What Gun Safe Should I Get???

[dtelston]

I currently have 15 handguns and 6 long guns. The safe I have is not a high end safe, it was purchased as a quick fix until I could find something nice enough and it holds a lot of money in guns. Needless to say, I'm feeling vulnerable considering what's protecting them. I am actively seeking out the best safe that I can get that would allow me to hold all 21 of my guns and still give me room to grow a little bit. I will also be storing other valuable items that belong to my family and I.

About half of my guns are collectors & the other half are shooters.

Keep in mind that I need something that has a great fire resistance rating as well as a great anti-burglary rating.

My current budget, off-hand, is in the neighborhood of $2,500. But keep in mind that I am willing to pay more in order to get a safe that will ensure my valuables safety, to the highest degree. I'd rather spend more and be safe than spend less and be sorry. (and yes, I realize that all safes are crackable with the right equipment and amount of time)

Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions, and/or stories of personal experience that you may have would be much appreciated. Horror stories of safes that didn't work out for the better are also appreciated as I want to feel comfortable and secure in my gun safe purchasing decision.

Thanks in advance for your honesty and valuable input!

[Grakken]

Whats your budget? Need more info.

[Mike's Custom]

Like above, depends on what you want to spend. I will give you this advice as firearms dealer, whatever size you think you need, buy the next size up. If you are planning to continue buying there is no reason to buy another safe or have to trade up to the next size. Once you have a safe you will be surprised what you will want to put in there and if your married you may be storing more then guns.

[BitterOldMan]

I have a Fort Knox bolted to the foundation with a dehumidifier to keep the moisture out. If the safe is not bolted, you can use a appliance cart and move the safe out even if it weights 1,000 pounds.

I also have a burglar alarm that calls the police with radio frequency backup. Some cities have had so many false alarms that the police will no longer respond to burglar alarms.

Fort Knox safes are most likely some of the more expensive safes out there, but look for a bargain. I got mine years ago at the the now long gone Pomona Gun Show with miles of interesting stuff.

[scout II]

I like Visalia Safes. http://www.visaliasafes.com/index.html They are very nice folks to deal with and they make very, very good safes.They will even make a custom size for you,that is what I had done.There ultimate fire safe is awesome,it is a safe within a safe with ceramic material in between.That also makes them very heavy,that is a good thing.

[Grakken]

2000-2500 puts you in-line for some decent gun safes (RSC's)

I have a Browning Medallion and couldn't be happier (I wouldn't go lower in series than a medallion though). People seem to like Sturdy safes around here and for that money, you can get one of their beefier safes.

I would say at a minimum, get 10ga or better steel.
Get bigger than what you think you will need.

Everyone will be along shortly with their opinion (like me)

Do your own research. Look on youtube vid's etc.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

[Purple K]

Liberty safes in West Sacramento have a great selection of safes. They even have a scratch & dent section of the store. I've had my safe for three years now and still haven't found the scratch. Buy bigger than what you think you need as it'll be full before you know it.

[Librarian]

You do realize there is an entire forum for safe questions, right?

Try this post, as a starting place.

I own an AMSEC UL-rated TL-15. I like it.

[docsmileyface]

My wife got me a Franklin 25 safe from Liberty Safe for Valentines Day. Its suppose to fit 41 guns when you use both sides, but so far 12 long guns fit pretty snuggly between the two sides for me (guess they don't account for weapons with optics or flashlights).

The door comes with an accessory panel with holsters for pistols as well as a bunch of pouches you can use to store magazines or valuables. I guess from what the guy at the store told me right now the new model Franklin's come standard with an electronic lock but you can get them with a dial lock if you want. It has a fire safety rating of an hour and a half and is incredibly sharp looking.

Everything seemed really great except for the automatic motion-sensing LED lights that it came with didn't work well, they were suppose to turn on when you open the safe but you have to wave your hand under them to activate them. About two weeks of owning the safe the door became stuck when opening it. I guess a cam in the handle broke and the inner door bolts became stuck. I pushed them in by hand to open the door and now cannot get them to come back out. When I close the safe door and turn the handle to lock the bolts only the top and one side of the door lock, the bolts on the hinge side of the door are permanently stuck closed and as such my lock won't engage.

I called Liberty Safes directly and they said they were sending a replacement part to my local dealer and they'd be out to fix it. The dealer called a couple days later saying he got the part but that his repair guy is on jury duty for the next couple weeks. They tried to come out this weekend but I had drill with my NG unit so I couldn't arrange a time for it, hoping they can come out and fix it soon.

If you end up going with Liberty Safes, hopefully you don't end up with a lemon like I did.

[mjbach]

i just got a liberty fatboy installed for less than 2500 thing swallows mycollection of 30 rifles even wife said looks kinda empty you should go shopping

[antonio]

Go with Cannon safes they have best warranty. They also have a outside company fire test the safes unlike most company's Not sure where your located bit check out Cold Steel Safes in Roseville Ca

[Tom Slick]

I have a liberty and it is well made. I recently looked at some Visalia safes and wouldn't hesitate to buy one from them. They're built in California if that makes any difference to you.

[for2nato]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201904____SearchResults

i have seen this safe and its massive. its only 12 gauge but it has a decent fire rating. bolt it down and it aint going anywhere.

[mprahm]

I second the AMSEC line!

[dtelston]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I've been looking into each of the above safes as you're recommending them. I will definitely post when I make my final decision.