Snap Safe or Dakota Safe Experiences?

[gunsmithcats]

Gents,
Looking at getting a modular safe. Anyone have experiences with either snap safe or dakota safes?

Zanotti is out of the question as theyre' backlogged a year and way out of my price range.

Thanks!

[Merc1138]

The biggest snap safe isn't very big. Dakota currently has a backlog until April(I called them earlier this week) and isn't taking orders but is taking down info for a list of buyers.

[jben]

Merc is right. The biggest Snap Safe isn't very big.
But, if you're looking at one then you probably aren't looking for a big safe.

I have a Snap Safe Titan (the biggest) and it's like a 10-12 gun safe.
I live in a house (with no garage) where I can't get large safes inside (door frame size) and I'm not sure the floors would support the weight (of a large safe) in one spot. So, I opt for more than one small safe.

Once the Snap Safe is put together it is as solid as a welded safe. There is no slack anywhere. Also, for a smaller, less expensive safe, they use a thicker gauge steel than competitors. The fire lining is actually a fire blanket instead of the drywall others use. My only complaint is the handle is chintzy feeling and kind of loose (wobbly).

When you get a smaller safe you can fit more guns than rated by taking out all the shelves/racks and put your guns in gun socks. Alternate guns butt down/barrel down and you can easily put 15 (or more) long guns in a 10 gun safe.

Bottom line...if you're looking for a modular safe, and you know you're not getting a cavernous interior...I'd recommend the Snap Safe. I may get another, mine is almost full

[gunsmithcats]

Thanks for the replies gents.
I notice the dakota is bigger and heavier by almost 200 pounds.
I have a primary safe downstairs but its overflowing like its cool, and would like a backup safe upstairs for overflow and personal documents/possessions/jewelry.

Would the dakota, weighing at 500 pounds, be alright in an upstairs closet?
I might just spring for that considering its the same cost as a snapsafe and has more capacity.

[Merc1138]

Thanks for the replies gents.
I notice the dakota is bigger and heavier by almost 200 pounds.
I have a primary safe downstairs but its overflowing like its cool, and would like a backup safe upstairs for overflow and personal documents/possessions/jewelry.

Would the dakota, weighing at 500 pounds, be alright in an upstairs closet?
I might just spring for that considering its the same cost as a snapsafe and has more capacity.

I don't see why it wouldn't be. A lot of people tend to forget just how heavy some pieces of furniture are when loaded, compared to how much surface area is actually making contact with the floor. Yeah, a safe might weigh 500 pounds but you're putting it up against a wall(as opposed to the center of a room), and it's footprint is much larger than that of say... your bed with 2 people in it and the 4 or 6 little 2"x2" contact patches it might have.(not saying you'd want to load it full of ammo either, but guns shouldn't be an issue).

Think of it this way, how often do you hear of a fat couple falling through the ceiling in an apartment complex? It doesn't happen.You've probably also never heard of a loaded 350+ pound refrigerator causing problems either.

edit: A buddy of mine did manage to cause a floor to sag with his 150 gallon fish tank. However, that's 1275 pounds of water, not including the stand and the tank itself. It was promptly emptied and moved, but that's 3x the weight we're talking about.