Hi, safe question?

[San FranPsycho]

This year I will soon be living with 3 roommates whom we are all very good friends and I trust very much but we all come from different backgrounds and have different friends and I know I can't trust everybody who comes in the place. I know people will go after me for asking this but What is the cheapest I could spend on a good safe? My only gun I will have with me is a shotgun, I usually have my 18 inch barrel on and I have a 28 inch with it (mossberg). I know that long gun safes go into the thousands of $$$$, but maybe if I took the barrel off I could get away with a smaller one...? I have a small soft case which I usually hide my gun in and place (stereotypically) under my bed or in my closet. The gun has a lock on it but that can't keep it from being stolen...any idea what I could get away with spending on a safe? I figure one would also be good to store passport, other valuables, paperwork etc. But I am also a college student on a tight budget.

Thank you!

[Sinixstar]

It depends on what exactly you're looking for.
You could go down to the $100-$150 range and get a CA-DOJ approved 'residential storage container'.
This isn't a safe. It's essentially a hefty metal locker. It's not going to provide fire protection, it's not going to absolutely protect you the way a $10,000 thousand-pound fire-proof safe is going to - but it will keep honest people honest, and offer you at least some basic protection.
Going a step up from that - a basic 3 bolt "safe" is going to run you in the $3-400 range for even the cheapest most basic level of protection. Even some of these 'budget' safes really don't offer much more in the way of protection than some of the cabinets out there.

I would recommend that if you want to store valuables like passports and other paperwork, you get a smaller residential safe that is going to offer you more protection for those things. In the event of a fire - only the most expensive ($1000+) gun safes are going to offer you ANY protection there. In the budget you're looking at, it's strictly about theft protection.
However, a small personal safe that offers fire protection for documents is not nearly as expensive as one that offers fire protection for guns. that's why it's worth it to get a personal safe for valuables and documents if you think that's something that you need.

[Librarian]

And ask in the safe forum.

One problem with smaller safes is that they are portable - they should be bolted down, so you need to look into how you might do that where you live, without damaging the property.

[TimRB]

One thing to consider, maybe, would be a cable or chain that you could use to lock the gun to something immovable (or at least big). This would probably be about as good as a cheap "safe", which really only keeps honest people and children out of your guns.

Tim

[BossHog]

[berg]

If you get a smaller one be sure to load it with lead ingots or cement blocks, dumbells, etc. It would then be too heavy for someone to easily carry it off.

[shoupdawg]

I got a used one from Craigslist. They sell new ones for $400 on Craigslist, no tax. But I found a used one for $175-200 and I think I got it for $150 after haggling. It had some scuffs and a minor dent, but for the price, I can't complain!

HW-6742D The Protector Executive Gun Safe from Honeywell

http://www.buyasafe.com/HW-6742D-The-Protector-p/hw-6742d.htm

[odysseus]

You could get a small rifle safe, they are relatively cheaper, and in the few hundred of dollars. I would put it in your closet, and bolt it to the floor/studs. You can easily repair and patch that if you move out. Then get a strong hasp lock and hardened lock for the closet door or your bedroom. It may not be about your roommates, but they have friends. They don't need to be anywhere near that or even know about it.

[San FranPsycho]

Thank you for all your help so far

It depends on what exactly you're looking for.
You could go down to the $100-$150 range and get a CA-DOJ approved 'residential storage container'.
This isn't a safe. It's essentially a hefty metal locker. It's not going to provide fire protection, it's not going to absolutely protect you the way a $10,000 thousand-pound fire-proof safe is going to - but it will keep honest people honest, and offer you at least some basic protection.
Going a step up from that - a basic 3 bolt "safe" is going to run you in the $3-400 range for even the cheapest most basic level of protection. Even some of these 'budget' safes really don't offer much more in the way of protection than some of the cabinets out there.

I would recommend that if you want to store valuables like passports and other paperwork, you get a smaller residential safe that is going to offer you more protection for those things. In the event of a fire - only the most expensive ($1000+) gun safes are going to offer you ANY protection there. In the budget you're looking at, it's strictly about theft protection.
However, a small personal safe that offers fire protection for documents is not nearly as expensive as one that offers fire protection for guns. that's why it's worth it to get a personal safe for valuables and documents if you think that's something that you need.

This sounds pretty good...I didn't really think about fire protection, mostly just theft protection is on the top of my mind.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stack-On-8-Gun-Security-Cabinet/11071333

Something like this comes to mind. And I'm renting a house in SF, so I can't really bolt anything to the wall or floor or the Chinese lady landlord will chew me a new one.

[joedogboy]

You can find a decent multi-gun safe for under $500 at Home Depot or Lowes.

[odysseus]

Something like this comes to mind. And I'm renting a house in SF, so I can't really bolt anything to the wall or floor or the Chinese lady landlord will chew me a new one.

Who cares what racial background your landlord is. But anyway you can bolt to your wall studs at a minimum. It's wear and tear. You can hang paintings, right? You can earthquake secure your cabinet, right (hint)? What - are you being inspected as to all your items down to securing furniture - even in your bedroom? You can patch the holes the bolts leave. I see no issue there so long as you don't damage beyond any reasonable person does - but certainly read your lease contract.

[Sinixstar]

Psycho - that's actually exactly what I had in mind when i mentioned RSCs. I've had that exact unit in the past. It can be carried off pretty easily - but it's a decent gauge steel, and didn't feel like it would be TOO easy to break into. It's DOJ approved - so at least you have the cover that if anything DID happen, you wouldn't be held liable.

Bolting it down would help - and those things do have the capacity to be bolted in. The bolts are small, so you might be able to get away with it. If there's carpeting on the floor you can for sure. Otherwise you might be able to bolt it to the wall, and do some careful covering up if/when you move out.

Just be aware that it is a compromise. They don't offer the greatest protection in the world. They do offer some peace of mind, and some legal cover though.