Posted: 11/17/2010 5:15:06 PM EDT
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I've been looking around for a gun safe lately. I have a few long guns and a pistol. I don't know a whole lot about what brands are good and so forth. Anyone have any recommendations for something you found locally at a good price? I only ask here because I am willing to bet it's cheaper to buy one locally as opposed to buying online and paying a ton for shipping. (Maybe I am wrong about that).
Any education or help would be much appreciated. btw I am in SE wisconsin near milwaukee but would drive a little ways if there is a store with a great price/sale. Thanks |
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While I don't have one, I hear anything made by Liberty is the way to go.
Michael Bane had a nasty experience with his Cannon safe, and just based off of that, I would never buy a Cannon safe. Check the Black Friday ads for Gander Mtn and Cabelas. I think Gander is having a decent sale on a Liberty safe. Here are a couple links I bookmarked: Gun Safe Buyers' Guide Rec.Gun's guide to Gun Safes HTH |
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I'm in the safe business. I just service and repair them, I don't sell them, so I don't have any bias.
I own a Cannon safe, and I've had zero problems with it. It's a very well made safe. That being said, Liberty Safes are top notch, too. So are Fort Knox, Browning Pro-Steel, AMSEC, Guardall, and newer Winchester safes (made in Texas by Granite Safe Corp). The biggest problem I see when servicing safes is electronic locks failing. Now you'll see some folks jump in and say "I've been using an electronic lock for years with no problems". That may be true, but that's just one safe and one person's opinion. I see much more than just one safe, and have for 25 yrs in the business, and 90% of the "lock-outs" I've seen in the past 10 yrs were caused by electronic locks failing. It's not a matter of "if" but "when". Keeping fresh batteries in an electronic lock seems to help. A main concern when buying a safe is the quality of the lock. Fireproofing and metal thickness are important too, but those become moot points if the lock is crap. When buying a safe, make sure the lock is made by one of three companies - Sargent & Greenleaf, La Gard, or Kaba/Ilco. Those are all quality locks, and are used on the majority of safes... but are NOT USED by Sentry and Stack On. They make their own, and they are not the "class 2" quality of the good ones. The best prices I've seen locally in WI are at Dunhams. The "American Eagle 21" which is made by Cannon was on sale last time I looked for $599. That's a good price for a very decent safe. Only downside is it has an electronic lock... but OTOH, the electronic lock used (La Gard Basic II) is probably the most trouble free E-Lock in use today. |
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Call STURDY GUN SAFES and speak to the head gentleman. Get his perspective on safes and take some time discussing your needs/wants. Then ask him about blemished models that he might have in stock. 
I got a really good deal on mine and upgraded to a dial lock. |
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Quoted:
Call STURDY GUN SAFES and speak to the head gentleman. Get his perspective on safes and take some time discussing your needs/wants. Then ask him about blemished models that he might have in stock.
I got a really good deal on mine and upgraded to a dial lock. Makes me want a new safe. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the safe business. I just service and repair them, I don't sell them, so I don't have any bias. I own a Cannon safe, and I've had zero problems with it. It's a very well made safe. That being said, Liberty Safes are top notch, too. So are Fort Knox, Browning Pro-Steel, AMSEC, Guardall, and newer Winchester safes (made in Texas by Granite Safe Corp). The biggest problem I see when servicing safes is electronic locks failing. Now you'll see some folks jump in and say "I've been using an electronic lock for years with no problems". That may be true, but that's just one safe and one person's opinion. I see much more than just one safe, and have for 25 yrs in the business, and 90% of the "lock-outs" I've seen in the past 10 yrs were caused by electronic locks failing. It's not a matter of "if" but "when". Keeping fresh batteries in an electronic lock seems to help. A main concern when buying a safe is the quality of the lock. Fireproofing and metal thickness are important too, but those become moot points if the lock is crap. When buying a safe, make sure the lock is made by one of three companies - Sargent & Greenleaf, La Gard, or Kaba/Ilco. Those are all quality locks, and are used on the majority of safes... but are NOT USED by Sentry and Stack On. They make their own, and they are not the "class 2" quality of the good ones. The best prices I've seen locally in WI are at Dunhams. The "American Eagle 21" which is made by Cannon was on sale last time I looked for $599. That's a good price for a very decent safe. Only downside is it has an electronic lock... but OTOH, the electronic lock used (La Gard Basic II) is probably the most trouble free E-Lock in use today. Thank you VERY much. FWIW, my AmSec never gave me any problems–– even after it fell out of the back of a pickup truck when being moved. (Long story, but the only thing that got bent was the handle–– easily replaced.) And FWIW, just pay to have the %$#@! thing moved and installed for you. 
Mike |
| I been doing alot of looking myself. But I want the best safe for the cheapest price. Thats where the whole issue of china safe vs usa safe comes into play. So if I want a cheap price, I'm gonna need to go china safe way. Now from what I have discovered/reviewed, etc, Steelwatersafe.com seems to have the best china safes out there. With lots of videos of him trying to break in. You should also go to youtube and look up safe reviews / break in attempts. There is one video that is really eye opening. Thickness of the steel and fire rating are the two biggest issues, and all mfg's word it to their advantage, just my 2cents. Good Luck |
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Well thanks for all the input guys. I was at Gander Mountain the other day looking briefly, but I had the kids which makes it difficult to actually look at stuff.
If anyone sees anything discounted well on Black Friday or otherwise and you think of it, please post it here. Thanks |