Gunsafe shopping is a pain..

[Altarboy]

My son wants a safe. I have a Century (by Liberty) which I cannot find now. I am worried about the push button type doors. I have tothink the battery can die and you can't get in. Mine has the good old fashioned combination dial. Anybody have a good source?

[Ruskiegunlover]

Just to add.....10 years ago I bought a stack-on for 300 bucks on sale. NOTHING fancy. Combo dial, lever. Nothing electronic. I have clp-ed the steel bars inside the door, and it has never given me any trouble. Would buy another in a heartbeat. Problem is I have no idea who carries them now.

[Schuetzenman]

Drake Safe Company makes the best ones for the bucks IMO, I've had 2 of them. Still have my biggest one. https://www.facebook.com/Drake-Safe-Co-148476681871314/ Try the link. They are in North Carolina. You might ask what is great about these safes. The answer is 1/4" thick steel on all 6 sides of the vault. Most commercial safes are 1/4" doors and gauge metal sides and tops.

On electronic locks, no way is my take on it. Battery dies you get locked out. EMP you get locked out. Some of them you punch in the code wrong you get locked out for 15 minutes. Keep it simple Stupid or KISS principle, dial lock all the way.

[l921428x]

Before you do buy I would suggest doing a search of gun safe videos.
And watch how they are made and what makes a good one.
There are several that are very informative and it will be worth the time.

[skorpion]

Before you do buy I would suggest doing a search of gun safe videos.
And watch how they are made and what makes a good one.
There are several that are very informative and it will be worth the time.

This. Also, this website is a good read:
http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/article...ft-protection/

[Avanarts]

I don't remember how much I paid for mine with the number pad for entry. It's not an expensive one. As a backup to the electronic keypad, there is a key that can be used to open it. Pull off the keypad and it exposes the key slot.

A friend of mine had a more expensive safe that had a dial lock. That thing needed regular maintenance by a locksmith to keep it "tuned up." One time he went too long between locksmith visits and something went out of calibration so his combination didn't work any more. That ended up costing him more than an annual locksmith visit.

I guess it all depends on what you need/want and what you are willing to pay. A safe to keep the kids out of the guns is different than a safe that will slow down a professional thief.

[l921428x]

I have had my safe since 1999 it has a combination lock that has a key so you can lock the tumbler.
We use it everyday and have never had a problem with the SG lock. It weighs 700# empty is UL fire rated
to 1275 degrees for 30 minutes with the inside reaching 350 degrees in that time frame.
It has 12 1" SS steel bolts that lock in behind the door recess, I am not sure if the bolts are in a independent
pattern. It measures 60Hx30Wx26D and has a high gloss black finish with a 3 handle brass bolt lock.
I use a 12" and an 18" Golden Rod dehumidifier inside. Chemical dehumidifiers are a pain.
I bought it from American Security in Tn. at that time it cost 1,300.00+ delivered. That was 99.

As avanarts points out, it is what you want. Good steel body, same for the door, padded inside w/ fire protection
and a good lock. Gadgets cost you more but the basics you can deal with.

[ksuguy]

Check out http://www.zykansafe.com/ When I was looking to buy mine back in 2012, Frank was very helpful and he knows his stuff about the safe and vault industry. He used to post a lot on AR-15.com in their safe forum.

I got the biggest one he had available, and it was a bit under $3k delivered to my garage. I paid a moving company another $500 to get it into my basement office since it weighed over 1600lbs and I wasn't going to tackle that job by myself.

[Schuetzenman]

This. Also, this website is a good read:
http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/article...ft-protection/

The link shows what and why I went with the Drake. Sheet metal (gauge metal) safes are easily pried open or drilled and chopped with a hammer and chisel. they only need to make a hole in it big enough to reach in and pull out the weapons. You wont peal open a 1/4 inch wall.

[l921428x]

This is my favorite vid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltK-bDbADa8 2011 date

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHCJzV8n4jU Update 6 months ago

[Gunner1558]

Both safes I have had with electronic combination locks have had key access in case of battery failure.

[l921428x]

While this is not long gun related it is related and IMPORTANT.
http://www.ammoland.com/2016/01/lawf...#axzz3wNCxajEc

[sevlex]

Well, those links were educational.

It reminds me of a youtube vid I saw a few years ago where a couple of guys broke into gunsafes in a few minutes using huge crowbars. These brand-name safes were pretty much a joke.

[l921428x]

Bolting a safe to the floor(toggle bolt or quick bolts) or a concrete wall is a huge plus, if you can get a safe on it's back
where the attacker can get leverage on the door is not good. And also the gap the door leaves, in the jamb,
when closed is something that needs to be studied. But deterrence is ALL you are looking for
because any stand up safe can be compromised if the attacker has the time. While mine is
very well made, given the time and a grinder I could be in it in 30 minutes. You do not need a torch,
just a 4" grinder and 4 extra discs to cut the side out. And before someone scoffs, my safe is solid steel.
It is not a gage steel and I have used a grinder to cut much thicker things.

But coupled with an alarm system someone is not going to have the time. And some safes are internet/wifi ready.
And if someone has the tools to break into your safe, chances are they came looking for your safe.

[l921428x]

Ok. Having a safe can also catch dumbasses http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/cr...ouldnt-/nqFkL/

Wonder if it was bolted down?

[coppertales]

Costco has a decent safe on sale, delivered. I have one and am going to order another...