First safe. What you know now that you wish you knew then.

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

As others have posted, many "safes" are better viewed as heavy-duty and often fire-rated RSCs. A real safe is lots of cash and extremely robust and I would guess... mostly out of the practical budgets/desires of the average Joe.

When considering a safe, here's what I would keep in mind...

1. A true safe will provide the best security, but it will cost the most money, be larger than a cabinet or RSC of the same capacity, and much heavier (likely too heavy to move easily on your own, if at all).

2. If you buy a safe, RSC, or cabinet that is NOT CADOJ approved, I believe there could be repercussions if your guns are stolen/misused. This is more of a rumor I've heard, but I've never researched it, so confirmation is needed. Since there is in fact a list of CADOJ approved storage devices, I would assume it's probably true.

3. If you want fire protection, keep in mind that most fires don't continually burn at extremely high temps for long periods of time in a single location. My neighbor (fire fighter) told me that most 30 minute rated safes are going to be as helpful as the 60+ minute rated-safes in the average house fire. Made sense to me, so I didn't worry about getting an extreme fire rating.

4. Breaking into the average $0-$1,000 "safe" isn't too hard. Lots of videos on youtube about it... With that in mind, I think safes should always be as hidden as possible and mounted to a wall/floor (preferably both) for best security. This also makes me think there's not much advantage to an RSC over a stack-on-type cabinet besides fire protection and weight.

5. The capacity of a safe is rarely accurate. If you have all 10/22s or scope-less, non-tactical guns... then maybe you'll get the rated number in there. Otherwise, plan on getting about 60%-75% of the listed long gun capacity out of it.

6. Moving safes is expensive and sucks. I prefer multiple smaller safes, that can be muscled with a heavy duty furniture dolly and dedication vs one that needs a professional mover.

7. I also prefer smaller safes because I can have weapons secured in multiple locations and they are easier to hide well, which I personally like.

8 If you plan to get one safe for storage, all the previous posts are right on, get bigger than you need. My first safe was a 14 gun, I only had 3 long guns at the time, thought I would end up with 10ish or so. I was wrong about only having 10 and I was wrong that 10 would even fit in that 14 gun safe...

[bsg]

I learned that once I make the purchase, it's mine and that's what I'll be living with for a long time to come. in essence, I learned to pick well and carefully.

[1911_Mitch]

-----

[Gooseman]

If I were you -- first question is are you planning to store handguns only, long guns, or both? If only handguns you can probably get by with a smaller safe. Obviously for long guns you need a bigger safe and that will cost more money. I too recommend the sturdy safe.

[Old4eyes]

If there is the option, get a hole in the back for electrical service. I didn't and had to put one in (it wasn't that difficult but it was an inconvenience). You may or may not need the electrical for a de-humidifier rod but it comes in handy for interior lighting.

[Erion929]

I learned that if you research and know what you want and what your buying habits are....you can buy the correct size safe once.

I’ve have 3 rifles, not buying any more. I will always have 10-15 handguns, as I “upgrade” to what I want to shoot or invest in and sell others. I don’t keep guns I don’t want to shoot, look at, or invest in.

I also don’t keep ammo in this safe, that would take up too much room.


-

[Motor Man]

http://www.graffundersafes.com

http://www.roguesafe.com/graffunder

Here is a couple links to some heavy duty safes by Graffunder. Pricey but heavy duty.

[mikeyr]

think about what tools you have in the garage. I bolted down my safe in the garage and a friend came over a few weeks later and commented how nice it was of me to install my safe only a few feet from my plasma cutter and other tools to break into the safe with.

I moved my safe into the house, in its own enclosure where a closet used to be, removed the drywall, put a few new studs in, put up 3/4 plywood, then drywall and slid the safe in. Bolted it to the floor AND the walls. Yeah a pro will get in, but he will have to work harder than usual.

[Wasn'tMe]

Start here.

Watch these videos.

[Dvrjon]

Lights.

Put lights in it.

[Garv]

Did anybody mention yet that you should get a safe that is noticeably larger than what you want to store right now?

I bought a safe that was probably twice what I thought I would need and it is now full.

Once jewelry, cameras and important papers went in there the extra room went away quickly.

Lights and goldenrod/desiccant.

[Allhailflintlocks]

Consider a modular safe from SnapSafe or Zanotti. The modular ones are pricey for what you get but you can put one in places a standard safe wouldn't fit into. Also, they are a lot easier to move.

As for the repeated advise to get bigger than you think you need, ignore that; it's a bunch of bunk. I figured out what I needed and then got a bigger model. The safe is now getting uncomfortable packed. Pick a size that will work for you, and then go for one that is much much bigger.

[Blade Gunner]

Whatever size you buy, won’t be big enough in a year.

[JAFGO]

Buy a USED commercial safe not a 14 gauge body RSC that can be opened with a $10 harbor freight too.


You can find a $25,000-$50,000 used commercial safe for less than the price of a Fort Knox safe.

If you have a home, buy a used safe.

^^^^^

Keep an eye on Craigslist. As said, deals are to be had on real safes. Once in a while you'll even see large HEAVY safes free for pickup.

Lots of years ago we picked one up from a bar that just wanted it gone. Free for the taking. Thing weighed around 6000 lbs and three of us moved it. It was a chore though.

[A-J]

I'm in the market for my first safe. I've done some reading and research, but I know from other types of purchases that experience is the best teacher and I often do things a bit differently the second time around.

With that said, what do you know now that you wished you knew when you bought your first safe?

That "Safe holds XXX number of guns" means it will hold XXX number of the smallest 22 rifle possible with zero attachments. If you're talking about long guns, buy a safe that "holds" twice the number you have.