Christmas Gun Safe!

[Bull Elk]

My wife gave me a Christmas card that says I can go buy a new gun safe! Any recommendations? Question: Is it worth the extra $$ for a 45 vs. 30 minute burn time? Your thoughts are appreciated. My current safe is a 20 year + old 16 gun Browning.

[RandyD]

My personal opinion about fire ratings is if you are protecting documents, you may want the extra rating but if you are protecting firearms, then it may be a waste of time. In my case, my safes are in the garage, which is wood framed and stucco exterior. I don't believe the wood used in my garage has enough fuel, to do any damage to firearms in my safes. I had also read that some gun safe manufacturers use drywall as their fire proof material.

[drutledge79]

I got a "Sturdy Safe" which is made in California (http://www.sturdysafe.com/). It is plane-jane but weighs more (has thicker steel) than the imports you'll get. Having said that, you'll pay more, too.

Here is my opinion on the matter after spending $2500 on one. It isn't a bank vault. No home safe is. So don't kid yourself into thinking what you're buying is invincible.

If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely consider a cheaper unit from Costco or a Liberty Safe out of San Jose (a couple friends have these). I don't regret my purchase in the slightest but if I were buying another one today I'd probably just go with a Liberty and call it a day.

The total package of your security is more than the thickness of the steel. Installation location, bolting, OPSEC, locks on your house, security cameras, etc all play a part.

As for fire-safety, I dunno. I didn't splurge for it on the Sturdy. I feel like insurance is for fire and the steel and locks are for thieves.

[Freeballer]

Let me know how much you want for your old one....

[Bull Elk]

Let me know how much you want for your old one....

I'm not getting rid of it for awhile. If I do I'll contact you.

[DSMeyer]

As far as the fire rating, if your safe is in side a house or attached garage, go with the longest fire rating. Most structure fires are extinguished in 30-50 minutes. If it's stored in a detached garage a 30 minute rated unit would be fine.
For all fire rated safes make sure the fire sealing tape stays secure when water is applied, the cheaper seals shrink and will let flooding occur which is more damaging than the fire itself.

[deckhandmike]

Most safes I saw (not many) as a FF that had been in fire did not fare well. I'd personally not worry much about the fire rating. The temp of the fire can double with a good breeze. It's really just luck and how far you live from the FD. If you are a serious collector spend the bucks. If not go for largest size.

[lewdogg21]

BE - I have a costco cannon and have been pleased with it. Its bolted to the slab and hidden from view. IIRC it was $799 or so on sale delivered.
It's not fort knox but it does what I need.

[waterfern]

I picked up an amsec bf series gun safe. The specs are stellar and the price is very fair considering how well made it is. Also the fire rating they get is from firecrete which is a fireproof type concrete that is poured in between two layers of steel, not drywall which most other fireproof gun safes have. Also the door is a solid 1/2 inch plate steel which is nice that it makes the gun safe heavy, which makes it harder to steal. I think my bf 30" wide is about 1100 pounds empty. No many people are going to throw that into the back if a truck and drive off with it.

http://www.amsecusa.com/gun-safes/bf-gun-safes/

[javithewrench]

Go buy a safe full of guns!!! She never said it had to be empty???

[VaderSpade]

I'm not getting rid of it for awhile. If I do I'll contact you.

Hang on to the old one. I'm up to three, two are 28 cubic ft, and the other is 50 cubic ft. and I'm almost out of room.

[FJ40 CRUZR]

If you have the time then definitely check out Sturdy, visit the warehouse and u will be impressed, ask them if they have any scratch and dents or one that is an older model. I like Liberty as well, however when compared to Sturdy then my $$$ goes to Sturdy every time.

Good luck and happy New Years !

[Newshooter]

Depending on your budget...Halls in auburn apmakes a really nice safe. I am also a big fan of Liberty safes. I ended up with the liberty because the Halls was a over my budget.

The international Sportsmans Expo is coming next month and most safe manufacturers have booths there and they always offer show discounts. If you can wait that long, you get to compare a lot of safes in one general location and probably get a deal on one.

[Bull Elk]

I'm going to visit Liberty safes in Sac tomorrow as they are having a sale and have some scratch and dented safes for sale. If that does not work, I'll wait until Subday of the sportsman's show.

Everyone...for all the info!

[VaderSpade]

My biggest safe is a Liberty Presidential 50. It's been a great safe but save yourself some grief and stick with a dial lock. The battery powered ones will give out at some point. Mine ate batteries and died after about 8 years. My old Canon dial safes still work good after 30 years.
I switched my Liberty to a dial and it just works better.