Gun safe
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Thefishguy77
New member
Costco a good source for a budget. I believe they sell Cannon. You get what you pay for in regards to warranty. Buy the biggest safe you can afford. You will find its not just guns but also documents and other stuff tends to fill it up quickly.
After talking to friends that got a Cannon safe from Costco just make sure you inspect it before you sign for it. Most of the time your good but I had a friend that they tried to deliver 3 bad ones to, been hit with a forklift or dropped or what ever. He said the delivery driver tried to say no but he told the driver fine take it back I don't want itinerary I can't inspect it first, standard practice for most any freight. And relax if he takes it back don't worry it's Costco. You'll get your money back.
Also see if you can let them know in advance that you are planning on inspecting the safe first before signing for it after all it is standard in the freight industry.
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After talking to friends that got a Cannon safe from Costco just make sure you inspect it before you sign for it. Most of the time your good but I had a friend that they tried to deliver 3 bad ones to, been hit with a forklift or dropped or what ever. He said the delivery driver tried to say no but he told the driver fine take it back I don't want itinerary I can't inspect it first, standard practice for most any freight. And relax if he takes it back don't worry it's Costco. You'll get your money back.
Also see if you can let them know in advance that you are planning on inspecting the safe first before signing for it after all it is standard in the freight industry.
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I have a Browning, in that price range thats very nice, also check Dicks Sporting Goods web site, they carry the Field and Stream line of safes at a more reasonable price range. Also it depends on how many rifles you want to store. If it says it holds 24 rifles, take at leat 6 off that, any safe will hold what they say if they are small rifles with no scopes, and crammed in there.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Eh, I'm in the same boat at the moment. Though a full safe is a bit much for the apartment I'm in. I'm looking for a solid cabinet/locker to keep in the closet that is lockable. I saw one or two military surplus armory lockers for sale before but they got snatched up. 
But yeah, go for one slightly bigger than what you think you need as you'll always be able to fill it up even if you don't think you will. Also consider things like "how quickly can I get it open, does it have a manual way of opening, does it have a handle? (I saw a nice affordable cabinet but they use the key as the handle which made me slightly nervous).
But yeah, go for one slightly bigger than what you think you need as you'll always be able to fill it up even if you don't think you will. Also consider things like "how quickly can I get it open, does it have a manual way of opening, does it have a handle? (I saw a nice affordable cabinet but they use the key as the handle which made me slightly nervous).
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Definitely go bigger, and get fire protection, those are the 2 big things to look for.
Sled Driver
New member
I own an American Security ("Amsec") BF6032HD. It is the biggest gun safe I could fit in my place (narrow doorways are a curse).
My advice would be to get a safe bigger than what you think you need, get a safe with a really good fire protection rating, and bolt your safe to the floor.
An RSC ("Residential Security Container", basically a locked metal box - all gun "safes" are actually RSCs unless they are tool-rated) really needs to be bolted down to something that's not going to move. While gun safes seem absurdly heavy, even full of guns a motivated thief will have no problem carting it off. My RSC weighs 1100lbs and the delivery guys got it in the house in no time with a refrigerator dolly to get it to the front door and 2 small pieces of PVC pipe to wheel it around the house like the Egyptians did the pyramids, and they cared about not damaging my house in the process. A thief won't be slow and careful not to damage your things on his way out with your gun safe.
That being said if they're not going to just cart off with your safe, the most common way to attack an RSC is to tip it on its back and then pry the door open. RSC manufacturers like to tout how thick their door plate is and how many bolts they have but physics wins every time. There are some videos on youtube of how it's done. If nothing else, it's interesting. If a couple of guys with long pry bars can get a gun safe open in a few minutes without breaking a sweat and not being particularly motivated, a couple of guys trying to not go to jail/get shot by an angry homeowner are going to be in and out in no time.
I know this all sounds crazy, we all expect that if we do get robbed it's going to be some druggie smash-and-grab looking for easy stuff to pawn but you never know. Maybe that druggie realizes you're gone for the weekend and brings friends, or maybe a pro thief casing your area notices you have an NRA sticker on your truck or whatever, and comes in looking for guns while you're on vacation and is prepared to deal with an RSC.
Ultimately an RSC/gun safe is a small part of a multi-layered security system. Watchful neighbors, cameras, alarms (including the 4-legged kind), physical security (door locks, thorny bushes, and flood lights), and safes/RSCs all work together to deter a thief.
My advice would be to get a safe bigger than what you think you need, get a safe with a really good fire protection rating, and bolt your safe to the floor.
An RSC ("Residential Security Container", basically a locked metal box - all gun "safes" are actually RSCs unless they are tool-rated) really needs to be bolted down to something that's not going to move. While gun safes seem absurdly heavy, even full of guns a motivated thief will have no problem carting it off. My RSC weighs 1100lbs and the delivery guys got it in the house in no time with a refrigerator dolly to get it to the front door and 2 small pieces of PVC pipe to wheel it around the house like the Egyptians did the pyramids, and they cared about not damaging my house in the process. A thief won't be slow and careful not to damage your things on his way out with your gun safe.
That being said if they're not going to just cart off with your safe, the most common way to attack an RSC is to tip it on its back and then pry the door open. RSC manufacturers like to tout how thick their door plate is and how many bolts they have but physics wins every time. There are some videos on youtube of how it's done. If nothing else, it's interesting. If a couple of guys with long pry bars can get a gun safe open in a few minutes without breaking a sweat and not being particularly motivated, a couple of guys trying to not go to jail/get shot by an angry homeowner are going to be in and out in no time.
I know this all sounds crazy, we all expect that if we do get robbed it's going to be some druggie smash-and-grab looking for easy stuff to pawn but you never know. Maybe that druggie realizes you're gone for the weekend and brings friends, or maybe a pro thief casing your area notices you have an NRA sticker on your truck or whatever, and comes in looking for guns while you're on vacation and is prepared to deal with an RSC.
Ultimately an RSC/gun safe is a small part of a multi-layered security system. Watchful neighbors, cameras, alarms (including the 4-legged kind), physical security (door locks, thorny bushes, and flood lights), and safes/RSCs all work together to deter a thief.
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nevada
Senior Member
to echo what others are saying, get the largest you can afford, and have space for.
that seems to be the biggest complaint I see from people that have purchased safes, "I wish I got the bigger one".
you can get a pretty nice safe for $1000. but add another $500 and you can get a very nice, LARGE safe. ive been looking at Liberty safes myself.
that seems to be the biggest complaint I see from people that have purchased safes, "I wish I got the bigger one".
you can get a pretty nice safe for $1000. but add another $500 and you can get a very nice, LARGE safe. ive been looking at Liberty safes myself.
Thefishguy77
New member
I got mine from deansafe.com. They had great prices and I was able to afford more than I could locally even after shipping. Installing it will be up to you to arrange. Also a lot of states don't charge sales tax for a gun safe FYI.
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mckennar
New member
Another vote for liberty. I have a Liberty centurion. Holds all firearms and ammunition with an entire side leftover for more. Fire resistant up to 30min as well. Mounts either flat on a floor or there are provisions on the bottom for connecting an anchoring kit which is what I did w/mine.
Tried the walmart.com (and others) route for a different brand, but they ship it freight non-palletized and I sent 3 back because they looked like they fell off the back of the truck.
Ended up going to the local gun store and picking this out in person and having it delivered (vs. going online).
Tried the walmart.com (and others) route for a different brand, but they ship it freight non-palletized and I sent 3 back because they looked like they fell off the back of the truck.
Ended up going to the local gun store and picking this out in person and having it delivered (vs. going online).
In my experience, definitely go bigger than you think you'll need. You'll find you put more than guns in there.
If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, check there. They typically have a big sale around Christmas. Both my dad and my brother bought their Cannon Safes there and saved a lot of money. I want to say they saved $4-500 a piece.
As a firefighter, I have yet to be impressed by how much heat any safe could take. I remember one we saw that was located in a room that did not see any direct fire, just heat. The shotgun next to the bed was undamaged, but the guns in the safe located across the room were. Synthetic stocks were melted and scopes were ruined due to heat. I believe the owner told me the safe was rated at 1250 for 45 min.
If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, check there. They typically have a big sale around Christmas. Both my dad and my brother bought their Cannon Safes there and saved a lot of money. I want to say they saved $4-500 a piece.
As a firefighter, I have yet to be impressed by how much heat any safe could take. I remember one we saw that was located in a room that did not see any direct fire, just heat. The shotgun next to the bed was undamaged, but the guns in the safe located across the room were. Synthetic stocks were melted and scopes were ruined due to heat. I believe the owner told me the safe was rated at 1250 for 45 min.
Offcamber
New member
I just got done dealing with a failed Cannon safe. I had a terrible experience with their customer service and I later found out that I'm far from the only one. They fed me a bunch of BS and then finally admitted that they couldn't warranty it because they never carried any replacement parts for it. Brilliant. I finally paid to have it drilled and then hauled it back to Costco. I'm so relieved that I bought it there since they took it back after Cannon refused to warranty the huge paper weight. Just more love for Costco, but I'll never buy a Cannon safe again.
I'll be watching this thread closely. I need a new one!
The local guy has really been pushing liberty because he sells them obviously but also being u.s. made for warranty work (defect or damage) my dad also has a liberty but he spent some money one his. I'm really looking at an American security 6032-e5 I'm just not real impressed with the lock it comes with. I guess it can be upgraded later on. Also Im not very impressed with canon's interior it doesn't seem to be carpeted and just looks like plywood
Thefishguy77
New member
Liberty and AMSEC are the 2 brands I consider to be high end bargain brands. They give you almost all the features of the super high end brands (Fort Knox, ect) with out spending 5 figures.
This company is fairly close to me as well so I will look at them for my next safe
http://www.graffundersafes.com/index.html
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nevada
Senior Member
Liberty is good.
another thing to consider, the type of lock mechanism. personally, I prefer a mechanical actuator. IE, an actual dial, and lever. I am not a fan of electronic key pads. ive seen too many fail.
perhaps a safe that has BOTH would be good.
Thefishguy77
New member
I read earlier on here about quick access to your safe. If you concern is to get a firearm out for protection then a separate pistol safe may be better than a large gun vault. Most people don't have time in that situation to get up go to the room the safe is in an them open the safe. The newer fingerprint pistol safes seems to be fairly reliable and should do an adequate jobs of securing your home defense weapon of choice when your not home.
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t4r blinder
New member
I currently have a Fatboy Jr, I should've gone bigger, like everyone else is stating. I also use it for other valuables and such. $1000 is a fair amount for the safe but remember to factor in delivery. Be very careful of the fine print of them just doing curbside or garage delivery. I got extremely lucky on my fatboy jr and only paid $1200 delivered in the door. Granted I had to move it to the bedroom, but carpet and furniture moving pads helped a lot.
I got a browning select. They're only sold by high volume sales shops. Very good value for money. A 25 gun safe does not hold 25 guns! Good, heavy doors and decent fire ratings.
There are cheaper safes, but they really skimp on what matters. Given I spend 1500 easily on a single rifle, 1500 on a safe is no big deal.
There are cheaper safes, but they really skimp on what matters. Given I spend 1500 easily on a single rifle, 1500 on a safe is no big deal.
RedSled
New member
I have seriously been considering one of these.
Snapsafe | Home Fireproof Safe, Security Cabinets, Closet Gun Vault
Snapsafe | Home Fireproof Safe, Security Cabinets, Closet Gun Vault
