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Posted: 11/19/2001 2:35:34 PM EDT
[#1]
All I know is that you should buy the biggest safe you possibly can. That way you won't be forced to buy another as soon. You'll end up saving money and hassle later on. I know a guy that has 6 safes because he started off with the smaller ones. He could have had 2 or 3 very big ones instead.
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Posted: 11/19/2001 2:35:44 PM EDT
[#2]
Ft. Knox Liberty, National Security ar the best for fire/finish.
Amsec, Pella and all the others for adequate. Get the fireliner, don't go bigger than 30" as you and a couple of buddies won't be able to move the thing. You can get 10 30" safes down your steps into your basement but you can't get 1 40" safe down. |
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Posted: 11/19/2001 3:03:45 PM EDT
[#3]
External hinges should be first on your list as they allow (1) the fireliner to cover the entire interior of the safe (gets external temperature hot in the hinge area if they're internal), (2) they open past 90°, and (3) you can lift the door off the pins and cut the weight of the safe in half for moving.
The hinges only carry the weight of the door and are not part of the safe's security system. I'd also get the electronic lock. Fast to open in a hurry if you need to and easier to remember than wheel combinations. Don't think you're going to be real secure, however, safes only look that way. Can enter most easily with a large axe thru the sides. 1/2" plate door means diddley: how thick are the sides, back, and top? Up to you, but I'd not pay extra for 15 coats of hand rubbed candy apple red paint or mink lining  .-- Chuck |
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Posted: 11/19/2001 3:40:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Chuck is certainly on point here, as usual!
Are you interested in pretty or safety? ANY safe is merely a deterrent to lazy crooks. If they want in, they WILL get in!! Even a TL30 safe can be entered - in 30 min with the correct tools and skills as that is the definition. Most crooks, however, take longer. Hopefully enought time for you or the cops to catch them in the act. ANY safe slows 'em down; and that is good. Fire protection is likely to be even more important than theft protection. Very heavy or bolted to the floor are required or they may just steal the whole thing and crack it at their leisure. Mine goes about 6000 pounds so I am not concerned they will take it with them! You can VASTLY improve security AND fire protection by putting the safe in a corner of your basement and laying up block wall along the exposed side. Poured is far better. Makes a safe more like a vault. 4" of steel reinforced concrete around the thing REALLY makes it more secure!!!!! All depends on what you are after. BIGGER IS BETTER! Harder to install - no doubt. Also harder to steal! You will NEVER have enough space!! Never. Gun safes are not particularly good for security. They are only fire rated for 30 min. What they are - is pretty and discourage the local kids and crack heads. The door security is GREAT but the other areas are mediocre at best. A few links of interest. There are many more I am sure! www.a-1locksafes.com/gunsafe.html www.swiftsafes.com./]www.cannonsafe.com/[/url Kermit Swifts EXCELLENT safe site! Make this your very FIRST stop!! Kinda slow but well worth the wait!! ]www.swiftsafes.com./ |
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Posted: 11/19/2001 3:55:39 PM EDT
[#5]
I second getting as much safe as you can afford. Better to have multiple big safes than multiple little safes, and bigger safes aren't much more than smaller ones from most manufacturers.
I'm personally going to go with Ft. Knox Executive 7241 (72x41x27). I'd also suggest getting a good home alarm system to make sure the crooks have a limited amount of time to either snag the safe or break into it. God Bless Texas |
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Posted: 11/19/2001 7:02:13 PM EDT
[#6]
I was told the following by a safe dealer when I was shopping for a safe. I don't know if it is true or not but I am passing it along. Was told that a fire proof safe works well in protecting it's contents during a fire up to it's fire rating as long as the safe does not come in contact with ice cold water from a fire hose. Was told that the door seal on some fire proof safes (don't know which ones) would rupture when the ice cold water hit the red hot safe exterior. When this happenned, the hot air inside the safe would draw in the ice cold water. The ice cold water coming in contact with contents inside the safe that were hot would cause damage to the contents because of the sudden severe temperature change. Maybe this had something to do with external vs. internal hinges too. Again, I don't know if this is true, how hot is hot, if this is typical or atypical, but you may want to check into this a bit.
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Posted: 11/20/2001 5:40:57 AM EDT
[#7]
Thanks to all that have replied. I appreciate the information and I'll take it with me when I go shopping.
David_Hineline: good point about size. Although I would like to get the biggest one possible given my collection, I think there are some practical size issues to consider. Not sure if the safe will go in the basement or on the garage (bolted down), but it must be movable by something less than The Hulk ;-) Chuck: thanks for the information on hinges and electronic lock. I'll look for those options. Are the electronic locks powered by battery or a wall socket? What happens when you loose power? Backup system? MickyM: I'm more interested in safety rather than buy a new piece of furniture. I would just rather have it work well :-) I hear what you are saying about security, and barring having a 24hr guard standing watch, you can only assume a certain level of security with these safe. But I guess for the money, they are the best security you can get. GBT: yes, I agree - a good home alarm system is a great addition to a safe. A must for me. Marty: interesting info on the cold water. To be safe, I'll try to place the unit somewhere that might not be in the direct line of fire, if that's possible. Thanks all - if anyone one has add'l info, please pass it on :-) - Snacko |
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Posted: 11/20/2001 6:17:16 AM EDT
[#8]
Have you ever thought about buying just the door and frame? You could then use steal reinforced concrete to make a walk in gun vault. But don't forget to pour the top.
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Posted: 11/20/2001 6:38:14 AM EDT
[#9]
Hi Bully - yes, I have considered that, and it may be a way to go when I have the option in my house that I am building, but right now given my home (apt) I don't have that ability.
- Snacko |
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Posted: 11/20/2001 4:02:41 PM EDT
[#10]
Most safe dealers will INSTALL the thing - for a price. Ask - they move 'em every day and will be glad to move yours. Beats bustin yer nads!
I think the cold water thing is a bunch of hooey! No matter what kinda safe, you need to open it and clean your guns quickly after a fire. The safe protects them from the heat (for an hour) but not the corrosive gasses in any fire! PVC releases chlorine for example - instant rust! Bolt it down. Make it unpleasant to get to it with tools or a chain hooked to a PU. Add an alarm to make noise. Make it uncomfortable for the crook and he will search for an easier target. Electronic locks have a battery in the part on outside of door. Buy a golden rod - they really DO reduce corrosion! |
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Posted: 11/22/2001 12:45:47 AM EDT
[#11]
Don't know if they're still on sale, but SAMS had firelined, external hinged, sizeable safes for sale recently. Their prices are usually very good.
Tate |
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Posted: 11/22/2001 7:39:21 AM EDT
[#12]
I would recomend a Champion Crown 50. Holds alot of guns and is built like a Fort_Knox. But it is not as expensive. I think around $2500 as opposed to $3500+ for a fort knox.
Longer fire rating than cannon, more locking lugs, bigger locking lugs, and wieghs alot more. You can get the Triumph series for less than that. Still very good. Check out http://www.thesafewarehouse.com -Chuck |
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Posted: 11/22/2001 9:39:50 AM EDT
[#13]
fixin urls.... |
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Posted: 11/22/2001 10:30:16 AM EDT
[#14]
I would agree about the Champion. Excellent fire protection and overall construction. Saw some at the Houston gun show last weekend for about $1800 for the largest made...
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Posted: 11/22/2001 10:53:14 AM EDT
[#15]
What do you guys think about adding one of these alarm system triggered pepper spray dispensers to the safe room. How well do these things work? http://www.stopthecrime.com/index.html
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