Advice on long gun safe

TNDiver · July 03, 2020, 09:28:54 PM

Well I finally took inventory of everything I have and realized I need a bigger gun safe. I am looking for something American Made and around 18-24 gun size, some with scopes. I have looked at Liberty and Heritage, but wondered what others may have and your advice. Not looking to break the bank either.

Princeton_Man · July 04, 2020, 05:11:30 AM

American Security! Top shelf and tough to beat. Liberty and Browning are also up there. Browning is much more affordable. A couple things to consider are; Can the safe be opened with a magnet? What is it's fire protection level?? Another thing I recommend is a safe with a combination dial instead of an electronic keypad. Electronics are not as reliable as the mechanical dial. If you buy a safe with an electronic keypad, don't use 123456 and change the combination when the buttons begin showing wear.

One more suggestion is to have a couple smaller safes in strategic locations inside your home. Just small floor/shelf safes (most have electronic locks) that can be bolt to the floor, shelf, or bed frame. Again, don't use 1234 and be sure to secure the safe to a surface so that it can't be carried out.

Most of your home robberies are not committed by professionals with tools, but you should plan for the ones who are and do.

caddyjoe77 · July 25, 2020, 11:32:49 AM

looking at these myself. thanks for the topic start

TNDiver · July 31, 2020, 05:27:33 PM

I am thinking about Liberty safes, seems to be the best bang for the buck. Some of the others are very expensive!

Princeton_Man · August 01, 2020, 06:27:40 AM

Quote from: TNDiver on July 31, 2020, 05:27:33 PM
I am thinking about Liberty safes, seems to be the best bang for the buck. Some of the others are very expensive!

They're very good safes. Another thing to plan for is getting it in the house. You're looking at some serious weight.

Pipepro · August 01, 2020, 09:52:11 AM

I have an electronic Cannon safe.

I prefer the electronic keypad for ease of use and speed of opening. It uses a 9 volt battery and it needs to be changed about every 3 years.

Being a welder/fabricator by trade, I understand that these safes are only going to keep out a casual thief. The doors are primarily the strongest point with the sides and back being the easiest to defeat. By mounting the safe to the floor and preventing access to the sides and back it should thwart most entry attempts.

My advice is get the biggest you can afford and fit into place and then mount it to the floor. That'll keep most sticky fingers out.

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TNDiver · August 01, 2020, 11:48:11 AM

I bought a Liberty Revere that was on sale at Tractor Supply and going to place it either in my garage under a stairwell (and has some climate control) or in a closet in a family room, so it could not get accessed from the back or sides.

caddyjoe77 · August 01, 2020, 11:56:51 AM

i was wondering about a garage myself. humidity control would be of utmost importance I would think...

Bud Kennedy · August 01, 2020, 12:25:22 PM

Just a gentle reminder that those safes are not fireproof or waterproof. It is prudent to use desicant packs on the interior to help with the likely moisture problems in the summer. Otherwise not much else you can do to protect the contents except by improving the overall environment where the safe is located. Also during installation specific care needs to be taken to ensure the safe is absolutely and adequate steel shims used to assist in leveling. If you are bolting to the floor then this all has to be considered.

TNDiver · August 03, 2020, 10:29:54 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on August 01, 2020, 12:25:22 PM
Just a gentle reminder that those safes are not fireproof or waterproof. It is prudent to use desicant packs on the interior to help with the likely moisture problems in the summer. Otherwise not much else you can do to protect the contents except by improving the overall environment where the safe is located. Also during installation specific care needs to be taken to ensure the safe is absolutely and adequate steel shims used to assist in leveling. If you are bolting to the floor then this all has to be considered.

Thanks Bud. It actually has 40 minutes of fire protection, which is good for the price. And when the fire department arrives I would be telling them where it is located and has ammo in it

I am not worried about being waterproof. Even with the bad floods we had here in 2010, we didn't get any flooding. I am still thinking more and more of bring it inside. I have a closet it would fit into, just have to reorganize it. The wife gave me the go ahead

Princeton_Man · August 03, 2020, 12:31:40 PM

Quote from: TNDiver on August 03, 2020, 10:29:54 AM
Thanks Bud. It actually has 40 minutes of fire protection, which is good for the price. And when the fire department arrives I would be telling them where it is located and has ammo in it

I am not worried about being waterproof. Even with the bad floods we had here in 2010, we didn't get any flooding. I am still thinking more and more of bring it inside. I have a closet it would fit into, just have to reorganize it. The wife gave me the go ahead

Moisture not an issue, you can purchase an electric dehumidifier rod for $20-$30 and they do work for typical humidity problems like changes in temperature.

Unless you have more than one, inside the home is more beneficial if you have a situation that requires something from the safe.

caddyjoe77 · August 04, 2020, 08:46:43 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on August 03, 2020, 12:31:40 PM
Moisture not an issue, you can purchase an electric dehumidifier rod for $20-$30 and they do work for typical humidity problems like changes in temperature.

Unless you have more than one, inside the home is more beneficial if you have a situation that requires something from the safe.

im not sure i want the ability to unbolt via the crawlspace. Hence the leaning toward the garage....concrete floor.