Gun safe in garage?

[Crunch130]

Guys,

I'm a small-time gun collector. As in 5 C&R rifles, an AR, a muzzleloader, and four .22 rifles. My collection would fit in a 14-gun safe. The model I am considering weighs 300 pounds and has 20 minutes @1200 F of fire protection.

I don't have room in the house downstairs for the safe. My wife has the closets full. I don't want to drag it upstairs, because if there ever is a fire, the protection will be moot when the thing crashes to the first floor.

That leaves the garage. I live in a pretty dry climate. I'm in Tehachapi, which is 4,000 feet in the mountains about 100 miles N of the LA area, or 30 miles E of Bakersfield. Humidity varies between the teens and 50%, due to 30-40 degree temperature swings between day and night (it's an altitude thing). Typical winter temperatures in the 40's and 50's, with frost overnight. Some snow, that melts off in a couple days.

My garage is a woodworking shop (i.e. no wet cars parked in garage). As a point of reference, I don't need to use rust preventatives on my table saw or other tools.

So here's the question - in my climate, with the insulated, fire-resistant safe, and a couple boxes of dessicant, can I keep the gun safe in the garage? Would the safe need some type of heater in the winter?

I will ensure adequate security of the garage.

Thanks,
Crunch

[zfields]

I know plenty of people that keep em in the garage. Should be fine.

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[Full Clip]

That's where I keep mine. Bolted into concrete. A few dissicant boxes. Normal light oiling. No problems. Oh, and two padlocks on the garage door, just to keep out amateurs.

[chknlyps2]

I live in the so cal mountians just a little higher than you and my conditions are about the same, gets down to the 20's in the winter though. Just as you my table saw, band saw, lathe and other tools with machined surfaces have been just fine. I have had a .22 and a 12g leaning in the corner of my shop to take care of varmits since before 1990. No protection except a piece of lumber leaning against them to keep them out of sight. I take them out and shoot them a couple times a year and clean/oil them and they have been just fine.

[Ron-Solo]

Bolt it down and get a goldenrod dehumidifier element. With a light coat of oil on your guns you will be fine.

[SCOOTERVB]

Bolt it down and get a goldenrod dehumidifier element. With a light coat of oil on your guns you will be fine.

This! +1 a dehumidifier is a must

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[littlejake]

Kept my safe in a garage from 1987 to 1995. And, it wasn't the driest environment. My garage was detached, but behind gates in the back of the property. Bolting is an excellent idea; and is in a future plan where I will have a house in two states. I highly recommend an alarm system. I never had a problem with moisture or rust -- even without desiccants (although they are a great idea.) Made it easy to load up the vehicle for a range trip without prying eyes of neighbors.

[t0kie]

Many friends of mine did it for years & they are all fine. Just like others have said: bolt down & locked all the time.

[deac777]

I agree with installing a Golden Rod heater. I've had one in my safe for over 20 years in a fairly humid environment, and have had zero problems with rust or corrosion.

[Crunch130]

Thanks for your advice! That's what I'll work towards.

Crunch

[Lifeon2whls]

If you work with the garage open like I do and have people who can see in, I would suggest getting a piece of duvateen Cloth to cover it. We used it on movie and TV sets to cover things up we didn't want the camera to see and it works wonders to hide things from view.

[tdyoung1958]

had mine in storage in PA, still have some back in PA stored.

I bought some Alsock bags (or something like that) from Midway and added a instant rice bag (to absorb moisture in the bag) . . . over ten years without a issue

basically they are about a 5' long ziplock bag, big enough for 2 rifles in each without optics

[monk]

Mine is in a detached garage. Frigging hate it, feels so uncomfortable. But the alternative is not having a safe at all so...

[gatesbox]

I think you have answered your own question, if it is your only option then there you go.

My only feedback is that my moron neighbor has his gun safe at the very front of the garage, every time his garage door is open it seems like a neon sign of guns in the house and not readily accessible to the owner. My only feedback is keep it in a discreet location....

Or paint it to look like a vintage Pepsi Cooler.

[Gryff]

Goldenrod dehumidifier

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?dimensionids=4294845298&

Absolutely be sure to bolt the safe down, though.