Posted: 11/13/2004 4:44:30 PM EDT
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Well I've outgrown my little safe that I got a long time ago for pistols.... time to upgrade to a rifle safe. Here's the current situation, the house I have right now I don't plan on living in forever, so I will be looking for something I can eventually move. Currently I have 3 long guns, and I know that number will grow with time.... what size safe would you reccomend? I was looking at the sentry safes at walmart the other day when I was picking up some ammo..... they seem to be pretty nice, the 14 gun version is about 350-375 pounds if I can remember, which with some guns in it would make it more difficult to cary out. I can always bolt it to the foundation like I did my other safe, well.... if someone lends me a hammer drill. I know Jensens has some nice safes, in the $700-$999 range, I know you usually get what you pay for but I would like to pay less then that for a good safe. |
| My two safes are American Security. The smaller one, also a fire safe, I keep in the house for photos, documents, and the like. It weighs between 400-450 pounds (59"x24"x18"). With an appropriate hand cart, and a good strap, I can move it myself. The price is over what you want, but one of that weight or less would be your target. |
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Well, my suggestion is buy the biggest safe you can afford, as you will always find stuff that you want to put in it. But having said that I would also measure the doors, hallways, etc where you want to put one. (and be smarter than I and take into account the angles/turns you might have to make as mine is currently in a different spot as it couldn't make the turns) also consider which way the door opens. Second consider a digitial dial as you can't work a tumbler in the dark. If you want to consider it from theft it's one thing but you also might consider from fire resistance as more safes have that function used then are broken into. and UL seal of approval is a good indicator. Interiors that are modular can be half shelves for now and later can be swapped out for all weapons storage. Also consider having door padded with hangers for handguns. Golden Rod to reduce the humidity and interior lights help (battery powered back up is good option. (I actually like the light ropes as they don't get too hot and you can snake them back into places to get a good even glow throughout the interior. If possible it's a good idea not to have in plain sight as they won't try to break into what they don't know about. and you will find when moving a safe it can really be nice to have the pro's due it for you. Best pricing? Well you can find them at Sam's Club and Costco for good prices, but the motivated seller will be the guy who has hauled out to a gunshow and it's sat all weekend, and he's going to have to haul it back with nothing to show. (you can even buy it early first day and for discount let it sit all weekend for show and tell, oh, is that a scratch I see that was caused by moving to the gunshow, that's another possible $50 savings) 
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I bought a cheapy Sentry safe from Walmart for like 100 and something dollars. I know it's not state of the art or anything, but it'll keep your average neighborhood looser from breaking in and getting your guns. What sucks is that it holds 12 long guns, but after getting my new AR15 last week, I only have one slot left. Looks like I'll be needing either a bigger safe or adding another one. Well I guess that's a good problem to have actually. I really want one of those badass safes, but if I had a grand for one of those, I'd spend it on some more guns. |