Gun Safe Recommendations

[providince]

I am looking to buy a gun safe. I would like it to be about 18 gun in size. I would also like shelving for ammo storage etc... Delivery would be a plus but if need be, I can get some friends with a truck to pick up. I would like to stay in the $500ish range but can go higher if need be.

Based on that criteria, what would y'all recommend? Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[madwabbit]

academy had some great ones at just a shy bit over your price range - 600-700 ish, and it included delivery if i remember correctly.

check them out

 

[djdig]

Walmart.com and free ship to store, also tractorsupply has good deals every now and then.

 

[providince]

Thanks. I don;t know anything about safes. Is there anything that is a must have or I should know about them?

 

[Crippler7815]

Fire rated is good, 30 will do, 45 is better. The lock is another consideration, electric is handy, but what if the batteries die?

 

[JCcypress]

Fire rated is good, 30 will do, 45 is better. The lock is another consideration, electric is handy, but what if the batteries die?

Generally, batteries can be changed without opening the safe.

Get something bigger than what you think you need.

 

[bryanbag]

Here are some links to different gun Safes sites. Each site has lots of great info that will help you chose the right safe for you.

Now these links are to the mid range and higher end safes. I personally spend the bigger money now, than have to upgrade later on. Thus saving you in the long run.

http://www.amsecusa.com/home/default.aspx
http://www.ftknox.com/
http://www.graffundersafes.com/index.html
http://www.cannonsafe.com/
http://www.pendletonsafes.com/
http://www.libertysafe.com/ - The Safes at Cabela's are Liberty safe, just with Cabela's tags on them.

 

[jcbvh]

Sturdy, Fort Knox or AMSEC

If you have alot or valuable collection.

my .02

 

[richiespng]

Lots of variable to cconsider.

If you want to fit 18 guns AND have shelving, you are going to have to look into the 36+ gun safes. Those 18 guns they say it will hold are long guns with no pistol grips, scopes, etc. Just the firearm itself. An AR for instance will take up about 3 spots, typically.

Get the highest fire rating you can afford. Also consider the location of the safe. A safe located on an outside wall typically would not require as long of a fire rating as one located in the middle of the home. Also remember that while the items inside may not burn, they will most certainly be ruined in a full burn house fire. Plastic will melt for instance.

Electronic locks are nice. They are faster to get into than a manual lock. All the electronic locks I have personally seen allow the battery to be changed from the outside. Battery goes dead? You simply install another one. Manual locks are nice, but some of the cheaper ones begin to "creep" over time. Meaning, your combo may be 22-33-44 now. In a year or two it might be 23-33.5-43. Me personally, an electronic lock with a key override is the ideal solution. That being said, my personal safe just has the electronic lock and I have opened it at least 3 times a day, every day, and I still have the same battery from three years ago (I just wanted to see how long it would last and so far it hasn't died).

One thing you have to realize is that a $500 safe really isnt a "safe" as much as it is a deterrent. When you start getting into the Fort Knox $3000 safes is when they truly are a "safe" and not a glorified lock box. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just know what you are getting into. My personal safe is little more than a beefy lock box and I feel OK putting thousands of dollars of firearms and ammo in there. I know that if someone REALLY wanted something out of it and had the time and tools there would be no stopping them. My main need was keeping my kids away from them and having a place to store all of them. Secondary was keeping the boogie man out. If that was my primary reason I would have dropped the $3000 and cried that night.

 

[killerkarl]

One day, when I win the lottery I will upgrade to one of these.

http://www.pendletonsafes.com/

 

[whitsend]

Watch the video below for great information.
It's long but worth it.



I've thought about building a wall on the exposed side of may safe and bolting it not only to the floor but also to all three walls.
That would make it harder to get in.

 

[Dave328]

I upgraded to an AMSEC (American Security) last October. Bought from and installed by Rolland Lock & Safe in NOLA. I think it was $2500-$2800 delivered and installed. I know it's a bit out of your price range, but it is one damn fine safe, and Richie makes some great points concerning initial cost and size.

 

[Magdump]

Had my browning for about 16(?) years a guess, manual combination lock, no problems. They'll move it free a couple times.
Got a liberty a couple years or so back and I like it better. Manual lock also, no problems.
The lock on my work locker was also on my locker in high school. Standard master combination lock. It's got a few years on it. I graduated in '82. No problems to date. I'm pretty sure a manual lock on a decent safe will go the distance.