Considering a Snapsafe......

[sonofeugene]

The smallest Titan model. It seems to use heavier gauge steel than similar sized/priced safes and I like the idea of its being easier to move when I need to. 'Anyone have experience with them? And would you go with electronic push buttons or the dial?

https://www.snapsafe.com/snapsafe-titan.html

[Ponderosa2]

First, I don't have experience with this safe. But, after lugging a safe that is slightly larger upstairs, this seems like an option if you want something upstairs. I wanted a safe in our upstairs master bedroom for my most commonly used guns. My larger safe with everything else is downstairs. Might be worth looking into if upstairs is your plan. Otherwise, seems overpriced for a safe of that size. And definitely push button if speed is going to be an issue at all.

[AreWeFree]

Thats really small for the price, especially since they're saving on skilled welders and material. Must be a convenience cost, but of course much better than nothing at all or a fake safe.

Get the dial lock no matter what. Hopefully the La Garde model is good, but I think the S&G's are better.

[super_chief]

although the easier moving aspect is nice i'd hate to invest that much only to run out of room.

if you're set on the needed room (no doubt whatsoever) then sure it seems decent. always mechanical lock IMO

[sonofeugene]

Thanks for the feedback. I went to gunsafes.com and compared the Titan to safes of similar size from other manufacturers. While the safes of comparable size were cheaper, they were also made with lighter gauge steel and didn't have the same fire rating or had fewer features. I'm not likely to amass an arsenal so it's size should be just fine. And even if my collection grows, I'm of the opinion that more smaller safes is better than fewer larger safes.

Thanks to all for your feedback.

[Packy14]

The smallest Titan model. It seems to use heavier gauge steel than similar sized/priced safes and I like the idea of its being easier to move when I need to. 'Anyone have experience with them? And would you go with electronic push buttons or the dial?

https://www.snapsafe.com/snapsafe-titan.html

Zanotti armor is better

[AreWeFree]

Thanks for the feedback. I went to gunsafes.com and compared the Titan to safes of similar size from other manufacturers. While the safes of comparable size were cheaper, they were also made with lighter gauge steel and didn't have the same fire rating or had fewer features. I'm not likely to amass an arsenal so it's size should be just fine. And even if my collection grows, I'm of the opinion that more smaller safes is better than fewer larger safes.

Thanks to all for your feedback.

I'd recommend one without "fire rating" then. The fire protection is usually gypsum board in most consumer safes, which is crap, and the fire isn't what destroys your guns in the safe, it's the water from putting the fire out.

If you have paper/money/stuff other than guns in your safe, put it in a separate fire rated and sealed container within your safe (water tight is a plus.)

[sonofeugene]

I'd recommend one without "fire rating" then. The fire protection is usually gypsum board in most consumer safes, which is crap, and the fire isn't what destroys your guns in the safe, it's the water from putting the fire out.

If you have paper/money/stuff other than guns in your safe, put it in a separate fire rated and sealed container within your safe (water tight is a plus.)

Thanks. The Snapsafe uses real fire protection materials and not gypsum.

[AreWeFree]

Thanks. The Snapsafe uses real fire protection materials and not gypsum.

What materials? The only safe co I came across which used good fire protection is sturdy safe who uses a thick ceramic wool and glass blanket. Also without fully welded seams is it really fire protected?

Everyone else I found uses gypsum board or concrete.

[Allhailflintlocks]

I have the XL model and the safe is sort of a mixed bag.

When I got mine several years ago the SnapSafe line was offered in 14 or 7 ga thickness. I opted for the 7 but the sides were really two layers of 14 ga welded together. Worse the welds are not continuous and there are areas where the sides don't overlap so the thickness is back at 14 ga.

Looking at SnapSafe website I see the Super Titan is spec'd as having 9 ga sides while the XXL model is listed as 9 ga two ply sides. I suspect the construction is the same as mine with the overall gauge thickness downgraded.

The edge the door shuts against is rather thin and I've thought about doubling the material with bar stock. The door bolts attach to a right angle extension running the length of the door. I think it would have been better to have a U shaped extension with the bolts secured through both sides.

The door is small so care needs to be taken when removing or returning guns. The XXL model eliminates this problem with the double doors, but that one comes with an XXL price. Originally the XXL only had one door.

The interior is nothing special but there is nothing really wrong with it either. It was not very easy to install either.

And finally my safe arrived dusty, a common occurrence it seems, and covered with packing material.

Now the positives.

Overall the safe is rather well made. Not top of the line by any stretch but the paint is even and there are no obvious workmanship issues like a sloppy weld or sharp corner.

That small door does have the benefit of offering less leverage to pry open and more importantly it is recessed into the front which makes it even more difficult to pry at.

The various pieces are labeled for drama free assembly and the interior offers some flexibility in configuration.

The safe is very easy to assemble. I got mine together in two hours with most of that time spent cleaning off the dust and packing material. Actual assembly time was a half hour or so. Oh, and this was by myself with the second to largest model, and I'm not football player sized either.

The SnapSafe person I emailed with, Willie, was easy to communicate with. He answered my questions promptly and was willing to work with me.

Fire protection consists of fire blankets. The side ones can be difficult to install but there is a trick to get them in easy.

The absolutely best part of the safe: its modular! I had mine delivered to my work and got a friend to help me get it home. We unpacked the pieces, loaded them up in his pickup, and drove to my abode where we then unloaded the pieces. Try doing that with a Cannon, Winchester or Liberty. Did I mention I live in a two story place and installed the safe upstairs? My friend helped me haul the door and front and back sides upstairs but I got the rest up by myself.

As for the lock, I have the SecuRam digital lock and have had no problems with it. SnapSafe offers a combination digital/mechanical lock on the XXL model and this would have been an extra cost option for me had I chose it. I don't know if they would still offer it today though on other models.

And some final thoughts. The safes are lacking per their price compared to their competitors, but then the competitors aren't modular, which is the whole point of the SnapSafe. Also, before I bought mine I did a some number crunching and found that the larger the SnapSafe was, the closer it was to the same sized/priced competition.

The only other modular safes I considered were the Dakota safe and Zanotti. The Dakota appeared to be typical Chinese 12 ga safe that happened to come apart (or fall apart based on your view of Chinese manufacturing) though the safe may have been improved over the last couple of years. The Zanotti ones are well regarded but even more expensive. They also seem to take awhile to be shipped after ordering. Overall the SnapSafe seemed the best bet for me.

Would I get one today knowing what I know now? Yes, provided I needed a modular safe. I would prefer a Sturdy one, but need the mobility, if you will, of a SnapSafe.

Well, this turned into a lengthy review so I'll end it with a couple of more pointers for you. If you go with SnapSafe get the largest you can afford. It really is true that you should get a safe twice the size you think you need. Skip the Super Titan and go for the XL. I was originally looking at the Super Titan but went with the XL because of the above advice. I'm now at the point where I could really use an XXL.

Finally, SnapSafe is offering free shipping. Mine cost a tidy sum to ship.

[NIKSD]

9 gauge sides will last seconds agains even on power tools.
375 pound safe will "grow legs" and disappear in thin air in minutes. For $300.00 more you can buy way better safe /2 times heavier, can't even compare it with 9 gauge joke/.

https://www.sturdysafe.com/collections/2419-colletions/products/model-2419