Which gun safe

[cgseanp1]

I am planning on buying a new safe very soon. I think I've narrowed it down to these two choices:

First is the AMSEC 5517 gun safe. It's fire rated to 1200 degrees for 30 minutes. Turners has it on sale for like 429. It feels nice and heavy, they claim it will hold 11 guns but looks pretty small for that.

http://www.amsecusa.com/Gun_Safes/TF_Series_Gun_Safes/

Next option is Centurion by Liberty. Lowes has it for 397, so slightly cheaper than the AMSEC. It is rated for only 20 minute fire protection, so not as good as the AMSEC. It's a 14 gun safe, so it's also slighty larger than the other which is a plus.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_292952-10283-CE12-BK_0_?productId=1242371&Ntt=gun%20safe&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=gun%20safe$y=0$x=0

Or, I can just get a cheaper, larger safe that isn't fire rated. Is something that's rated for only 20 minutes even worth it? I am only looking to spend around 400 for now, so that's why I picked those, and they are both local for me to pick up.

Thanks!

[center_x]

Save your money and buy a bigger better safe. You will regret buying a small safe. Leave room for expansion. Look into Cannon Safes. Great Safe, Lifetime warranty. Maybe look into the 22 cubic foot sizes.

[cgseanp1]

Save your money and buy a bigger better safe. You will regret buying a small safe. Leave room for expansion. Look into Cannon Safes. Great Safe, Lifetime warranty. Maybe look into the 22 cubic foot sizes.

I was hoping I wouldnt get a bunch of these responses!! haha darnit. Anyways, I am getting a smaller safe, for now. I move a lot, like every year at least, sometimes every 6 months. I'd prefer for now to have something that isn't giant. I own 3 long guns now, so these safes will last me long enough. I am totally 100000000% fine with having to buy a bigger safe in a few years IF I buy that many guns. But for now.... this is what I'm getting.. Any input?

[cgseanp1]

Turners also has the same AMSEC safe, but in 16 gun capacity. It is like 200 more, I could possibly swing that.. but definitely no more than that.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

Amsec.

better built the the liberty safes that home depot sells, depending on the model #, im assuming your talking about the CN17 model. Better fire protection. Locks are just about the same, i think Amsec is using Lagard locks Vs Liberty S&G, but they are nearly identical in performance, and exactly same in function.

And if you have scoped rifles your not going to get as many rifles as they list in the safe. I have an older model with near dimensions to the 5517 and i have 2 scoped rifles, a shotgun and an AR, with maybe enough room for one more rifle.

for the love of god. please dont buy the cheapo safe. I have had to many people buy sentry safes just to have us come and open them to find the plastic mechnical parts are sheared.

[center_x]

Id go with Amsec between the two safes. Plus, like you stated earlier, you'll may buy a bigger one in the future. In that case, two safes are better than one

The fire rating is ok. If you put any paper documents in your safe, place them on the bottom of the safe, because heat rises in your safe if it goes through a fire. Also, try to put your safe near an outside wall of the interior of your house. Your safe wont get as hot as if it was in the center of your house.

Try to bolt the safe down. Any two guys can easily walk away with this size of a safe, especially if you put it in your garage.

Good luck shopping, ket us know what you decide on.

[sniper4usmc]

costco and sears got some nice safes..I would prefer Cannon Safe

[cgseanp1]

Thanks fore the replies. Ill probably go for AMSEC, and see about getting the larger 16 gun one. The AMSEC's have the hinges that are on the outside, is that a negative point?

[UserM4]

Thanks fore the replies. Ill probably go for AMSEC, and see about getting the larger 16 gun one. The AMSEC's have the hinges that are on the outside, is that a negative point?

Hinges don't matter. Even if thieves cut the hinges completely off, the door will not open. What's more important is a reinforced door frame that'll prevent the structure from bending outwards when attacked with a crowbar.

Sort've like this...

Pardon my MS Paint skills.

[center_x]

Outside hinges create an "attack point" for dummies who attempt to break into the safe, but I dont think its too much of an issue. Like the above diagram, they still wont be able to get the door open.

The upside to hinges, your able to open the door alot wider than interal hinges.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

Outside hinges create an "attack point" for dummies who attempt to break into the safe, but I dont think its too much of an issue. Like the above diagram, they still wont be able to get the door open.

The upside to hinges, your able to open the door alot wider than interal hinges.

that and its one less thing for you to run into if you turn a corner to fast. done that in the shop often.

but yes. even with external hinges the door will still not open.

[bsg]

your safe is a major investment and not a purchase to just throw the dice with. do some homework and think this through. it is better to get a safe you will grow in to than a safe you will grow out of. a "box and a lock" is not a safe even if it is sold as one. there are many posts on this forum regarding safes and feedback from their owners; search and find. good luck on your search and purchase.

[fishhoppa]

Is something that's rated for only 20 minutes even worth it?

All things being equal, it's 20 more minutes than the one that's not fire rated. Guess it also depends on the response time of your local FD. Lets say hypothetically a fire starts in your home. How long before it's noticed till the FD is called? Add in the response time and you could be well over the 20 / 30minutes which would mean your guns are now toast, OR you could be under the 20 /30 minutes which would mean your guns would've have been protected, unless it was the non-fire rated one, which would mean your guns are toast regardless.

I think I just confused myself.

I vote for the bigger fire rated safe - I bought a smaller safe that holds up to 3 guns and am now looking for a second unit - should've bought a larger safe to begin with. Told myself early on that I would only be getting ONE gun...yeah right...I just picked up number TWO and am already thinking about the next purchase!

[CaliforniaLiberal]

I'd be highly skeptical of safe manufacturers fire ratings. They have no common standard and can claim whatever they want to.

Remember that a safe not securely bolted to the floor or walls is just a convenient container for robbers to haul off your guns with.

Here's some good information.

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

http://www.sturdysafe.com/

[odysseus]

Hinges on these safes should not mean a damn thing. Safe doors have BOLTS, and these BOLTS should encompass all sides of the door when locked. Everyone knows this except your run of the mill crack or meth head. Hinges are only what allow it to articulate open. Outside ones are better, since you can open it wider.