New Gun Safe

Quote:Save your money I believe that any safe is better than no safe and we all have to live within some kind of budget...Those appear to be basic protection at a reasonable price..

There are some things that I would look at in selecting a safe, but knowing that each feature usually adds cost/value to the safe, some may not be really important...

Too bad they don't show the interior of the Winchester, but I like the fact that it does specify the number of locking bolts (12), where the other two only show 8....Having been in law enforcement and having done some Crime Prevention assignments/training, most safes are meant to deter theft, as much as protect from fire...and the more places you secure the door, the longer it takes for a potential thief to get in, if it's installed properly...

If it was in the specs, I missed it, but if you are more concerned about a fire than theft, some safes have a door seal that expands and seals the door shut to prevent heat and moisture seeping in during the fire suppression activities...

Many safe companies list their theft deterrence rating on their higher end safes, but don't publish their rating on the lower end, just due to the ease of entry by a skilled thief...
 
I also think, depending on the household, 'unauthorized access' can be a higher likelihood than a full blown professional burglary job. I agree that a dedicated thief with time can break into about anything, but something is better than the closet.
 
I agree with muskrat and the info old turtle has posted is on point. Deter the thief or keep safe from fire. Plus the 12 locking bolts on the winchester safe is nice.
 
My biggest things that I look at are fire rating(how hot for how long), numbers of locks, and then the number of guns. I bought a 23-25 gun safe about 3-4yrs ago and within a yr it was full. Make sure if you have 12-15 guns now that for every gun that has a scope on it you better count that as 2 guns and for every AR you need to count that as 2.5 guns. So get one that is twice as big as you think you need. It will save you from having to buy another one in a couple of years. But I also think that any safe that has a good fire rating is better than nothing.
 
i bought one of the Winchester safes when it was on sale at Costco. I have no complaints, it is great so far and way better than nothing. It is great for my use


There is always people saying you need to of the line and nothing else will work, but when i comes down to it some people (myself included) cant drop $1200+ on a safe. Do your research and buy the best you can find in your price range and you will be good to go. If a Pro-theif wants in he will get in no matter the brand safe. if its a typical robber he most likly will not have the tools to get in even a cheap safe. Check out the fire rating too.

Big Horn safes are really nice too (better than winchester IMO)
 
Originally Posted By: deaddogwalkinMy biggest things that I look at are fire rating(how hot for how long), numbers of locks, and then the number of guns. I bought a 23-25 gun safe about 3-4yrs ago and within a yr it was full. Make sure if you have 12-15 guns now that for every gun that has a scope on it you better count that as 2 guns and for every AR you need to count that as 2.5 guns. So get one that is twice as big as you think you need. It will save you from having to buy another one in a couple of years. But I also think that any safe that has a good fire rating is better than nothing.

Yep buy a bigger safe then you think you need,I bought a 20 place safe and it only fit 2/3rds of my guns,I didnt account for scopes,had to leave all my shotguns in the Gun Cabinet and buy another safe Grrrrrr..
 
Originally Posted By: WvYotehunter65 Deter the thief or keep safe from fire.

Any safe with locking bolts will deter the common "grab and run" thief.
Buy the best your budget allows.
 
You are probably aware of this already, but a safe that will hold up to 24 long guns will probably only hold about 16 scoped rifles without rubbing and marking each other in a safe. If want to store 20+ guns you should be looking at a 32 gun safe.
 
My advice...save a little longer and get the best one you can afford. It should be the last one you ever buy if you do your research! I too thought it was a lot to spend on a safe ($800 - $1000) Until I thought about how many $ worth of inventory it was going to house. A SINGLE gun costs that much! So...put 15-20 guns in there and do the math! Kinda like the old adage...spend more on your scope than your gun! Why spend less on a "home" for your gun than the gun itself is worth!?

Also, buy 2X as big as you think you need...that was advice given to me, and I'm glad I listened. I also use mine to store valuables such as financial paperwork, video tapes of kids, backup CD's, ammo etc. which all takes up room too. Interior has adjustable layout to fit most any need from ALL guns to 1/2 guns 1/2 shelves etc.

I too looked at "cheap" safes. until I realized they would be a PITA to get into my house. I bought mine from a local dealer that included in-home delivery in his sale. If you've ever tried to move a 56" x 72" x 32" 1850lb safe into the lower level of a house...you'll know what I mean when I tell you that delivery/setup is HUGE!

Mine has 20 1.5" bolts, Class III fire rating (1500* @ 1.5hrs), 10ga steel shell and 5" thick door. Hope I never have to put it to the test...but if it does come to that...I am hopeful it will hold up to fire/burglary w/ it's "heavy duty" features.
http://www.championsafe.com/triumph.html
 
Look into Sportsman steel gun safes.
I have the Pentagon, double wide crown series.
1/4 steel body, combo and biometric lock.
Pistol hangers on the door.
One he11 of a safe.
I thought it would be big enough for what I wanted, but I was wrong. I will probably end up buying another one within the next couple of years.

Buy the biggest you can get in your house. They fill up quick.

http://www.sportsmansteelsafes.com

I know they are more than you want to spend but it is a lifelong investment that your grandchildren's, grandchildren will get great use out of as well.
 
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If you like all of them then anyone should do, if you have a budget get what you can get. Something is better than nothing. You don't have to spend 1000s on a safe to have a good one, of course it would be nice but then again I would like all my guns to cost 50,000 dollars too but I spend a whole lot less and they still work hmmmm
 
jschroed,
Not trying to belittle any of the products or your goal, but might I suggest you do some reading about safes. When you talk about safes, you need to consider such issues as "Burn Rates," useable space and similar factors associated with the security of your weapons. Sadly these day, $650 will buy you a storage locker with a combination dial on it. Now I suspect you are working on a "tight budget", but try and think long term because it isn't eveyday you buy a safe. Certainly weight of a safe should be a consideration because you don't want two darn idiots picking up your safe and walking away with it.
Again I'm just trying to inject some issues for you to think about. And as for room, it gets taken up faster than you think, so go take a look at some safes on display where you can see how many square ft they are and if the number of weapons you want to put in a safe will actually fit.

Good luck and have fun in your search.
 
This would be my list and order for picking a safe.
1. budget
2. capacity
3. fireproof rating
4. burglary proof and locking mechanism (ie. keypad or dial)
5. inside layout
6. outside looks

I would get the biggest and best using this list I could afford (obviously!!!)
 
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