Help With Gun Safe

[Sam22]

So I am buying a gun safe:help:, it has to happen, and I don't have much time to decide. I know I want it to hold 20 long guns or more, because I have like 12 now and will have more in the future. I am having trouble shopping, not sure what I really need, or really want. Right now I am leaning towards the stack-on elite, the bigger one. Only because it has the features I want, and it's the cheapest. I know I want one with a dial, not the electric lock. I want it to be the really heavy kind, no light cheap cabinet type. Fire proofing is not all that important to me. What have you all bought? Where did you get it? I get like NO help anywhere people are clueless:confused:. I have visited cabelas, jays, a different cabelas in wisconsin, MC sports, a lock shop in Traverse, and of course gander mt. I haven't been to one in traverse city that you are all probably going to send me to, but the owner, whose name is in the title, I REALLY don't like:mad:, for good reason, so forget that one!

[tallbear]

Liberty Lincoln model..........More money than what you're looking at but worth the money.

[Sam22]

I am not too opposed to spending more money (my dad is really buying it). Just don't want to waste money, we are only going to buy one of these ever, so it has to last 60 years or so!

[Fog0fWar]

Hey Sam:


I used to sell Liberty Safes a few years back. First of all most of the safes on the market are produced at the same factory. They just change the scheme, logo, hardware, etc.

Second if you value your guns enough to buy a good safe get the fireproofing, trust me, you will never regret it unless you don't have it and you have a fire...

Third, although it's handy to have an electronic lock, stick with the manual ones. I had to go on service calls on more than my fair share of safes because the owner did not change batteries...

Hope that helps.....

Fog

[.480]

I have the LIBERTY COLONIAL.
Great safe.
HEAVY 780 pounds.
45 minute fire rating.
I think it holds 25 long guns.

I am from the U.P. , I bought mine in Marinette WI.
From S&O lock.

[slowpoke]

Buy a Liberty and buy a fire proof one. You won't be sorry.

[jjc155]

I have a cabelas branded safe, I think that is a liberty or a champion safe. Not sure of the acutal model but it is a 17-33gun safe, fireproof rating of 45minutes at 1250, digital combination, i think it has 6 live and 2 dead bolts, weights about 750lbs. I only have 7long guns presently and have no space issue. The safe also comes with shelves so I have guns on one side and vital documents, my dads coin collection that I inherited, my wifes expensive jewerly and anything else of value on the other side on the shelves. Works out great for me. here a link to the one I have.

I got it on sale for 900 a couple of years ago.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0031453227328a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=safe&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=safe&noImage=0

hope this helps,
J-

[Knight]

Fireproofing is important. A good thing to remember too, is where a good place to place the safe is. If the safe is fireproof, that is great, but if it is in your basement and you have a fire, your guns will probably be ruined if the fire department has to hose your house down. The standing water will permeate the safe and by the time you can get down there to open it, the guns will more than likely be rusted.

So, from what I have read, it is best to keep it in a garage or main level room.

Even so, the chance of having a catastrophic fire is pretty low and guns can be replaced. I would be more worried about this type of situation if I was going to store irreplaceable guns such as family heirlooms in the safe.

Just an FYI...

[Knight]

Also, from what I have read, doors with hinges on the outside give you more access to the safe because you can open the doors farther. However, they can be more vulnerable to break ins because of the placement of the hinges.

[Mitchell Ulrich]

Fire proofing is not all that important to me. WHAT!!!!

IT SHOULD BE!!! You are probably going to end up putting more than just
weapons in there. Passports, cash, (black)& powder for re-loading, bulk ammo...yadda yadda..

DON'T FORGET THE RUST FACTOR!!! I have a "Golden Rod" in mine. Most gun safes, or as it should be referred to in my opinion, 'weapons lockers' have an opening in the bottom for just that reason! Mine plugs in and works 24 hours a day. I've seen first hand just how fast rust forms on a weapon that has been in the field and then put in a locker without proper cleaning! Thank you Drill Sargent...can I clean another! (in fact everyone in the squad as it turned out)

Mitch

[Big Frank 25]

Get the largest you can handle. The door is important and may have only a 1-1/2 door but if time allows they'll go to where there is least resistance, the back or sides. 10 or 12 gauge metal and insulation won't take long to get through.

One that holds 24 long guns with some having scopes will get pretty crowded fast.

I understand if you keep your income tax info. in it a portion of the cost is tax deductable. ;)

Go for broke!:D

[sneakboxer]

Sam's in TC has two models of safes right now. One is a Cannon @ $650 and the other is a Winchester @ $550 , i think. These safes are not top of the line but something you might want to look at. When i think of gun safes i think of my first deer rifle and my Daddy's double being gone forever.... An insurance company can't replace the memories. Good luck and go big!

[Sam22]

Thanks so much guys, I am going to really consider all your advise! Awesome help y'all.

[chrisu]

If any of your guns have strong sentimental value, then by one that is fire rated. Just look closely at the rating - some rate theirs on tests completed at different temperatures and to different degrees of failure.

If your guns were to melt in a fire, and you are happy with the replacement that insurance will provide, then don't buy one that is fire rated. Just remember it may take a while to get the claim processed, so it could impact a season negatively.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope the protection of a safe is never tested.

[TheBigEasy]

Hey Sam:


I used to sell Liberty Safes a few years back. First of all most of the safes on the market are produced at the same factory. They just change the scheme, logo, hardware, etc.

Second if you value your guns enough to buy a good safe get the fireproofing, trust me, you will never regret it unless you don't have it and you have a fire...

Third, although it's handy to have an electronic lock, stick with the manual ones. I had to go on service calls on more than my fair share of safes because the owner did not change batteries...

Hope that helps.....

Fog

Well said. Look at the liberty's, they are great safes, and get a dial, stay away from keypads.

[slowpoke]

Well said. Look at the liberty's, they are great safes, and get a dial, stay away from keypads.

Now you tell me. I got the keypads and had it for 12 years or more. Never had a problem. I just change the 2 9volt batts this year. CK the charge in the batts and they were still over 50%. Decided to change them anyways.