Confused about safes

[darkdream]

Hello, I am new to the forum and just recently began shooting. I want to purchase my own hanguns and maybe a rifle soon, but would like to buy a safe. After over a week of researching about safes, I am definitely trying to find a safe with wall of better than 10 gauge steel. This following AMSEC gun safe state it is c-rate, so does that mean the door has at least combined thickness of 1 inch of steel (so probably 2 1/2 inch plates?) and the body has combined thickness of 1/2 inch of steel? Also it doesn't state the fire rating material, but is it the same "concrete insulation" used on the BF AMSEC safe?

http://www.safeandvaultstore.com/productdetails/1339

I know people say go big, but I am a college student living in a condo, so I will be moving around and do not want to move something that weights a ton or more around nor would I want a safe that can be penetrated by a fire axe in a couple swings.

[llamatrnr]

10 ga is pretty stout (when talking "gauge" the lower the number, the thicker/heavier/stronger) Remember, also, that whatever you can carry in, the bad guys can carry out. Bolting to the floor may not be an option for you in the condo, so you may want to consider an inexpensive alarm system (or, at least a window sticker that says you have one

Oh, and welcome to Calguns . . .

[WDE91]

safes MUST be bolted down

there are people who make a living out of stealing
they know brute strength and speed

I would budget about $300-$500 less or more depending on your current financial status

[scootergmc]

http://www.sturdysafe.com/

/confusion

[Ctwo]

AMSEC has been less divulging of their safe constructions as of late. I've heard that the BF line has gone to thinner 12ga steel outer shell...

I suspect that this particular safe is constructed of 1/2" or 1" outer plate steel and a thinner inner sheet steel surrounding "DryLite" concrete type fill for the outer "2 inch barrier" door. The rest of the 4.5" is made from the inner linkage housing.

The body could be 1/4" or 1/2" steel outer shell with a thinner inner sheet steel surrounding the same DryLite material.

This is actually a fairly good safe, but remember the inner dimension of you want to fill it with long guns...

[zinfull]

Ctwo
I do not known what safe you are talking about. The hot link the op has is not close to 1/4" steel. This is a sheet metal outer. I went through a lot of different company and ended up with a sturdy safe.

jerry

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

1/2 plate door with 12-10, approx gauge, body if i remember for the BF.

CSC has a composite door, so if i remember right, prob 10 or 12 gauge steel wrapped around the fire insulation, which i believe is different from the bf. but the big thing is the glass relocker which does make it better for drilling protection.

this is a safe for DOWN stairs.

[darkdream]

So burglar rating of C does not imply anything about the steel thickness in the door? What a bummer I thought that the much smaller size than most gun safes with relatively same weight would have provided more security. I guess I ought to look into the TL-15 rated.

[WWDHD?]

Almost any safe is going to be a PIA to move someday. Good for you wanting to buy a safe first before purchasing any firearms. Very responsable and smart.
First of all, virtually all "Gun Safes" are really RSC's (Residential Security Containers). Got to be a lot stronger to get the official "SAFE" rating. Nothing wrong with a good RSC gunsafe. Get one that has the CA DOJ approval.
I like Sturdy Safes myself. US made, 7 gauge walls standard and 5ga optional on some models. Don't believe the whole "Buy twice as big as you think you need" BS. I have a 650lb+ 32x24x60 Sturdy and its plenty big for my needs. Be careful about the safes weight with your condo. Liberty safes aren't bad either and you get great customer service/warranty. The local Liberty store I'm sure will do a good job of moving your safe someday if you need to move out of your condo.
Tell us your budget and other safe requirements and I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations. Good luck!

[Divernhunter]

If you know you will be moving much then bigger may not be a good choice. BUT the bigger thing is not BS for most of us. I started with one at least twice what I "needed". That worked for awhile. Now I have 3 large safes that are stuffed full. Plus you will find other things to keep safe you will want to put in there

[darkdream]

I would like to spend $1,500ish (I can spend more if needed) and as for capacity sake, I am not sure as I currently do not own any guns.

WWDHD- You did not get your safe fire-lined? Is there a reason why?

Sturdy safe appeared to be a really almost no brainer deal until I realized the fire-lining was an extra 1/4 or more the cost of the safe in addition to all the other little options, but that brings the pricing quiet close to some 15-20 cu feet AMSEC TL rated safes- wouldn't that be more secure to just modify one into a gun safe?

[Ubermcoupe]

+1 for Liberty CS. I use an AMSEC to store some items but I have been buying up recently (not sure why ) and need to get a bigger one. I called up the brick and mortar liberty shop here in SJ and had a very informed decision after speaking with Paul? He cut me a great deal on a customizable safe (panels inside can mold to accommodate LG storage as I buy more) and delivery. Make sure you shop around, I ended up with a cheaper quote + delivery than I could find online.

There is also the Costco safe deal here.

[Ctwo]

Ctwo
I do not known what safe you are talking about. The hot link the op has is not close to 1/4" steel. This is a sheet metal outer. I went through a lot of different company and ended up with a sturdy safe.

jerry

My mistake. I read this as a "C-rate" AMSEC, which they define:

This is then being misadvertised as AMSEC does not call this a C-rate safe.


As I understand it, a real safe would have a TL rating.

[Mr. Beretta]

[QUOTE=scootergmc;6403294]http://www.sturdysafe.com/


+100

Purchased a Sturdy safe model # 3224 several months ago. Under $1,500 delivered. I've had a Fort Knox and a Cannon before the Sturdy. Both good safes but neither had the features for the price that Sturdy did. 7 gauge body, solid 5/16 steel door, S&G Group 2 combo box #6730 spin dial lock,etc. etc...100% made in USA parts & built by Americans. Check out their vids on their website.

Love it!

Good luck!

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

I would like to spend $1,500ish (I can spend more if needed) and as for capacity sake, I am not sure as I currently do not own any guns.

WWDHD- You did not get your safe fire-lined? Is there a reason why?

Sturdy safe appeared to be a really almost no brainer deal until I realized the fire-lining was an extra 1/4 or more the cost of the safe in addition to all the other little options, but that brings the pricing quiet close to some 15-20 cu feet AMSEC TL rated safes- wouldn't that be more secure to just modify one into a gun safe?

my gun safe is not fire lined. and i do not have to worry about rust. the firing linings absorb moisture which is why u have to have descitant or another type of dehumidifier. So now i dont have to store my guns in silicoln socks and keep constant up keep on their cleaning for rust. And yes fire lining does incerease the cost BIG time.