the tune of 200 more lbs. in the bottom, it would be too heavy/difficult for thieves to remove it, especially with the alarm system blaring. Anyone else not bolt their's down? |
Dixie- Thats the safe I was looking at- but- it weighs under 300lbs...had me worried... |
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I believe the Sentry safe also has holes in the sides for passing electrical through the wall for Goldenrod, etc. Suggest that you could use these to anchor the safe to a stud. Not ideal, but it would dissuade the causal thief. Also, I know that you want to keep the safe open for easy access at night, but suggest this might be a bad idea because it also allows intruders easy access (you never know how heavy you might sleep) and potentially opens you up to liability (civil and criminal) if you have young children in the home. |
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I bought that exact safe a few weeks ago, and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I normally dont shop at Wal-Mart, but I heard about the deal and decided to check it out.     I live in an apartment. I wanted to prevent a smash and grab type of deal. I went to Home Depot, grabbed a couple of anchors and rented a hammer drill. Cut a tiny slit in the carpet and drilled/anchored. Since it's sitting on a cushion of carpet, there is a slightly wobble, but I dont see it going anywhere. It's also in a tight spot where it'll be very hard for anybody to do any work on it. For the price of $350, I think it's pretty hard to beat the value of it. |
The lag bolts and anchors are only going in the slab about 2 inches if that far. I don't think you would hit any pipes in the slab. If it doesn't weigh over 400 plus pounds I would anchor it. Two people or one with a two wheeler would be able to take or move your safe and its contents. |
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Has anyone have any info on Patriot Safes? For the prices and what they have to offer they look like a good deal to me. www.patriotsafe.com/ |
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We have two Liberty Centurion 25 Gun safes side by side. I think they weigh close to 600 pounds a piece. The first one was slid down the basement stairs on a board, second one (bought a year later) was carried down by four of us. We still don't have them bolted down, but I'd say each has over 150# of weapons, and maybe another 50-75# of ammo. Time to buy another safe. Again...href=www.libertysafesnj.com/ Here's another Safe Company who is close to me. www.mistymorn.com/ |
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Well I bit the bullet and ordered a Liberty Lincoln 25 safe. I went and looked at the $600-$800 safes they sell in sporting good stores and they were a joke. I felt like you can break the handles off. No clutches, no bolts on the hinge side of the door. You get what you pay for and since I will have this for the rest of my life, I want something that I won't have to upgrade. I don't plan on having more than 25 rifles anyway. hell I only have 2 now with another one on the way, so this safe should last me a long time. |
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I'm doing some of the same research. I want theft and fire protection. I look at it like this, I have thousands of dollars worth of guns, not counting ammo and accessories, and I would feel like a fool if I bought a $500 gun safe that was carried out by thieves or melted down in a fire. Don't get me wrong, anything is better than guns sitting in a closet or in the open...free for the taking. I want a nice glossy finish, at least 45 minutes of 1250+ fire protection and at least 30" wide. I want enough room to place critical docs and jewelery in there as well. I've been looking at Cabela's safes, which are pretty nice: Cabelas Maximum Security Safes Security Products are made in Waco, in the Great State of Texas! Security Products. I'm waiting on pricing. Patriot Safes seem to be well made and have some of the highest fire ratings I've seen, plus they are on sale right now with free freight: Patriot 30" Safe Granite Safes is here in Fort Worth and will contact them after Christmas. I'm also waiting for the after Christmas sales to see what happens at Cabelas, etc. |
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Patriot Does not offer free shipping "to your door". It free shipping to the nearest dock. Then about another $200 to your door. I didn't go with them because they don't offer any specifications on how their safes are constructed. It is a guessing game with them. |
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