Safe

[onequickshift]

Are there any large capacity safes out there that can use a key to open them right away? Or a key and combination combo? That won't break the bank? Safe a Sentry tall safe at home depot for $400 , not sure if it has a key option. Sale stafe were useless.

Anyone suggest a high quality safe as well, thats stand alone combination safe for under $500 that can hold 4 AR's and a few handguns?

[johnrunner89]

http://www.gunvault.com/55005900.nxg

I asked the same question

[Hot Brass]

Got to Costco. I saw a Winchester gun safe there for around $500. It has a spinning combo lock on it only. I have a safe that has a key along with the lock. I don`t trust the "key" only. I clear the dial and then key lock the safe. Don`t trust electronic locks either, yet.

[smp89]

Got to Costco. I saw a Winchester gun safe there for around $500. It has a spinning combo lock on it only. I have a safe that has a key along with the lock. I don`t trust the "key" only. I clear the dial and then key lock the safe. Don`t trust electronic locks either, yet.

Costco safe (Winchester) is a good deal. I picked one up last weekend. Will be mounting it next weekend.

[Bigballaizm]

I seen some inexpensive safes in the Sports Authority flyer this weekend. One was on sale for $99 & the larger was $250 I believe. There was also a coupon for $25 off if you spent more than $100. Think I will cruise by & check it out, I can use an extra safe for my not so nice shottys & rifles!

[om221]

Costco safe (Winchester) is a good deal. I picked one up last weekend. Will be mounting it next weekend.

Made in CHINA.

[BillCA]

If your intent is to store guns in your safe locked up away from kids or casual theft, then most of the common safes - Winchesters, Liberty, etc. will suit your needs.

You can lock the dial at "0" on these safes. You can open the safe, return the dial to zero, use the key to lock it. Opening it is simply to use the key to unlock, turn the knob to the last number and open the safe. (about 2 secs).

For security while you are not at home, it's best to jumble the combination lock then lock the dial at zero (if possible -some won't do this).

[Matt C]

Any safe you can open with just a key and costs under $400 can probably be opened with tools lying around your house in under 3 minutes. Just FYI. Spend the extra money and go with a Sturdy safe. IF you want to keep it locked by you want to be able to get in quick you can dial in the first few numbers so you only have to spin the dial around once to open it. This way you don't need to worry about finding a key either.

[Bigballaizm]

Any safe you can open with just a key and costs under $400 can probably be opened with tools lying around your house in under 3 minutes. Just FYI. Spend the extra money and go with a Sturdy safe. IF you want to keep it locked by you want to be able to get in quick you can dial in the first few numbers so you only have to spin the dial around once to open it. This way you don't need to worry about finding a key either.

I agree with you BWO! My main safe is from HomeLand safes...

http://www.homelandsafes.com/

[Grakken]

They are all RSC's. Some are made better than others. 400 bucks means your kids wont get in. Most RSC's will deter the smash and grab types (I cant imagine a RSC Under 500 bucks will deter a crackhead from prying his way in with relative ease-Ie Define your definition of quality). However if the bad guy has time (and a buddy or two to help), and your safe isnt bolted, consider it gone. if it is bolted and has time, well a fireaxe should do the trick within 20 minutes or so (i am basing this off a 12 ga steel safe).Sturdy Safe goes as low as 7 Ga Steel I think. I think to stop most smash and grabbers, I wouldn't go above 10 gauge, and bolt it.

If the thief is determined and has time, doesnt really matter what you have.

Just set your expectations (of the safe) properly with any RSC.

[mjcallos]

http://www.safes4you.com

[Liberty Rules]

On this end of the safe market, it's my understanding that the key operates as a "daylock" when you are there and need to get in and out of the safe during the day. I have a "top of the line" gun safe with a daylocking key on the Sargeant & Greenleaf combo lock. The manager of the safe company explained to me that the daylocking key does NOT fully lock the safe. It essentially only locks the dial (with the combo already entered) and can be easily defeated, allowing the safe to be opened. Therefore, you should not rely on a daylocking key to secure the safe unless you're around to watch it. It's merely a convenience feature if you're going to be in and out of the safe all day and don't want kids or friends getting in while you're down the hall.

I put "top of the line" gun safe in quotes above because that's still not much security (even though it cost more than 3X your budget and weighs 1,200lbs.) Real security is found in "jewelers safes" which have UL Burglary ratings, such as a TL15 or TL30 rating. (They're often called that because jewlers must get a UL burglary rated safe in order to insure their merchandise.) Those can have a key which actually engages relockers, in addition to the combination lock. But, that's a whole different ballpark. A TL30 safe that's 5ft to 6ft tall is going to weigh more than 3,000lbs and they retail for $6,000 and up. They can be found used for considerably less, though. (I just got a used 72"x35"x30" TL30 for $900. It weighs about 3,300lbs and has a combo lock and a key lock. That was an unusually good find, though.)

In sum, don't expect much from a $500 safe and don't rely on the daylocking key for security. All things being equal, go for thicker gauge steel (check the specs on the door AND the body). Heavier is also harder to grab and go. If you want to get more bang for your buck, you can trade up significantly in security by buying used. Just remember, though, that when you get into the heavier safes, it will cost you $300-400 for professional safe movers, assuming an easy door to door job. Lighter safes can be moved by a couple of guys and a pickup.

[Cokebottle]

And to increase the weight, make a false bottom for it and drop in 200-300lbs of barbell weights, store your ammo on the bottom... anything to make it harder to move and to keep the center of gravity low.

In addition to bolting to the floor, especially if it's upstairs and only lagged into wood, which can be easily torn out, try to lag the back of it into the studs in the wall. That'll help prevent them from even beginning to tip it forward to pry it off the floor.

Ya, if they really want it, they're going to rip the place apart to get it and they don't care what they screw up, but they're going to be tearing the house up anyways.

[Liberty Rules]

And to increase the weight...store your ammo on the bottom...

I could be wrong, but I don't recommend storing ammo inside your safe. I avoid that because I think it would cause additional damage in a fire. I looked up a datasheet for some small caliber ammo and the flashpoint was only 250 degrees F. Given the fact that fire ratings on safes generally refer to temps staying below 350F for 1 hour, the ammo would start cooking off inside the safe well before the fire rating is hit. That would defeat the purpose of having the fire protection.

[kapache]

I bought from turners a very Nice safe for under 300 bucks.

Buffalo River 14 Gun Cabinet