Bought a security cabinet instead of a red dot

[roushstage2]

I figured it would be more prudent to purchase something to keep my guns safer than in individual locked cases, instead of buying another optic that I don't need. It's no safe, but I live upstairs in an apartment with a narrow stair and door way, so getting a gigantic 750lb safe up here wouldn't be happening anyways.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to pick up a Stack-On 14-Gun Security Cabinet. On sale at Big 5 for $160 from $200. Plus, I'm getting the display model so the manager is giving me 10% off and I have a 10% off coupon. 20% off the sale price. Works for me.

Figure depending on the space left, I might put a bag of wrapped up concrete in the bottom for some extra weight "just in case." I will get it anchored to the wall as well.

[Merc1138]

Just keep in mind that such a cabinet is only going to "keep the honest people honest". If someone really wanted to get in there, they will.

It is decent for keeping kids out of things and the like.

[roushstage2]

Just keep in mind that such a cabinet is only going to "keep the honest people honest". If someone really wanted to get in there, they will.

It is decent for keeping kids out of things and the like.

Yeah. Unfortunately, I don't much of a choice in getting something larger at present, and I don't want to spend $500 on a safe the same size or smaller, when a bigger one only costs a few hundred more. I just need to wait and see where I'll be at once I get a "real" job, get a house, and a real safe. I live in a [very] low-crime area, so keeping honest people honest is probably about the biggest concern. You can generally leave your car windows rolled down in the summer, lock the doors, and all is well (keeping honest people honest). There is almost always someone home anyways. If not, at least one of the three neighbors are home the short time we aren't. One of the nice things about living in a small area.

[a1c]

Better than nothing. Will not deter professional thieves with a plan, but will definitely do a good job against grab-and-go crackheads and small time burglars.

[jonzer77]

Good Job!

[rplusplus]

This is my opinion... (sure to get some attention from THEM)

Not everybody NEEDS a safe. Locked Cabinets are fine if that is what you need.

No it not a cheap alternative to a safe which has different qualities... But it has it's own value.

Good on ya.

[jyo]

Good move---now bolt it down!

[chim-chim7]

Buy a butter knife too. That way if you lose your keys you can still get in.

[GMG]

I think you made the right decision for your needs for now. The stack on will come in handy down the road when the time is right, for locked ammo storage when you do buy a safe.

[roushstage2]

Buy a butter knife too. That way if you lose your keys you can still get in.

If I'm one of the ~5 cases per year of something more than petty theft from an automobile where I live because of a butter knife, so be it I suppose.

I have to rethink where it is going to go now. The Mrs. is no longer OK with the spot that I picked out before I left for work. Came home to a note that says no. Good grief.

[Merc1138]

If I'm one of the ~5 cases per year of something more than petty theft from an automobile where I live because of a butter knife, so be it I suppose.

I have to rethink where it is going to go now. The Mrs. is no longer OK with the spot that I picked out before I left for work. Came home to a note that says no. Good grief.

"I'm sorry, but I was excited so I bolted it to the wall before I saw your note"

[roushstage2]

"I'm sorry, but I was excited so I bolted it to the wall before I saw your note"

lol. It's going to have to go where I wanted it anyways for now, as that is the only spot for it at present. Her solution is "we need a bigger place." She did find a pretty decent looking house in-town (God that'd be nice; no more 20 minute drives just to get to civilization); we'll have to go check it out. Use part of our tax returns as the deposit until we get this one back I suppose. Moving...sounds like a PITA to me.

[chim-chim7]

I am just hoping to help you with your choice. If the title of your thread said,"House broken into, Guns stolen" and you said you used a Stack-On cabinet how do you think the responses would be. Not positive at all, which is why I am wondering why the positive responses in this thread. I guess it's a good idea until your guns go away then it was a bad idea.

Here is the thing, I bet your guns were placed out of sight before. Now the crimals dont have to search the house and they can get them all at once. I have a Stack-On 7 gun cabinet, which I use for gunpowder and other reloading supplies, the keys are in the door.
It's obvious you are worried to a point about the security of your weapons which is why you want to lock them up. Nice small neighborhood or not, stuff happens. Some of the nicest people in the smallest neighborhoods get hit. It's a shame. If you do decide on the cabinet, place it somewhere where it's not obvious. Why? The reason is because the cabinet can be opened with a butter knife. No other tools are needed. There was a video on You Tube some time back that has now been removed for whatever reason. It showed how easy it was to get into one.

The test cabinet was bolted to the wall studs in 4 places. They locked the cabinet, one man stood back about 5 feet then one swift kick to the door and it was badly dented in the center. This dent caused the edges of the door to expose a place to insert the butter knife. He inserted the knife and pryed the door back enough to get a half a hand in. Then he pulled hard and the door flew open, bending those thin locking bars. The whole thing took about 30 seconds.

I also live in a very small neighboorhood where we all know each other. Recently I was followed home by someone I had seen at the range parking lot. I was about 3 turns away from my street and I noticed the car behind me was the same blue station wagon that I saw in the parking lot after the range. Two guys inside, maybe a third in the back seat. I immediately took a wrong turn and headed towards the mall, they followed. I pulled into my local sub-station and they looked at me as they continued to drive by and away from me. Guess I dodged that one. Even if they managed to get into my house, the auto-dialer in my gun room would call my cell alerting me of intruders. I would then call the cops while the thieves try to get my safe open.

So place that thing where it might get overlooked. Otherwise your just saving the thieves a lot of time searching for things.

[ExtremeX]

Im going have to agree with chim chim here....

And you sir have good situational awareness for keeping an eye out at the range for stuff like that. Its always been in the back of my mind it could happen to me, seems like an easy way to become a target getting followed home.

[roushstage2]

I thought I was doing good by buying something better than my Plano gun cases with locks on them. Lowe's has a 14-Gun Centurion by Liberty Safe for $397 (it retails for $619, according to the Liberty Safe site). I could get two of those 10% of coupons from the change of address packets. That'd take it down to roughly $321.57 before taxes. I could probably use one of my family member's Lowe's card for the purchase for another 5% off (providing I could use the card online to buy it along with the 10% coupon). That would take it down to just a few dollars over $300 before taxes if all went well with the coupons.

IDK. Maybe I'll just wait and spend another $150 and get the safe. It's relatively the same size; just weighs more.