Advice On Purchasing My First Safe- Barska AX11652?

[DasBoost]

**I Did Not Purchase This Safe**

Calguns,

I've found a good deal on a Barska Biometric safe. Its slender and holds between 4-6 rifles and 2-4 handguns on the top shelf. It's biometric and can store 120 sets of fingerprints but also has two backup keys. Right now, I'm looking for a safe or cabinet because I have my two rifles and pistol, all of which are in soft cases and have cable locks and trigger locks. I'd really like to get something so I have a more secure setup and a larger deterrent if someone does break in. Last thing I want is one of my guns used to hurt someone and I have some money now to upgrade to a safe. Reason I am looking into this one is it's small and slender and I can slip it into my closet in the corner and it's 66lbs so I can get it up to my 2nd story room but also bolt it to floor.

Not going to lie, the price makes it attractive as I can get it less than the $300 list price and a great deal on shipping. However, if it's not worth it, can you suggest some alternatives. Also, nothing too large, need it to fit in a small space. Thanks CG!!

Specs:
Model #: AX11652
Body Material: Steel
Color / Finish: Black Matte
Fingerprint Memory: Up To 120 Users
Secondary Access: Two Back-up Keys
Locking System: Three Point Dead Bolt
Body Thickness: 2mm
Outer Size (inch): 8.6" x 9.8" x 52.17"
Inner Size (inch): 6.3" x 9.7" x 52"
Warranty: One Year Warranty
Fireproof: No
Weight: 66 lbs

Features:
* Quick Keyless Access
* Advanced Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
* Store up to 120 User Fingerprints
* Internal 4 Position Rifle Rest (Stores Up-to 4 Rifles)
* Operates on 4 AA Batteries (Included)
* Up to Two Years Long Battery Life
* Solid Three Point Deadbolt Lock

[GW]

Seem a bit steep for only storing 4 guns and not fireproof. You can get a Stak-On with twice the capacity for 1/3 the price
The biometric thing is nice and I imagine that is what you are really paying for. but think about it. Storing only 4 long guns? Even if you're a beginning shooter, you will be needing a bigger safe very soon.

Good luck to you

[pontiacpratt]

Barska... Like the cheap optic company? Hum?

[Merc1138]

That's pretty horrible. Get one of the stack-on cabinets for 1/3 the price. That safe isn't fireproof, I can barely see the only visible locking bolt, it's tiny, overpriced, cheesy fingerprint gimmick...

I'd definitely never spend any money on that.

[rero360]

What they all said, plus 66 pounds? even fully loaded I could toss that thing over my shoulder and take off with it. Total garbage, go with a known brand, Sentry, Cannon, Stack-on, etc.

[cranemech]

http://www.harborfreight.com/executive-safe-95824.html

Harbor freight has this one right now for 380.00. Use one of the 20% off coupons for an even better deal.

[DasBoost]

Really appreciate the replies guys!! Thank you.

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. I really didnt know what to look for in a cabinet or safe and figured I'd ask more experienced CGers with more firearms than myself. I just didnt have the money/space for the larger ones. And yeah, 66lbs sounded nice for lugging it up stairs and I'd bolt it down, but yeah...

EDIT: Looked at Stack-On's offerings and looking a Sentry's/Cannon's/Harbor Freight's now. For $100 more, I can get a larger, legit safe. :O Thanks again guys, much appreciated.

[Mr. Beretta]

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. I really didnt know what to look for in a cabinet or safe and figured I'd ask more experienced CGers with more firearms than myself. I just didnt have the money/space for the larger ones. And yeah, 66lbs sounded nice for lugging it up stairs and I'd bolt it down, but yeah...

EDIT: Looked at Stack-On's offerings and looking a Sentry's/Cannon's/Harbor Freight's now. For $100 more, I can get a larger, legit safe. :O Thanks again guys, much appreciated.

Hi

What you purchased is better than nothing. Budget, space, etc. I'm sure had allot to do with your selection. My respectful suggestion would be, as soon as you can afford it, upgrade to a better made safe and consider a regular spin dial instead of anything electronic.

A good rule of thumb is the cost of your safe should be much more than the cost of your most expensive gun. Not the other way around.

Good Luck!

[DasBoost]

Hi

What you purchased is better than nothing. Budget, space, etc. I'm sure had allot to do with your selection. My respectful suggestion would be, as soon as you can afford it, upgrade to a better made safe and consider a regular spin dial instead of anything electronic.

A good rule of thumb is the cost of your safe should be much more than the cost of your most expensive gun. Not the other way around.

Good Luck!

Havent purchased. I was asking here before I purchased. Luckily, I was saved by wiser folks.

[DasBoost]

when you click on 'Edit' thread, click on ' Go Advanced' and you will be able to edit thread title as well as full editing of your post..

Thank you! I knew there was a way but wasn't sure. :thumbsups:

[natrab]

Sentry 5 gun safe

I had similar needs as you a few years ago. I didn't have room for a large firesafe and needed something to share my small closet with. I only have 3 rifles so I didn't need a ton of storage. The safe above is about the same as what you had listed, but with a better bolt and no biometric gimmick.

I will upgrade eventually, but I have to upgrade to a house first :P

[DasBoost]

Sentry 5 gun safe

I had similar needs as you a few years ago. I didn't have room for a large firesafe and needed something to share my small closet with. I only have 3 rifles so I didn't need a ton of storage. The safe above is about the same as what you had listed, but with a better bolt and no biometric gimmick.

I will upgrade eventually, but I have to upgrade to a house first :P

Thanks for the link.

[jdleejr]

This Safe is Fine...

Guys, Stop the Bandwagon!! Oh my goodness...what are you saying...what are you thinking? It's not a 36 gun liberty so it is junk! Comon...

First, Barska has the best biometrics on the market in firearms safes right now. They are FAST and reliable. You can scan your own fingers in multiple positions with 120 storage options.

Second, 66 lbs. is irrelevant when it is bolted in with only two sides accessible, preferrably in a tight space, like a closet. In the meantime, someone living in a rented room, apartment, dorm, etc...only 66 lbs is a godsend when you have to move it.

Third, large is not necessarily equal to good. You may have a walk-in closet for each bedroom but most people do not and space is a premium.

Fourth, the small stack-ons, drawers, under the beds, etc. - the heck with opening them, I will kick them loose and take them with me to be opened later. If someone comes in with a sawzall, then all our small safes are gone...cut the section of wall out, take it with the safe for future demolition, but that is nearly never the case. Crowbar or just plain violence is common - can your safe be broken free and carried away?

Fifth, the pins this safe have are large and sturdy...no, it doesnt have back side pins, no it is not fireproof, no it is not able to store all your valuables.

What it does is keep honest people honest and all but the very good thiefs frustrated. It allows me in my restricted space to put one in each bedroom closet. It allows me to put INEXPENSIVE firearms in, that if I have to use for what they were purchased for, I will probably end up losing them anyway! It allows me to keep my $150.00 shotgun safely in my bedroom and I dont have to leave my carry gun on the nightstand. It allows me to stay right where I am in the house without having to fight my way to the shotgun if/when anyone breaks in. I am not going to fight my way to the gun or hunt someone down in the house...no mistaken identities in a dark room that way. If the alarm goes off all the kids know to stay in their room and and then if anyone comes in unannounced, to open fire on a pre-planned firing lane, while staying behind cover that is setup just for that contingency.

With the Barska safe listed above, I do not have to crawl around on the floor or in drawers to find it, open it, reach inside it to get the gun, search for the spare magazines, etc. The lock is a perfect height for me to roll out of bed, open with a swipe of the hand, and be armed in less than two seconds. I keep the surefire in there, an outdated cell phone that is constantly plugged in since all phones, active or not can still call 911. My carry gun, a shotgun, a whistle, xtra ammo, a chemical glow light attached to my door keys, garage door opener and a floorplan with pictures of the family that I can throw out the window when the LEO's show up.

If the kids friends are over, party or not, they wont get access to a firearm in my house. If neighbors come by, or the kids next door, no one is ever going to be tempted. A real pro is going to get into my big safes downstairs and in the garage anyway...hopefully all the other deterrents make them want to go somewhere else instead.

I highly recommend the safe you have listed above. It is not the end-all or even great. It is a lot faster to get into than any of the other safes they have mentioned, especially naked in the middle of the night and it is more than adequate for the right situation, as listed above.

Jerry
NRA Benefactor, NRA Instructor in all disciplines, Instructor for Personal Protection In and Outside the Home, CCW Instructor, Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO), IDPA Match Director/SO., Founder of Realtime Solutions - Defensive Tactics, Partner in FamTKD Martial Arts Studio, etc. etc.

[jdleejr]

ROFL....

I decided to go look again at the other safes some listed above and read the reviews. The very first one:

I ordered this gun safe specifically for my bed room closet, so I could have my carry guns close at hand as well as a couple of my "personal defense" shotguns too, which up to now, are kept in a "fire proof", gun safe in my garage. I received the safe quickly, and it was not damaged. I also have a "Stack-On" drawer safe that holds two guns with a electronic combination lock and lifts up to open, that up to now, I kept in my bedside table. I attached this safe to the top of the Sentry gun safe, which I might add, was a perfect fit, and installed both in my closet, just inside the door. When I lock up this gun safe, I simply put the key to it in the drawer safe bolted on top and everything is secured,

Ok...think about this a minute...1) he kept a "Stack-On" in his beside table. Who here thinks that is secure? If I am a bad-guy I might not be able to use the gun on this job, but what about the next? 2) he now keeps the keys to another safe listed above in the stack-on on top of that safe. OMG...I couldn't make something this funny up...go look at the reviews on Amazon.

The problem with keys...is they have to be kept somewhere which means someone can lose/find them and they are slow to find and use if you have them secure. The problem with a combination lock is time...and clearing your vision, and lighting and nerves, and... Remember, the fine motor skills go away with the injection of adrenaline. The problem with electronic safes (button or biometric) is if you lose power. REPLACE THE BATTERY ANNUALLY at the same time as you're changing the fire detectors.

The electronic/push buttons are fine, if you take them apart and disable that stupid beeper inside...I really don't want the thief to know where I am while still trying to get into my safe as I hit each button, hopefully in the right sequence.

I am done here...buy what you like, but you really didnt make a bad choice with the barska above. Just think of it as a secure cabinet vs a safe (like all the others recommended above) and expectations are properly set.

[DasBoost]

Thanks for the insight; I plan on putting it in a tight space. It was a week-long offer with $10 shipping but I did look around and for only a little bit longer of saving, I can have a safe that's fire-resistant and a little larger but still fitting my needs.